Topics will be about:

- MTN Camps and services offered.
- Bring attention to new blog postings/articles.
- MTN Alumni updates/scores.
- Bring attention to the Goalie Crease Network ( www.goaliecrease.net ) and anything of interest, MTN related or not.
- Bring attention to what goes on in the MTN sub-forum on the Goalie Crease Network.
- Gear discussions, especially regarding Brian’s.
- Commentary on saves, plays, goals from the NHL or other hockey on T.V.
- General goaltender ideas.

So, be sure to follow us on twitter.  Just another place to get your goalie geek on with Saskatchewan’s geekiest goalie geeks.

If you are new or returning to Mind The Net Goaltending one of the biggest selling features, aside from high quality instruction and caring staff, is the low registration numbers accepted at each camp.  If you think a goalie school that puts 12, 16, 24 or even 44 goalies (plus instructors and shooters) on the ice at one time is effective then you need to seriously consider Mind The Net Goaltending.  Sure we could put 24+ goaltenders on the ice at one time, but we are here to help each and every goaltender receive the best instruction possible.  The best instruction possible is truly found in personalized attention.  Mind The Net Goaltending ONLY accepts:

• Six goaltenders per Top Prospects Camp.
• Eight goaltenders per Midget “AAA” Prep Camp.
• Eight goaltenders per Bantam Prep Camp.
• Nine goaltenders per Atom/PeeWee Camp.

Basically, the student to instructor ratio is as low as 1.5:1 up to a maximum of 3:1.

The summer camps schedule, in order date the camps are being held, goes as follows:

Midget “AAA” Prep Camp(five day camp): July 16-July 20, 2012.  See link for more details or to register: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/midgetAAA.htm 

Top Prospects Camps x2 (five day Stacked camps):   July 23-27, 2012. See link for more details or to register: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/topprospect.htm  

Bantam Prep Camp(four day camp): July 30-August 2, 2012.  See link for more details or to register: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/bantam.htm

Atom/PeeWee Camps x3 (three, three day camps):

Camp #1 – August 10-12, 2012: See link for more details or to register: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/atom_peewee.htm

Camp #2 – August 13-15, 2012: See link for more details or to register: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/atom_peewee.htm 

Camp #3 – August 16-18, 2012: See link for more details or to register: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/atom_peewee.htm

And finally, MTN Goaltending is once again offering the 15% referral discount.  This referral discount is open to ALL students, new or returning, the discount is simple.  If you refer another goaltender (whether friend, acquaintance, or sibling) that registers for ANY of the MTN Camps being offered for the Summer of 2012 you will receive a 15% discount off the cost of your registration.  Only on discount per goaltender.

So, if training with purpose, precision and passion is what you are ready to do, if you are ready to take your game to the next level, then Mind The Net Goaltending is something you need to experience.  

For more reasons why you should choose Mind The Net Goaltending check out the following link: http://www.goaliecrease.net/mind-net-goaltending/2720-what-sets-mind-net-apart.html

For more information about Mind The Net Goaltending check out:

• http://www.mtngoaltending.com/index.htm
• http://www.youtube.com/user/MindTheNet
• join our facebook group.  Just search for “Mind The Net Goaltending” 
• Call Co-director, Travis Harrington 1-306-236-5020 or e-mail travis@mtngoaltending.com
• Call Co-director, Ian Robertson 1-306-867-8661 or e-mail ian@mtngoaltending.com
• or continue reading this blog.

We hope to see you this summer!!

 Watch closely and you will see that when, what and how the goaltender competes during a sequence can have a direct outcome to not only the tempo of the game, but in the quantity and quality of the shots that they will face.

Once again, as is a major theme with Mind The Net, the goaltender must understand that their main focus should be the “Keep the puck out of the net!” mentality, not just the “stop the puck” mentality.  Keeping the puck out of the net will consist of many varied aspects of the position.

The below skills are all very simple, but essential, in the game management skills that every goaltender must utilize:

Strong Visual Skills

As usual every aspect of goaltending begins with proper attention being paid to the visual inputs used in goaltending.  We must always remember that our vision, as goalies, directs everything we do in a given situation.  Understanding the save and vision sequences is a great place to start when addressing issues with puck tracking, positioning, save selection, rebound control and reacting to the consequences of the rebound instinctually.  By focusing on the last step of the vision and save sequences, respectively the goalie can then eliminate post save delay.  Post save delay refers to when there is a delay between a goalie making a save and then reacting to the rebound.  ***By the time the puck is within one foot away from the goalie that goaltender should be reacting to the rebound appropriate to the situation.***

Strong visual skills does not always refer to dealing with shots on goal as there are other visual skills that contribute to strong game management.  Pattern recognition is a key visual skill as this allows the goaltender to recognize, early in a play’s development as to what the goalie will most likely face.  Rarely is an experienced goalie truly surprised by the various situations they face in a game, even on goals against.  As part of pattern recognition the goaltender must determine where potential threats occur, screens, odd man rushes and so on.

