Listed at 6-foot-6, Steve was quite an intimidating presence in net during his NHL career. Although he only played sparingly behind Henrik Lundqvist, he was able to thrive at the highest level by employing a style that could be considered similar to what Sean Burke and Mike Smith are utilizing right now.

As it turns out, a lot of this stems from the evolution of what Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire has been teaching for years. When coaching in Phoenix, Allaire’s methods extended Burke’s career. In New York, he essentially accomplished the same thing with Valiquette.

As we continued talking, Steve and I reminisced about different goalies that he had played with over the years. Most of our conversation focused on Lundqvist for obvious reasons, and when our chat was over, a few things he said really resonated in my mind.

I’ll paraphrase just one of Steve’s thoughts: He was always so impressed with Lundqvist’s work ethic, and more specifically, how he always “…got to his posts really fast.” As a result, King Henrik was almost always in great position to make consecutive saves, especially on high-quality rebound scoring chances.

Valiquette clearly gained a wealth of experience and wisdom by playing behind and practicing with Lundqvist, so I soaked in this conversation, as it included some great goalie folklore. I was being enlightened with tales of elite Swedish puck-stopping grandeur, and it was another important lesson I would add to my ever-growing mental library.

When I hung up the phone about an hour later, I knew it was time to write.

Photo courtesy of Tom Turk – Piratical Photography

Although I’m no longer a goalie coach on the ice (scouting is by far my bigger passion, and I’ll still hold a private lesson from time to time), I still stress many aspects of technique and tactics to goalies that are willing to listen. One of those lessons is to embrace the element of Explosiveness (Ex).

Between my understanding of explosiveness, and Valiquette’s tales of Lundqvist, I wanted to post some thoughts on it. More specifically, I wanted to discuss the reason why I feel it’s so important to explode to your posts.

—[ EXPLODING TO YOUR POST ]—

When I say “exploding to your posts” I simply mean that when I’m in net, I want to generate and move with as much power as possible, especially when traveling from a point on the ice to either post.

This includes (but is not limited to) rotating and recovering out of your butterfly and back up to your skates to cover a post, or it could be by rotating, staying on your knees, and making a strong butterfly push into a more advanced post-coverage position (VHS, maybe paddle-down, depending on the side you’re on). It could also include many other ways in which you move from one point on the ice to a post.

But no matter which way you do it, exploding to your posts can do more harm than good if it’s not performed with efficiency, and without “over-doing” it. Your body must maintain optimal balance and full control, and you have to move with a purpose.

You will often hear goalie coaches vocalize this message during lessons and practices, but of course using their own methods and terminology. In most cases, however, moving with a purpose means you’re engaged in your actions…and to be more engaged in your actions is to be more aware of what you’re doing in the crease.

This will further elevate your Situational Awareness (Sa), which is one of the most important elements a successful goalie can have.

Although we all know it’s crucial to be explosive when we’re pushing off with a foot, I think this element often falls between the cracks of our minds. Now more than ever before, there are so many things a goalie needs to keep in mind that we often lose sight of other things on our mental checklist. Therefore, it’s only natural that many goalies will fail to reflect (or simply lack) an awareness of how much power they put into their pushes.

Some goalies simply appear lazy coming off their posts toward the middle of their crease. Others appear lazy right after they make a save, when transitioning back into their recovery and then into their recovery stance. Sometimes this is do to a lack of energy, sometimes it’s due to a lack of focus. It really just depends on the situation (like so much of goaltending happens to be).

Photo courtesy of Tom Turk – Piratical Photography

Overall, I think experience is the root of this issue; many goalies don’t become aware of their lack of explosiveness until they stumble across it. This can happen in different ways, including the ability to better engage certain core/hip/leg/ankle muscles, or by a goalie coach emphasizing it enough to alter a goalie’s mindset and muscle memory.

And as most of you know, I always stress taking Pilates lessons; it will help you to activate your body and mind to be more explosive, too.

Either way, over time, we become more conscientious of how hard we’re pushing, and as we test our thresholds, we increase our potential to be more explosive. The more we play, the more aware we become, and the more we understand just how much energy we’re consuming, wasting…or simply not utilizing.

Body discipline, especially at the biomechanical level, is also a key factor here.

I often see younger goalies display “laziness” in their movements, but I also see it at the highest levels, even the NHL. When I watch a goalie enough times, I gain a better understanding of where their different thresholds and levels stand. I can tell when they’re pushing hard, when they’re performing at an optimal level, and when they seem to be lagging behind.

But no matter what a scout sees, we’ll never be able to read your mind. So all that matters is whether or not you’re capable of reminding yourself or reinforcing your need to explode to your posts. Odds are high you know how to push harder, but you just don’t remember to actually do it. Or there’s a mental block because you’re too tired, and bad habits take over. So ask yourself these questions before your next skate:

Do you come off your posts slowly? Do you move from the top of your crease back to your post with visible energy? Do you actually SNAP DOWN into the butterfly, or do you simply rely on gravity to pull you down? Do you POP back up to your skates, or do you lurch back up like a slug? Are you fully engaging your core muscles the right way, with the most efficiency? Do you telescope with explosiveness, especially on breakaways? Do you use the post as a spring when you’re pushing off with your skate against it?

