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In episode #284 of the Glass and Out Podcast we're joined by Steve Thompson, Manager of Goalie Development for USA Hockey.
It’s no secret that the US has become a bit of a goaltending factory. In the 2023-24 NHL season, of the goalies who played a minimum of 15 games, four of the top six, seven of the top 11, and nine of the top 20 in save percentage were American. As Thompson explains it, this surge in goaltending development starts with focusing at the grassroot levels.
The native of Alaska played college hockey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and immediately jumped into developing the next wave of goalies upon graduation.
As you’re about to hear, Thompson's enthusiasm for the position is contagious, and much of what he offers from a development perspective applies to players of all positions.
Listen as he shares why rentention should be a youth coach's number one measure of success, why every goal against is an opportunity to learn, and the importance of keeping your goalies in mind during practice planning.
Video Timestamps:
- 0:00 Day to day role/Evaluating goalies
- 5:55 Passion is a key attribute/Building resilience
- 12:05 Advice for goalies before a big game
- 14:55 Passion for the game/Goalies from Alaska
- 22:30 First coaching role at University of Anchorage
- 27:00 Youth Hockey retention/Equal ice time
- 35:00 Age for full time goalies/Developing elite athletes
- 42:10 Non hockey activities for goalie
- 45:05 Less players becoming goalies
- 48:05 Integrating goalies into practice/situational practice planning
- 54:55 51 in 30
- 58:30 Improving goalie decision-making
- 1:01:10 Info for every non-goalie coach
- 1:07:50 Influence from new CHL rule
- 1:10:25 Book recommendations
