Goalie Science

Tryout season is here and Jamie and Derek are in the thick of it. This episode is a full breakdown of everything happening right now — how real tryout decisions actually get made, what coaches are doing in January that most parents don't see, why the 7-day tryout window is mostly theater, how to evaluate goalies when practice formats don't tell the whole story, what happens in the war room, and why your reputation as a parent matters more than you think. Plus a gut-check for parents of young kids who are rushing their way into the wrong level too soon — and a shout out to Bauer for stepping up for a family that lost everything. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to Goalie Science. After three months off (and yes, Derek missed an alarm), Jamie and Derek are back and working through a backlog of topics that have been building since before the Olympics. This one covers a lot of ground. Here's what's inside: 🏒 Olympics Gold Medal Game Breakdown The US won. Canada is in shambles. But how can you not love that game? The pace, the decision-making, the skill level — this is how hockey is supposed to look. Jamie and Derek break down Hellebuyck performance vs. Binnington's, and why depth management makes all the difference at that level. 🤔 "Everyone Missed Hellebuyck" — Did They Though? The internet went wild after the Olympics claiming scouts missed Connor Hellebuyck Jamie pushes back hard. He was drafted fourth round. Jamie was drafted seventh. The scouts didn't miss him — he was exactly where he needed to be, and he earned his way up. The moral of the story isn't that the system is broken. It's that if you're good enough and persistent enough, the right people find you. ⚙️ Why System Fit Matters More Than Talent Edmonton's goalie problem has nothing to do with the goalies. It has everything to do with the system they play in. Jamie breaks down why lateral skaters thrive in Edmonton and why putting a square peg in a round hole destroys careers — and why Joe Wall might be the answer if Edmonton ever figures it out. 📊 The Scandinavian Experiment That Cut the Best Players Derek shares a study from a Scandinavian soccer program that intentionally cut their best U12 players and replaced them with late bloomers. Over a five-year period — it worked. The best 12-year-olds were no longer the best 15-year-olds. What does that tell us about how we evaluate and develop young athletes in North America? 📋 Tryout Season Survival Guide It's that time of year. Jamie and Derek break down everything you need to know: The difference between AAA teams and teams that play AAA — and why it matters more than the letter on the jersey Why your kid developing on a competitive Double A team beats making a bottom-feeder AAA roster How to read between the lines when a coach is stringing you along Why if you played 60 games for a coach, those 60 games already were your tryout The one question every parent should ask directly — and stop waiting for a vague answer 💡 Can You Actually Develop Hockey IQ? Money buys opportunity. It doesn't buy hockey IQ. And in the big moments — playoffs, championship games, pressure situations — coaches put on the kid they trust, not the kid with the best hands. So how do you actually build IQ? Film study is part of it. But the answer that came up? Coach. Volunteer. Teach it. The process of explaining the game to younger players forces you to connect dots faster than any drill ever will. 📣 Shout Outs Congrats to the Glancaster Bombers U12A — first team in franchise history to win the Tri County Championships Congrats to the Fox U18 boys — first state championship in program history Shout out to Eric Comrie for taking 30 seconds out of a game night to record a personal hype video for one of Jamie's remote mentorship goalies Big shout out to Mason Martin, Ryan Toyer, and Andrew Crochek — all three Ghost athletes invited to the USA Hockey 40-man U17 National Development Program camp Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Jamie and Roope cover: Roope’s background: Northern Finland, starting goalie at 4, full-time by 9 Why he started coaching while still playing: “I didn’t get the help, so I wanted to help others” How Finland’s goalie coaching education system works (levels, regional coaches, consistent messaging) The shift in Finnish coaching culture: more organized education and easier pathways into coaching Building a goalie development program from scratch at Kärpät: More resources + more ice time (4–5 goalie touches per week, not 1) Recruiting coaches and building a culture that values goalie development How Roope made the jump to North America and the Red Wings organization What Roope looks for in a new AHL/NHL prospect: strengths first, weaknesses second The non-negotiable skill: skating pace and sharpness (on feet + on knees) Can you turn a bad skater into an elite skater? His honest take Geographic goalie “identities”: Finland hands, Czech athleticism, Russian body control, North American compete AHL → NHL readiness: sustainable habits, success at each level, details that scale to 60+ games Why some goalies stick: passing the “eye test” + coach trust RVH teaching priorities: stay on feet longer, strong anchor, learn to recover to feet How AHL consistency is built: coach consistency, structured routines, monthly check-ins, and small drill evolutions ECHL as a development tool: not required, but often valuable for hunger and growth Roope’s parting shot: continuing education and staying hungry to improve every day Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

