How did an amateur hockey player become an overnight sensation in the NHL. What led to Scott Foster’s unexpected debut for the Chicago Blackhawks. How did Foster perform in his surprise NHL appearance. Why was an accountant called upon to play goalie in a professional hockey game.
The Unexpected Call-Up: Scott Foster’s Journey to the NHL
On March 29, 2018, Scott Foster, a 36-year-old accountant and recreational hockey player, found himself in an extraordinary situation. The Chicago Blackhawks signed Foster to an amateur tryout contract as an emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) for their game against the Winnipeg Jets. This decision would lead to one of the most remarkable stories in recent NHL history.
Foster’s background in hockey included four seasons playing for Western Michigan University from 2002 to 2006, where he posted a .875 save percentage and a 3.44 goals-against average. Prior to his college career, he played for the Petrolia Jets in the Western Ontario Hockey League. However, for the past decade, Foster’s hockey experience had been limited to recreational leagues at Johnny’s Icehouse, a rink located just blocks away from the United Center, home of the Blackhawks.
The Perfect Storm: A Series of Goalie Injuries
A chain of events led to Foster’s unexpected NHL debut:
- The Blackhawks’ starting goaltender, Corey Crawford, was already sidelined due to injury.
- Backup goalie Anton Forsberg suffered an injury just before the game.
- Collin Delia, making his NHL debut as a replacement, had to leave the game in the third period due to cramping.
This series of unfortunate events left the Blackhawks with no choice but to call upon their emergency backup goaltender, Scott Foster.
From the Press Box to the Ice: Foster’s Moment of Truth
Foster had been to the United Center before as an on-call backup goalie, but his role typically involved watching the game from the press box, enjoying a meal, and heading home. This time, however, was different. With the Blackhawks leading and needing to preserve their advantage, Coach Joel Quenneville made the decision to put Foster in the game.
Foster later recounted the moment he was called to action, stating, “I don’t think I heard anything other than, ‘Put your helmet on.'” With little time to process the situation, Foster found himself on the ice, facing professional NHL players in a real game scenario.
How did Foster perform in his unexpected NHL debut?
Foster’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. He faced seven shots on goal and successfully stopped all of them, maintaining a perfect 1.000 save percentage. His stellar play helped the Blackhawks secure a 6-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
Fan Reaction and Instant Celebrity Status
As Foster continued to make save after save, the crowd at the United Center quickly caught on to the extraordinary situation unfolding before them. In a scene straight out of a sports movie, fans began chanting Foster’s name, creating an electric atmosphere in the arena.
The Blackhawks’ official Twitter account captured the moment, tweeting: “AND A SAVE BY FOSTER! FOS-TER! FOS-TER! Now chanted in the @UnitedCenter! You can’t make this stuff up! #CHIvsWPG”
Post-Game Reactions and Recognition
Following the game, Foster’s incredible performance earned him widespread recognition:
- He was awarded the team belt, typically given to the player of the game.
- Foster participated in post-game interviews, where his humble and humorous responses endeared him further to fans and media alike.
- His story quickly went viral, making headlines across sports news outlets and social media platforms.
What did Foster say about his unexpected NHL experience?
In the post-game press conference, Foster displayed a mix of humility and humor. He joked, “I think I’m just about hitting my prime,” and added, “The initial shock happened when I had to dress. You just kind of black out after that.” His down-to-earth attitude and ability to handle the sudden spotlight with grace made his story even more compelling.
The Return to Normalcy: Back to the Day Job
Despite his newfound fame, Foster remained grounded about his experience. When asked about the pressure of the situation, he responded, “You think there’d be a lot of pressure. But, really, tomorrow I’m going to wake up, I’m going to button up my shirt, and I’m going to go back to my day job. So what pressure is there for me?”
This statement perfectly encapsulated the unique nature of Foster’s situation – a regular person thrust into the spotlight of professional sports for one unforgettable night before returning to his normal life.
The Impact on Recreational Hockey and EBUGs
Foster’s experience highlighted the role of emergency backup goaltenders in the NHL and brought attention to the level of talent present in recreational hockey leagues. His success story resonated with amateur players everywhere, proving that sometimes dreams really do come true.
How common are emergency backup goaltender appearances in the NHL?
While EBUG appearances are rare, Foster’s case is not entirely unique. NHL teams are required to have emergency backup goaltenders available for both teams during games. These EBUGs are typically amateur players with some high-level experience, such as college or junior hockey. However, it is extremely uncommon for an EBUG to actually play in a game, making Foster’s appearance and success all the more remarkable.
Legacy and Lasting Impact of Scott Foster’s NHL Debut
Scott Foster’s unexpected NHL debut left a lasting impression on the hockey world:
- Inspiration for amateur players: Foster’s story serves as motivation for recreational players, showing that extraordinary opportunities can arise when least expected.
- Increased awareness of EBUGs: The incident brought attention to the role of emergency backup goaltenders in professional hockey.
- A testament to preparedness: Foster’s success highlighted the importance of always being ready, even when the chances of playing seem slim.
- Cultural impact: The story resonated beyond hockey, becoming a feel-good tale of an everyday person living out a dream on a grand stage.
- Potential policy changes: Foster’s appearance sparked discussions about EBUG protocols and whether changes should be made to the system.
Did Foster’s NHL appearance lead to any changes in his hockey career?
While Foster’s NHL appearance was a once-in-a-lifetime event, it didn’t significantly alter his hockey career. He returned to his day job as an accountant and continued playing in his recreational league. However, his brief moment in the NHL spotlight undoubtedly became a cherished memory and an incredible story to share with friends, family, and fellow hockey enthusiasts.
The Scott Foster story remains a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports and the power of being prepared for unexpected opportunities. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, even in the world of professional athletics, an ordinary person can have an extraordinary moment in the spotlight.
Blackhawks Called In An Accountant As Emergency Goalie — And He Crushed It : The Two-Way : NPR
Blackhawks Called In An Accountant As Emergency Goalie — And He Crushed It : The Two-Way “The initial shock happened when I had to dress,” Scott Foster said after the Blackhawks’ 6-2 victory. “You just kind of black out after that.”
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Scott Foster, an accountant who plays in an amateur recreational hockey league, was suddenly called in as an emergency backup goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
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Scott Foster, an accountant who plays in an amateur recreational hockey league, was suddenly called in as an emergency backup goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Scott Foster is a 36-year-old accountant who lives in Oak Park, Ill. More than a decade ago, he was goalie on Western Michigan’s hockey team. These days he plays in a rec league at a rink called Johnny’s Icehouse.
That rink is just a few blocks east of the arena where the Chicago Blackhawks play — and where, on Thursday night, Foster became a legend.
Just before faceoff against the Winnipeg Jets, the Blackhawks tweeted that they had signed Foster to an amateur tryout contract to be the team’s emergency backup goaltender: EBUG, for short. The team pointed to his .875 save percentage at Western Michigan University and his earlier career for the Petrolia Jets of the Western Ontario Hockey League.
The #Blackhawks have signed Scott Foster to an ATO today to serve in an emergency backup role.
Foster, 36, played 4 seasons at @WMUHockey (2002-06), posting a record of 20-22-6 with an .
875 save percentage and 3.44 GAA.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
875 save percentage and 3.44 GAA.The one-day contracts are generally unpaid, and Foster, a father of two young children, has come to the United Center before to be on call as backup goalie.
“Usually,” he said, “I just head upstairs, watch the game from the press box, have a bite to eat, and head home.”
The Hawks needed to have Foster around, just in case, because they were a little shorthanded on goalies since their standout netminder, Corey Crawford, is injured and Anton Forsberg got hurt just before the game.
Then fill-in goalie Collin Delia, making his own NHL debut, had to leave the game in the third period due to cramping.
NHL
YouTube
That left just one man to preserve the Hawks’ lead.
“I don’t think I heard anything other than, ‘Put your helmet on,’ ” Foster said later.
With Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville grinning, Foster took the ice.
And he stopped one shot after another — seven times blocking the Jets’ attempts to score.
In a moment most rec-league players can recognize from our wildest dreams, the fans in the United Center began chanting his name.
AND A SAVE BY FOSTER!
FOS-TER! FOS-TER! Now chanted in the @UnitedCenter! You can’t make this stuff up! #CHIvsWPG
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
With Foster’s able handling in the net, the Hawks sealed the win, 6-2.
