Keeping the puck out of the net is vital to any team's chances of winning in hockey. The position of goaltender is often equated to quarterback in football because it's virtually impossible to win in either sport without a solid performance from that player. A great goaltender can help an average team become a winner and a top team become a championship contender.
Butterfly Technique
This is one of the most popular techniques used by modern goaltenders at the professional and college levels. With this style, the goaltender will drop to his knees and spread his legs with agility to prevent opponents shooting to the low corners of the net. The butterfly goalie will often leave a tempting opening between his legs, but a competent one will drop to his knees as the shot is taken and find a way to block that shot. A butterfly goalie is most vulnerable on shots to the upper corners because he drops to his knees so often.
Standup Technique
A standup goalie is usually more mobile and athletic goaltender than a butterfly goalie. A standup goalie is very active and will come out of his crease to cut off the angle on the shooter. This will make the net look smaller and give the shooter less of a target. The standup goalie will also make more plays with the puck and will fire breakout passes to teammates to start offensive possessions. Standup goalies often have a difficult time when opponents fire cross-ice passes because it can be very difficult to go from one side of the crease to the other to block consecutive shots.
Hybrid Goaltender
A hybrid goalie does not necessarily have a discernible style. He will sacrifice his body to make all stops and will dive from one side of the crease to the other to make spectacular saves. This type of goalie is usually a very athletic player who can dive to the ice, get up quickly and dive again. This can be quite inspirational to his teammates, who will often go up the ice with a renewed purpose and create their own scoring opportunities.
All-Time Great Goaltenders
Greatest Hockey Legends.com listed Patrick Roy, Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuck, Glenn Hall, Vladislav Tretiak and Dominik Hasek as the best goaltenders in hockey history. New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur is the NHL's all-time leader in victories and shutouts and also deserves a high ranking. Roy earned two Stanley Cup championships with the Montreal Canadiens and one more with the Colorado Avalanche. In 1993, he led the Canadiens to a record 10 consecutive overtime wins in their Stanley Cup run.
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