If you answered “no” or “I don’t think so” or “maybe” or “sometimes” to any of those questions, you quite possibly could be faster than you think.

Furthermore, it’s really easy to see when a goalie just kind of slumps or lurches out of their stance and into a t-push or shuffle, and it’s really easy to see when a goalie naturally generates a lot of power, moves with a purpose, and gets from Point A to Point B with speed and precision.

As you know, this idea of exploding to your posts can be reinforced and applied in many situations. And since goalies should strive to reflect an element of explosiveness in their game, I’ve listed three areas of influence that really stick out in my mind when I’m scouting:

Photo courtesy of Tom Turk – Piratical Photography

POSITIONING: Exploding to your posts allows you to maintain accurate timing, while also staying locked into the rhythm of a quickly-developing play. I explain it like this: In order to arrive at “Point C” (wherever that may be depending on the situation you’re in) in position, you must be explosive when going from Point A to Point B. If you don’t arrive at Point B at the perfect moment, then going from Point B to Point C is going to more than likely result in falling behind, in looking delayed, or in arriving at the point with imbalance.

You’ll either still be leaning, your feet will still slightly be moving through the optimal angle, or your shoulders/chest/hips won’t be perfectly square to the puck. In terms of your footwork, you just have to move fast and stop on a dime. But if you don’t stress exploding to your posts, you’re likely going to regret it as soon as the puck gets past you.

Most goal-related plays in tight are “tic-tac-toe” style, or they are bang-bang style. Therefore you must embrace the ability to drive with great power from a point on the ice to either post.

And remember, just by reinforcing the notion that you must be explosive, your body will eventually learn to activate certain muscles, and they will help you fight gravity. Over time, you’ll be driving into your posts with a purpose, and your positioning will improve as a result. “He always seems to be at the right place at the right time,” they’ll say.

When you watch Jonathan Quick push from the top of his crease to his post (often on his knees like a Water Strider), he is clearly explosive. But what makes it so effective is the fact that he still arrives at his final destination with precision and balance, and doesn’t slide right through angles and into the boards. Seriously, his legs are likely more than strong enough to push that far (if he wanted to).

BODY LANGUAGE: Exploding to your posts proves to scouts that you are engaged, attentive, strong and confident. The influence these positive elements of body language can have on your performance is infinite. It not only instills confidence in your teammates, but it can intimidate opponents. Goalies should always strive to display explosiveness as often as possible, as it can reflect traits that all scouts want to see in a goaltender.

Remember, however, that you have to move with a purpose, and you have to maintain balance. Move with power and tear up the ice, but don’t leave a bloody mess behind.

PREPARATION: Exploding to your posts is crucial to success because it allows you to better prepare for (and decide) your next move. When covering a post in this manner, you’re often doing so in order to seal the short side. Once the short side is sealed, then you know a shooter will have to aim elsewhere to score (or he will deke or pass).

When you explode into your post, you arrive there earlier than usual, and that allows you to better read and react to the shooter’s next move. You no longer have to guess. You no longer have to try and move again while you’re still moving from the last push. You can rely on your anticipation skills and your balance to make the correct decision, and you can rely on having better patience when it comes time to commit to making a save.

If you’re set and ready at a certain point, then you’re not going to be caught leaning the wrong way, or moving your feet at the wrong time.

Goalies that don’t explode to their posts often arrive there with holes to fill while the shooter has already located those potential holes, and has already decided where to aim. This is even more of a threat if the shooter is accurate with their one-timers, or if they decide to go against the grain. This can also transpire with a faked shot, thus leading you to have to try and transfer your weight to the opposite side while still moving into the post. This is where disaster usually strikes, because the puck is already moving to Point C while you’re still moving from Point A to Point B.

If you don’t get from Point A to Point B quickly, you essentially have to move doubly quick after that, and that often destroys your ability to move with precision and balance.

Once that happens, it often turns into a domino effect, and that’s the last thing a goalie wants to experience when he’s forced to move around in his crease.

Patience is a delightful term in today’s world of goaltending because it crosses so many boundaries. There are not only different types of patience needed on the ice, but off the ice as well, proving to every goalie that it’s an idea to be embraced, and a skill to be honed, from a very early age.

At the same time, a goalie coach must also display patience when developing their pupils, otherwise they might give up on potential that is later harvested by other coaches and other teams.

With pro goalie coach Jon Elkin, I quickly came to learn that he not only understands the many shades of patience, but he has mastered them all first-hand as a goaltender, a goalie coach, and a mentor. He did this through the training and development of many pro, junior, and youth goaltenders, including his prized pupil, Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith.

Smith just so happens to be playing the best hockey of his entire life right now, so I figured it was a perfect time to get to know Elkin on a more personal and professional level.

Therefore I’m proud to publish this in-depth phone interview with Elkin, which took place a few weeks ago. As I do with every goalie coach I interview, I had him explain his coaching philosophy in detail, and that led us down the path of patience, and Smith’s rise to NHL stardom.