“The initial shock happened when I had to dress,” Foster told delighted reporters after the game. “You just kind of black out after that.”
Brady Trettenero
YouTube
Foster even won the team belt, which goes to the player of the game.
“I think I’m just about hitting my prime,” he joked.
For the moment, he has incredible (if minimal) stats: his save percentage is 1.000. That’s even higher than the Hawks’ Corey Crawford, who has twice won the NHL’s goalkeeping trophy.
What a night.
Emergency backup goalie Scott Foster gets the belt for his surprise performance. #FosterOfThePeople https://t.co/g1dHZKPanr
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
So where does the beer-league-turned-big-league hero go from here?
Back to work.
“You think there’d be a lot of pressure,” Foster said. “But, really, tomorrow I’m going to wake up, I’m going to button up my shirt, and I’m going to go back to my day job. So what pressure is there for me?
“You just keep grinding away in men’s league, and eventually you’ll get your shot,” he deadpanned.
His men’s league, by the way, was very proud.
Scott Foster, Johnny’s Elite league goalie, called into the game for the @NHLBlackhawks.
— Johnny’s IceHouse (@johnnysicehouse) March 30, 2018
Making big saves! Go Scotty! pic.twitter.com/PWEJ5IwYDGSponsor Message
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Kings promote Bill Ranford to Director of Goaltending, Seeking new NHL & AHL goaltending coaches
Some news, Insiders!
The LA Kings announced today that longtime goaltending coach Bill Ranford has been promoted to serve as the organization’s Director of Goaltending, following 17 years as the team’s goaltending coach. Additionally, current Kings goaltending development coach Matt Millar has been named as the North American Goalie Scout, working in support of Ranford and the organization’s goaltending objectives moving forward.
What this means is two things.
One, the Kings are expanding their resources invested into the goaltending position.
This is a new role and a new position within the Kings hierarchy at the executive level, not simply Ranford replacing an existing member of the front office.
Ranford is naturally the prime candidate from an internal standpoint, considering his experience as the club’s goaltending coach, but that also means leaving the day-to-day role he’s occupied for so many years. In doing so, this adds a seat the table, if you will, for a goaltending specific department within the hierarchy of the Kings management team. Millar’s role is also changing, as he moves from a coaching role with the organization’s prospects to a scouting role throughout North America. Ranford’s oversight will include the team’s coaching direction for goaltenders, as well as scouting and development direction moving forward, both with goaltenders currently within the organization and those who are external.
Secondly, it means that both the Kings and Ontario Reign will have new goaltending coaches this season.
As noted, Ranford has been in his role for several years, originally joining the Kings in 2006. As several coaching regimes have turned over, Ranford has been one of the organization’s constants, serving as a bridge between different coaching staffs as he’s worked closely with the goaltenders who have come through the system.
For the first time since the 2005-06 season, the Kings will have a new person in that role and that represents a large-scale change. On the AHL side, Millar was initially hired in 2019 to replace Dusty Imoo and has worked with the organization’s up-and-coming goaltenders over the past four seasons in an on-ice, coaching role. He’ll now work in more of a scouting capacity, with a new face taking on the day-to-day in Ontario as well as Greenville and goaltenders who have been drafted and are playing at the amateur level either in juniors, college or overseas.
The release states that the organization is actively searching for candidates to fill both positions immediately, with one position available on each staff.
This is the first real change for the Kings this offseason. The Kings made one change last season, as Marco Sturm moved from an assistant in Los Angeles to the head-coaching role in Ontario, with Jim Hiller joining as an assistant with the Kings. Now, it’s Ranford moving into a new position and a new face assuming the title with the NHL club.
At a position with just three players under contract moving forward, there could be a couple of new faces throughout the organization for next year and that will work both on and off the ice.
From the team’s official release –
The LA Kings announced today that Bill Ranford has been promoted to Director of Goaltending after serving the last 17 years with the Kings as goaltending coach.
In his new role, Ranford will oversee all aspects of the organization’s goaltending department, including coaching, development, programming and scouting. In addition, Matt Millar has been named North American Goalie Scout and will see him support Ranford and the club’s goaltending objectives. The Kings are actively pursuing candidates to fill goaltending coach roles at both the NHL and AHL level.
