Often , coaches don ’ t know where to start or they are afraid to contradict what their goaltender has learned from their private goaltender coach . Our goal is to provide our coaches the knowledge on and off the ice to take on this bigger role
MANITOBA HOCKEY MANITOBA MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NATALIE WILLIAMSON , BANTAM TRIPLE A WESTMAN WILDCATS
Often , coaches don ’ t know where to start or they are afraid to contradict what their goaltender has learned from their private goaltender coach . Our goal is to provide our coaches the knowledge on and off the ice to take on this bigger role
in Initiation ( 6-Under ) hockey and that we ensure there ’ s a full team rotation in Novice ( 8-Under ) hockey . All the fundamental skills and physical literacy components covered in Initiation hockey translate into a strong foundation of a goalie when they ’ re ready to commit to the position at around nine-years-old . Novice rotations should have everyone open to trying the position at least once , but ideally twice , then after the team rotation is complete the several keeners who want to try it more and will likely become full-time goalies by age 9 . Even further , in Atom and even Peewee , we need goalies to keep developing skating , puck skills , and game sense . This is easily achieved by not having back-up goalies sit on the bench when it ’ s not their turn to start a game . Ideally , the back-up that game will bring his or her goalie equipment to the rink , but they will dress and use their player ’ s equipment to play as a skater in that game . Not only is this more fun for the goalie , it ’ s significantly better for their long-term goalie development . It ’ s commonly stated in our clinics and goalie discussion that goaltenders do not need to be the fastest skater on the team , but need to be among the best in terms of mobility and control . Now that the Pathway is in place , what Hockey Manitoba is working on is ensuring that we communicate what we need done to help goalies and also to ensure we have an adequate delivery for supporting goalies . The establishment of qualified regional goalie mentors from across the province is still a fledgling process , but is starting to get traction . The goal of regional mentors is not to service goalies one-on-one but to focus on delivering the Level 1 Pathway components to all teams and coaches so that they can carry forward throughout the 36 GAME ON 2016 - 17 ROSTER DEADLINE EDITION
season with the core basics of goalie development . Hockey Manitoba has also entertained the possibility of a goaltending seminar aimed at including coaches , parents , private service and goalies themselves with a seminar-based program to bring all stakeholders together for information sharing and development strategy . However , for nearly a decade now Hockey Manitoba has offered the “ Coaching Goaltenders ” specialty clinic available to any minor hockey association in the province . This clinic is essentially the Level 1 portion of the new Pathway , which covers basics for the everyday coach on how to best help their goalies in practice and games . Minor hockey associations can access this clinic by contacting the Hockey Manitoba office , there is no cost for the instructor or travel , the association simply provides a classroom facility and 1.5 hours of ice -- as is the same for all specialty skills clinics offered . From Sawchuk to Broda , later on Hextall and Belfour , our province has been able to produce some world class goalies . At present day we have Calvin Packard and James Reimer in the National Hockey League along with Chris Driedger on the door step . The future is bright with some talented young Manitoba goaltenders playing in or drafted into the Western Hockey League as well as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League . Our goal is to enhance the potential for all of our goalies by simply providing a proper development base to effectively learn the position with an athletic foundation and a true love for the position . As with anything in our game we need to keep it interesting and fun . We need to allow goalies to flourish over time and build upon their unique skill sets rather than try to manufacture them in a predetermined box . We look forward to the challenge and the opportunity to develop the best goaltenders in Canada -- and the world . n