CMHA Goalie Expectations

Goalies as we get close to evaluations we would like everyone to understand what is being evaluated. These are also key aspects that will help you get noticed by scouts that may be out to see you play in the coming season(s).

A goalie should:

Play on top of the crease and stay square to the shooter
Control their rebounds, and follow their rebounds at all times
Play with Consistency and Confidence!
Ensure continuous Attention to details
Communicate! Communication is very important for goalies to help their teammates
Make the routine saves and, if a goal goes in, refocus and keep battling
Exude Confidence in all situations while in the net

Pro Tips:

Compete Level - As you grow older and hit the bantam years where scouts start watching for Juniors & NCAA, you typically never know who might be watching you from the stands. Make sure that you are consistently giving 100% every game or practice and you will never have to worry about this tip. Compete level is critical to reach higher levels of hockey. Be consistent and always give your best effort. You cannot control how well you play every game but you can always control your effort.

Be a Supportive Teammate - Your character plays a very important role in how successful you will be as a hockey player. Coaches, scouts, and programs such as ours will always look for players of strong character and leadership qualities. Whether you are helping a struggling teammate or just giving an honest effort every night, these are qualities that will never be overlooked. There are countless times where a scout will recognize a player’s skill but will give him bad marks for his lack of character or bad body language. So just remember to be a team player and that you need your teammates to be successful.

Body Language - Your body language on the ice can be a dead giveaway about your character in a hockey game. Instead of hanging your head low after a mistake or slamming your stick on the ice after a goal against, just shake it off and get ready for the next shot. Scouts want to see a confident prospect, not a goalie who deflates after making a mistake or exhibits bad body language after his teammate screen or tip one in on you for a goal.

Have FUN! - Just like in life, your best performances will always be when you are enjoying yourself. You will not excel in anything you don’t enjoy. Although you are competing against your peers at the tryout, you should make it a personal goal to leave the tryout with some new friends and as a team, win each game that day.

A Goalies Core Values are: