Episode 357 Henrik Haukeland (WC Top Goalie)

Intro

Welcome back to the InGoal Radio Podcast. That's right, folks. Three weeks in a row of me driving the bus. I am Woody. I am with Hutch and Daren Millard.

Is on assignment. Unfortunately for him, it's not the happy assignment that he was hoping for, which would be a plane ride back to Carolina for game seven, but rather cleaning out the locker rooms down in Vegas after a memorable but tough for him and his crew Stanley Cup final. So we're thinking about you. And obviously, this is the challenge of the job and having relationships in all the different markets. Your heart breaks for one group and you're happy for another.

So, Daren, buddy, we miss you. The audience that has to listen to me each week misses you. More of me each week misses you. But we are also happy for our friends over in Carolina. Paul Schoenfelder, the goaltending coach, longtime supporter of InGoal Magazine and InGoal.

We we've done we did InGoal in person webinars with him during the pandemic. Yeah. Somebody I got to know at a Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Camp we both worked, and and just a big fan of him as not just as a coach, but as a person. So massive congratulations. Getting to see him lift the cup was cool.

Brandon Bussi, this week's ProReads presented by Vizual Edge, had him on the podcast, done ProReads. Frederik Andersen, OG, original second ever goalie we talked to for ProReads. First was Carey Price. Second was Frederik Andersen. I think he's done 16 of them.

And David Hutchison, who put together a really nice piece that's up at ingoalmag.com right now, as well as if you're a news list newsletter subscriber, you would have gotten it in your email, sort of outlining all the different materials that we've gotten over the years from the Carolina Hurricanes, Goaltending Department, Schoenfelder, Bussi, Freddie Andersen, Pyotr Kochetkov, who's a subscriber as well, and Jorge Alves, the equipment manager who got into a game as an e bug and their longtime practice goalie. So, all sort of friends of InGoal, all longtime supporters, and we couldn't be happier to watch them get to celebrate even if that's at the expense of our normal host, Millard and everyone over in Vegas. Hutch, how are you buddy?

I'm awesome. I felt watching the the cup final a little bit a little bit like one of those parents that wears the the double jersey because they've got two kids in the final. So they slice two jerseys down the middle and sew them up together. And who are we cheering for? Exactly as you said, when you're excited for one person, you're just as disappointed for the other.

Please don't ever become that person that wears two jerseys sewn together.

No. You don't like that? Is that

a jersey foul? I think that's a jersey foul.

So what do you do? Like, mom wears one and dad wears the other? You switch between periods?

That would work for me. That would work for me. Or just, you know, hey. You're you're you're not actually playing. You don't need a jersey.

Oh, are you one of the other the the press corps snobs who sit in their suits up in the press box laughing at everybody below in jerseys? Everybody's wearing one, Woody. You can't quite be like that.

I I mine are all hanging on the wall. Mine are all hanging on the wall. I get to be a fan of people. And you know what? That's what I say all the time. It's hard come Stanley Cup playoff time. Like, we don't cheer for teams. We don't. On my side of the ledger, we don't. And if people find that hard to believe I've covered the Canucks for twenty six years, you don't cheer for teams. Nope. I cheer for great stories and even better people. And does that make it tough? I will never forget being on both sides of that fence in 2011.

I mean, having to ask questions point blank moments after losing game seven of somebody who I've grown, you know, to be close with and friends with, Luongo, and living through the disappointment and heartbreak of seeing how hard it was for him and the Sedin twins. And then literally walking out the locker room and going onto the ice and having a conversation with longtime InGoal supporter, Tim Thomas, who's lifting the Conn Smythe trophy and celebrating with family. So, it it can be tough when you know everybody and have that personal involvement and then you just sort of have to remain, I hate to say it, but in the moment, if you're actually covering it, you have to remain objective or you can't function. Because I had to write stories about both with within an hour of that moment. So it's it's just the reality of it.

I think we get a little detached in the media, but we still cheer for great people and good stories. I'm detached.

You have to stay detached or it's tough to do it, but there's lots of other obstacles. Like, I giggle every time a game goes into overtime because I know what's happening to you.

Only during the regular season. Yeah.

Here's a little secret. Playoff overtime is easy. You just build everything in the full length intermissions that we don't get in the regular season, and then you top it with whoever scores the game winner.

Yeah. So Woody has a deadline. Woody's stories about games are written before the final buzzer goes unless it goes into overtime, and then it's delete, delete, delete, delete, delete. What do I have

to do now? And write three different versions, and let's be honest, the new overtime goes right into three on three and then right into the shoot out. There's no delay, quick scrape, like, it's fast. But, hey, like, woe is me. Tough life I have covering hockey for a living.

So I should stop complaining now. But it's not actually that hard or that stressful. It just means sometimes I have to sprint to the locker room and actually get my fat legs moving down the hallway.

There you go. Hey. It was a heck of a cup final, Woody.

It was a heck of a cup final.

Some of the goaltending takes we're seeing out there though, I think are a little bit unfair.

I'm not gonna name names, but if you're one of the people that put column that Brandon Bussi just did his job coming in relief and that it was purely a product of the Carolina Hurricane system, I got some numbers I'd like to throw at you. Plus 5.29 goals saved above expected in just over I guess, I was gonna say three plus games. It's closer to four. It's like 3.75 games. In that tiny sample, Brandon Bussi had the third highest goal saved above expected total of the entire playoffs, Just behind

Jakub Dobes and Linus Ullmark. Ullmark also only played four games for the Ottawa senators. He was sensational. But think of how the praise that Ullmark was getting. And Bussi did the same thing, performed at the same level.

In the Stanley Cup Finals, coming on in relief after having not played for two months, 40% of the shots that Brandon Bussi saw after entering the series were high danger scoring chances. 40%. Now part of that is just life in Carolina. The league average is 28%.

Thank you. I was gonna ask for a reference.

It's and and in the playoffs, it's 33. But in Carolina, it's always higher, and it was high for him. Like, they generated. Vegas outchanced Carolina. This was not the case of Carolina as they did at other points in the playoffs dominating.

Vegas went toe to toe with them. Brandon Bussi was the difference in the series, and I know a lot of people are now critical in asking why didn't Vegas switch goalies and go to Adin Hill? And I think we're underestimating. I'm not saying Hill couldn't have done it, but I think we're also underestimating just how hard what Brandon Bussi just did is. Like, to expect Adin Hill to come in cold and be the best goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs after not playing for two months.

Like, it's remarkable what Brandon Bussi did. Remarkable. And so hat tip to him and to anybody who's just kinda, hey. He's one of like, that's life in Carolina. Absolutely.

They're a great team. But they're also a team that may not give up a lot of shots, but they give up a lot of quality. And playing behind that mentally is difficult. The way he did it, the way he handled the pucks, way there was just so much that went into that. The big moment saves like that backdoor pad on on Eichel and the aggressive route he takes.

If he goes back to his post, which is a default for a lot of goalies, you know, cross ice, go back to your post, get your angle first, that puck goes over his pad. Instead, he goes out a little bit at Eichel, not just back to the post. He goes out and straight across, and it hits the top edge. Basically hit the, outer roll of the pad Mhmm. To basically you know, like, so you think of those moments and some of the things he does a little differently.

You watch him in our ProReads, especially this latest one as well. You know, the number of times, like, people will down

saves in that final.

Couple of half butterflies, man. There are some there's

breakaway. Wasn't one of them, I think? There was, and there

are some goalie coaches and some goalie directors and some goalie scouts that that dislike half butterflies to the point they don't want touch guys that do it. You know? And so there's an unpredictability in his game a little bit. I think there's a similar unpredictability and length for both him and Jakub Dobes. The fact they finished one three, and then they're sandwiched in between by Linus Ullmark, who's who's a lot more structured.

Like, there's just no one way to do this. Regardless, don't discount how remarkable his performance was.

No. It was outstanding. I also think some of the takes about Carter Hart's performance were a little harsh.

Yeah. The numbers weren't kind. I think he got a taste of what life is like, like almost Carolina esque. Like, he all all of a sudden listen. Carter Hart was the best goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs in round two and round three Mhmm.

Combined. The best. And then in the in the Cup final, the numbers weren't as flattering, but he was also seeing 33% of the chances were high danger. And I think some of them were high danger plus plus. And, again, if you're Carolina, it doesn't make it less remarkable, but you're somewhat used to that style.

And all of a sudden, if you're Vegas, it's a totally like, that's a totally different game for them. That's not what they they were doing a great job of of controlling where the shots were coming from. And all of sudden, Carolina just wasn't taking those shots. They were regrouping and grinding you down and waiting for the perfect opportunity. So I'm with you.

I thought the criticism was quite harsh, and I thought the knee jerk towards, you know, Vegas screwed up by not going to Adin Hill was in part presumptive that he would do what Brandon Bussi did and in some ways a little dismissive of just how remarkable that job we just talked about was for Brandon Bussey. So, hey. Listen. Stanley Cup finals. There's only one series left to talk about.

Everybody has to take. Everybody gives their attention. Not to say any of mine are correct, but, man, I'm backing them up with clear side analytics. And, that was a tough series for goaltenders. And honestly, like, let's not forget Frederik Andersen too.