Strong Game Awareness/Knowledge

Game awareness, or a general knowledge of how hockey works, will allow the goaltender to be able understand the ebb and flow, momentum swings and different emotions a team may face in a game.  Knowing when to stop a play with a whistle through strong rebound control, whether control at the body or sent over the glass is an extremely important element of game management as this can kill momentum generated by the other team and give the goalie’s own team a chance for a break and a chance to start from scratch.  Realistically, a goalie can never control too many shots for a whistle!

On the flip side a strong game manager will also understand the proper times to keep a play moving by knowing where to place the puck, either by passing or setting it up, to a team mate, who not only gets the puck but can pick it up better. This will get the puck out of the zone with speed.  Also, understanding when is the time to head man the puck or just set it up for a transition breakout can have a dramatic impact on the pace of a game.

Proper positioning, also known as finding the Fundamental Save Position(FSP), with proper angle and depth no matter what the puck position may be is possibly the biggest contributor to strong rebound control.  If a goalie is properly positioned they will cause the other team to shoot, basically, “right at the goalie” for a simple controlled first save or even a shot that misses the net which can actually kickstart a breakout.

Even rebound recoveries, can have an effect on game management as this can effect second save situations.  Knowing what types of recoveries, either onto the feet or staying down with a backside push or knee crawl, and which leg to get up on can contribute to proper control.

Mobility

The base of strong game management, even goaltending in general, is centred in strong mobility.  Strong skating skills, both player specific and goaltender specific will assist the goaltender to not only get into the proper position for a save but proper position to get to loose pucks to be part of the transition game.  Because the modern game is so much more East-West, rather than just North-South, lateral mobility on both the goaltender’s feet and when in a down save or recovery position is much more important, as well.  Once again, lateral mobility, and mobility in general, is a key to proper positioning and proper body and save control.

Strong mobility is key to good puck handling skills.  By becoming part of the transition the goalie, whom may handle the puck more than most of their teammates, can have increasing control over the pace of the game. 

Strong Rebound Control

Once strong mobility and positioning is in place the goaltender can add the powerful weapon of rebound control.  The strong goaltender, one that properly manages a game, will understand and be able to use different rebound control tactics based on the rebound control priorities:

1. Strong puck retention at the body.
2. The ability to get the rebound elevated, preferably over the glass, and not flat.  Even if the puck does not clear the glass an elevated rebound is far harder to play, for a shooter, than  a flat/low rebound.
3. Sending pucks to the corner or knowing where the safe areas are and putting the puck there.
4. Kicking rebounds right back to the original shooter to a teammate backchecking.
5. Kicking a big rebound away from the shooter to either a back checker or clearing the zone by themself.

Regardless of goaltender ability the most important rebound control priority is to control the puck at the body as much as possible as this will guarantee the goaltender’s own team can regain control of the puck and the pace of the game.

Active Stick Skills

Crease control through the use of active stick skills often has an effect on whether a goaltender may face awesome scoring chances or if they can keep more shots to the periphery.  Crease control is as simple as deflecting opposition passes through the crease or around the net, knowing when to poke/sweep check and  having strong passing and shooting skills(on the forehand, backhand, two hands or one hand).  Basically, the most multi-purpose tool, and possibly most important for game control, is the goaltender’s stick.

Transition

Several times in a game the puck is dumped in and rimmed. In most situations, who starts with the puck on most breakouts?

THE GOALTENDER. When the transition game starts in the defensive end it is safe to say that a good majority of the time it starts with the goaltender.  Whether it is on the power play or the penalty kill, a strong transitional goaltender can create positive results by simply shooting it out, head manning the puck or just setting it up.

In order to be involved in game control in a meaningful way the goalie must be actively pursuing loose pucks by:

1. Establishing good readiness and depth as the puck crosses the redline will create better pursuit angles which contributes to…
2. Handling rims.
3. Skating to dump-ins, or beating a forechecker anywhere in front of the net.

One last idea that goalies must embrace when handling the puck is that they must keep their feet moving until the play is completed and the goalie has returned to the net.  The goalie that handles the puck from a standstill eliminates play options much the same way a defensemen who stands still with the puck is a dead duck.

