I’ll have a go on my next day off.  That way when I get yelled at for doing nothing around the house all day, I can say I was training goalies of the future.  Sweet!

you serious?  Most people think us goalies are weird and we get sent away from team meetings to go and stand in our naughty crease.

Can do a goalie thread but not sure what should go in it.

Well I might as well give my opinion.  Very few people have any idea about what makes a good goalie and what the difference between goalies who are close in level are.  “Best” is a silly criteria since the qualities of a goalie aren’t quantifiable.  Just like saying who’s better, a forward or a d?  Can’t answer it.

On that list, Rick Parry currently has the superior technique from the goalies I have seen.  Technique doesn’t guarantee a stopped puck though.  He uses a hybrid style which allows him to rotate his hips quickly from a butterfly, re-set his angle, and drive towards a new position to rebuild his stance, angle, and depth.  It’s efficient movement.  He uses good body angles (different than shooting angles).  Rick has the greatest potential moving forward but has yet to accomplish what others have.  His mental toughness has yet to be tested.

Zak Nothling has a better track record but a varied style.  He uses an older hybrid style.  He plays well down low but fundamentally, he has some holes.  However Zak has played well in big games.  He kept Aus close in the Div 2 worlds, he won the top goalie last year and shut the devils out in a final 2 years ago.  Although he’s having an off year, he’s mentally tough in pressure games.

Mike Parsons is old school.  He uses a standup style that demands good reflexes.  Mike makes saves that Rick and Zak just don’t have.  When was the last time a toe save was made by a butterfly style goalie?  Doesn’t happen much but it still works.  Mike still has a good vision of the game and plays the puck well while the other two don’t play exceptionally well (that’s different than bad).

Sheepo moves very well for a big man and he’s a hard guy to beat on first shot.  His glove hand makes shooters look stupid on occasion but being a big guy, once he’s down his movement is restricted.  Rick’s technique becomes superior in this case however it still has to be executed well.  The puck needs to be tracked to the new location.  Sheepo seems to suck in a few more pucks than others.  Good rebound control.  Haven’t seen him play this year though.

Thomas, never seen him play so can’t comment.  Jens is another guy who I have only seen once.  Solid style similar to Rick.  New school basically.

The rest of the guys have never played in nzihl games I’ve been in or they have never played a game so they can’t really be considered best of 09 regardless of the definition or their technique.

As for me, I know what my problems are and I try and play smart.  Smart means that I won’t write down any of my weaknesses (which change week week) because it would be silly with 9 days to go before the first real game of the year.  After the final whistle I’ll write my laundry list of faults for those who care.  Nobody should care.

I think it was about 1987 in my first year of goalie.  On route to a 24 to 0 loss to some team off a native indian reserve, I stopped a puck with a nice glove save.  Immediately after stopping the puck, I lost balance, slipped and fell backwards into the net.  Goal.  Whistle finally blew.

If he can start here, he can start in stampede.  Why hasn’t he dressed yet if he’s the goalie of the future?

I shouldn’t get any votes, I’m not the best.

I think it was a good call.  Both guys were willing participants.  Neither got hurt.  They served their time (Jacques had an additional 2 for cross checking).  They played the next game and there were no problems.