If not for him, they don't get there so quickly. They're rested. They're fresh. And by the end of that series, they're they're just, I thought, skating Vegas into the ground. And that's in part because Freddie Andersen helped them get through the early series in such a timely fashion.

Outside of the first game against Montreal, those first three rounds, he was just as remarkable. That second game against Ottawa, the double overtime game Mhmm. Like, three or four goals saved above expected and that one alone. So, hat tip to Frederik Andersen and what what a remarkable story and remarkable run and immortal, man. They're all immortal.

They all have their names on the cup. Incredible. Incredible. Hey. Listen.

You know what? We're so focused on the Stanley Cup final Mhmm. That we almost forgot another InGoal supporter and former podcast, InGoal Radio Podcast guest winning a championship last night. How about Cam Johnson in the ECHL? Third Kelly Cup.

Fourth Kelly Cup, third time as MVP. Amazing. Shout out to the Florida Everblades and especially to Cam Johnson who was such a great guest on the InGoal Radio Podcast a couple of years ago. Think after the after the the third title and second MVP, four titles and three playoff MVPs. Like, that's a remarkable run for a goaltender who, as he told us, like, just very much loves the life he lives down there playing in the ECHL, playing in Naples, Florida with the Everblades, an organization that just keeps winning.

Incredible. You'd think a record like that would get a guy a shot somewhere else, but hockey has different ways of looking at things.

Well, you know, and if you go back and listen to that that interview, you know, I think I don't know how much he wants that shot.

Yeah.

Right? Like, it's not like somebody's giving you an NHL one way. He loves his life down there. He's got a family life, young child, like just he he lives a great life down there. That's all.

You gotta respect some respect that. Lifestyle matters. Family matters. There's not a lot of money getting tossed around at that level. It's probably the reason that you and I have, you know, stuck it out of beer league and not decided to climb the the ladder.

Yeah. That and my inability to stop us. Yeah. That's true. That's true.

Hey. Speaking of remarkable performances, we are already thirteen minutes in, and I have not mentioned our NHL Sense Arena feature guest this week. Henrik Hoglund. So good. From Norway. Defeated I mean, this one hurts a little bit for us as Canadians, but defeated Canada, three two in the bronze medal game in overtime. First ever bronze medal for Norway, but he's so much more than the top goaltender at the world championships this year. The the 31 year old has played in the top leagues in Sweden, in Finland, and now in Germany. 2023 DEL, German top pro level league goalie of the year. Like, he's accomplished.

Speaking of guys who need a shot somewhere else.

Yeah. We've kinda talked about that a little bit in the podcast. Like, if if he, you know, remarkable to me, he hasn't gotten that sniff yet. The job he did at the World Championships is remarkable. He's got some great background, including, you know, we've talked about it with USA Hockey about how they point to Norway as an example in terms of the way they run sports.

No keeping score up until a certain age. I think he said 12 or 13. Some great examples for youth sports in there. We get into that. We get into his career, his influences, his performance of the world championship.

This week's NHL Sense Arena feature guest, Henrik Hoglund from Norway. But first, before we get to him, so that was my tease. Mhmm. We need to get to the hockey shop, catch up with our friend Cam. If if you're not familiar, folks, it is the craziest time of year ever at the hockey shop.

Now I know a lot of you, it's into June. Some of you maybe not thinking that much about hockey, but it's time to get gear for next year. And there's no better place to go get it than The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, The Hockey Shop in Langley, thehockeyshop.com. They've got all the latest top end pro level, second price points, and down below right into youth gear. And as that new stuff comes in and they make room, they're clearing out the old stuff.

So make sure you check it out at thehockeyshop.com. Make sure you check out Cam and his crew if you have any questions. They'll make sure that they don't just get you the best deal on gear, but they make sure it's for gear that suits the way you play and the way you want your equipment to feel. It is goalies helping goalies at the hockey shop source for sports, thehockeyshop.com, including this week's sit down with Cam, where we talk about the true catalyst nitro product.

Gear

Okay. I'm a little confused here. We've done Nitro. Right? Nitro Pro.

This is not Nitro Pro. No. Okay. Help me out here because these brands tend to confuse me, and admittedly, I'm confused quite easily these days. This is a second price point.

They haven't actually called the

We'll call it 1.5 price point. So it's still pro level equipment that's made and assembled offshore with the same materials as the Nitro.

So it is. Okay. Gotcha. Now I guess see, I just needed to clarify. There are so many different and this is a good thing. Like like, don't get me wrong, folks. This is a good thing that we have multiple layers because it also means we have multiple price options and not everybody has to buy at the highest levels. Not everybody needs the highest levels, the most expensive. So Cam, walk me through the Catalyst Nitro. The True Catalyst Nitro pad.

Okay. Let's start there.

Start with the pad. Things that stand out right away. The profile of the pad, the stiffness of that upper portion of the pad itself. So flexible boot? Flexible boot stuff is still there.

Oh, wow. That is Very, very, very, very stiff up top. Okay. Which is I mean, if you're after a pro like, again, we've talked about this before at the NHL level.

Yep.

Pretty much not everybody, but almost every goalie from the knee up is really stiff, and this seems to hold true to that, which a second price point pad is kind of impressive.

And one of the reasons too, again, with that thinned out profile, you need to have those stiff foams up top there, or you're gonna really start to have that breakdown happen. That trap. The door. Correct. Okay. Okay.

Hold on. Oh, I see Slow down there. We're talking about the back of the pad here.

And you you do you. Okay.

Knee cradle. Nice open knee cradle. Recept foam. Like, you're getting that almost as wide as you possibly can. So acceptance of that bigger style of a knee pad definitely kind of going hand in hand here for sure.

Overall feel and features like again, Sure Grip knees, things like that, all kind of still matches in. FRS rotation system kind of still That's a very popular feature for sure. Correct. Correct. So opening it up a little bit more.

We still see that adjustment of again, that FRS and still that nice wide open link channel. Okay. So again, so soft open boot construction PCS toe makes its return kind of too as well. You're also getting that same bit of a cutout. Again, we've had some mixed feedback in terms of where and how that's actually going to sit like on like integration with the post and things like that too as well.

Where you're actually going to hit with it. We found that a lot of guys are saying they're still hitting the regular laces or they don't find that they're actually getting that in tune right on that toe bridge. So again Yeah. Mean, I've seen it at

the NHL level like there are guys using this to the NHL. Correct. Interestingly enough, one of them, all the red marks from hitting the post were on the back of it as opposed to the toe of it or most of it. But as they told me, it's still extra material, extra surface. I mean, they sort of made they made pad foils illegal a long time ago, but this is pad foils. This is there's a This is damn near half a pad foil. Like, we'll take the extra coverage, you know? For sure.

Alright. So, pad wise, one last thing to cover. Kevin was so excited about it. Yes. What's that?

Diamond Glide.

Oh, Diamond Glide. I was excited about that.

Yep. So, so far, again, like, generally positive feedback off the Glide material. A noticeable difference, obviously, between that GEM Pro and even Weave. Like, I'd say its characteristics are still very much of a weave type material. Okay.

Techno RoboCop. But that said, it's Techno RoboCop. Yes. There's also an older callback from what the material is called. But like that said, again, a noticeable difference.

Feedback's been better than say a standard DIMPRO or WEAF. Okay. Do we go to glove next? Glove. Glove, 590 break.

590.

I would show you how it closes, but I'm gonna be brutally honest here, folks. I can't close this glove. So my question to you, Cam, is how long until I can close this?

So softer hands. I am a little weak. I mean, I can do that just fine, but that's okay.

Yeah. So that thing is I'm sorry. That thing is as stiff a glove as I've pulled off the rack in a long time.

It does need a little bit of a breaking period itself. But that said, for those that are a little bit more inclined with, you know, the gym Yeah.

He definitely yeah. Now that he's a superstar, he's been working out.

So double T pocket, scale a stock that you're gonna find with that glove too as well. Same five ninety break. They call it a game ready glove. Does need a bake in the oven. Does need a little bit of work ahead of you to kinda get there.

They've gone with a bit of a thicker padding off of that glove to help you get

So price there's they're you're getting thicker padding. You're getting more protection. It's gonna require a break in process. I'm not trying to be a jerk about this.

Correct. And you still have those same Sure Grip style stock materials that you would find in, for example, that pro glove made by the VH.

There you go. Blocker. Okay. Don't hit me with it. I deserve it.

At at this but show the palm so you don't have that exact same palm stock as that you would off of again that pro feature. Overall feel of the blocker to be honest again if you're familiar with true blockers you're pretty much gonna feel comfortable in this right off of the

and broke don't fix it.

No Opti angle or anything like that. Again, that's some of the separation that we are gonna find between what would be technically a little bit of a lower price model. Right. Again, still similar pro features. However, that's something that you would find at the custom level.

Yeah. Listen, I talked to who is Darcy Kuemper late in the season about Opti angle and how much he loved it on the blocker. He said they're coming out with it on the glove as well. So, again but not everybody wants it. You can get that on this product.

You don't have to have it. So there you go. If you want it at the high end, you could also get the pads at the the second price point and the gloves at the highest if you wanna not be angled. Chance to mix and match. Cams are caught plenty of inventory here.

