Since declaring November 1 International Goalie Day three years ago in honour of Plante’s definitive contribution to goaltending, InGoal has tried to find different ways to mark the occasion. This year, author Paul Campbell, who originated the concept of Goalie Day, confronts our mortality between the pipes through the experiences of someone who has done everything he can to push back the clock and keep kicking them out.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
— from Ulysses, by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Considering the End
The spectre of goalie mortality chills you with a frozen shock the first time he visits. You had learned to be impervious, decades studying the art of impenetrability making you feel godlike out there in the coldest blue. You are not prepared when he forces you to consider its end. Your end, as a goaltender.
I was 32, returning to The Position after almost a decade, cobbling together the equipment. It was a Tim Horton’s parking lot (where all Canadian goalie equipment deals go down). I paid, he gave me his chest protector, and I asked why he was getting rid of it. Upgrade? Too many bruises?
“No, I’m quitting hockey” he said. He was maybe 35. “I need to be focused on my kids playing, not me.”
It didn’t quite sound like his own phrase, and though he looked resigned, it shook me. I fought every instinct to counter his statement, to make him see how strange and unnecessary his decision was. All those instincts had little to do with him – they were all about me, shuddering at the spectre I had just seen. Would I be him in a year or two? Can it be over just like that?
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Great story! I love this line from the story, ( It was a Tim Horton’s parking lot (where all Canadian goalie equipment deals go down)
57 years old relearning the position. Not the same one I new as a child,
It’s a whole new game now! Fortunately, once you get it, your teammates will thank you.
I am 68 years old and playing pickup 3 times a week year round with players between 16 and 55, average ages 20 to 40. Most of our skates have some current juniors, college and ex college players, and our Friday skate even has a few players who have played professionally here and in Europe. I’m playing strictly for fun now, and enjoying it very much.
I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries aside from both hips replaced (arthritis) and metal in my shoulder from a torn rotator cuff. I can totally relate to several adjustments mentioned in the article including built up knee blocks, gel knee pads, and elastic toe ties. I also bought the lightest pro level equipment I could find, 100% Warrior gear.
I know I’m not as mobil, and certainly not as pretty as the younger guys, but I (mostly) make up for it by positioning and years of experience reading plays. Originally a stand up goalie from the 1960’s, I learned to play the hybrid game when I made my comeback 12 years ago after the hip surgeries. It’s funny, but the younger guys especially are surprised sometimes when they see a goalie coming out beyond the blue paint and staying high right as they shoot (thanks Bernie Parent, haha)
I consider myself very lucky that I’m still playing and having fun, which for me was what it was all about from the start.
Love to hear stories like yours; wisdom and experience trump pure athleticism more often than you’d expect. Some of the young shooters are baffled by goalies who don’t retreat (and who flash the odd long poke check).
So great to see so many goalies in their sixties. It’s the best position in the best sport.
What was the Mike Richter line? ‘You don’t chose to become a goalie, the position chooses you.’
Inspirational. I am 61 and recently shelved by ankle, hip, and long standing knee issues. So I see there is hope.
This is great to hear, Paul – there’s so much more, in terms of preparation, training, and equipment, available now than there ever was when I was growing up in The Position. I’m rooting for you to make it back out there, as mobile and free of discomfort as possible.
Hey Chris & Paul, I can relate! I’ll be 62 in a couple of weeks and I still goaltend three or four times a week in open leagues and skates (two regular teams), routinely playing with guys in their 20’s and even teenagers. I am totally self-taught – never played organized hockey – and really didn’t start until my mid-20s. (Dabbled at stick times as a kid, but never owned my own gear until I was an adult.) My one hip is arthritic, but not bad enough to stop me (yet). I quit using toe ties of any kind about five years ago and found that really helped ease discomfort in my hips and ankles. One of my sets of pads have an extra knee block in them and I like that a lot too. I’d love to get some honest-to-goodness goaltending instruction (still read here and work hard on my conditioning and technique), but who coaches a 60+ year old guy? I play a hybrid style and I find that it is often to my advantage that all these young guys typically shoot high cuz that’s the percentage play against today’s “down” goalie… then they’re pissed to find that I’m standing up and their shot bounces harmlessly off of my shoulder. lol
Keep those kids guessing Ray! It’s funny which sports are “acceptable” for older people to be coached in. A 65 year old with a golf coach is totally fine, and people talk about working on their golf game their whole lives. No reason it shouldn’t be the same for goaltending. The sheer amount of technical content specific to The Position means that instruction and practice can make a huge difference in how you feel, and how you play.
Thanks Paul. Any ideas about old-guy goalie coaches in the Pittsburgh area?
Hey Ray.
My experience with coaches and older goalies has been great. First, they enjoy us because of our passion for the game. Second, we learn pretty quickly. (And forget even quicker.) Third, when they pair us with younger goalies the message is, “If this dude who could be your grandfather is humping it through this drill, you need to give me more.” Fourth, we are good for the money. 😛
I’ll ask my PA peeps if they know any goalie coaches in the PGH area.
Thanks Chris. I could use some instruction, for sure, since – you know – I’ve never had ANY. lol For instance, I cannot teach myself to slide at all. I try to plant my skate and push, but… nuthin’. Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Ray
53 yo goalie in South Hills. I’ve been working with Shane Clifford’s guys and Mike Yaremko. Highly recommend. I can give you more details if required.
Great read as always, Paul. You and Chris happen to be two of my favourite tweeps.
Chris inspires me. I’m just a 1963 model year baby.
The professor straps are something I will be looking into. I have something similar from another company but the design of those look like it would help me.
Thanks Boosh! I love the little goalie community we have going on Twitter, and it’s great to see it coming through here at InGoal, too. The big stacks are the thing that really draw my eye. Chris has 20 years on me, but if I start mitigating hip stress now, I might not have to get them replaced.
Fantastic article. Thank you for this. As a 1959er felt a bit alone out there playing 3 to 4 times a week with a lot of younger guys. And its great to know there is still “runway” out! I tell people that look at me a bit funny when I tell them that I am still playing that it is because the equipment is much lighter but although its a factor, I really think its because the chest protectors have gotten so much better. I don’t walk around bruised like I did even in my 40’s. (People can talk about all the changes to goal equipment but I think the biggest change in hockey is player carbon fibre sticks). Have about 5 chest protectors hanging in the garage looking for the perfect balance of protection and weight. Settled on Warrior for now but switch in the Vaughan for its mobility and air circulation now and then but find the arms a little thin. Pre-COVID the focus was on finding the best sliding pads. Need all the help I can get on getting over on this new East-West game. Have a new set of Brian’s GNetiK’s I can’t wait to try when we can get back on the ice. In the meantime, the other big takeaway from the article is looking for a place for lessons. Efficiency=playing longer and I just love this game!
Daniel, I dream of being where you and Chris are when I’m your age – the steps Chris outlined for me wrt exercise and equipment mods should help, too. Have you heard of Passau? They get little press, but their chesty is stellar. Mobile immediately, and the protection is excellent. Where are you located? We might be able to connect you with a coach or two working in your area.
Paul. Thank you very much. I will take a look at Passau. Heard of them but I have never seen their equipment at retail but will look into them. Live in Niagara on the Lake but play in Toronto. Any help you could provide on coaching suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Daniel, you are so right about the chest and arms. Those of us that played in the 70s/80s, understood stepping on the ice meant you were always going to get dinged.
I went through a bunch of models until I found one that worked for me. (Brown.) Overlooked in the c/a is a proper fit.
Thanks Chris. Will look into them as well.