30 Ways in 30 Days to become a better hockey player, delivered right to your inbox: https://app.arketa.co/ghostathletica/intake-form/7AeAoDC0KdRC5f35oYUs Charlotte Skates: https://calendly.com/jamiephillips/egm-semi-private-session-pay-online-clone The new website: www.ghostathletica.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why mistakes are necessary for learning — but not all mistakes should be allowed The difference between technical freedom vs habit correction Confidence explained as preparation and standards, not results Resiliency as the ability to bounce back from failure Why tying confidence to outcomes is dangerous How coaches should individualize accountability (not all players get the same leash) Youth hockey habits vs tactics (ages 9–12) Why goalie tip training often fails due to predictability The importance of surprise and randomness in goalie development Screen training tools: what works, what doesn’t, and why real shooters matter NHL goalie fights, goalie goals, and goalie culture Parent mailbag: signs it’s time to move from parent coaching to a goalie coach Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Points Discussed The youth hockey buzzword problem: “development” often gets reduced to individual skill work and ignores human development. Why Derek believes winning matters — not as the only priority, but as a teacher of responsibility, teamwork, pressure, and accountability. Confidence explained: confidence is owned, built through preparation (routine, hydration, nutrition, visualization), and shouldn’t be dependent on external validation. Resiliency explained: bouncing back from fear, failure, and adversity — and why kids must experience competitive situations to learn it. Coaching reality: a coach being “hard on a player” can mean investment; being ignored is often the real warning sign. The difference between putting players in positions to succeed vs “shortening the bench to win.” Story from the Oakville Winter Classic: late goals against, overtime loss, and the mindset response Derek got from his 10-year-old goalie son the next day. Book recommendation: Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday — why it’s valuable for athletes, goalies, and hockey parents. Listener/community plug: Derek invites DMs and in-person conversations at rinks; encourages sharing the episode and leaving a 5-star review. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Get the tryout checklist here: https://app.arketa.co/ghostathletica/intake-form/N2Wh0mCY5NnCURRU35OI   Quick intro + Ottawa Senators rumor mill and why “team statements” create speculation Youth hockey politics: tier friction, recruiting paranoia, and why organizations resist outside help Workshop outreach update: education, injury prevention, nutrition, and performance presentations for teams (in-person or remote) Development philosophy: pushing kids forward vs protecting organizations “Hard truth” segment: survivorship bias, genetic ceilings, and why “just work harder” is incomplete advice Goalie development realities: style isn’t copy/paste—find what works for the athlete, not what looks like an NHL comp Listener Q&A (Jack, 2014 goalie): spring/summer structure, private training timing, and multi-sport value Spring hockey: when it helps (low starts, injury recovery, new teammates/experiences) and when it’s unnecessary volume Off-ice training: what matters around age 12 (running/jumping/landing/cutting basics done well) Environment warning: age-group training and social influence (older-kid locker room culture, distractions, maturity gaps) Private lessons vs semi-private: why competition + better shooters + built-in rest improves training quality Team selection advice: stop chasing “best team,” chase the best situation (challenge, development, culture) Mindset tool: “confidence stacking” through daily choices (sleep, hydration, preparation, school, mobility) Potential Goalie Science Podcast camp discussion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Episode 137 of the Goalie Science Podcast, Jamie and Derek dig deep into Canada’s World Junior Championship loss and the public outcry that followed. They examine whether the Canadian player development model is flawed, tackling issues like open borders, super teams, lack of adversity, and overemphasis on early winning. They challenge reactionary takes blaming CHL imports, half-ice hockey, and goalie selection. They also discuss goaltending performances across the tournament, the impact of structured vs unstructured youth environments, and why North American goalies may be falling behind. The episode wraps with a discussion on nepotism in hockey, injury load management, and updates on upcoming podcast guests. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: Dr. Jamie Phillips – Former pro goalie, DPT, Founder of Ghost Rehab & EGM Derek Bujan – Owner, Bjan Goaltending & On Ice Hockey Performance Special Format: First-ever in-person episode with special appearances from Jamie’s wife and a live Q&A from the community. Topics Covered: Team Canada’s World Junior goalie selection controversy Zayne Parekh’s NHL future: skill vs. attitude Coaching regrets: overcoaching, goalie rotation, and learning the hard way Gender-based coaching adaptations: girls vs. boys Junior hockey decisions: A vs AA at U13, goalie partner vs. solo crease New gear trends and technique myths: RVH wrist injuries, Panda, paddle grips 2023 coaching and business highlights (EGM, Ghost, championships) 2026 predictions: trades, goalie shifts, and who’s winning a Cup Vlog reflections, family, mentorship, and why documenting matters Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Topics Covered: Why one youth hockey all-star team was picked by drawing names How coaches can better support goalies through anxiety & pressure U.S. junior league breakdown: NAHL, NCDC, NA3HL, BCHL The risk of trusting the wrong advisor (or coach) Differences between junior and AAA development environments Goalie career mismanagement: how it