If you have any questions, is there any we've seen custom creep into second price point? Nope. No custom. Okay. So they don't need to call you?

No. All they can. Questions about skit

or they just wanna talk goaltending with you because you're so personable. Where can they get you?

(604) 589-8299 or 1-800-567-7790 or check us

[crosstalk] out at thehockeyshop.com. Cam will personally break your glove in for you. Hey. Then you can close it.

Let's not say things we can't take back.

There you go. True Catalyst Nitro. If you got any more questions, Cam gave you the number. Reminder, folks, if you wanna see what we're talking about because you're listening to the podcast and you're wondering what it all looks like, each and every one of our gear segments runs on YouTube. You can find it also at ingoalmag.com.

Hutch has created a special section where it all sits so it's not hard to find on the website. Each one is embedded there. Get more information. Leave your comments on the YouTube page. We'll try and get back to you.

All of those things, the new True Catalyst Nitro. And also, True involved in some big news around the game.

It's true.

Oh, look at you, dad joke central. True and Pro's Choice joining forces. So Pro's Choice goalie masks now will wear the True logo. Was previously Vaughn, although interestingly enough, Vaughn never paid to have the logo.

Oh, the NHL rights didn't?

They never had the they never never They did. They did one point, but

they didn't on his for a bit.

Yeah. I don't think they have had for the past couple of years. So I always wondered what the point was for a product that for the most part wasn't are not available at retail to average Joe's. And as far as I understand it right now, at least, there's not. I mean, it's so custom that I don't know how you deliver it at retail.

It's honestly not gonna be the same thing. But now it's got true on it. So, listen, there are a lot of guys wearing both at the National Hockey Level. True and pro's choice, very popular brands. We'll see where this goes in terms of, you know, head to toe deals and things like that, whether it changes some of the parameters around that.

This is an extremely popular product, and now it's got the logo of another extremely popular product in the NHL. So interesting times in the gear industry. Interestingly enough, two of the more old school sort of producers of equipment, in terms of both the Lefebves and True and Dom over at Pro's Choice. Like, not so much about the latest and greatest tech. Like, if you ever had a Pro's Choice, like, it's it's a heavier mask, tests really well.

There's some sort of questions about how much foam was put in the test mask versus how much is in the mask of the NHL goaltenders that actually wear it. But I talked to these guys in the NHL, and a lot of them switched not because of anything other than I think there's a shelf appeal. There's a look that goalies really love. But most of the guys I talk to, it's the test results, which I find really interesting given some of the stories we've heard about them. So at the end of the day, two great products joining forces in the National Hockey League.

I'm curious to see. I think we'll see a lot more True on the masks, as that logo is now on there. If you're a painter, if you're a goalie and you wanna continue with last year's mask, do you does your painter have to repaint it? Do you gotta you have the true on top of that? I never thought of that.

I would think only if you have a deal with them. I mean, if they're

if they're

sponsoring you to wear their mask, but if they're not, I'm not repainting it. I mean, they all get

You're not obligated anyway. Yeah. That's true.

It's sort of sort of irrelevant.

It's interesting. It's interesting times. Anyways, like I said, two great products. Safety unquestioned, for for the Pro's Choice mask. Talked to a lot of guys that wear it.

And, obviously, True long standing in the history and the tradition of the Lefebvres making the gear, for the pro level in Montreal or as we just heard the true catalyst nitro coming from overseas. So questions about the product, make sure you check out Cam over at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports. You know what's coming up this weekend?

What is coming up this weekend?

I only know because you made me aware of it, not like I have it on the calendar ready to go. It's Father's Day. Oh, yes. Absolutely. Do you know what that means?

I know what you're thinking and it's gonna be a little bit different. You're thinking it's a great time to go to InGoal Magazine and buy dad, grandpa, whoever, a great Father's Day present, which is a subscription to InGoal Magazine. I was digging into it though and what really happened last year is 50 some odd goaltenders bought themselves subscriptions on Father's Day, not gifts. Treat? Went and said, I'm gonna treat myself.

Treat yourself. Treat yourself to a subscription to InGoal Magazine. On the website, ingoalmag.com, we've got a special banner there. If you wanna get yourself a gift subscription or get a gift subscription for the father goaltender in your life, make sure you go check it out now. Or if you just wanna buy one for yourself because you know your kids forgot and all they got you was a lousy pair of socks and their love and you feel like you need more, then go over to ingoalmag.com and get yourself a gift subscription for Father's Day because there is no better way to become a better goaltender.

I got it. Next year for Father's Day, we have to give away a lousy pair of socks with every subscription, I think, Woody.

Can they be like the hockey socks but with your face on them?

There you go.

Like, you see like the like, I I think I've seen like the Carey Price socks Oh, I think Patrick Roy.

Kevin Woodley socks. People would be down with that one.

Just an image of my my warm up stick?

No. Just my warm up stick? Your pretty face.

Yeah. Yeah. One of

those photos we have of

you when you'd lost your teeth. Oh, there's some pretty good photos back then. I prefer not to let them resurface. Combine the lost tooth with the pandemic shoulder length hair and Oh, my my kids calling me meth head Santa at that point when I grew up beauty. Yeah.

It was beauty, not, not in the literal sense. Alright. Hey. Vizual Edge.

Vizual Edge.

Presented by Vizual Edge. Almost like we planned it. Now I gotta say, it was Brandon Bussi's turn to be our ProReads featured guest. Didn't feel like we wanted to roll it out there. It was ready to go before game five.

We decided to wait till after they hoisted the cup before we put it out there. So it wasn't this this wasn't us going, let's wait and run Bussi to take advantage of the fact he won the cup. We actually had him in the queue, and then we thought just that I'd like let's not draw extra attention to him in the midst of it. Let's wait. It's up now.

It is a great breakdown on low high plays. And interestingly enough, it follows up another low high pop pass that he ran the last time he was a guest a little over a month ago, but he plays them differently. So getting his explanation on that, including acknowledgments of some of the mistakes he make as he reviews the footage himself, part of that honesty that he brings to the table, the amount of scans, times he looks off the puck in this clip, so important. And so I can't even really tease this one by asking you a question, Hutch, without giving it away. It's essentially a pop pass, and the way it plays out I mean, I've kinda given away the fact it's a pop pass when the puck's behind the net, but it's just loaded with great information.

And the first one, the first tip that we will share is can you guess how many times he looks off the puck because it's behind the net for one second?

I can.

You can because you edited the

I'm whole showing you. This was on video, people could see.

Folks, how many fingers is Hutch holding up? It is behind the net for all of a second, maybe second and a half. We we ran the clock. It's not even two seconds. And he scans how many times?

That's your question. How many times would you be scanning to see where the other threats are in the zone? He explains why and when he can do that. He explains why he pushes off his post the way he does. He explains it all.

He shows you, I think, in this clip, a real strong indicator of the hockey IQ that went into him becoming a Stanley Cup champion and also a goaltender who I think in the Stanley Cup final was hard to build a pre scout on because he doesn't play every situation the same way every time. So much of it is read based, and he will react differently depending on those reads. And that makes it tough to sort of pigeonhole him into, if this happens, he'll do this, so do you should shoot there. Just a big part of, you know, another element that makes him special. So if you wanna get better at reading the game, make sure you check out InGoalmag, InGoal magazines, ingoalmag.com, ProReads, the latest one featuring Brandon Bussi.

And remember, if you're a member and you can get into that ProReads, you can get double the discount. 20% off a subscription to Vizual Edge to help train your brain and your eyes. If you're not an InGoal member, you can still get 10% off using the code code InGoal, INGOAL, all caps. But if you are a member, it's double the discount. And what can it do for you?

Well, I don't know. What can Vizual Edge do for you? Do you want the puck to look like a beach ball? Every goalie has that night here and there where the puck looks huge. You're ahead of every play.

You feel calm. You feel patient. You are in total control. Then there are the nights you're half step late. You see it, but you don't really see it.

You're reaching, you're guessing, you're fighting it. It's not your technique. That's your eyes and your brain not processing the play fast enough. Vizual Edge fixes that. It measures how well your eyes track and process the game, then gives you a custom plan to train improvement.

Three fifteen minute sessions a week on your laptop or tablet, that's all it takes. It's what NHL goalies use to make the game slow down when it matters most. And as I said, InGoal, INGOAL, all caps, 10% off. Or if you're a subscriber, go to InGoal Magazine, check out any ProReads, and you'll get the double discount code exclusive to our members to save even more of Vizual Edge. We talk about reading the game and how well Bussy does that.

This helps you see and read the game better. Thanks to our friends over at Visual Edge. And thanks to Brandon Bussi. Think, Hutch, what do you think? His next spot in the rotation for ProReads wouldn't come up for another month, but I feel like we have to celebrate this cup championship.

Do we go back to him? Do we go with his last one next week? Just go back to back bus?

I think we should, yep. You're in celebration of you driving the bus today, we'll go back to the bus.

We're going back to back bus. So now that's it, folks. You can go check out ingoalmag.com, see this week's and his previous two. And then next week, we'll have number four from Brandon Bussey. Just great breakdowns and just a great sign of the guy he is in the middle of his busy first NHL season, taking the time to sit down for a meal with us at InGoal Magazine and then sitting down afterwards to break down video.

Thanks to our friends, Vizual Edge, for being the presenting sponsors of ProReads. There's no better way to improve the way you read and process the game than InGoal Magazine ProReads. And we couldn't do it without goalies like Bussey being willing to give us their time and their thoughtfulness and share so openly how they process the game. I think we should also give a shout out to the Coach Now app. These ones in particular were filmed using an iPad, something we started doing this year using the Coach Now app as well.

So make sure you check out all those great elements. Hutch. Sir. It is time. It is time?

I'm actually getting a little I need, like, some water. I'm not used to you're going to laugh when I say this, but I'm not used to talking this much.

Oh, no. Honestly, I understand because I was a teacher for many years and every year in September, when you welcome your class back and you have to stand up in front of your class and use your voice, you feel kinda sore there for a little while. You gotta get back into shape for the season.

Yeah. Wait. I I mean, I miss you, Daren. I'm gonna need some tips. I don't know how you do this on a regular basis for the Vegas Golden Knights and here for us at InGoal and a 100% hockey and all the other things you do.

I'm guessing there might be a secret lozenge blend that I need to mix in. But perfect timing because I get to throw to Hutch now for the parent playbook. Before I do, one of the best segments we've got on the InGoal Radio Podcast, by the way, Hutch, you have grown this into something truly special. Let me pump the tires here a little bit. It's brought to us by our friends over at Stop It Goaltending U.

Do you wanna have twenty five years of NHL goalie coaching experience at your fingertips? Wanna tap into the goalie parenting expertise that helped Joey Daccord reach the NHL? That's what you get with a subscription to the Stop It Goal Tending U app. All the knowledge from Brian Daccord, who's been an NHL goalie coach scout and currently, again, is a director, as well as all the insights and expertise from his staff at Stop It, which includes a long list of veteran NCAA coaches, all delivered in easy to digest chunks, including five short daily primers, weekly style analysis and breakdown videos, and drills that you can take onto the ice with your team and coach. Plus, you get an InGoal premium subscription included.

Check it out now at the App Store or Google Play and get the best of both worlds with the subscription to the Stop It Goal Tending U app and a subscription to InGoal

Parent Playbook

Magazine. Hutch. Woody, this one will sound like it's aimed at the older parents out there, but, I hope the young ones listen in because it's really for you. And while I tend to talk about things that are sort of relevant to the time of year, you know, tryout season, camp season, all those sort of things, This one is a little bit out of season. But while the sun is shining out there, it is time to get in some good habits.

I am talking this week about making some time for yourself. You know, Woody, I, I had a reality check the other day playing softball. I had to throw the ball and I realized it doesn't go nearly as far as it used to, not even close.

I can make it go as far as it used to, but then my arm wants to fall off.

Yeah. I I I tried to I tried to throw it over the cutoff man and I barely got it to him. So, I couldn't run as fast. Again, not even close and, trust me, everything hurts more for a long time. Honestly though, it's not just the softball.

I am turning 60 years old this year. The knees hurt a little bit more, standing up after sitting down hurts a little bit more, everything's just a little bit harder than it used to be. And here's the thing, folks, it sneaks up on you. Now I'm not here to blame the hockey lifestyle entirely. I am responsible for the choices that I've made, but there's this feeling we have as parents that I wanted to talk about, and that's the idea that you have to be there for everything, every game, every practice.

We want to support our kids, of course. At first, it's only one or two ice times a week when they're U7, U8, something like that. Then they get older and there's more. And then maybe they move up to a higher level of rep or something along those lines more times, more commitments. We're the ones driving, so we're spending more time with them at those as well.

And you're spending a lot more time in the rink and it will take its toll even if you don't notice it. The older you get, the more having some time to exercise matters even more just as you have less and less time for it. You know, one, this is it's now back a while, but one of the good things that came out of COVID for us, one of the very few good things was that we were forced out of the rink. Our kids were lucky enough to keep practicing, but we couldn't go and join them. So we had time and that meant we went for nice long walks, runs even.

And I'm realizing now how important that was, not just for my physical health but my mental health as well. Here's something else to think about. Your kids need to learn how to be okay on their own in the game. Sooner than you think, especially if they're playing at higher levels, they're gonna be away from home. Maybe 13 years old, 16, 18.

Missing the odd road game wouldn't be crazy. And when you do drop them off at practice, well, maybe you and a couple of the other parents should go for a walk instead of just sitting in the rink because yeah, the social time is really important for us parents as well.

And if you've been at every game and every practice, they haven't learned that little bit of independence that they need so that they'll be able to perform when they move on to that next level. Look, I'm not telling you you should be skipping all the games. Although you know what? Missing the odd road game wouldn't be crazy. And when you do drop them off at practice, well, maybe you and a couple of the other parents should go for a walk instead of just sitting in the rink because yeah, the social time is really important for us parents as well.

But do something for yourself. Trust me on this. As you get a little older and as they get a little older, that's when you need the exercise the most and it's when you've got the least amount of time for it. There are more and more responsibilities. Life gets busier.

So give yourself permission to take some time for yourself. Your kids will be fine. It will actually be good for them and you will be healthier for it physically and mentally. And me now, I gotta go make up for some lost time here when it comes to my own physical and mental health. So that's what I'm gonna do.

60. I know. It's crazy. Dude,

do you know what you need to start doing again? I see those pads behind you, my friend.

Oh, gosh. Well, I got a little work to do before I can put the pads back. And look, that's exactly an example of what I was talking about today, Woody, because it sneaks up on you, especially when your kid's the goalie. You got busy. And when you're a goalie.

Yourself. And then, you know, Matty hit Bantam and it was off to all sorts of crazy stuff he was doing at the time, and it's just a lot harder for me to do it. And, and when you're a beer league goaltender, it's a lot harder to not show up for games. You know, if the third line left winger doesn't make it, nobody's too too upset. But

Come on. Nobody's got a third line in beer league. Come on.

Yeah. Fair enough. Well, either that or everybody's a third liner.

Yeah. Yeah. That's true. That's true. We only have fourth liners on my team, Hutch.

Yeah. Exactly.

Don't tell them I said that.

So, yeah, one day we will get the pads back on. No question.

So I will I will make a recommendation because now I'm gonna this is gonna be my goal to push you to get the pads back on. Now that I know we've got a conscious health effort kick going here. Mhmm. I'm gonna recommend two things. I'm gonna recommend Maria Mountain's program.

She's the best.

For the hips. Mhmm. I'm also gonna recommend James Wendland, five damn things for the hips. Do you know that I am gonna I'm you know what? I should I don't even wanna say this out loud and put this into the ether.

Where is the wood that I need to knock on before I make this statement? God, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it anyways. Have not had a lower body injury sustained since starting Five Damn Things for the hips. Way on and just the butterfly mobility and width and flexibility and how that sort of anchors everything.

We've had pro goalies try it for the first time and be like, why did nobody show me this? So if you, like Hutch, are thinking of putting your mental and physical health first and getting back out on the ice after a long time off of it as a goaltending parent, we know many that fall into the same boat, Those are good places to start.

Some who take it up as a parent. You might wanna take up goaltending. Like myself in my mid

Like myself in my mid thirties. And if I could tease it, retake it up and become a goaltending coach of a PWHL championship team, the Montreal Victoire. So teasing next week's guest.

Just gonna say we are not talking about you here, Woody.

No. Yeah. No. Good Lord. I couldn't coach my way out of a wet paper bag.

But, Bruno Pierre Ginnette, that is how he got back into it. So a fascinating tease for next week's featured guest. But first, let's get to this week's featured guest. And before we do hear from Hockey Team Norway and Straubing Tigers of the DEL, Let's hear about our friends over at NHL Sense Arena.

Feature Interview - Henrik Haukeland

This week's feature interview is brought to you by NHL Sense Arena, the off ice training tool that builds the part of the game that we all know we need so badly and that is the reads. And they've just dropped something for the summer grind, new monthly summer training packs. A focused set of objectives that you work through each month so instead of aimless reps in the off season, you get a plan, a path, and a way to actually track your progress. You get emails in fact telling you how things are going. June kicks it off with what they're calling elite campus prep, which is built around exactly what coaches are looking for at summer camps and showcases tracking, reads, reactions, positioning, work through a structured progression of drills, and the shooters for those drills are from real d one programs.

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There's just so many great tools in there for you. And right now, with off season pricing, annual plan, $399, a savings of over $549 on the ultimate hockey training tool. And there's more to be saved, of course, when you use the code I g m 50 at checkout. Head over to sensearena.com and start checking off your first objectives today.

To our featured guest, courtesy of NHL Sense Arena, a quick introduction. If you didn't have a chance to watch the World Championships, which I know here in North America, the Stanley Cup playoffs take on a brighter spotlight, and it can get overlooked. But the hockey was fantastic. And I think it's important to recognize that outside of North America, the rest of the hockey world views this as one of the biggest things. And for the players taking part, this is massive.