Since joining the club’s coaching staff in July 2006, Ranford and the Kings have captured two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) while the Kings rewrote nearly every single-season and playoff statistical goaltending record in Kings franchise history.
Millar served the last four seasons as goaltending development coach for the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the LA Kings, after joining in 2019-20. Prior to joining the Kings, Millar served as director of hockey operations and goaltending coach for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL) from 2013-2019. In his six years with the Fighting Saints, the team qualified for the playoffs each season, winning at least one playoff series each year, including an appearance in the Clark Cup Finals in 2016.
A two-time Stanley Cup Champion as a player (1988, 1990) with the Edmonton Oilers, Ranford won the Conn Smythe Trophy and shares the single-season playoff record for most wins (16) in 1990. Originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the third-round (52nd overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, Ranford owns a 240-279-76 record in 647 games over 15 seasons with the Oilers, Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. Prior to joining the Kings staff, Ranford served as goaltending consultant for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL (2004-06) and the Burnaby Express of the BCHL of which he was a part-owner.
The El Segundo, Calif. native has also spent time with the Arizona Coyotes, USA Hockey and his alma mater, Bethel University.“A player can say that he is watching his diet, but at home he can drink beer and eat pizza”
Jaakko Valkama has been working with Ak Bars goalkeepers for the second year, and before that he helped Dmitry Kvartalnov in Lokomotiv. He calls his Kazan wards psychologically stable. Valkama is convinced that glitches with funny goals won’t break them. In an interview with BUSINESS Online, the Finnish specialist spoke about what prevents Timur Bilyalov from becoming a national team player, how Igor Bobkov’s game is being rebuilt, and whether Amir Miftakhov should have left for America.
“We flew to Finland, and it turned out that two of our three goalkeepers did not have enough antibodies – it was forbidden to go on the ice.
It was necessary to urgently find a substitute goalkeeper, and the choice of the head coach fell on Katelevsky ”
Photo: www.ak-bars.ru
“This is fun for journalists…”
— Jaakko, one of the most unexpected stories of the KHL season — striker Dmitry Katelevsky in goalie ammunition in the game with Jokerit. How did everything happen?
– We flew to Finland, and it turned out that two of our three goalkeepers did not have enough antibodies – it was forbidden to go on the ice. It was necessary to urgently find a substitute goalkeeper, and the choice of the head coach fell on Katelevsky. It was hard for me to imagine that Dmitry would have played in that match. Yes, it’s fun for journalists, it’s all discussed, photos are posted. But in the event of entering the ice in an official match, Katelevsky could suffer. Goalkeepers load completely different muscles compared to field players, and psychologically this is not an easy test.
– But did you manage to give Dmitry recommendations?
– I just helped him to pull on the ammunition and sent him to the rolling. Then this situation was perceived with humor. You know, it happens when everything goes badly and suddenly one more trouble is added to this. In this case, you just need to let go of the situation and see what happens next. If he had to replace Bobkov, I would, of course, explain what to do, but how much would it help a person who put on a goalkeeper’s uniform for the first time? I liked the way he handled this situation. He is young, but he did not panic, did not whine, but agreed to help the team and looked pretty good at the warm-up.
— Former Ak Bars captain Alexei Morozov liked to play in goal during training and said that it helped him to better understand the goalkeepers. Nobody does that now?
– I understand Morozov. This might be helpful. As a goalkeeping coach, I explain to field players how the goalkeeper feels in this or that situation, how best to shoot, what is difficult or easy for him.
Before each match, we study the opposing goalkeepers, point out their weaknesses and advise on how to give them more problems.
– After the match, attackers usually say that they just threw, and did not aim somewhere specifically, since there is no time in the game for this. Is it necessary then to analyze the game of goalkeepers?
– I think not all players say what they think – do not reveal secrets. A great player has a fraction of a second to assess the situation, look at the goalkeeper and shoot where he wants. This is developed in training as a result of numerous repetitions, and when a player receives the puck, he can automatically make the right decision.
