USA Hockey Magazine

F O R PA R E N T S N AV I G AT I N G T H E WORLD OF GOALTENDING, the questions often start with equipment: What size? What brand? And how much room to grow? Brad Johnson, USA Hockey 's associate coach in chief of goaltending for the Michigan District, says the answers begin with a simple principle: fit matters. "The ideal scenario is walking into a hockey pro shop where your child can try everything on and work with someone experienced in goalie fitting," Johnson said. "But the reality is, many families don't have that resource nearby." For those parents, Johnson suggests manu- facturer sizing charts. Most goalie equipment companies provide detailed instructions online, including how to measure key areas like hand size for gloves and blocker fit, or ankle-to-knee (ATK) length for leg pads. Height and weight guidelines help narrow down chest and arm protection as well. "These charts are a great baseline," Johnson said. "They won't replace trying gear on, but they'll get you close, and close is important." Buying equipment too big with the hope a child will grow into it can hurt development. "The harm is real," Johnson said. "If gear doesn't fit, it limits a child's ability to play the position and enjoy it." Oversized leg pads can interfere with move- ment, preventing proper stance and lateral mobility. A glove that's too large can't close effectively, leading to rebounds instead of clean saves and more scoring chances for the opponent. Ill-fitting gear can affect perfor- mance and impact confidence. "If they're fighting their equipment every time they step on the ice, that's not fun," Johnson said. "And if it's not fun, they're not going to want to keep doing it." That's why Johnson encourages families to rethink the pressure to buy brand-new gear every season. With kids growing quickly, last year's perfect fit may not last long. "Goalie equipment is expensive. There's no way around that," he said. "But there are great options for used gear. Sell what you have, buy 'new to you,' and keep the cycle going." Beyond equipment, Johnson emphasizes the importance of balance in a young goal- ie's development. While private lessons and specialized training can be beneficial, they should be introduced thoughtfully. "I don't discourage extra training once a child decides they want to be a goalie," he said. "But there's a fine line between development and burnout." Too much ice time, too early, with too much emphasis on elite performance can have the opposite effect and push kids away from the game altogether. "At t h e e n d o f t h e d ay, f u n i s t h e m o st important thing in youth sports," Johnson said. "If we lose that, we lose the player." Johnson also offers a message to parents who are tempted to track every shot, save, and statistic. "Data is only useful if it's accurate," he said. "At higher levels, teams have professionals dedicated to tracking and analyzing perfor- mance. Parents aren't statisticians. They should be fans. "Show up. Cheer. Support your child. Let the coaches do their job." When the gear fits, the pressure is bal- anced, and the focus stays on fun; young goalies don't just play the position. They thrive in it. P ILLUSTRATION BY Michael Iver Jacobsen Why Proper Gear And Perspective Matters For Young Goalies R I N K RAT BEH I N D T HE G L A SS THE HOCKEY MOM | By Christie Casciano Burns THE HOCKEY MOM | By Christie Casciano Burns If gear doesn't fit, it limits a child's ability to play the position and enjoy it." 16 // JUNE 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM

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