Communication

Communication is a great tool to assist the goaltender in helping teammates not only execute smarter, but faster. A strong communicating goaltender can help alleviate forecheck pressure and have a very strong impact on the length of time the puck stays in the defensive zone. By communicating, through strong verbal and body communication, the puck spends less time in the defensive zone which makes the opposition’s attempts at scoring a lot harder.

Emotional Control

In order to accomplish everything listed above the goaltender must maintain emotional control at all times during training, practice, game preparation, during and after competition.  The goaltender that is in control of their mental game and emotions is able to recognize when a game needs to slow down or speed up or even understand when their own team is struggling with energy level, both energy level too high or too low and what to do about each situation.  By staying composed the goaltender can control their own team’s psyche and the psyche of the opposition which is the ultimate form of game management.

Conclusion

Although the list of what makes up the idea of game management/control seems long it is really just a series of small skills combined into a very important part of goaltending.  Understanding how important goaltenders are in game management and control is a way to take a look at hockey and goaltending in a more holistic perspective.

 This can create more successful goaltenders, coaches, players, scouts or anyone that has a stake in hockey.

Now, getting involved in the transition part of a hockey game is something highly recommended by Mind The Net as a way to get a feel for the puck, and game in general.  But, there is another way a goaltender may bolster their own confidence by understanding “the most underrated save” a goaltender can make…

 When a goalie forces a shot to miss the net!

That’s right, “the most underrated save” is the save the goalie does not have to make!  An interesting thought since, in our experience, most goalies do not think of the positives that come out of a shot attempt, against the goalie, that misses the net.  When analyzing a shot attempt that misses the net there are factors, not related to the goalie, that can effect if a shot misses the net.  Factors such as: defensive pressure, time and space, game situation, shot blocking attempts, the score and how much external pressure (e.g. championship final or losing 2-1, etc.) a team is facing when attempting to score. 

Even though there are many team factors contributing to shot attempts wide, let’s focus on why shot attempts that miss the net should be seen in the same light as an actual save.  First, in most cases the goaltender’s positioning has left the shooter with very few shooting options.  Essentially, the goalie has forced the shooter to miss the net wide or high of the net.  Strong positioning is dependent on strong mobility leading to being on line with the puck and the centre of the goalline, being square to the puck and proper depth for a situation(finding the “Fundamental Save Position”).  In every shot attempt wide or high of the net the goaltender was required to move into position for the shot attempt which activates the body in a way that the goaltender can get physically into the game.  Also, on many shot attempts wide the goalie may have made a save movement for a shot that just misses the net.  In some cases a shot attempt that misses the net is caused by a goaltender using proximity to their advantage, by bringing something closer to the puck taking away the puck’s possible path into the net.  In other cases a goaltender can force a shot to miss the net through a working understanding of what the puck sees, in a given situation, versus what the shooter sees as well.  Even a goalie with strong communication skills can put psychological pressure on an attacker to shoot from an undesirable position on the ice.  When a shot attempt misses the net the goalie has helped to facilitate a quicker breakout or, at the very least, a brief turnover of puck possession.

This mental switch over to understanding that a shot that misses the net is as good as a save can bolster a goaltender’s confidence regardless of age and and level of play and make a low shot game easier to deal with, among other tricks of the trade.  Many shots missing the net is a great sign that the goaltender and his/her team is on their game causing the opposition to attempt to pinpoint shots as they feel just shooting will be a poor tactic.  Conclusively, the biggest positive for feeling good about shots that miss the net is…

The opposition can NOT score if they don’t hit the net!

Which is way better than a puck going into the net.

As a way to keep oneself paying attention to the here and now of a hockey game goalies can use what MTN refers to as water bottle (or goalie stick) reminders.  Water bottle reminders start with a goalie coming up with three keys to that goalie’s success.  Now, each key to success must be phrased in a manner that is productive and in the present tense.  By being in the present tense, with a productive phrase, the goalie can avoid negative thoughts that can derail a goalie’s confidence or focus.  Some examples of present tense, productive phrases may be:

“I will have fun and be a warrior!”
“I will enjoy this time on the ice.”
“I will play one situation/one save at a time.”
“I play my best when I trust my instincts.”

“I will be aggressive and smart.”
“I will be like velcro.”
“I will control the game.”
“I will be calm, cool and collected at all times.”
…or whatever else a goalie finds as a key to when they have been successful.

After the goalie has come up with the three keys to their success they must wrap their water bottle in white hockey tape and write their name or nickname on one side of the water bottle.  On the other side of the bottle they must write the heading “Three Keys to My Success:”.  Now, underneath the heading the goaltender must write out their three keys to their success.  If the goalie does not use a water bottle the “Three Keys” can be written  on the shaft or back of the paddle of the goalie stick(s).