“If you have two good goalkeepers, there is always a solid plan B, it gives the team more confidence”
Photo: www.ak-bars.ru
“We don’t draw up a long-term plan”
— How does Ak Bars decide which of the goalkeepers to release on the ice, who makes the final decision?
– We are discussing this issue with the head coach, and the last word is his.
We have been working together for several years, we understand each other well, and he listens to my opinion. But we don’t like to make a long-term plan for goalkeepers. There is no such thing that all games are scheduled until the end of the season or a month ahead: tomorrow one plays, then another. Now we have a weekly plan, and even it is not always followed, since one goalkeeper can get injured, the second one can go into covid quarantine, and so on.
Last year, when both goalkeepers were healthy, we flirted with them in turn, dividing the playing time roughly in half. And I like this approach. The season is long, the schedule is very intense, and with such a load, the goalkeeper can get practice and time for training, and not just for recovery. At the beginning of the season, when Timur Bilyalov was recovering from his injury, Igor Bobkov played a lot. When Timur returned, we gave him more games to get in shape, and now we can again plan for goalkeepers.
– Do you plan to play with the goalkeepers one by one, like last year?
– Let’s see, we just got both goalkeepers at our disposal.
Perhaps if someone is noticeably better than the other, he will play, and the second will work harder in training and get in shape. Perhaps they will take turns playing. At least now we have someone to choose from.
— Is it easier for a goalkeeping coach to have a 100% number one and a substitute, or two goalkeepers who play roughly in turn?
– I’m not against both options. But if you have only one great goalkeeper, you go all-in and bet on one horse. What if something happens after the deadline? What if he gets hurt? In addition, you need to carefully develop a training plan for the second goalkeeper and find playing time for him. If you have two good goalkeepers, you always have a reliable plan B, this gives the team more confidence.
– Tell us about Igor Bobkov’s transfer to Ak Bars. What are its strengths?
– Ak Bars was looking for an experienced goalkeeper with a Russian passport, and Bobkov was the best option on the market.
He is very professional in his work and has a lot of experience.
Ak Bars was looking for an experienced goalkeeper with a Russian passport, and Bobkov was the best option on the market”
Photo: BUSINESS Online
“Asked me to play more aggressively”
— How long does it take for a goalkeeper to fully adapt to a new team?
– There is no clear deadline – one day is enough for someone, a couple of months is needed for someone. It’s good when the goalkeeper has already played in this league. He knows the opponents, he knows what’s going on in general. But if the goalkeeper used to play in a team with a different game system, he needs time to readjust. And if there are big changes in the composition in his new team, and it is only playing well, it will be even harder for him. For example, this year Ak Bars has significantly upgraded its defense, many forwards have left, and this cannot but affect the entire team at the beginning of the season.
The goalkeeper in such a situation is more often distracted, he thinks: “So, what to do in this situation? What about this one?” It jerks a little and does not allow you to play calmly. This is where instability arises – a great match is followed by a game with a blunder. When teamwork appears, it will become easier for the goalkeeper. He will do many things automatically, decisions will be made faster, and his game will become more reliable. It takes a little patience and time.
– Did you have to change something in Bobkov’s game?
– I asked him to play more aggressively, stand more on his feet, and Igor improves from match to match. I am confident in him. In Avangard, Bob Hartley’s system allowed Bobkov to play more passively, as the team blocked a lot of shots and played well under their own nets. Ak Bars plays differently, so we need to make small adjustments. I like Bobkov’s attitude to work. He wants to be useful to the team. A new goalkeeper is always looked at more carefully, and his mistakes are treated more emotionally.
Yes, Igor made a mistake in the game with Dynamo Minsk, but this is not a systemic miscalculation, but a second glitch in his head, an unsuccessful rebound. This did not knock Bobkov out of himself. He is a mentally stable goalkeeper. His experience is enough to understand: “Mistakes happen, conclusions are made – move on.” Before the match with the Minsk team, he had very good games, and after that mistake he showed reliability.
— Do goalkeeping coaches sleep well after the mistakes of their players?
– Of course, you think why it happened, how it could have been avoided. But most of all, I’m not worried about mistakes like the one Igor had in the match against Minsk. As I said, this is a second miscalculation. Attackers can also shoot past empty nets, and the same thing happened in that game. I am more worried if system errors occur when pucks fly that should not have flown. After all, I am responsible for goalkeepers, and missed goals are also my responsibility.