JG: Explain your goalie coaching philosophy, and the main things you try to instill in a goalie?

JE: “Goaltending is very complex, but I try and simplify it. I want to simplify a goalie’s approach, and that leads to consistency, so that’s the ultimate goal. Goaltending has so many little intricacies, but in a general sense, I like to keep it simple. I also stress attitude. The right attitude can help one overcome weaknesses. A good, hard-working, positive mental attitude is one of the most important things. And then I also pay attention to one’s mental state: being in a nice relaxed state of mind; dealing with setbacks and mistakes, and accepting them as learning experiences and then moving on. That’s my general philosophy. From a technical standpoint, I emphasize being center and square in the net, being nice and big in the stance, being patient, and then reacting.”

JG: What are some of the most common flaws you see from teenagers that are pushing to play juniors?

JE: “You see one of two things. Many goalies are coached strictly on technique instead of playing the position, so they end up butterflying a lot. They work hard to get into position, but then they butterfly and just hope stuff hits them -they’re not athletic or creative. On the opposite side of the spectrum, you see goalies that run around a lot and are over-aggressive. It’s normally either quieting a guy down, or getting a guy to be more athletic in the net. Those are usually the two major issues I see.”

JG: So in a general sense, trying to find that perfect balance seems to be your ultimate goal?

JE: “I try and make sure that they move well on their feet, read the play well, get into position, then be patient and react. That’s the gist of it. Some guys are just too tight and too technical and down all the time. Or other guys just run around all over the place. So I try to bring them back into a situation where there’s more balance.”

JG: What’s the biggest difference between coaching a junior and a professional goalie?

JE: “The biggest difference is NHL goalies can adapt to what you tell them very quickly. At the lower minor leagues and junior levels, it normally takes a lot more work. They’re not as in control of their bodies and their minds. But once you get to the NHL, you’ve passed a lot of tests, so you pretty well have control of the way you move, you pretty well have control of your thoughts, and you’re fairly mentally tough. The junior and minor leagues are the proving grounds – the development stages. Development of junior goalies generally takes a lot more time and effort than it takes at the NHL level.”

JG: How do you go about developing a kid that is really early in his development?

JE: “The most important thing is foot movement; learning how to move around in one’s crease at that age. Being in control, having good edges, being in control of their body, maintaining good stance and balance when moving around, I think that’s the most important thing at a young age, as well as reacting to shots. One must learn how to react to shots to different parts of the net. You want to keep things very simple and very basic at that age, and that’s why the most emphasis is placed on the feet. Ultimately, it’s moving quickly, but under control, and of course having fun!”

JG: What makes the Jon Elkin Goalie Camp experience so effective for a youth goaltender?

JE: “When one attends our camp, it’s a professional atmosphere right off the bat. Everything is organized, and we expect that the student is there to learn and to give 100-percent. So when you attend one of our camps, you’re going to be educated and you will be in an environment that is very well organized, very well structured, and geared to help you get better. We obviously have a good time, but there’s a very serious focus on getting better in all the various aspects of goaltending. It’s a no-nonsense type of program, and it has been very successful as a result of that. Going to a goalie camp is a fairly big investment, so when one makes that commitment, it’s not to just come and joke around and hang out. My students come because they really want to get better, and we facilitate that. We deliver a professional, well-structured, organized and pretty intense program. I think the key is to match the intensity to the student. Not everybody can train at a level that an NHL guy trains at, so I tailor it according to the student. We adjust the program accordingly, however the emphasis is always to get the most out of each student by challenging them as much as possible. Kids come away learning something, feeling good about themselves, they have clearly improved, and that’s the whole thing. In a nutshell, Jon Elkin’s Goalie Schools is a no-nonsense program.”

JG: Do you have any insights on how goalies should train their vision?

JE: “The most important thing is to track pucks in practice. Track every single puck from the stick to the body, and then follow the rebound with your eyes. Get dialed in on that puck. That’s the most important thing in terms of training one’s eyes. You get into that habit of tracking every puck, and the game is that much easier. A big part of it is mental. Being in a state where you’re relaxed and totally focused on tracking pucks. That’s absolutely essential, because when you’re relaxed, your vision is that much better, and your ability to react to the shot or the play is better. That’s absolutely crucial to emphasize; to be relaxed.”

JG: One term that I use often when scouting goaltenders is Patience. I love this term, because it means so many different things. There’s the technical term, and there’s the mental and the metaphysical terms, too. What does Patience mean to you in terms of training goalies?

JE: “I love that word, and I talk about it all the time. Patience is a virtue in life, but for a goalie it’s a necessity. Patience reacting to the shot comes with experience. If you’re dropping before shots, you’re in real trouble, so that always has to be emphasized. But that comes with time and experience. I also emphasize being patient in the development process. And it’s usually not the kids that are the issue; it’s everyone else around the kids such as the parents who have to learn to be more patient. For a lot of goalies, if they just continue to work hard on their game, good things will happen. So I really like to emphasize that to people (parents, coaches, etc.) who live or die with every shot and game. You have to be patient with development.”

