You stand out in every way -- from the territory you cover to the equipment you wear, to the intricate artwork on your mask, to the pressure you have. An ice hockey goalie is the last line of defense between an inch-thick puck and 24 square feet of net. When you make even the slightest mistake, everyone knows it. Yet when you do your job well, you might not be noticed at all.
Mental Demands of the Position
All the physical tools an athlete can possess mean nothing to a goalie if he doesn't have the necessary mental makeup for the position. A goalie must be capable of working independently, managing intense pressure and, quite often, dealing with failure. And unlike every other player on the ice, the goalie plays the entire game. Professional goaltending coach Jon Elkin said this about the position: "What separates great goalies from good goalies is mental toughness. Success is not handed down or stumbled upon; it is earned."
Physical Traits of a Goalie
Back in the days of wooden sticks and helmet-less players, conventional wisdom said the goalie was to be the biggest, slowest player on the team. But as players grew bigger and faster and the game evolved into one of skill over brute force, goalies had to adapt. Though a goalie may not have to be the fastest skater on the team, he must possess lightning-quick reflexes and lateral movement, as well as coordination, endurance and strength to carry 40 lbs. of pads.
The Necessary Equipment
One of the goalie's most recognizable features is his mask, a fiberglass helmet with wrap-around coverage and a wire cage for facial protection. Goalies often customize their masks with unique graphics or color schemes.
Goalies also wear leg pads extending from the foot to the thigh, a "blocker" pad worn on his strong hand to deflect shots, a catching glove similar to a baseball first baseman's mitt and a heavy chest protector, designed to stop even the hardest slap shots. A goalie also uses a stick with a thicker, wider blade.
Training for the Position
The confidence a goalie needs must be built over time. Joe Exter, U.S. National Team goaltending coach, described the importance of a goalie's work ethic: "Each practice offers a goaltender an opportunity to work hard. Hard work in practice leads to a more prepared goaltender both physically and mentally. A fully prepared goaltender is a confident goaltender. The harder a goaltender works, the more prepared he or she becomes, the more confidence that is built." If you want to play hockey's most demanding position, be prepared to work harder than any other player.
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