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ILLUSTRATION BY Michael Iver Jacobsen Steve Thompson, USA Hockey's manager of player development - goaltending, said parents should look for programs that foster posi- tive goalie relationships. "I would recommend that goal- ie parents seek teams that allow their goalie to have goalie partners," Thompson said. "The relationship between goalies is a critical one for player development and mental health. Some parents want their goalie to be the only goalie due to more playing time, but they tend to undervalue the benefit of hav- ing someone else on the team that their goalie can relate to, share the responsibility with, as well as get to learn how to work with others who are tasked with their same role." If players/parents feel playing time is not equal, communication is key. "The best thing to bring to a prac- tice or game is a positive attitude, great work/practice ethics and work hard," Caffrey said. "As a coach, I told all players that game playing time is earned as a reward for work- ing hard." Make Sure Your Program Is Keeping Goalies Positively Involved A g o o d p r o g r a m m a ke s s u r e i t s goalies are included in team prac- tice plans, allowing them to work on their unique skills on a regu- lar basis. Goalies should remain active and engaged throughout the practice instead of standing around while the rest of the team works on a drill. Corner battle drills, small area games and skill drills simulate game play/situations a team and goalies are commonly involved in. As a parent, make sure your goalie is not being overworked or put in dangerous situations that might cause fatigue or injury. Goalie skill sessions with specialized g oalie c o a c h i n g c a n b e b e n e fi c i a l , b u t make sure your athlete is not reach- ing a physical or mental burnout. Parenting a goalie means being a steady presence in a high-pressure position. It's about supporting their growth, not just as players, but as people who must learn resilience, personal leadership and how to bounce back after a tough game. P BEHIND EVERY KID IN THE CREASE is a parent quietly (or maybe not so quietly) living and dying with each glove save, flash of the pad and scrum in the crease. Most lessons for goalie parenting are learned through held breath, clenched jaws and maybe a stress ball or two. Pat Caffrey, a veteran coach and goalie dad in Saugerties, New York, recalls the challenges came quickly when his son, Mike, settled into net minding full-time at 14 years old. There was instantly a new pressure that came with the position, and not just on Mike. Pat was generous enough to share some of his wisdom for newer goalie parents looking to navigate the unique craziness that flows around the net. End The Season Gracefully The end of season break can be refreshing, both physically and mentally. Caffrey's son also played soccer and mainly went from base- ball to hockey each year. Camps are fun and CAN be good for develop- ment. Caffrey suggests looking for a camp that runs close to when the new season is about to start. " We did a summer camp while on vacation in August, where the camp was in the morning and we were at the beach by the early after- noon. Then the practices started in September after school started." Once the season starts, look for an in-season goalie skills clinic/ practice, usually once a week. A lot of clinics not only work on the goalie skills, as well as the mental skills that come with the position. Encourage Goalie Camaraderie Most travel teams have two goal- ies on the rosters. If that's the case, Caffrey suggests having coaches seek input from goaltenders on how to divide time. " We would let the goalies decide if they wanted to play a full game, alternate or split a game. I would tell all players and goalies especially, that everyone will play equally over the full season." Goals for Goalie Parents It's really important for both their mental and physical health to take a break." R I N K RAT BEH I N D T HE G L A SS JUNE 2025 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 17 THE HOCKEY MOM | By Christie Casciano Burns