Brad Fogal: From NCAA Goalie to PWHL, OHL and Team Canada Coach (Ep. 366)
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Brad Fogal, goalie coach for PWHL Toronto, the Owen Sound Attack (OHL), and Team Canada's under-18 women's program, emphasizes building a strong technical foundation first — with age-appropriate progressions — before layering in game realism and decision-making. He stresses consistent terminology across all levels and focuses on the biomechanics of efficient movement when developing goalies.
- Build a technical foundation first, then layer in game realism and decision-making drills as goalies mature.
- Consistent terminology across all levels of goalie development reduces confusion and accelerates learning.
- Biomechanics of efficient movement is a central pillar of Fogal's coaching philosophy at every age group.
- Fogal coaches across three different contexts simultaneously — PWHL Toronto, OHL's Owen Sound Attack, and Canada's U18 women's national team — applying adaptable methods in each.
- Eric Comrie's breakdown of a late-game 6-on-5 highlights how to manage movement patterns and read releases even when slightly behind a play, with input from Connor Hellebuyck.
Episode 366 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features an information-packed interview with PWHL, OHL, and Hockey Canada goalie coach Brad Fogal.
Feature Interview
presented by NHL Sense Arena
In the feature interview, presented by NHL Sense Arena, Fogal, who also runs the Goalie Training Institute in Ontario, walks us through his unique path to NCAA and minor pro hockey before becoming a full-time coach, and how it informs his work now on the other side of the whistle. We caught up with Fogal while he was working with Team Canada's under-18 women's team, but he also works with PWHL Toronto and has been in the OHL with Owen Sound, and he shared advice on the importance of building a foundation — and what that looks like at different ages — consistent terminology, the biomechanics of good movement, adding game realism and decision-making to drills, working with multiple goalies and so much more.
Parent Segment
presented by Stop It Goaltending U
In the Parent Playbook, presented by Stop It Goaltending U the App, Hutch welcomes you to the Goalie (Parent) Union with his top-10 tips (actually top-11, with a bonus) for new goalie parents going into their first season.
Pro Reads
presented by Vizual EdgeWe also review the latest Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Eric Comrie with a great breakdown of a late-game 6-on-5 and how to manage movement patterns and read releases even when you get a little behind a play, with a hat tip to Connor Hellebuyck for some of the advice he shares.
Weekly Gear Segment
presented by The Hockey Shop Source for SportsAnd in our weekly gear segment we go to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports for a look at the Vaughn Ion Pro pads and gloves, which, counter to the name, is actually a second price-point line that still comes with plenty of top-end features.
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