USA Hockey Magazine

42 // JUNE 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM 42 // JUNE 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS BY Taylor Moe J U S T A D D I C E D rastic times call for dras- tic measures. Seattle goal- ie families that were not given many options during the pandemic found their own solution by creating what is now known as the Goalie Zone. During the early stages of the pandemic, ice slots were scarce. Between safety protocols and the demands of local teams there was no ice to spare for goalie-specific instruction. This setback pushed the goalie community to find an alternative method of development for young goalies, producing the idea of syn- thetic ice training. With funding from the Seattle hockey community, and permission from the Seattle Junior Hockey Association, the goalie com- munity was able to build a training area in the parking lot of Olympic View Arena, located in Mountlake Terrace, Wash. The facility is equipped with a layer of wood tiles, which sits under a 30-by-30 foot sheet of synthetic tiles. Over time, the training area, known as the Goalie Zone, began receiving donations from families and associations to improve the quality of the makeshift rink by including various-sized hockey nets, a set of 3-on-3 boards and mis- cellaneous equipment. Since opening in January 2021, the syn- thetic ice has hosted numerous weekend clinics for goalies of all age groups, skill levels and associations, free of charge. Early on, many parents and goalies were skeptical about the functionality of the syn- thetic ice, but after several sessions they began to see the benefits it brought to the table. Although it may not feel exactly like real ice, it didn't take young goalies long to get used to the difference. With more friction than real ice, the syn- thetic surface produces greater resistance that challenges goalies to make stronger pushes to move, which increases leg strength. In addition, due to the texture of the syn- thetic ice, a goalie's footwork needs to be more accurate in order to move correctly. This helps fine tune the edgework that helps improve young goalies movements when they step back on real ice. S J H A G o a l i e D i r e c t o r T r a v i s M o o r e explains how synthetic ice helps reveal skills that need fine tuning. "You can't hide on synthetic ice, you need proper technique, proper form," Moore said. "That's where we can really see the differ- ence between refined skills versus what we need to work on and what we need to focus on as far as getting our goalies to the next level." A n o t h e r m a i n c o n t r i b u t o r t o g o a l i e development is the unique coaching meth- ods that are used to promote Goalie IQ and individual skills. Goalie IQ coaching exposes goalies to sit- uations they might encounter in games by creating controlled but randomized situa- tions for them to react to. Instead of using block drills, which repeat the same motions and scenarios, coaches use drills that follow a basic structure of movements, which set up the drill to be similar to a sequence goalies might see in a game. Unlike a block drill, each rep of these game- like scenarios is unique. This is done by playing any rebounds left by the goalie and by creating more than one option for the puck carrier. This provides goalies with random- ized situations, which better prepares them for games and helps develop their goalie IQ. Seattle Jr. Kraken Goalie Coach Dan Perry likes the mindset goalies develop from these gamse-like scenario drills. " What I like is the idea of a goalie who doesn't do anything unless they see the puck moving or players moving to indicate that they should do something," Perry said. "It's a bit different having to keep up with the puck and read the play than it is to just move for the sake of moving." These drills also provide an opportunity to get goalies used to handling the puck because they are encouraged to retrieve rebounds and pass the puck, which helps them become more comfortable using their stick. Goalies take over the parking lot at the Olympic View Arena as the Seattle Junior Hockey Association creates the Goalie Zone clinics.

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