“There’s a piece I wrote on Mike Smith on my website, and his story is just incredible when you read it. There are so many other stories like his, too. Goalies that were considered a long shot and still made it. You have to be patient with their development. As long as their attitude is right, and they put in the time and effort, good things are going to happen. So definitely, patience is a key word in many perspectives: Being patient when the player is about to shoot or pass and staying on your feet until the last possible moment. And be patient in your approach to goalie development.”

JG: I read that article you wrote on Smith. I was familiar with his story, but didn’t know you had trained him since he was 12. You must be extremely proud of his development, especially considering how patient you guys had to be. Could you talk about the potential you saw in him, and maybe how patience played a role in his overall development?

JE: “The thing about Mike is that he’s an athlete. I could see that from the beginning; he was always big, strong, and in great shape. And he was able to grasp the movement aspect of goaltending, his edge work was terrific, and he was moving around the crease very strong and very quick. But honestly, he had trouble stopping the puck [laughing]. Some guys look great but they can’t stop the puck, so he was one of those guys, but I just saw so much potential due to his size and his attitude. He’s such a mentally tough guy, such a determined and confident guy, that with that attitude, eventually the actual making of saves would come. He would get himself into position, so it was just a matter of making the saves. But because of his attitude, I knew eventually he’d be able to overcome that, learn to track pucks better, react better, and plug some holes. It was a long process, but in the end, he overcame it.

He had the foundation — you have to have some sort of foundation. First of all you have to have the mental foundation. Second of all, you have to have some sort of physical ability. Everybody has their shortcomings. Some guys are weak glove side, other guys have trouble controlling rebounds, or other guys have trouble dealing with traffic, high shots, five-hole…whatever it is, everybody has their issues. There’s no such thing as a complete goalie, so everyone has to develop something. I just saw a lot in Mike — the desire, the physical ability to overcome his shortcomings — so we just stuck with it. He really wanted it. Obviously you push your students as a coach, but it has to be reciprocated, and it was with Mike. We kept going, and in the end, there wasn’t any panic. Even in minor hockey and Tier II and OHL, he was a backup, and other guys were ahead of him. And when he got drafted behind a bunch of guys, there still was never any sense of panic.

I think too much talent gets derailed because people won’t stick to a sound game plan because they get distracted by too many other things. If you’re a parent or a coach or an agent, the emphasis should always be on getting better, and realize that all the other stuff is noise. If you’re getting better every day, eventually you are going to do good things. Mike, to his credit, blocked all the noise out, and stuck to a plan, got better every day, and now where he is today is all about pure hard work. He earned every inch, everything he’s got, and I have a lot of respect for that.”

A special thanks to Elkin for taking the time to chat with The Goalie Guild, and for his great insights on Smith and patience. Be sure to check out his website at www.elkingoaltending.com and if you sign up for one of his camps, be sure to let him know The Goalie Guild sent you!

Before I break it down, here are some details on the three goalies and their new deals, courtesy of CapGeek.com:

Patterson signed a two-year (and two-way) entry-level contract worth $1,225,000. To say this deal was well-deserved would be a massive understatement, as Patterson was essentially one of the WHCA’s best goaltenders (if not the best) over the past two seasons. He carried the workload and continued to develop at a rapid pace over the course of this season, and it almost resulted in a Frozen Four Title.

Millan signed essentially the exact same contract, a two-year (and two-way) entry-level deal worth $1,225,000. In terms of where Millan falls in terms of long-term potential compared to Patterson and Aittokallio, I believe he sits at the bottom. But that shouldn’t take anything away from what he accomplished at Boston University; he graduated as the school’s all-time leader in wins (81), games played (138), and saves (3,768).

No contract details were available for Aittokallio on CapGeek directly following the Avs’ announcement. I hope to learn that his ELC is a three-year deal, however, and my guess is that it will probably be worth around the same dollar amount.

With June 1 acting as the deadline for retaining Aittokallio’s rights, I can breathe much easier knowing the Avs took care of business, and signed one of the brightest Finnish goalie prospects out there.

A breakdown of the Avalanche’s current depth chart, and what it could look like on July 1:

Both Semyon Varlamov and J-S Giguere are signed for next season, and they will continue to be one of the better tandems in the NHL. It’s a perfect balance of long-term potential and wizard-like mentoring from a veteran presence. Each goalie’s style also lends a hand to helping the other in different (and really interesting) ways.

Cedrick Desjardins, who I still consider to be one of the best goaltenders not in the NHL right now, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. There’s a slim chance the Avalanche could re-sign him before then, but I think because of even more injury concerns, he’s likely headed elsewhere. He should be re-signed, however, because like Giguere acts as a perfect mentor for Varlamov, Desjardins could have the same influence for Calvin Pickard.

Pickard finished his illustrious WHL career with the Seattle Thunderbirds a few months ago, and when their season ended, he joined Lake Erie to get a little sip of AHL action. He played in two games, earned a win in his first-ever pro start, and stopped 33 of 37 total shots. It was a great experience for him to get an idea of the speed and pace at the professional level, and it was a nice little reward for another exhausting (and sometimes frustrating) season in Seattle.