Wearing your country's jersey, we had a lot of first timers, talked about Devin Cooley for the Americans, talked about Jet Greaves for the Canadians, had a fantastic tournament, ended up being on the wrong side of this one, though, against this week's featured guest, Henrik Hoglund of Norway. Again, maybe people just discovering him based on backstopping Norway to its first ever medal at the world championships, but this is a gentleman who was, in addition to being named the best goalie of this world championship, an eight time world championship participant with Norway, twenty eighteen Olympian. He beat the Swedes, including a penalty shot on Lukas Raymond, shorthanded, two nothing over Latvia, and then three two in overtime against Canada finishes the tournament with a nine thirty eight save percentage and three shutouts, the first Norwegian goaltender to do so. He has played in Sweden's top league, played in Finland's top league, currently playing in Germany's top league where he was the twenty twenty three goaltender of the year. Without further ado, a great get to know you and some great takeaways, our interview with Henrik Hoglund.

Really excited to welcome to the InGoal Radio Podcast. Henrik Hoglund. Close. That was close. I tried Henrik. Don't know if I nailed that.

The first ever bronze medal winner for Norway at the world championships, the 2026 World Championships Top Goaltender Award winner. As a Canadian, it hurt me to watch you beat our home team in the in the the bronze medal game, but what a fantastic tournament you had finished with a nine thirty eight save percentage. I've been going through your career. You've had an incredible career overseas. I'm really excited to catch up with you today.

First off, just thank you for joining us, and congratulations.

Yeah. Thank you. You you nailed that pronunciation. So that was that was good. Yeah.

And yeah. No. That was that was a fun fun tournament, and we had a had a good group of guys, and we had fun together. And, yeah, it was a it was a very fun experience for us.

What I mean, to pull away from it, there were several big moments and big wins along the way. You get to the bronze medal game against Canada. Maybe some takeaways for you. You've been on the big stage before. So maybe maybe not everybody here in North America knows about you, but you've you've been the goalie of the year in the DEL.

You played in the SHL in Sweden, top league, Liga in Finland. You've had success. You played in big stages. Is the world championships, though, in terms of the amount of people, especially in in in Switzerland, the audience, the state was that the biggest one for you? Like, is that the biggest result on the biggest stage for you?

Yeah. For sure. Like, I've played big games before, but that was it's it's always something different when you play for your country. It's always it feels like it matters a little bit more. Everybody is watching back home, and it's it's a special feeling to to play for your country.

And that was a, yeah, that was a that was a huge moment in my career and something that I will never forget and and and to play against all those those great players, and that was that was really fun. The world championship, it's a it's a great tournament. Like, a lot of I think the the difference between the best teams and the and the maybe the average teams, if you wanna call it that, that they it I feel that the difference is kind of getting smaller and smaller every year. I think hockey is getting getting places where it's never been before, and I think the game is growing. And it's it's fun to to be a part of that.

And it's I think we are in a good place for Norwegian hockey. We took some took some steps this this tournament, and and we finally got a great result, which we can be really proud of. And by by doing so, we I hope we have maybe sparked a little bit more interest in in Norway. Back home, it's it's soccer, which is the the number one sport, and then it's a lot of skiing. But, hopefully, hockey can be can be up there soon, and and maybe someday we'll be able to compete full time against Sweden and Finland and those, like, top top Scandinavian countries.

Well, world's colliding. Right? FIFA World Cup started today, and I saw at the Carolina Hurricanes. I don't know if you saw this yesterday, the game five of the Stanley Cup finals in Carolina. Team Norway was there to watch.

Yeah. I saw that. Yeah. I saw that. So it's it's fun.

I hockey is a is a great sport. Everybody who goes loves it, and it's, like, it's such a such a cool sport to to enjoy live. And yeah. So I think those guys at that I saw that too at the at the Hurricanes game that they they they had a good time for sure, and, hopefully, maybe they will come to to some of our games.

Love it. Love it. Now okay. I wanna get into your roots in the game, I mean, how you got started. But first, let me ask.

Like, you know, you like you said, playing for your country, there's a pressure that comes with that. Any tools that you've developed along the way that help you play your best in those big pressure moments? Because you had to several times throughout this tournament in elimination games, in big games against some of the best in the world. You talked about it, like a great result against Sweden. You know, what allows you?

What tools have you developed over the years? Maybe some tips or advice that young kids to to make sure you can play your best one when that pressure is at its highest point.

Yeah. It's a that's a tough question to to answer, but I'm I'm gonna try as best as I can. I I I think, goaltending is a it's a position of failure. So it's like it's like you're gonna get, like you're gonna not make a save probably average two, three, or four times a game. So that's it's just evident that you're gonna you're probably gonna let in some goals.

And if you if you accept that and you kind of just embrace and go out and have fun and not think about, like, consequences. I I feel like, like, a lot of goalies, like, they they think about, yeah, what if I what if I do this, or what if this happens? Or now now they got power play. Now they're gonna score. They they scored last time.

And I feel all those moments and and thoughts we have in our brain is kinda like, we do we do stuff which is not it hasn't happened yet. You know what I mean? And and and we we kind of create these scenarios in our head that that something's bad is gonna happen, and and it's not gonna happen. And for me, the biggest thing was just to, like, kind of to play loose and and and if they get a power play, like, embrace it. Like, yeah.

goaltending and and especially, it's a it's a position where you're probably gonna fail a couple times a game, and and that's that's okay because the most the matters most is what you do after and how you how you respond and how you see the game after that and and get get comfortable with with playing your own game.

Like, let's I'm I'm gonna show what kind of goalie I am. I'm gonna show that they'd they're probably gonna test me, and I'm I'm I wanna show show them how how good I am and kinda have that that mentality that you you love to be put under under hard pressure. I and and it was kind of like, a turning point for me in my my career when I started to do that and not feeling this kind of negative emotions and and kind of worst case scenario thinking. They're just, like, the goaltending and and especially, it's a it's a position where you're probably gonna fail a couple times a game, and and that's that's okay because the most the matters most is what you do after and how you how you respond and how you see the game after that and and get get comfortable with with playing your own game.

Now does that I mean, that there's a lot of great advice in there. It echoes some of the things we've heard from sports psychologists over the I mean, we've been doing this for a few years now, and we've talked to a few over the years, and there's and and I've heard that before. Was there somebody that helped you get there that you're comfortable sharing?

I mean, my my parents are pretty good. Help for me, they

Okay.

They both they both work in in medicine and and deal with with a lot of sick people, and they have more important jobs than what I have. So that's kind of where I got my best advice from, is to just have fun.

Perspective.

Exactly. Doesn't matter if if you let in one, two, or three, or four goals. Like, the the sun is coming up tomorrow, you will be they will love you as much tomorrow as they did today. So yeah.

I love it. I mentioned, played internationally in some of the top leagues, Finland, Sweden, in Germany right now, but your roots in the game in Norway. I'm fascinated to ask you about what it was like growing up. I don't know if you've heard any of the podcasts where we've talked about, like, when USA Hockey, Steve Thompson, when they do their bronze medal goalie coaching certification program, they actually point to Norway as an example, you know, with some of the models over there in terms of not keeping score at early ages and and just emphasizing the right things. Can you share some of your experiences in the sport, how you became a goalie even?

Yeah. It was it was I I started when I was five five years old and started to go to the kind of every every Sunday or the skating school or whatever, and then and then kind of did that until and then you start maybe two times a week, three times a week. In in my in my hometown, it's only one ice rink, so it's it's tough for for kids to get get ice time here. K. And they so I I kinda started that.

And then I think around 12 or 13, I became a goalie full time. I mean, I always say that every every kid wants to be a goalie, but it's it's only the crazy ones who stay goalies. So so it was I I started full time playing goalie at about 12, 13. And then and then when I was 15, I I moved to to Sweden to go to to, like, kind of, like, the I'm not sure what you call that in in in North America, but, like, the you in here, we call it, like, a high school. And then you I went there for for two years, and then I and then I went back and to back to to Norway again for to play for the men's team, and that's kinda, like, how I started my my pro career.

Yeah. So yeah.

What kinda, like what and, well, first off, what drew you to the position? You know, what what was it about goaltending that why were you one of the ones that stuck with it?

Probably, I I always thought it was, like, so, kind of miss how you say that? Mystery or mysterical with the

Okay.

Kinda like you didn't see who was behind the mask kinda, and I was fascinated by the yeah. Like, kinda like the the guy behind the mask was scary and, yeah, it was it was, yeah, it was fun.

Now do you did you have like, you're that age? Who'd you watch? Who'd you look up to? Were there goalies that you maybe as a youngster, you just liked watching, or was there a point as you become a teenager where you're maybe even starting to emulate some guys like, well, hey. I wanna play like this guy, or you're looking at some of the tendencies and thinking, I wanna try that, or I wanna play like that guy.

Oh, yeah. I I had many. Like, my my the my biggest childhood idol when I was young, I was Mika Kipersov in flames. So I I love how how he played, like, with the how the finish tie kind of with, like, very active hands and great skating ability. I always I always love those goalies.

And and then later on, of course, being from from Scandinavia, Henrik Lundqvist was, of course, a big, big inspiration and and see see what how how he did how he did it in in in in ranges there. So that was very fun to to watch him. And so there's so many good so many good goalies out there. I I love to see new goalies every every time I I play somebody, and it's it's a great great position and so many good guys who who play it.