happens, how to avoid it NHL goalie trends + how Olympic ice changes the crease landscape Coaching shoutouts, gear wins, and what we’re testing next Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Featured Gifts Edge Protect Post Guards Easy Crease Mask Scraps Custom Paint Cement Pegs & Pro Pegs Bauer Shadow/Flylite Sticks Cut-resistant socks + poly socks Padskins full wraps Oculus + Sense Arena (for injured goalies only) Goalie Mobility Program (365 days, 4 tracks) Shot clickers (for parents who can’t count) Heated vests for freezing cold rinks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Get the Ghost Rehab & Performance Complete Training Program (7-day free trial): https://completeperformanceprogram.ghostrehab.com/landing-page-541315 Join Jamie’s “30 Ways in 30 Days” hockey performance newsletter: https://api.grow.pushpress.com/widget/form/Q1wwRE11i88aiOsOCUvx ️‍️     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Check out Charlotte Hockey Lab! https://charlottehockeylab.com/ Topics Covered. Why some kids are donkeys… and how we discipline them Should coaches be friends, mentors, or surrogate parents? When to actually consider leaving your current team or club How to evaluate your goalie’s options based on radius, budget, and coaching turnover Billeting young kids—what’s too young? Emo and punk nostalgia: Alexis on Fire, Silverstein, Linkin Park, and Hawthorne Heights Pregame music, CD binders, and being 10 years old listening to Offspring Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Topics Covered: One puck drill: why it’s the most valuable goalie drill on the planet Playing on a weak team: how it can fast-track your development Why spring hockey should be chaos Stick saves part 2: gloves, rebounds, and puck rotation The truth behind “developmental” programs that don’t develop Goalies who are afraid to get scored on November slumps: why it happens and how to get through it Vision problems & goalie performance: Acreman case study Strength training, athlete excuses, and parent overreach Easy Crease & Bauer gear giveaways Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Easycrease: https://www.easycrease.com/ 1st Phorm Supplements: https://1stphorm.com/68e7ffdc802b2 Ovr Performance: https://www.ovrperformance.com/GRP Giveaway Instructions We’re giving away a free Easy Crease! To enter: Go to the YouTube video Comment on who you think is more of a winner – Connor Hellebuyck or Jordan Binnington Each comment = 1 entryWinner announced in next episode! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visit stonewallmind.academy/goaliesciencepodcast A complete mental performance training course built on real research and science. Learn the same mental performance strategies used by elite goalies worldwide. Master pregame routines, eliminate slumps quickly, and build unshakeable confidence. _________ 1st Phorm Discount link: https://1stphorm.com/68e7ffdc802b2 Topics Covered: Stick saves: necessary skill or outdated tactic? Why young goalies with soft pads give up more rebounds Should goalies rotate their stick to elevate pucks? When coaches say “I develop every player”… do they really? How to measure improvement when results don’t show it Development vs. performance in AAA hockey When do elite goalies stop getting better? Why every athlete should use NSF-certified supplements Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visit stonewallmind.academy/goaliesciencepodcast A complete mental performance training course built on real research and science. Learn the same mental performance strategies used by elite goalies worldwide. Master pregame routines, eliminate slumps quickly, and build unshakeable confidence. Why some goalies play great and still get scratched Balancing wins, performance, and process-focused mindsets The real reason AAA ice time isn’t 50/50 Building goalie depth: how to “Build a Goalie” at the U8-U9 level Coaches: stop ghosting kids you signed Goalies: stop blaming D—learn to manage the endzone A message to stat counters: shots on goal aren’t optional Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In-Season Hockey Training: https://www.ghostrehab.com/programs/remote-training   Topics Covered: Lack of effort and intentionality in goalie training Why off-season gains disappear without in-season maintenance The four pillars of elite-level endzone management Coaches do play favorites—and why it’s earned The myth of “I’ll just turn it on in games” Rhymer back in Toronto? Leafs fans, buckle up Two standout goalie shoutouts: NCAA & Junior A Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Presented by: The Goalie Glove Guy — Turning your glove from bricks into butter. Repairs, break-ins, rebuilds—done right. Topics covered: Behind-the-scenes of Jamie’s wedding (Fran should run the CHL) CHL & OHL’s partnership with GOJHL — why it matters NCAA vs CHL tug-of-war for elite junior talent Major Junior vs College Hockey development for goalies The transfer portal and how it’s changing commitment culture Speculation: Will Hockey Canada ban NCAA players from World Juniors? Advice for 17-year-old goalies stuck in the new system Ghost Rehab gym updates and in-season training programs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Topics Covered: Why goalies struggle in their first 5 starts of the season The science of scanning, rebound tracking & better coaching language Overuse of RVH and the dangers of robotic “zone mapping” Teaching puck handling the right way—with processing, not panic Coaching philosophy: show, don’t tell Asking better questions as an athlete The value of reps, not just structure, in training camps Jamie’s behind-the-scenes chaos building his new gym Gear Talk: CCM EFlex 7, Vaughn pants, Bauer pads, and more Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.