Trevor Cann spent this season playing behind Desjardins, but when injuries struck, Cann wasn’t really able to elevate his game. He started off the season going 0-5-0 in October, and it ended with a thud in January. He lost six of his last seven games, then suffered an injury that kept him off the ice for the rest of the year. He is a restricted free agent, but is not expected to receive a qualifying offer.

At his size (5-foot-11) and with his lack of development over the past three seasons, especially now that the three big prospects have been signed, I am pretty sure that Cann’s days with the organization are done. There was a reason why he never landed on my Top-150 Prospects Rankings.

With the prospects signed, what does the future hold for Colorado’s goaltending next season?

First of all, I think the Avalanche have to sign a veteran goaltender to act as the starter, or at least the 1A or 1B goalie, in Lake Erie. Pickard, or any other prospect, can’t be left to their own defense on an average team like the Monsters. Especially without a full-time goalie coach (or assistant goalie coach) on staff, the Avalanche need to make sure Pickard (or whichever rookie makes the team) has a guide and a mentor.

If the Avs elect to pass on Desjardins, they should look at bringing in a solid AHL veteran like Mike McKenna, Michael Leighton, Nathan Lawson, or maybe even Drew MacIntyre. All of those guys could step up and play some NHL games if Giguere or Varlamov were to miss any time.

Secondly, I think it is extremely crucial for the Avalanche to secure an ECHL affiliate. Without one, they severely hinder (and borderline damage) their ability to develop goalie prospects effectively. This is no slight against the Central Hockey League (the Avs held an affiliation with the Allen Americans this past season), but it is not a league where goalies develop in a manner that aids their long-term success. The talent they face isn’t good enough, and the overall style of play is not conducive to the ECHL or the AHL.

To further this point, I received a few tweets from Colorado Eagles (once a CHL team, now an ECHL team) goaltender Andrew Penner. He had replied to one of my tweets mentioning the fact that the Avs now desperately need an ECHL affiliate to make room for these goalies:

“I completely agree. After playing 3 yrs in the CHL and then last year back to the ECHL, definitely a difference…more NHL contracted players to play against and lots more exposure in ECHL.” -Andrew Penner

If an ECHL affiliation is not created over the summer, then hopefully the Avalanche can make arrangements to loan one of their three rookies to an ECHL team. But it’s not easy to loan goalies, especially when so many other NHL teams utilize their ECHL affiliates properly.

For Aittokallio, because he doesn’t turn 20 until Aug. 6, it is likely that he will return to Finland next season. This is a great move for many different reasons, but it is not set in stone by any means. First of all, his SM-liiga team (Ilves) carried three goalies this season. Miika Wiikman played in 30 games, Vesa Toskala played in 22, and Sami played in just 11. He posted respectable numbers, though — a 2.82 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. In the past two seasons with Ilves, he has played in just 27 total games.

Despite the fact Aittokallio was a monster in the 2012 World Juniors for Team Finland, taking the leap to play in the AHL is not the most effective at this point in time. It is also not worth it for him to come over and play in the ECHL, either.

To me, it’s much more effective for him to stay in Finland for another season (maybe even two), generate much more playing time and experience in the SM-liiga, and then try to come over for good next summer (or in two summers). That’s why a three-year ELC would be perfect for him.

All that being said, I am still very much a believer that Aittokallio has the highest ceiling in terms of talent and potential for the three signed prospects. I have done extensive scouting reports on him (see links below), so with proper guidance and solid patience from the Avalanche, he could be a top-flight NHL goaltender someday.

But that takes patience. He’s still only 19 years old, and the more time he spends playing in Finland, the more consistent he will become when the time is finally right for him to jump overseas. He is still very much a raw-skilled prospect, and he simply cannot be rushed.

I also believe that Patterson is the true sleeper of the bunch, as his development has skyrocketed over the last 12 months. College goaltenders are becoming more coveted around the league, and as such, they’re generating more opportunities at the pro ranks.

A big reason for this, I believe, is due to their “slow and steady” development route. A college goalie plays less games over the course of four seasons compared to junior goalies, but they graduate around age 21 or 22, and are much more mature than a 19 or 20-year-old prospect.

At the same time, it’s only fair to point out that every goalie is different. A 19-year-old junior prospect could be way more mature than a 21-year-old college graduate, it just depends on each goalie.

Furthermore, there are endless pros and cons to the junior vs. collegiate goaltender, but as we see with goalies like Jonathan Quick, Ben Bishop, Jimmy Howard, and many more, they are just as viable as junior goalies. It comes down to their development path, the organization’s patience, and what type of opportunities they earn and receive during their entry-level contracts.

A collection of past scouting reports and profiles on Avalanche prospects:

1. Talking with Pickard, Patterson and Millan
2. Avalanche Sign Calvin Pickard
3. Sami Aittokallio Skewers Team USA
4. The Importance of a Full-Time Goalie Coach
5. Prospect Report: Sami Aittokallio
6. Sami’s Stance and Varly’s Finnish Influence

For Patterson, opportunity could come sooner than expected. There is no guarantee that Pickard is going to make Lake Erie, so Patterson has a chance to win that job. It will be a good battle in training camp, and healthy competition, to say the least. At the same time, Aittokallio (he will be 20 in August, therefore eligible to play in the AHL), and Millan have the same opportunity as well.

