USA Hockey Magazine

24 // AUGUST 2023 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS BY Getty Images "Mitch doesn't just want to develop and produce goalies; he also wants to develop and produce coaches," Westlund said. "That's part of the deal that is really important." In his new role with Detroit, Westlund has teamed up with Phil Osaer, who worked three years as USA Hockey's ADM goaltend- ing manager and is now the Red Wings' head of goaltending scouting and development. T h e p a i r s h a r e a c o m m o n l a n g u a g e and philosophy when it comes to goal- tending, due in part to their time work- ing USA Hockey District and National Player Development Camps, where goal- ie coaches can share ideas and best prac- tices for the position. " T h o s e p r o g r a m s o b v i o u s l y h e l p because you're around more ideas that you might not be otherwise," Westlund said. "That just makes for better coaches, and the more development we can have on the coaching side, hopefully the more representation we can get all the way up to the NHL." The work that Westlund and Rogalski have done during their time in the NHL will hopefully open the door for other American coaches. As with the number of U.S.-born goaltenders making a name for themselves in The Show, there is no shortage of talented and dedicated goalie coaches looking to make their mark. "I'm very fortunate to be able to work i n t h e N H L , a n d I 've c e r t a i n l y g ott e n lucky along the way in terms of where I've been and who I've g otten to work with," Westlund concluded. "Those are the kind of things you can't plan for. You can be the best coach in the world, but if you don't get a break, you might not land a job. A lot of it is about being in the right place at the right time." P — A L E X W E S T L U N D I'm very fortunate to be able to work in the NHL, and I've certainly gotten lucky along the way in terms of where I've been and who I've gotten to work with. The Detroit Red Wings have an American goalie coach in Alex Westlund, and they now have a potential goalie of the future from Team USA in their development system after Detroit selected Trey Augustine with the 41st overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft. Augustine, a South Lyon, Michigan, native, concluded his USA Hockey National Team Development Program career with the second best, single-season save percentage in program history last year (.926) and is set to play at Michigan State this fall. IN PRODUCTION IN MOTOWN FLIGHT PATH: CONNOR HELLEBUYCK From studying stick blades to learn where a shot will go, the shock and surprise of getting drafted, and so much more — learn about Connor Hellebuyck's journey to the NHL. V I D E O Making Their Mark T R E Y A U G U S T I N E Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings

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