If there are mistakes, you need to find tools to fix them.
“Bilyalov is very stable psychologically, he does not give up when something happens, and every time he gets in shape due to work. For me, Timur has everything to eventually play for the Russian national team”
Photo: www.ak-bars.ru
“The main question is why Bilyalov gets injured”
— Frequent injuries are the only reason why Timur Bilyalov has not yet become a goalkeeper at the level of the Russian national team?
– This is probably the biggest reason. It’s always very hard when almost every year an injury knocks you out for a period. But Bilyalov is very stable psychologically, he does not give up when something happens, and every time he gets in shape due to work. For me, Timur has everything to eventually play for the Russian national team.
– Why does he get injured quite often?
– This is the main question that all of us – me, the medical staff, the physical trainer – have to figure out. We need to understand what the reason is, to find out what we can do so that Timur does not fall out of line. It may be necessary to change something in his technique. Maybe there are moments in physical training that are worth paying attention to. It is possible that this is genetics, and there is nothing we can do about it. There are many possible reasons, and as a goalkeeping coach, I need to figure it out.
– When will Bilyalov get in shape and be 100 percent ready?
– This will take time. After the injury, Timur looked good, but in his case, he needs to take care of his health with special attention to avoid new injuries. This is everyday work on yourself – in training, after matches, even on weekends.
– Can you recommend any special food to the goalkeepers of Ak Bars or, for example, force them not to eat sweets or starchy foods?
– I heard that Valery Karpin did this in the Russian national football team.
If I see that the player has some kind of problem, I can share my opinion, give some advice. But I can’t control him all the time, keep an eye on the player at home. This is his responsibility. The player can tell me that he is watching his diet, and at home he can drink beer and eat pizza. What will I do in this case? In the NHL, taking care of nutrition and sleep is a very important part of a player’s preparation, and I think this is justified.
– Artur Akhtyamov played one match at the beginning of the season, and Ak Bars then lost to Kunlun, leading 3:0 … Did you communicate with him after the game?
– Of course, we discussed that match. Akhtyamov was disappointed, and everyone was upset with how the game ended. Artur worked with us all summer, we gave him a few matches in the pre-season, which he played very well. He got a chance in the game against Kunlun and… boom. It didn’t work out very well. And the point is not that Arthur is not a KHL-level player.
He just wasn’t ready for that match. Akhtyamov was very nervous, he thought too much on the ice, and this fettered him. Now he has enough practice in the VHL. This is what he needs. It’s easier to erase a bad game from your memory when you are constantly busy, and his time in the KHL will definitely come.
— Do you have enough time to look through the other goalkeepers of the Ak Bars system?
– I follow them, and it is no coincidence that we often change the third goalkeeper, calling from Bars now Akhtyamov, then Vyacheslav Peksu, then Ilya Golubev, then Shamil Valiullin. I can watch them live in training and then evaluate them by the picture in the broadcast.
“Not everyone is destined to become like Vasilevsky, but even an average goalkeeper, when working with a good goalkeeping coach, will definitely add and reach a new level”
Photo: © Monika Skolimowska / dpa / www.
globallookpress.com
“Vasilevsky getting better”
— What are three NHL goaltenders you enjoy watching?
– There are many of them, because if you are in the NHL, then you are already worth something. I like Andrei Vasilevsky, Cary Price, Carter Hart, Connor Hellebak, Igor Shesterkin. Jussi Saros from Nashville is a very good goalkeeper. Getting into the league with his height is incredibly difficult, and you need to do many things better than others in order to gain a foothold in the base.
– Is it possible to train a goalkeeper so that he becomes the new Vasilevsky? This is not only a job, but also a natural talent.
– A lot must come together for a player to reach this level. Even a great talent will not become a great goalkeeper without working on himself, but if you have certain data, genetics and a desire to be the best, it will be easier to put all these pieces into one puzzle and become a super player.
Not everyone is destined to become like Vasilevsky, but even an average goalkeeper, when working with a good goalkeeping coach, will definitely improve and reach a new level.
