The audio segment published here takes you directly to the Parent Segment from this episode.

In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, Hutch goes over 5 New Years resolutions for goalie parents – and asks what yours will be.

New Year, New Season: Rethinking Our Role as Goalie Parents
This is our last episode before the New Year, and as we turn the calendar, there’s always a lot of talk about resolutions — getting better, working harder, fixing weaknesses.
You’ll probably notice some themes here that I keep coming back to.
That’s for good reason.
Most of the long-term success I see in young goalies doesn’t come from better drills or newer gear.
It comes from routines, independence, and a healthy parent–child relationship.
So instead of New Year’s resolutions for our goalies, I want to offer a few ideas for us as parents to reflect on.

1. Help build routines — then get out of the way
Routines create calm in a chaotic sport. Packing gear the same way. A consistent warm-up. A post-game reset.
Early on, this might mean checklists on the wall or walking through the process together.
But the goal isn’t compliance — it’s ownership.
If they forget something, resist the urge to fix it.
That discomfort is often the fastest teacher.

2. Say less on game day
Game day should feel familiar, not instructional.
Last-minute reminders, mechanical tips, or emotional pep talks often add noise, not clarity.
If something matters, it should already be part of the routine.
A simple “Have fun” or “I love watching you play” often lands better than another technical reminder.

3. Let mistakes be theirs
Bad goals. Missed gear. Tough nights.
Our instinct is to protect — from embarrassment, from disappointment, from consequences.
But independence grows when kids learn they can recover, adapt, and move on without being rescued.
The message we want them to internalize is:
I can handle this.

4. Praise effort and preparation, not outcomes
Wins, shutouts, and save percentage are noisy and unpredictable.
Preparation is controllable.
Did they take care of their body? Did they stay engaged? Did they compete through adversity?
When we consistently reinforce effort over results, we reduce anxiety and build resilience.

5. Protect the relationship above all else
Your child will have many coaches over their career.
They only get one parent.
If hockey disappeared tomorrow, the relationship should still feel safe, supportive, and intact.
That doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations — it means choosing the right time, the right tone, and remembering who you are first.

You don’t need to take on any of these as “rules.”
Think of them simply as prompts for reflection.
So here’s the question I’ll leave you with as we head into the New Year:
What will your resolution be as a goalie parent — and how might it make the rest of the season feel healthier for everyone involved?

Let us know parents@ ingoalmag.com

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