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GAME SAVERS 40 // NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS BY USA Hockey Magazine USA Hockey's Goalie Nation Takes Aim At Putting More Kids Between The Pipes / / / by Aaron Paitich Where and Why? Southern California and Illinois are two p o c ket s t r y i ng t o add r e s s yout h ho c key goalie shortages, but several other areas have expressed concern. " We've had a ha nd f u l of ca lls a nd ema ils from dif ferent associations lack ing goa lies either entirely or within specific birth years, and they 're looking for strategies on how to promote the position a lit tle bit bet ter a nd how to get bet ter retention numbers," sa id Steve Thompson, USA Hockey 's manager of goaltending. "We've heard it enough now that we do think we have to make some changes if we want to try and make it better." Sometimes it's the raw numbers. But in some cases, it is a lack of patience and an emphasis on long-term goaltending development. Both are a problem. The solution will require a culture change at all levels, Thompson said. USA Hockey has identified some areas where they can poten- tially work with NHL clubs like the Anaheim Ducks, where a pilot program is in the works to try and attack these issues head-on. "I think the biggest thing that we can do in making positive change is just giving goalies more attention," Thompson said. Creating A Goalie-Friendly Culture Steve Carroll has been coaching goaltenders for more than 25 years. He knows goalies can be left to fend for themselves, but it shouldn't have to be that way. " We wa nt k ids a nd pa rents to t h in k t hat the goalie position is like the quarterback in footba ll or the pitcher in baseba ll —the star player," said Carroll, the Minnesota District goalie coach-in-chief for USA Hockey. MAGINE A GAME WITHOUT GOALIES. No f l a shy g love saves or t wo -pad st ack s. No f i st bu mps between whistles with words of encouragement. No backbone to hold the team together. Just an empty net or beat-up shooter tutor to mindlessly fire pucks at. It could happen. Goalie shortages have become an issue in some pockets of the country over the last few years, prompting USA Hockey, state affiliates and even NHL teams to take action.