Now what about coaching? You know, like you said, you had a pretty young age to leave home and and go to Sweden. Was that about coaching? Or when did you when did you get your first goalie coach? Did you have goalie coaching?

And I'm guessing it's changed. Like, maybe what you would have had as a fifteen year old in Norway compared to what a 15 year old today might have access to in Norway.

Yeah. It has changed a lot. My my first goalie coach I didn't have a goalie coach until I I went pro kind of in in Norway, I was his name is and he was he's a he's a good friend of mine now, and he's he's a he's a good good coach, and that was kinda my my first goalie coach. And then we were I had so many so many good goalie coaches I worked with up over the years. I try to thank Peter Hirsch in Teamenro, one of them.

Frederic Norden and I in in TPS.

Oh, did you? You have Frederick at in Liga? Yeah. Well yeah. But, I mean, that's I think we've I'm trying to remember if I I met Frederick when he was in the NHL with Columbus, and I'm a huge fan of his, and and I think we've got him on the podcast too.

So there you go. Small world.

Yeah. He's a yeah. He's he's a good really good goalie coach. He's not he's not an he's not a goalie coach anymore. He's actually he's a assistant coach now.

So and Patrick Dallaire in in Munich is is a a very is also a very, very good goalie coach. And and and the national team now, have Dani Jurgen, which is also a fantastic goalie coach. I I probably forgot somebody, but there's so many

Well, you played a lot of different places. I wanna ask you a little bit about that. Mean, Farjestad, you probably would've had would you have had Matej Schwole in Farjestad?

Yeah. Matej Schwole}. Yeah. He's he's a he's a great goalie coach.

And he's just coming over to Ottawa. You mentioned Patrick Dallaire. I believe he's just been hired by the Florida panthers to come over for their American Hockey League team as well. So, you know, some great goalie coaches doing great things internationally that you've had exposure to. Some coming over here, some staying over there.

Walk me through your game and how it's evolved, through those years because the position changes all the time. Like Yeah. You seem to have such a really strong technical foundation, but also to your point, when you talk about being active and like I saw active hands and so how much of what you are now as a goalie comes from all these different places and different experiences you've had, you know, starting with Norway, but then as you said, into into Alvenskin with Lexens and Timra and Liga, Farrior Stadt, so many different voices and and how has each sort of formed who you are now as a goaltender?

Yeah. That's, again, great question, and, it's tough to answer. But, I would say, like, in in the beginning, I was very I was I was very like, a lot of big movements, like, a lot of speed backwards, making a lot of unnecessary highlights, say. So it's just like Okay.

So so a lot of outside inflow?

Ex exactly. Yeah. And and and then but that was kind of the playing style little bit back then. Like, you had to come up, meet meet the shooter, have some speed backwards, and and try to to, like, kinda face the threat that that way. And then when I came to to Finland, it was more that that we kinda, like, slowed it down a little bit, but still a lot of a lot of active hands and and and still post integrations and and so on.

And I I think now, later years, I started to play maybe a little bit deeper than than what I have tried in the in the past because I I feel the game is so so fast now that you don't have time to kind of come out and and and kinda cut the angles down. And then I feel there's some point where you kind of lose the the further out you play, the the more challenge that it is to second box or third box. And and sometimes I feel there's a kind of a golden zone there where you have to this is where I go and not further, and then and then work from there. So I I would say I would say that's probably what have changed most in my my play recently that I tried to to play a little bit deeper than I than I usually than I did before and and have a and have a lot of, kind of trust in my ability to make the make the first save and and kinda go from there.

So, I mean, used to be a little more outside in. Fair to say then that from that conservative depth, maybe not quite Henrik Lundqvist to to refer to one of your childhood idols in terms of but a little more inside out, like short movements, shorter routes in the crease. And then maybe when you read a shot, like, I saw there were times when there is a look, you will take a step out.

Yeah. Exactly. Like you said, like, that's that's where, like, goalie IQ comes in, and and you see kind of, like sometimes you need to to face that there's a two on one. You need to have a little bit more space a little bit more speed backwards. And if there's a if the guy coming all in all alone in and he has he has nobody to pass to, you can take maybe a little step out.

the better goalie IQ you have, the the easier the game is gonna be for you. And I feel best goalies in the world, they they they do that a lot, and that's impressive to see.

And and if there's you know, and and on the power play, for example, there's so many so many good threats. You you can't maybe play so far out anymore because they make the passes, and and there's there's an empty empty net at the other other end. So you kinda need to read all situations, and the better, I mean, the better goalie IQ you have, the the easier the game is gonna be for you. And I feel best goalies in the world, they they they do that a lot, and that's impressive to see.

Goalie IQ for you. You've you've played for pro for over a decade. Is it just experience, Henrik? Or, you know, are there things if you were if you were to go talk to 21 year old Henrik and say, hey, we need to improve our goalie IQ. Here's how to do it.

Without having the ten years of experience to learn it, would you would you point to video conversations with goalie coaches? What would be the advice you give to young goalies to get better with their goalie IQ?

I would say, like, watch a lot of hockey that you see a lot of, situations happening, especially, in NHL. There's so many kind of crazy situation that happens, and then then for us goal is that we need to solve, and and it's interesting to see how how those goalies are solving those situations. And, of course, experience helps, but I also think that the you have to believe in your ability to kind of make the first save and not you you see some goal is, like, when when they get insecure, they kinda, like, shoot themselves in the foot a little bit, and then they play too far out or either they play too too deep. And it's kinda like the golden middle way somewhere and then and and kinda be be strong enough mentally to, like, we have a two on one now, and I I I'm gonna be a little bit more conservative, and I'm gonna trust my ability. If if he shoots short side, I'm gonna be ready.

Or if he if he slices it over, I'm also gonna be ready for that. And, of course, that's that's a tough skill to develop, but I think, like I said, try to watch a lot of hockey and and and then you will naturally develop that kind of understanding for the game, and, I think that's a that's a good way to go from there.

Yeah. We hear that a lot from goalie coaches at every level. They don't think kids watch enough hockey. They watch the highlight clips, but usually, the read happened two or three passes before. Right?

Like in terms of where you should be. You've mentioned the golden zone a few times. And I would imagine that with Goalie IQ, your golden zone in terms of depth ultimately depends on the situation. So if it's a rush, like you said, you're gonna take a little more ice and have a little flow. If it's in zone, you're moving around.

But is there a spot in the crease? Like, say it's in zone. Like, are are you talking, like, two thirds depth, three quarters toes at the edge of the crease? Like, do you think there's a golden zone for everyone, or is it really unique to you as a goalie and your unique reads of the game?

I think that for me, I I I don't love to be outside the crease. I I I may maybe it happens sometimes when it's like a shot like a clear shot from from from half distance, which where he has no no passing options. I I might take take a little bit more depth. But but I feel if you're if you're on the if you're on the the crease line, and then maybe you have your toes on it or your heels on it, but I I would prefer to be in contact with that line all the time and kinda read that those situations. And especially, for example, if you're in zone, like, you need to be able to take that.

If you're on the post, you need to be able to go up and take that step up if there's a point shot because you have to respect their tips and and kind of to to not be be stuck at the at in the middle of the crease when when you could have been a little bit farther out and and and stop that that tip. So, yeah, I I I think that's a great talking point for for me and and and trying to to to find that kind of zone all the time.

Has it changed as you've moved from like, does the style of play in different leagues affect it as well? Obviously, you, as you evolve as a goaltender, the system system around you would would play a role in this, the defense, the and trusting them. But is there different styles? So for those of us that don't get to watch it all the time, you know, from the SHL to Liga in Finland to the DEL, is the game different, and does it affect how you have to play it differently as a goaltender from one to the other?

Yeah. I I think, SHL and and and Liga are two very, very, I wouldn't say they're very structured. Like, they they take a lot of pride in their work in the without the puck, and they wanna create the tough moments for for the attacking teams, and they take a lot of pride in it. So it's not maybe so open in those leagues. So you might not see a lot of action and a lot of shots.

But when when you do, you will have a a grade a for sure, so you have to be have to be ready for that. So it's it's also tough to

I was just gonna

say that's not easy to do. Any advice on that? Because I think we're seeing this in the Stanley Cup final. Like, Carolina doesn't give up a lot of shots, but when they do, it's a great a. And, Vegas has kind of been the same way at least in the cup final.

And and everyone's like, oh, you can't give up four goals on eight shots. And I'm like, but if all eight shots are grade a plus plus, like, it's hard.

Yeah. Yeah. That's what I mean when it's, when I say it's a position of failure. It's like, it's if it's eight shots and it's eight breakaways, you might get scored on a couple of times, and you still get get some some some bad reviews. But that's that's how it is to be a goalie.

No. But, yeah, it's it's you have to stay it's it's a tough tough goal. You have to stay ready all the time. Maybe, I don't know, do some like, stay loose, stay warm, do some do some movement. But mostly, like, I felt that if you if you do some some kind of like, you play with the thought that they come they have a breakaway or they have a two on one sometimes in the game, and then you kinda like you you're kind of expecting that already.

And then

Embrace it.