This is where the ECHL affiliation becomes so crucial for the Avalanche. If the organization does sign a veteran to carry the workload in Lake Erie, then that means only one of the four pro rookies will land in the AHL. That means there needs to be two more spots made available in the ECHL for proper development.

If Pickard wins the gig in Lake Erie, placing Patterson and Millan on the same ECHL team is a great fit. If one of them (or both) are forced to play in Allen, it’s going to be a huge setback. Again, the option to loan these rookies to an ECHL team is possible, but that’s not always easy.

So there’s the crux of the situation. Four prospects, one likely headed back to Europe, and three others battling for one AHL spot (if a veteran is signed), with no ECHL home currently available.

In my opinion, no ECHL affiliate could be the biggest developmental pitfall to future Avalanche goaltending.

Not since I started covering the Avalanche back in 2005 have I seen them procure such a wealth of goaltending depth and talent. But now that they’re all signed, the key has to be developing them at an effective rate, and in the best manner possible. There must be a strategic and systematic approach for each goalie, and at least some sort of plan for these guys. Having an ECHL affiliate is one key, bringing in more consistent goalie coaching is another.

Unfortunately, no matter what steps the Avalanche take, and no matter how good the goalies play, or how good the coaching may be, when you have three or four prospects vying to become legitimate NHL goaltenders at the same time, you have to expect that two or three of them are not going to pan out for this organization.

But as long as they continue to develop into better goaltenders, and can become valuable assets that are traded for other valuable assets (or draft picks), signing these three prospects to entry-level deals will become a successful venture.

Click below to hear some of my thoughts on the enduring journey of Mike Smith, the awesome acrobatics of Jonathan Quick, and the reasons why James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson struggled in a Leafs uniform this past season.

They say goalies should always be the most composed and stoic players on the ice, too. No egregious celebrating, no display of emotion when giving up a goal, winning a game, or when their team scores.

They say goalies should essentially move, think and look exactly the same, no matter what is happening, all the time.

When I hear people say these things, I tend to worry.

Please view my Periodic Table of Goaltending Elements to break down Petr’s official Element Map

I worry because I don’t want young goalies to become drab athletes, with blank-eye stares in the face of adversity and pressure. I don’t want goalies to lose a certain type of natural athleticism or competitive instinct, and I certainly don’t want goalies to rely solely on the economy of movement.

Fortunately, Petr Mrazek is none of the things I really worry about.

When searching for the perfect prospect, I want one that is truly balanced. I want them to display both reflex-based and positionally-based save selections. I want one that knows when to challenge a shooter, and when to stay a little deeper. I want one that can move well on his skates and on his knees, and one that can stop pucks in a myriad of ways, without second-guessing their decisions, or having to default to one specific method.

Ultimately, I want a shape-shifter; a goalie that can adapt on the fly to the game around them. For the more tools a prospect has at their disposal, the more likely they are to build a stronger foundation for a more successful future.

Yet I talk to many goalie coaches today, and I walk away thinking that over-reacting, or relying too much on reflexes is some kind of mortal sin, a hellacious act of true horror. Some goalies even become paralyzed by this concern of erroneous movement, and they over-think their game way too much. They inevitably start to lock up, they hesitate far too often, and they never look fully comfortable over the course of a game.

When I watch Mrazek play, however, I notice he not only exists outside of this robotic planet, he lives in a completely different universe. But here he is and there he goes, as one of the world’s most talented 20-year-old junior goalies.

JG: What is your spirit animal? If I had to guess, I would say…the Wolf. Am I right?

PM: “The Tiger for sure. Tigers are my favorite animal, they are beautiful. I absolutely love them. Wolf was close, but I like the Tiger more.”

JG: What did you take away from your 2012 World Junior Championships experience?

PM: “It opened my eyes for pro hockey. It showed me I was capable of playing with great players and higher expectations.” 

JG: I ask every goalie I interview this same question – how would you define Mental Toughness?

PM: “Every goalie needs to be mentally tough. You have to be ready every game to be strong, to face the shots, and stop the pucks. If you let in a soft goal, or bad deflection, you have to forget about it right away. If you’re always thinking about that bad goal throughout the rest of the game you won’t be able to focus on the next shots thrown at you. You have to remain confident and strong in yourself and be able to forget and move on fast.”

[ PART TWO ]

Selected 141st overall by Detroit in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Mrazek is not the traditional mold of a Red Wings goalie prospect. He’s not a quiet competitor like Chris Osgood, and he’s not the “slow-cooked” collegiate talent like Jimmy Howard. He’s nowhere close to a Tom McCollum or a Jordan Pearce, either.

In fact, once you get to know him better off the ice, he’s not like most goalie prospects playing in the CHL these days.

For starters, he’s not superstitious at all.

