Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1483035
Coach educ at ion is a n i mpor t a nt place t o st a r t . G oa lt ender s deser ve at t ent ion , i n st r uc t ion a nd feedback ju st l i ke ever y other player. "There's no excuse for all coaches not to k now how to coach ever y player on t hei r team," said Carroll. "I'm tr ying to encour- age more associations to hold their coaches accountable, so they a re more productive with their goaltenders. Pay attention to all t he k id s i n you r a ssociat ion, not ju st t he forwards and defense." Thompson agreed. " We need to be more mindf ul about the goalies and how we design practices," he said. "They need some drills designed for their needs, not just face as many shots as possi- ble. They're either praised for making a save or they don't get much feedback if the puck goes in the net. They probably don't feel that same sense of growth that motivates kids to come back." Carroll speaks at a lot of coaching clin- ics. One question he's a s k i n g : " D i d t h e y consider themselves a g o a l i e - f r i e n d l y association?" To ease the barriers of entry, associations should consider the following: discount- ed registration fees; f r e e or d i s c ou nt e d g e a r ; s c h o l a r s h i p s for of fsea son tra in- ing; creating shutout w a l l s o n t h e w e b - site; prov id i ng cus- tom "Goalie Nation" t-shirts and apparel; a n d h o s t i n g g o a l ie development days. " There's no hock- ey w ithout goa lies," Carroll said. "So you need to create some things that maybe you haven't t houg ht about or haven't done i n the pa st because it 's never been a n issue. But now it's a little harder to get kids to play goalie for a variety of reasons, and some of these things can help." P Aaron Paitich is a senior editor and digital engagement manager with Touchpoint Media. SAVERS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 41 Offer scholarships for offseason goalie development Discounted registration fees Provide high-quality, proper- fitting equipment at no cost Subsidize equipment Create a "Shutout Wall" on your website where families can submit their shutouts Order customized "Goalie Nation" t-shirts or apparel branded with your team/ association logo and colors Host a Goalie Development Day for coaches and goalies in your region/district Ideas To Create A Goalie Friendly Association FILL THE CREASE "I think the biggest thing that we can do in making positive change is just giving goalies more attention." -STEVE THOMPSON