You kind of feel that if they have a if you get a if you get a power play, for example, you know that, oh, the they might get a they might get a get a two on one on this power play. I have to stay ready for that. And yeah. So

So just just staying engaged mentally helps you.

Exactly. Yeah.

Okay. So then you go over to the DEL, and and is it a little you know, not not in a critical way, but less structured, a little looser, more more chances, busier as a goalie?

Yeah. I will I will say so. That's a that's a more of a a little more open hockey, more, it's more North American imports coming to the DL. So it's a little little more open, and and and you see maybe a little bit more action. But from the there are so many good players players in the DL and then so many fun teams to play for there.

And then the hockey is really, really good. And so it's also it's a tough league to play in, but a very fun league.

K. So you a couple different things that I noticed too. And, obviously, I didn't get a chance to watch enough, only the world championships and some of the games that were on over here. But you mentioned post integration. And, like, I don't think I saw you miss your toe box once, like, bang, always in the right spot, back to it as a default, like, save, back to the post, seal.

It just looks so clean. And I gotta ask, like, how much like, does does that back to the Norwegian roots and the coaching you got there, or is a lot of that Sweden where we talk a lot about the way they manage post integration and, you know, get credit for being inventors of a lot of the modern RVH stuff that we see today.

Yeah. I mean, so the Swedes took it very, very serious when it first came. So it's probably like I I I went to a good school there, and, and I had education in the RVH system. So it's probably that thing. And I love to play this RVH system.

I probably play a little bit too much sometimes, but it's just like, it's a very, very I I feel very comfortable with that. And and I feel it's it's it's a the the key for me is kinda like your exits, like when when to leave it and when to kinda stay on your feet and or, like, when I went to leave the RVH to come out on your feet standing and and make the save. So it's a lot of work, and and that's also about about, like, goalie IQ and how you kinda read situations and and feel feel the danger and when to when to move into your to RVH or or when to kind of stay calm and and stay poised and and and try to to read what's going to happen next.

Well, it's funny you say exits because usually good exits are set up by good entries and I noticed I noticed the entries. Right? So as soon as you're in there and in a good alignment, you set yourself up for that next one very well. So, the structure was very evident, and really fun to watch. I did wanna go back to the sort of and I wonder, hopefully, we don't make too much of it because we saw there was a lot of there's been a lot of focus on the success at at, Olympics and internationally and winter sports and that philosophy of competition but without keeping score at a young age.

Like I said, USA hockey when they presented when we went through the bronze medal class, they we saw a movie on it and talked about it. How do you view that now looking back at that? Or was that a part of your upbringing, or did that come after you were a minor hockey player?

Yeah. Like, both both yes and no because I think a lot of the the buzz around, like, Norwegian winter sports. Right. That we are so good in winter sports has a lot to do with the that we're so good in in skiing. And and we are a very natural, ski nation that would let everybody kinda like, you don't have nothing to do on a Sunday.

Like, you put your skis on and then you go go for a for a for a ride. So so it's it's a it's a, like, it's a natural thing for us to do. And and in the Olympics, it's a lot of it's a lot of medal chances for skiers. So it's natural that we're gonna win a a lot of medals. But the the Norwegian model is is that that, like you said, that you don't keep score for a certain amount of time, and then and then you have those kids that should probably stay on their level for a long time before they they move up to the next level.

For example, if there is a kid who's who's one year younger who wants to wants to play up, or even two years younger wants to play up. And some sometimes you can discuss that maybe if you wanna get those real number ones, that's not the way to go. But maybe you can keep more players in the game by doing so, but there's a lot of positives and also some negatives with that model. But it's a that's not a model.

Yeah. Okay. But that's nothing's nothing's perfect. But I imagine at a young age, it takes a I would hope it takes some of the crazy parent stuff a little bit that we see over here.

You know? Like, they want everything to look like the NHL when kids are seven and eight years old and things like that. It seems like a sometimes things that look idealistic or nothing's perfect, but it sure seems like a a great way to start things at least at a very young age.

Yeah. For sure. And then it's it's it's it's built to to have as many kids as possible to play sports for as long time as possible. So that's that's kind of the the key or, like, the the headliner of that model.

Yeah. For sure. And then it's it's it's it's built to to have as many kids as possible to play sports for as long time as possible. So that's that's kind of the the key or, like, the the headliner of that model.

Well, it seems like a pretty good goal to me. And, obviously, it also produces some elite athletes like yourself as well as keeping more people involved in a longer time. I wanna talk to you a little bit towards the end here about the we've kinda walked through the different stages of the career, the world championships itself. Was there a moment that jumped out at you outside of the bronze medal game and and and and winning that? And know, some of the I know some of the names you would have faced there, obviously, we're biased here.

I mean, you know, I mean, I've been covering the NHL for twenty six years. And when the penguins come to town and it's Sydney Crosby, I'm still find myself going, oh, man. That's Sydney Crosby. Right? So were there any of those moments for you with the different teams?

I mean, Lucas Raymond in a break in a penalty shot, short on a penalty shot in the Sweden game. Any any sort of moments that and you've I I should be careful here too. You've been at the world championships before. You've had these moments in other years. We just you know, we more attention to it this year because of the bronze medal.

So I don't wanna discount the fact you've been doing this for a while and at the highest level.

Yeah. No. It's, it's always cool to see those, those, superstar players. And like I said, of course, it was it was very, very cool to see see Sidney Crosby and and the Canada guys there. And they're they're they're so so good.

It's it's fun to see what they do in the that we all warm up together in the in the gym. And it's fun to see, like, what what kind of different players do before game and kinda have, like, a sneak peek over, like, what else is he doing and and how is he preparing himself for for this game. And it's always it's always fun to kind of watch and maybe maybe you steal something for yourself. And, yeah, it it was fun to to meet them. I I actually asked I asked Cross before his stick after the game, and he he gave it to me.

So it was Oh, there you go.

Okay. So, obviously, I'm not the only one who still, like, feels like that starstruck by it. That's good to

hear. Yeah. No. It was it was fun. It was it was a great great gesture by him, and he was he was fantastic fantastic about it.

And even though he probably was a little bit a little bit sad that they they lost, but it was a he was very, very classy about it. So thank you to him for that.

At what you've eight time world championships. Like, you've been to the world championships eight time starting at a very young age too. Twenty eighteen Olympian. So you've been on the international stage. Any have you ever had a chance?

Any other guys that you've had a chance, like you said, watching, warming up? We were talking to Adam Guyan, who was at the Olympics this year, and he talked about, like, getting on a bike and warming up, and it was Jake Otttinger on the bike next to him, and he started picking his brain and asking him about things like that. Is there any any other guys over the years that you'd be like, hey. That might work for me. I'll try that.

Oh, it's oh, so many. It's I I remember funny you say, Jack, Andrew, I when I play against him, I'd like to use he was also very, very good. Played one game against Vasilevskiy, and he was also very, very fun to watch and how fast and explosive he is, then how big he is and and just a great, great athlete and and amazing goalie. Henrik Lundqvist was another one. I've when played against him, and it's always like a very, very fun experience to play those in world championship against those those guys.

So it's been I I probably I probably say the the coolest one is probably Vasilevskiy. When we play against him, he was he was at a different level. So it was, was very fun.

He does things the big cat does things on the ice that I think I pull muscles just watching.

Yeah. He he he's so he's so big, and he's he's as fast as, like, a small goalie. So it's like he's even faster than like it's just like he's he he was he was very, very impressive to to watch how he how he does things and and how he warms up. And, yeah, it was it was fun.

Right. You're like me. You're just a you're you're just a goalie fan at some points. We're all, you know, just wanna watch how the bet how the best do it. Twenty twenty three goalie of the year in the DEL.

Have you have you has there ever been opportunities to come over here? Have you ever thought about that? Or, you know, you've played in the best leagues in Europe. Has that ever been something that's crossed your mind or opportunities ever come up?

Yeah. It was it was always a dream for me to go play in North America, and, that was that was a big, big dream of mine. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten gotten an offer yet. If I if I would have gotten them, I would have I would have tried it out. But, yeah, who knows?

Maybe. But

I mean, you've had you've had you've had, like, elite success in some of the most elite leagues in the world. So I I hope you don't mind me asking because I I watched your game, and I'm like, that looked like a game that translates to me. So.

Yeah. No. It's it's it's funny you say, like, I I I really enjoyed, like, playing those, teams, in Canada and and US and having, like, having kind of playing that North American game. And and I I think I that would would have been a fun or it would be fun to to go over and and and try it out. And if the chance comes up one day, I I I would I would grab it with both hands.

So so, yeah, it's a that would be that would be a dream of mine. Yes.

Well, there we go. Every goalie director in the NHL and coach listens to this podcast, so we just planted the seed for you. Henrik, this has been this has been fantastic. So many great takeaways, so many lessons for young goalies, fellow pros, from that you've shared with us today that I know they're gonna be nodding along and being like, that's a good idea. That's a good idea.

I like it. Congratulations again. I'm sorry that it took this for us to catch up to you. Like I said, like, goalie of the year in the DEL playing in Finland and Sweden. I'm glad we finally got the opportunity to catch up, and I really appreciate it.

I know our audience at InGoal Magazine is gonna just love this interview. So thank you so much for taking the time.