The beauty of the water bottle reminders is that the goalie has three productive phrases that can help to keep a goalie grounded and focused on the task at hand during a game.  Whether a goalie reviews the three keys at the start of the game, at every whistle, after key saves or goals against is a personal choice.

Just remember that the key to the water bottle reminders is to help a goalie to stay in the right frame of mind, in the present state of any hockey game, to help a goalie to play closer or at their optimal level.

Although the official announcement for player and coach selections were made just under two weeks ago, it was only two and a half weeks ago that Harrington found out SHA was considering taking him as the goalie coach.  Harrington, is honoured and excited to be working with a strong group of hockey players and a coaching staff that is well established.  Leading the way is head coach Curtis Hunt.  Hunt was a long time head coach in the WHL with Moose Jaw and the Regina Pats, an assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators and a two time World Junior Champion as an assistant coach for the Canadian World Junior program.  Assisting Curtis is Mike Dumelie, an assistant coach with Team Sask. at last winter’s Canada Winter Games and Darwin Hazell an assistant coach with the Moose Jaw Generals of the SMAAAHL.

With such an accomplished coaching staff in place and some very strong talent in the SaskFirst program, Harrington is looking forward to the challenge of being a part of an opportunity that no one at MTN had thought would happen at this juncture in the goalie school’s history.

 Officially the SHA administration, coaching and support staff, and then the players, will be arriving in Moose Jaw on Tuesday October, 25, 2011.  Also adding to the excitment is that the tournament is being played in the brand new facility for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors, Mosaic Place.  For more information about the tournament check out: http://sha.sk.ca/news/457-moose-jaw-to-host-2011-western-canada-u16-challenge-cup

Good luck, Team Saskatchewan.  Make us proud!

The Most Interesting Goaltender in the World

– “I don’t often play goal, but when I do I wear Brian’s.”

- Literally stands on his head to make saves.

- Rocks a Mage and makes it look cool.

- Named his son Heaton Cooper.

- The entire offensive zone is his crease.

- Some pucks are scared to travel into his trapper.

- A black hole was discovered in his chest protector

-  His goalie stick is forged from adamantium.

- Has a stance described as “looking like an angry platypus”.

- Controls the pace of the game by controlling the gravitational pull of the earth.

- Wears his goalie gear to collect honey.

- Has a gear company named after his trapper.

- Stops rims, for the other goalie.

- Trained Finnish sensation Kari Takko, as a four year old.

- Is the Finnish goaltending revolution.

- Scored a goal, short handed, through the five hole on the other goalie, on a back hand slapshot from behind his net.

- Holds the record for most saves in a game with 345.  All shots were stopped for a whistle.

- Takes defensive zone faceoffs.

-  Beat Ron Hextall in a lumberjack contest.

- Elevates rebounds…into orbit

- Wears a bandana 10X bluer than Kelly Hrudey’s.

- Has got a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck through the roof.

- Built his house out of Antii Niemi’s pads.

- Lines his chicken coop with Reebok pads.

- Owns the Conn Smythe trophy.

- Was the first goalie to wear a mask…as a jockstrap.

- Plays the horizontal standup butterfly style taught in Khazakstan.

- Introduced goaltending to the Mongols.

- Is so good he stopped the spread of the plague in Europe.

- Gets his skates done so sharp he can carve concrete with his sculls.

- His mask gives shooters seizures.

- Has the keys to the Playboy Puck Bunny Mansion.

- Has a sweet permed mullet that flows out the back of his mask.

- Piles the snow on his posts so high the piles are now Saskatchewan’s best skiing destinations.

- Can shuffle post to post on a soccer net…with one shuffle.

- Has push started a tandem grain truck with one t-push.

- Deflected a puck over a grain elevator…with his head.

- Made the Toronto Maple Leafs a Cup contender.

- Can say the name of all the goalie equipment manufacturers in alphabetical order… backwards.

- Once stopped Crosby, on a breakaway, so bad that Crosby’s jock was hanging from the bleachers.

- His hockey hands inspired the smell for Chanel No. 9.

- Told Al Mc Innis and Zdeno Chara they “have a muffin for a shot.”

- Can close the gap on the other team in the neutral zone.

- His puckhandling is so strong he initiated the storming of the beach at Dieppe in WWII.

- Pornstars love to watch him stretch.

- Has had panties thrown at him during a game.

- His phone number is on his name bar.

- Eats composite sticks as a pre-game meal.

- Blows kisses at the opposition…and they love it!

- When he uses a backside recovery he doesn’t move, the ice does.