I personally think most goalies have superstitions, or are more superstitious than others, because they struggle to cope with elements of the position that they cannot control. They are haunted by bad bounces, scared of getting stuck in a bad rhythm, or are afraid to experience unfair situations that can result in gut-wrenching losses. They try to avoid being victimized by these bad circumstances by going through a regimen of superstitions and quirks before games. They’re attempting to control the uncontrollable and inescapable forces that rule over every single goaltender.

Because of this, sometimes you can’t talk to a goalie before a game, mainly because their nerves force them to act awkwardly in social or otherwise everyday team-related situations. They often won’t speak to the media, they won’t speak to their girlfriends or parents, and they won’t speak to anyone but themselves. They just want to be left alone.

But not Petr.

Like any other player on his team, he simply laces up the skates, tosses on the gear, goes out there and plays. The external forces he can’t control are ignored, and while many goalies might get distracted when they are not isolated, Mrazek seems to know how to turn that focus switch on and off, regardless of his surroundings or atmosphere.

So from what I’ve learned, Petr is just another one of the boys. He has a lively personality, he’s fun-loving and easy to talk to, and because of these traits, assimilating himself into the Canadian junior hockey culture came easily and naturally. That’s a true sign of a goalie destined to increase their potential exponentially, something we have witnessed first-hand during his time with the Ottawa 67’s.

It takes a certain type of goalie and athlete to make the transition to North America smoothly, and despite the unique traits that make him so different on the ice, Petr is clearly that type of goalie.

JG: When I watch you play, I see a few shades of your countryman, Ondrej Pavelec. Has anyone told you this before?

PM: “You’re the first one to tell me that I play similar to Pavelec. The goalie coach here in Ottawa told me I play similar to Marc-Andre Fleury.”

JG: Music is a motivational element that influences many goalies. Is it a passion of yours?

PM: “Before the games, we always have music playing in the dressing room. But I don’t really listen any more than any other guy on the team. I love music, but no more than the rest.”

JG: Another question I always ask goalies is about the edges on their skates. What edge do you have, and is there anything else unique about your pad setup? 

PM: “I have a three-quarters (3/4) edge on the skates. I am wearing 36+2 sized Vaughn pads. The padding on the side of the knee [on the inside] I like thinner than normal. Other than that, I don’t really have anything special done to them.”

[ PART THREE ]

Clearly, Mrazek plays a style that is unlike today’s more robotic butterfly goaltender, and his personality is just as dynamic. But he’s still extremely successful on the ice, especially since the World Juniors ended back in January. In my eyes, this reveals an irony that can’t be overlooked.

Many goalie coaches (and scouts) want to see prospects break the mold of the cookie-cutter, butterfly-dominant goaltender. Yet when a goalie’s personality and flashy on-ice style reflects true individuality, they are often instructed, taught, or advised to be less unique, and to be more like the typical or traditionally molded goaltender.

Mrazek’s bold celebrations in the World Juniors helped him gain somewhat of a cult fan following, and even though he remains confident and successful displaying these traits, many were led to believe he may have crossed a line or a certain threshold that will inevitably make him less successful as time goes on.

As time goes on, for many different reasons, sometimes those unique traits are taught out of a goaltender, and their true essence starts to withers away. This can result in a goaltender never reaching their true potential; they are held back in different ways, and they ultimate underachieve at the higher levels.

Fortunately, with guidance from his parents, his long-time goalie coach in the Czech Republic, and now his goalie coaches in Ottawa and Detroit, Mrazek’s unique traits remain visible keys to his success over the past two years.

As a result, he’s a stronger goaltender than ever before, leading me to believe that the most important personality trait Mrazek needs to focus on as he turns pro is his patience. If he can be patient with his development, he will have plenty of chances to unlock a very fruitful NHL career.

It’s not easy to be patient, however, especially since Mrazek has such a high level of confidence in his abilities.

But as a scout, I’ve read, seen, listened to so many tales of success, failure, adversity, and everything between. I’ve learned that it’s a poor human fate for those that fail to achieve their true destiny because they simply don’t work hard enough, don’t have enough size, don’t get enough opportunities, or don’t make the right saves at the right times.

Sometimes they have no control, which is a tough pill to swallow, and sometimes the goalie simply doesn’t have his head in the right place, they lack a certain type of awareness, and they fall apart or disappear into obscurity.

JG: Many scouts know that the Red Wings develop their goalies very slowly. Are you willing to be patient in this process?

PM: “Yes, I want to be patient. I am so lucky that Detroit drafted me. They are one of the top teams in the NHL and have been [for a long time]. I think I have a good opportunity with them to do well.”

JG: I’m always curious how NHL goalie coaches interact with their prospects. Were you in touch with Chris Osgood and Jim Bedard this season? If so, have they discussed your future?

PM: “I speak with both Osgood and Bedard almost every week. For after the season, we will see how long the playoffs for the 67s go. If my team in Ottawa does not go far in the playoffs, I was told I will go to Grand Rapids to get a feel of AHL hockey if it is possible. And to help be ready for next year.”

