In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop It Goaltending U the App, we dig into the benefits of working with different coaches in the off-season, and the importance of bringing an open mind to those sessions.

Today, we’re diving into an important topic for every young goaltender and their parents: the value of working with multiple goalie coaches.

This isn’t about saying one coach is better than another. It’s about recognizing that different perspectives, different teaching styles, and different experiences all help shape a more well-rounded goaltender. And with our upcoming Coaches Directory, finding great coaches to work with has never been easier.

I learned this lesson early in my coaching career when I had the surreal experience of working with a young goalie who also got on-ice guidance from a guy named… Ken Dryden. Only my childhood hero. No pressure, right? But you know, I added value for the goalie I wa working with. Even one of the best to play the game didn’t have all the aswers. I quickly realized that goalies—at every level—will hear different things from different coaches. The key is learning how to absorb and apply those lessons.

Another NHL goalie we know, for example, struggled at his first Hockey Canada camp (when they held those!) because every coach had a slightly different approach. But when he returned the next year with an open mind, he came out a better goaltender. Today, he works with multiple coaches throughout the year—just like almost every NHL goalie we speak with.

Thatcher Demko told us in an early InGoal Radio episode that working with different coaches growing up made him a better goaltender. He didn’t just train with one coach back home; his dad helped him find coaches wherever they traveled. That exposure helped him learn to take in different perspectives and shape his own game.

So what does this mean for your young goalie?

It means being open to different voices is a critical skill. Too often, goalies get locked into one coach’s way of doing things, and when they hear something different from a team coach, they push back: “But my goalie coach says I have to do it this way.” That mindset can limit their development.
Instead, the best goalies take something from every coach. Some are more technical, others create game-like environments, some give feedback on every shot, others give time for independent reps. Every approach adds something to your goalie’s game—whether it’s skill development, game reading, or learning to work with different coaching styles.

A Practical Step for Parents:

If you’re a goalie parent, talk to your goalie about the coaches they work with. Ask what they like, what they struggle with, and what they’re learning. Help them process those experiences so they can make the most of every coaching relationship.
And if your goalie has only worked with one coach, now is a great time to explore new voices. That’s exactly why we created the InGoal Coaches Directory—to help goalies find and connect with great coaches. You can still work with your go-to coach, but maybe try someone new this off-season and see what you can learn. Indeed maybe instead of that cool Spring hockey experience where you travel across the country to play only a game or two on a weekend – save the money and find a cool place to visit in the Directory to combine goaltending with Vacation. Alaska, Montreal, the East Cost, the West Coast. There are school in there as far in every direction you can travel in North America.

The bottom line? The best goalies work with different coaches. It’s not just about skill—it’s about learning how to learn. So check out the InGoal Coaches Directory, and give your young goalie the chance to grow.

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