Quote:
Originally Posted by tripin_billie
I would argue the opposite. Finland has certification and goaltender coaching from an early age. http://www.goaliepro.com/fi/resurssi...-minor-hockey/
The Canadian system is pumping out goalies who are being taught a new technique every year or two, with no long term planning and curriculum.
Finland (and now Sweden too) will continue to have better results because the certified goalie coaches know where a child should be at a specific age and what skills need to be taught.
Even in the 90s, I was being taught skate saves with a carved C, and this was at goalie camps in Calgary... Then, every year, I had some random parents acting as "goalie coach" (ie. some Joe who just wants to practice shooting on net for a few hours a week) telling me conflicting advice as to how to play the position.
We are far behind, and until we have a national curriculum for goaltending, we won't catch up. |
I can't remember who it was but there was a NHL goaltender who was asked a while ago what he thought the problem with Canadian goaltenders was and he said that they had the butterfly system shoved down their neck at a young age and that people didn't develop their own goaltending styles and the creativity as a result. I think a system like Finland has is a lot easier to implement considering it is a much smaller country and there are a fraction of the players playing hockey. To implement a similar goaltending coach system for Canadian hockey would cost a small fortune.
I also think that the butterfly style is hard on the joints leading to injuries and players who would otherwise potentially being elite having to leave the game at a younger age.