[Mrazek went quite far in the OHL playoffs before falling to Niagara, so he never had the chance to join the Grand Rapids Griffins. But because Ondrej Pavelec did not join the Czech Republic for the World Championships, Mrazek was invited instead, and now he’s currently backing up Jakub Kovar and Jakub Stepanek.]

[ PART FOUR ]

So in order to grow into a fruitful NHL goaltender, I think years of strict butterfly training and weight lifting cannot act as the sole solution. It is obviously quite necessary, but at some point, Mrazek (and every junior goaltender with potential) must look in the mirror and reflect on who they are, what they are becoming, and where they are going.

If and when Mrazek does look in the mirror, I naturally wonder what he sees.

Does he see a king dressed in gold? I hope not; success does not fall into one’s lap, and no goaltender is chosen at birth to become kings of all creases. Does he see a medieval knight in shining armor? I hope not; some wars are not meant to be waged, and no goalie is more noble than the cause or team he fights for.

Or does Mrazek look in the mirror and see a man holding a rusted chainsaw, trudging through the forest with sweat dripping from every pore? An unyielding work ethic; now there’s a trait that every goaltender truly needs to succeed.

Especially after I watched his performances in the 2012 World Junior Championships, as a goalie scout, I am very intrigued and excited for Mrazek’s development, and for so many reasons. He’s dynamic, athletic, visibly confident, flashy, bold and assertive. He’s quick, instinctual, cerebral, and tracks pucks very well. He has all the style points you want in a future NHL goaltender, and he has solid size at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds.

But like so many goalies before him, in order for all of those positive elements to bind together in harmonic puck-stopping purity, Petr must realize that work ethic is the vital force that powers his natural evolution.

Aside from skill and opportunity, a goaltender with Mrazek’s unique potential can only transform into an NHL starter if he is never fully satisfied with his past achievements. So, for as much as Mrazek has accomplished this season, both with the 67’s and the Czech Republic, I hope he realizes that he hasn’t really accomplished anything at all.

JG: What is one of your most important motivational quotes?

PM: “My motivational quote is, ‘Remain firmly grounded’ and personal motto wise, I like to tell myself to “always try to work as hard as you can.”

JG: What important life lessons did your parents teach you before coming over to North America?

PM: “The most important thing my father taught me is that, if you are winning, everybody loves you. But when you start losing, you still have to be the same guy. He says all the time you need to be the same guy, never get a big head or be cocky. My mother says to be healthy. If you want to be in top form, you need to take care of yourself and your body.” 

JG: All goalies are extensions and pieces of their goalie coaches and goalie idols. Is there one coach that has truly influenced the way you play the position?

PM: “Definitely. I have one coach back in Czech, named Petr Bolek, I have been working with him for over 10 years. I wouldn’t be where I am now in my playing career if it weren’t for him, and I can’t thank him enough for that. I also have Tom Dempsey here in Ottawa with the 67’s. He helped me adjust to the Canadian way of hockey right from when I got here three years ago. I know that Chris Osgood and Jim Bedard will help me greatly with getting into the higher levels of hockey.”

[ PART FIVE ]

Ultimately, I feel as if it is my duty as an independent scout to reinforce the notion that very few prospects truly reach their NHL upside. It’s one thing to have that potential, but due to so many obstacles, it’s quite another to utilize and harvest it to perfection. Many goalies simply don’t have that perfect balance a guy like me is searching for.

Therefore, I have to wonder if he’s a hidden star that has already exploded, and if now he’s likely to cool down, and slowly fade away into the darkness of the minor leagues. That is my job, and that is what I am paid to do.

If I trust my scouting instincts, however, I truly believe it when I say that, despite being a man of mystery, and despite playing with a raw and terminal intensity, Mrazek is going to be a real good NHL goaltender someday. He might cross boundaries, and he might raise red flags, but there is no denying that Detroit has a real hidden gem in their system.

From what I’ve learned about the successful pro goaltender, I know that the ones that always play their natural style usually end up shining the brightest. There are always technical and tactical areas to improve and refine, but the essence of an elite athlete’s game cannot be removed, even if it is not always the right elements on display.

If Mrazek is naturally bold and assertive and dynamic and aggressive, those pieces of his character and his game must always remain. They are what make him unique, and they are the constants in an ever-changing dynamic entity.

I also know that the only truth a goalie experiences over the course of their junior career is the one in their hearts.

Nobody knows what type of path they travel. Nobody knows what type of emotional and mental adversity they face. Nobody knows what they go through on or off the ice. They have to travel this path alone, and aside from their mentors and their closest relatives, they have to find ways to learn for themselves what they need to do to improve as both a goaltender and a human being.

Every goalie is different, every goalie is unique, every path has different twists and turns and obstacles. But at the end, a personal faith and a strong character goes well beyond a quick glove hand or solid rebound control.

And if you look at today’s stars, including Pekka Rinne, Jonas Hiller, Tim Thomas, Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick, and all of the rest of the finest goalies in the NHL right now, it is their ability to embrace and hone and enhance their unique differences that make them so successful.

As long as Mrazek embraces his differences, and as long as he continues to improve his work ethic, he will one day shine just as brightly as the rest of today’s greatest goalie stars.