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22 // AUGUST 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM By H A R R Y T H O M P S O N — D AV E R O G A L S K I Making Their Mark American Goalie Coaches Bringing Their "A" Game To NHL Clubs PHOTOS COURTESY New Jersey Devils; Detroit Red Wings W h e n U S A H o c k e y l a u n c h e d i t s 5 1 i n 3 0 i n i t i a t i v e i n 2 01 7, t h e g o a l wa s t o h a v e A m e r i c a n goaltenders playing 5 1 p e r c e n t o f t h e m i n u t e s i n t h e N H L a n d w o m e n 's p r o f e s s i o n a l h o c k e y by 2 0 3 0. A by p r o d u c t o f t h a t a m b i t i o u s undertaking has been a slow but steady increase in the number of American goalie coaches now working with NHL clubs. Two of those coaches who have worked their way up the ranks are Dave Rogalski (New Jersey Devils) and Alex Westlund (Detroit Red Wings). Both have more than paid their dues while earning reputations as two of the most creative and dedicated coaches working with some of the game's top netminders. In addition to Westlund and Rogalski, Mike Buckley is serving as the goaltend- ing coach for the Los Ang eles Kings and Thomas Speer holds a similar position with the San Jose Sharks. Their ascension up the coaching ranks is a credit to not only their passion for the posi- tion, but to all of those who came before them and were willing to share their knowledge to help the next generation of puckstoppers. Rogalski grew up in St. Louis Park, Minn., and learned the position under the tutelage of former University of Minnesota goalten- der and coach Paul Ostby, as well as esteemed goalie coach Warren Strelow. It was there that Rogalski discovered his future in the game was in coaching. It wasn't before long that he was helping to develop the next generation of goaltenders, including Jake Oettinger, Charlie Lindgren, Cal Petersen and Jeremy Swayman. The one thing I'd say is that if you believe in something, you just got to go for it. It wasn't about making money. D AV E R O G A L S K I New Jersey Devils Goalie Coach A L E X W E S T L U N D Detroit Red Wings Goalie Coach