What happened to the great Canadian goalie?

[Bradinn]

Maybe this post will show my age, but Canada used to produce elite goalies, Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Carey Price to name just a few. I don’t want to take away from Binnington, he did a fine job in the Olympics, he didn’t lose them the game, but he also didn’t win them the game. And Binnington shows up for Big games, and isn’t always there for every day games.

I am trying to work on a collection of the “Golden Goalie” those that played in the Gold Medal game in the Olympics, and won (Canadian only).

Anyone know why we stopped producing elite Goaltending? Does anyone think there is someone coming up who may be the future?

[doniceage]

Hell, I thought you were talking about Clark when I read the title.



Look forward to seeing your progress on you project.

Don

[Bradinn]

I had forgotten about Clark! I would collect his cards, hockey and baseball!

[RGM81]

Development.

I’ve seen a few discussions about this lately and what comes up often is that our junior programs don’t emphasize goalie development. The kids there are basically just there to stop pucks. Most don’t have/can’t afford a proper goalie coach on top of the cost of being a goalie with all the equipment.

When you think back on all the recent World Juniors tournaments, who is the last remarkable goalie? You may know a handful of the players going into the tournament, depending how closely you follow, but it is pretty rare that you’ll see the goalie and be like “oh yeah this guy is great, we are set.” I think the last one that had a really good performance was Joel Hofer. That was six years ago and he’s today the backup in St. Louis behind…Jordan Binnington.

[oilers90]

You hit the nail on the head!

My little guy has been playing keeper for a year and change. We have been paying out of pocket for 6 week cycles of goalie training. I have been privileged enough to be on the coaching staff; so i have been replicating what he does in goalie training during team practices.

The minor system has failed young goaltenders; and it honestly doesn't seem to be changing.

Development.

I’ve seen a few discussions about this lately and what comes up often is that our junior programs don’t emphasize goalie development. The kids there are basically just there to stop pucks. Most don’t have/can’t afford a proper goalie coach on top of the cost of being a goalie with all the equipment.

When you think back on all the recent World Juniors tournaments, who is the last remarkable goalie? You may know a handful of the players going into the tournament, depending how closely you follow, but it is pretty rare that you’ll see the goalie and be like “oh yeah this guy is great, we are set.” I think the last one that had a really good performance was Joel Hofer. That was six years ago and he’s today the backup in St. Louis behind…Jordan Binnington.

[creasecollector]

The cost is also a factor, too.

Tough to shell out money for new gear during today's expensive climate.

And I say this as a goalie myself who would love to see more young goalies out there.

There are so many factors, but this is a big one for me.

[Bradinn]

I was reading somewhere that many younger goalies today start in that position, in other countries the kids are encouraged to try all positions, and there is a theory that this helps them have a feel of the game,

The other thing I read is that Canada is putting a lot of emphasis on positional goaltending with athleticism taking a back set.

I am shocked that someone would have to pay for all the gear, the coaching. Surely everyone on the team benefits, maybe they could chip in?

[RGM81]

It's been strange the past few best-on-best tournaments and the gap between where we were in 2010/2014 and current.

2010 Olympics: Luongo / Brodeur / Fleury
2014 Olympics: Price / Luongo / Smith

Those were incredible trios. Smith is obviously the Larry Murphy of the group, there's no chance in hell he's getting that baton with those guys ahead of him. There was never any fear or anxiety about the goaltending. These days it's a much different story.

Living here in Kelowna, the Rockets have always given their goalies with the bare minimum treatment. Name one Rockets goalie, right?. They historically get a black or white helmet (no artwork) and I don't know that in my 20+ years of attending games I've ever seen one leave the crease to play the puck.

I didn't expect that they'd become the model. LOL