Yeah. Thank you. It was a it was a big honor for me too. I've been watching watching your your page and and your work for for a long time. So it's it's a very it's a very fun page and and and to see how how other goalies view situations and how they think about situations and and a great great asset for the for the goalie community.

So so thank you also.

Well, thank you very much for saying that. Now now you got my brain going. I'm like, I wonder if I have the rights to get some footage from the world championship so we can do a ProReads with you. I'll have to see if I can pull that off. Henrik, thank you so much for taking the time today.

And, again, congratulations on a fantastic world championships and all the best moving forward.

Thank you so much.

Outro

Woody? Yeah? What time did you have to wake up to interview somebody in Norway?

That was an early one. There's a lot of windows there, but this you know what? Actually, that started out as an early one, but he was he was doing some moves. He had a a new place, a new home he was working. I can't remember the exact specifics, but he had to push it back a couple of times.

So I ended up going later morning for me. It's more how late did Henrik stay up to do the interview with me. I think

Oh, okay.

I had a meeting. It bled into my meeting, then we had to get back to him. I think he was up after 11:00 back in Norway to do that interview with us, and we are extremely grateful. Henrik, I hope I got the pronunciation right. I know you gave me props off the top, but since we did this interview to today when we record the intros, it's been over a week.

I think I've said the last name five times. I might have pronounced it five different ways. I worked hard at it. Henrik Hockeyland, what a fantastic performance. I thought it was a fantastic interview.

I'm obviously biased, but so many great takeaways in there, Hutch.

I think I'm gonna go back because he gave you props in the interview for how well you pronounce his name right at the beginning. I'm gonna go cut that out and then everywhere in the episode today, I'm just gonna throw that little clipping over top because it's the one we know is verified.

Henrik Haukeland. Right. There we go. So I appreciate you doing that, but now that you've explained you do it, it doesn't really help me. You had to fix it in post production.

Yeah. Now I don't have to do it

because We'll fix it in post. We'll fix it in post. Hey, listen.

You know interview though. What a good interview. Again, it's just I love it when guys really dig in and and give there was a couple in there. I I remember the first one I heard, he's like, oh, that's a really good question. And he paused, but I'm gonna try and give you a good answer.

And just really appreciated his approach to things. And, yeah, would would be nice to see him get a chance over here.

Yeah. No. And, one of his teammates from Team Norway just signed a contract in the NHL. I'm I'm trying to I'm brain cramping on who it was, one of the one of the players. So when you have that success on that stage, I think it draws just draws more eyes, whether it's fair or not that those eyes haven't already been on you.

Age, perhaps a factor at 31, whether he wants to leave a a really good pay here's the other reality, folks. As much as Henrik was honest and said he hasn't had that interest yet, Like I said, everything I watched in his game at that tournament looked to me like it would translate to today's NHL, but it was really interesting because usually to get that opportunity over here, you have to agree to something that starts in the American Hockey League. Mhmm. And I don't think people realize. The reality is a lot of these athletes do do quite a bit better financially and lifestyle wise playing over in Europe than they do to come over here for a shot at the NHL, but the likelihood of the American Hockey League.

Mhmm. Goes goes triple fold for coaches, by the way, who are paid at times peanuts in the American Hockey League. Lowest I heard recently was a 60,000 Canadian for Canadian franchise American Hockey League goalie coach salary, which is just, they pay them like real coaches over in Europe. So that's one of the reasons you don't see more coming over. But I digress a little bit here.

Henrik was awesome. We appreciate his time and and kinda cool to find out that he is a longtime listener of the podcast as well.

Always great to hear people were longtime listeners. It's, as I've told I told somebody else this week who sent a note along just saying how much they appreciate, the show. It's always strange because we're talking into microphones here, staring at each other and we just don't know the impact that it's having with other people. So when you send notes along to us and let us know you're listening, it is sincerely appreciated. Podcast at ingoalmag.com.

And folks, I promised Daren will be back soon, so you won't have to listen to nearly as much as me, although I then do tend to talk a lot regardless, but I won't be leading the bus. We'll have him back. We've missed you, Daren. One last one. This broke sort of as we were getting going here.

Oh, that's right.

Quick quick takeaway. A trade in the National Hockey League, and I think it's gonna be the first of many. The Philadelphia Flyers along with a couple of defensemen and draft picks, but essentially the Flyers trade Sam Errson to the Toronto Maple Leafs and in return get Joseph Woll. Obviously, the defensemen play a role in this. Simon Benoit going to Philly where he probably fits a talk it style system, and Emile Andre going the other way to Toronto, a smaller but skilled and hardworking sort of not afraid to get his nose dirty defenseman from the Flyers headed to Toronto.

I think the youngest player in the deal at age 24 is Emile Andre. But the goaltending amidst reports from Kevin Weeks that Dan Vladar are signing a long term 5,000,000 per extension, they solidify the one b position in a guy who's got enough upside to chase himself into the number one overall in Philadelphia with Dan Vladar, I think that's gonna be a great tan of Joseph Woll and Dan Vladar together behind a Rick Tockett system.

How do they match up together? Because I know sometimes you always really like to look at styles and how they complement teams or each other.

I think that Joseph Woll will fit the way Rick Tockett coaches and the types of chances they give up. Woll's game has transformed a little bit over the past three years. Injuries were an issue. He he was a little more dynamic and reactive earlier in his career, but it also put him in prone positions that led to injuries. We know he's done some work with Adam Fransili in the meantime.

I felt like at time early in that work, he was playing stance rather than playing goal and looked a little stiff and rigid. I thought last year he took huge strides in in balancing the two, but his game and his strengths within the new structure of how he plays, especially behind a target team where you're not getting east wested nearly as much as you do behind some systems, like, he's capable of doing it all. Like, I'm a big believer in Joseph Woll's talent. I just think this might be a system where he can both excel and stay healthy. And so, yeah, I I like that fit.

Sam Errson going the other way, man, he was on a heater after the Olympics. He was sensational to the point where despite a disappointing season statistically overall in Philadelphia, I wondered if they might bring him back because he really finished strong and showed what he's capable of. He's shown it in the past. Consistency has been an issue. I think part of that is just not playing that much.

You know, interesting to note, same team, but Dan Vladar with an .888 expected or .889 expected. And behind the same team, Sam Errson at .881, tougher opponents, second end of back to backs, things like that, a tougher environment for him overall on the season. So, you know, he didn't necessarily have it easy. Let's see what Toronto does here. At the end of the day for Toronto, I think the move is in part, they had three goalies, and they were gonna lose Dennis Hildeby on waivers if they didn't keep him in the NHL.

This solves that problem.

Kinda for because Hildeby is not even the starter in the American League right now. Right.

Final. But the But the starter doesn't require waivers. You can

No.

I know. Keep grooming him down there, and Hildeby did. Whether they keep Errson and put him on waivers and assign him or perhaps, you know, they they they were open to the idea of not qualifying him, which, you know, would be an interesting way to go. I still think there's a goalie there. This is a guy who was on the four nations roster just a year ago.

I think he's a real got a really high floor, plays a consistent steady style, and just needs a few more reps to sort of see how high the ceiling can be. So, you know, interesting. I think for for Philadelphia, this works. For Toronto, it works for very different reasons. And let's see ultimately where Sam Harrison ends up, beyond this trade and into next year.

But like I said,

I I still think there's some upside there for him too. Yeah. A lot a lot to be decided in Toronto who don't even know who their coach is for next year right now.

A number of teams. How about this? We're headed to decision making on goalies. Edmonton, Toronto. Now Vegas gets to game six of the Stanley Cup final and parts ways with John Tortorella.

Your question to me just a minute ago was sort of styles of goaltending fitting systems of teams. Don't you think as you head into July 1, if you're some of these teams and look at Edmonton, because Conor Ingram is a pending UFA, don't you think you'd wanna sorta know what your strengths and weaknesses are and what you're gonna give up and what you're gonna prevent system wise and personnel wise defensively would be before you make your decisions on your goaltending? Might behoove you to have a head coach in place by the time we hit unrestricted free agency. Because guess what? Do you know who the number one goalie unrestricted free agents in terms of this past season adjusted save percentage is?

I

Jeopardy music Hutch, you're the producer. Connor Ingram.

No kidding.

Of the Edmonton Oilers. Yes. Wow. Yes. It is.

Wow. There you go. And and all the all the questions about Sergei Babrowski has not signed yet. Two weeks to unrestricted free agency potentially for him. And, oh, by the way, the other goalie in Florida, Daniel Tarasov, who was exceptional early, faded down the stretch, but still produced numbers above expected in an environment that worsened with injuries and trades down the stretch in Florida, also an unrestricted free agent.

Now let's be honest. There's been many times in recent years where the Panthers who get their business done quietly look like they're about to lose players, and then all of a sudden they all re up and stay. And they're a wagon again. Wouldn't be shocked if that happens here. Big on Daren and July 1, but first, we've got the draft next week.

We've got Daren Millard Millard coming back. We've got more guests. We've got so much going on in the InGoal Radio Podcast. For now, thank you very much for listening. He's been David Hutchison.

I am Kevin Woodley, and we appreciate everyone who tunes in.