Question
Me
Hello,
My name is Shane and I am currently 14 years old. I will be turning 15 this year. I am in my second year of Bantam hockey, playing 'B' house. I am one of the two goalies on the team. I am one of the only second year kids on the team, and most people on the team look up to me like a captain, as I'm always trying my best to pump up the team to win. Me and the other goalie play game-for-game (unfortunately). When I'm on the bench everyone asks me about the opposing 'tendy, asking what his weak side is, etc... Unfortunately this year, (Due to politics), I ended up on the house team. There weren't enough kids for a 'B' and 'C' team, so they got mixed together. It isn't the greatest. I am always told that I am the better of the two goalies, as I give way more effort and passion into the game. (My record also proves it.) I have been playing hockey since I was telling years old, and have much knowledge of the sport. I try my best to train every single day, and I have gone to Gold in the Net goalie school 5 years in a row. (I'm sure you've heard of them.) I have been told numerous times by the GITN staff and by other people in my league that I should try out for A and AA. my parents are divorced so the money situation is really tight. Especially because I don't have a job, but I'm working on it. I live with my dad, and I also am active in motocross racing during the summer.
My question was, what can I do, to play on the better teams? I have played 'rep' before, and the coach really liked me on the team. My first year peewee I was affiliated for the Bantam Business team, getting 4 shutouts in the 4 games that I played. (a better record than the other goalie in his whole season) This year I was affiliated for the Minor Midget Rep team as well. The problem is I want to play on better teams, I have the ability, but I always end up on the bad teams (no offence to my team, good group of guys), but I feel like I can do better.
Thank you very much for taking your time to read this,
Shane #1
P.S. I attached an image of me from earlier this season. (yes I know I have to keep my glove up, haha)
AnswerShane,
Thank you for writing. As for your glove, don't worry about the position. I learned to hold my glove in the same place by an NHL goalie back in 1975. So keep up the great job and just have fun and stop the puck.
As for you getting on a better team, it going to depend on several things. I recommend that you try and play up. Your a Bantam now, but I recommend that you go find yourself a Midget or a Junior team.
This way you bypass the political game. I can't tell how many times I have seen goalies get screwed because some Dad, has more money, or has a friend on the association board. But by playing up, you move yourself into a different age group which allows you to be there before the other goalies at your age.
Even if you start in with a house league team, make sure it's a team with older kids then you. This will get all of the coaches looking at you, plus when it comes time for you to actually be in that age group, you have already been there and your odds of being selected is better.
Next, contact the A, AA and AAA teams within your area and let the coach know that you are available to come and help him with his team if one of his goalies is sick or he can't make it due to family obligations. Make sure you give him your phone number and email address to contact you.
Trust me when I tell you, I can't tell you how many times I have called goalies because my main goalie was sick. Plus, I can't tell you how many times I have called up goalies to come and travel with me because my goalie couldn't make it. Plus, because they got me out of a jam, I selected them the following year.
I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please feel free to write.
Rob Lopez - Commissioner / CEO
University Ice Hockey League - Mexico / Pass the Puck, Inc.
www.passthepuck.net