The keys to the Skills of Gold Goaltending and Coach Specialty Clinics is to provide:

• 1.5 hours of classroom instruction for Minor Hockey coaches (Coaches will receive free Mind the Net Goaltending and Hockey Canada Goaltending Manuals)
• 4.5 hours of on-ice instruction (Goaltender Movement/Skating and Shooting Sessions)
• 3 hours of classroom instruction
• Free SHA Goaltender Jersey 
• No more than 12 goaltenders on the ice at one time

Mind The Net Goaltending and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association highly recommend that any and all coaches and parents are involved with all aspects of each camp both on and off the ice.  That’s right, parents are even welcome on the ice.

In order to bring a SHA/MTN Goaltending Skills of Gold and/or Coach Specialty Clinic to your community please contact Joel Houseman (Joelh@sha.sk.ca) or Kelsie Graham (Kelsieg@sha.sk.ca).

To find the Skills of Gold Goaltender and/or Coach Specialty Clinic nearest you and to register for a clinic please check out the following link: http://sha.sk.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=240&Itemid=114 .  We hope to see you in the fall!

Harrington, will be looks to be the number one goaltender for the NAIT Ooks for the third season in a row, with this season most likely being his last in elite hockey as he is looking to pursue a career in law.  This past season Graeme established career bests in GAA, SP% and Shutouts. 

Washburn, a former Telus Cup champion and MJHL league finalist just finished his last season of Jr. A hockey helping the Selkirk Steelers of the MJHL (Manitoba Junior Hockey League) and is committed to the Portage College Voyageurs.  As a freshman Washburn, along with SJHL grad Kyle Birch, are hoping to solidify the voyageirs crease that has been average, at best over the last couple of seasons.

Bartko, who recently attended our Top Prospects camp, is a two time SJHL League Champion and was in the RBC Cup tournament two season ago.  Adam has an interesting opportunity to man the nets for the SAIT Trojans for the next four years as he is working on a four year accounting degree (which is a rarity for the SAIt program to keep players for mroe than two seasons as they are predominantly a tech school.

MTN Co-director Travis Harrington (the author) is looking forward to catching a few more ACAC games this upcoming season as there is a good chance these three names will be seen in a lot of the ACAC press.  Good luck to Harri, Washy and Barts for the 2011-2012 ACAC hockey season.

(As I told Adam, just two weeks ago, I hope to see SAIT lose in the final and fifth game of the ACAC championships in a 1-0 double overtime game to the NAIT Ooks, led by this author’s little brother Graeme Harrington, since this is Harrington’s last year in the ACAC.)

First, we have two openings in each of our Top Prospects camps.  These five days, elite, goaltending camps take place July 25-29 and August 2-6 in Aberdeen, SK(a shot 25 minute drive east of Saskatoon, SK).  Eligible goaltenders must be established Midget “AAA” to College/Pro.  Only six goaltenders are accepted per camp.  That’s right, six!  NOT 12, 24 or 44 goalies + shooters+instructors and equipment on the ice at one time.  This may be one of the most personalized goaltender schools in Canada outside of costly and less rewarding personalized lessons that cover only part of what should be covered and without the benefit of learning from other elite goaltenders as well.

For more information or to see a brochure check out the following link:  http://www.mtngoaltending.com/topprospect.htm or http://www.mtngoaltending.com/pdfs/TopProspectsWeb2011.pdf

If cost is an issue please contact us to discuss a payment plan or check out the details behind our 15% referral discount with the details found here: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/pdfs/Customer%20Referral%20Form.pdf

The other camp that still has three openings is the first Bantam Development camp from August 8-11.  Again, the camp takes place at the the beautiful Aberdeen Rec Complex in Aberdeen, SK.  We only accept eight goaltenders per four day camp.  Eligible goaltenders must be moving into their first of Bantam hockey or going into the last year of Bantam hockey.  For this level of goaltender it is unheard of to only have eight students per camp as this is usually the level where many goalie schools throughout Canada work with 24 plus goaltenders on the ice at one time.  Not very personalized, when thoroughly analyzed.

For more information or to see a brochure check out the following link:  http://www.mtngoaltending.com/bantam.htm or http://www.mtngoaltending.com/pdfs/BantamWeb2011.pdf

If cost is an issue please contact us to discuss a payment plan or check out the details behind our 15% referral discount with the details found here: http://www.mtngoaltending.com/pdfs/Customer%20Referral%20Form.pdf

Essentially, if you are interested in taking one of the spots available, know of a goaltender that may be interested in, or would like more information you can e-mail MTN Co-director/Head Instructor Travis Harrington (travis@mtngoaltending.com) or call (306)236-5020.