Another moment. If you are Vasilevsky’s coach, it does not mean that you are the best goalkeeping coach in the world. Moreover, if it becomes better with you, then you are really good.
— Is Vasilevsky getting better? He played great 2-3 years ago.
– He has become better and can become even better. In the case of Vasilevsky, we have the same combination – a natural gift, a desire to grow and an excellent goalkeeping coach.
– Do you agree with Nikita Kucherov that Andrei Vasilevsky is now the number one goalkeeper and that he should have received the Vezina Trophy?
– I think Nikita was overwhelmed with emotions, and he respects those goalkeepers who received awards instead of Andrei. Both Fleury and Helleback are great players, but yes, I agree, Vasilevsky is number one right now.
— Finnish coach Jussi Parkkila works for Colorado. Do you know each other?
– No, but of course I’ve heard of him. I know that he worked at Lokomotiv with Semyon Varlamov, then coached at SKA and Avangard. The Avalanche were looking for a goalkeeping coach, and Semyon suggested Parkkila. Jussi grabbed a chance. Varlamov left for another club, but he is still there. And if you look at the game of Colorado goaltenders Franzous and Grubauer in recent years, Jussi is doing an excellent job, which is great for Finnish and European coaches. This gives them hope to someday be in the NHL. It is very difficult to get into this league, even if you are a Canadian or an American, and what can we say about Europeans without the experience of playing in America! Parkkila has come a long way and worked hard to earn his chance. I am happy for him.
– Your former players Ilya Konovalov and Amir Miftakhov left for America last summer, but did not make it to the NHL.
How did you react to their decision?
– I was happy for them. Ilya and I worked for two years in Yaroslavl, and when we decided to sign a North American goalkeeper there, the best decision for him was to change the situation and try his hand in Canada. Miftakhov received an offer from Tampa Bay, and if the player decides to move, it will be difficult to convince him. I can only support him.
“If you are young and feel that you want to leave now, it is better to go. You can always come back and then try again”
Photo: www.ak-bars.ru
“Everyone should strive to play in the NHL”
— History tells us that it is better for young goalkeepers to gain experience in the KHL and then go to America. Samsonov and Miftakhov in a hurry?
– Let me remind you that Vasilevsky also started in the AHL, and most goalkeepers spend some time there before playing in the NHL.
I read a study that generally goaltenders are revealed only at 25-26 years old, although in the draft they are chosen at 18-19years. As for me, it’s better to leave early, spend some time in the AHL or the East Coast League, show yourself and your club what you can do. Another fact is that it is very difficult for goaltenders to prove themselves in the club that drafted them. Yes, there is Vasilevsky, Price, but there are few other such examples. Before you get a chance, you may be traded several times, so you need to be patient and work hard.
You can stay in Europe, gain experience here, play in the best league since the NHL, but if you don’t have enough playing experience here, there’s nothing wrong with testing yourself in other North American leagues. There is no black and white here – everyone chooses for himself. If you are young and feel that you want to leave now, it is better to go. You can always go back and then try again. Will you be called often if you stayed in Europe is a question.
Maybe they will call 2-3 times, and then stop. And the NHL is a league that everyone should strive to play.
Let’s give two examples. Andrey Makarov and Andrey Vasilevsky played in the Russian youth team 10 years ago. One left for Canada very early, the other first played in the KHL. Vasilevsky became Vasilevsky, and Makarov is now in the Ukrainian team.
— It is always easy to discuss what has already happened, but when a decision is made, the situation may be quite different. You see, when a player decides what to do next, he chooses the best option from among those that lie in front of him. He listens to the agent, parents, different clubs, and then acts. If something did not work out, this does not mean that he made a bad decision. In any case, he will get a lot of experience. He can compare how he was treated at his old club and how he was treated in the East Coast League.
You are completely alone there, and everything depends only on you.
It’s not a professional league like here in the KHL, and you need to learn to survive, to be responsible for yourself. If I want to be a goaltender in the NHL, I have to endure all this or go back to a more comfortable place. I think such an experience cannot be useless. This applies not only to players from Russia, but also to everyone else, including Finns. It’s great to live in your house next to your parents, where you’re used to everything, but if there is a chance for a change of scenery and you really want it, it’s worth a try. And I don’t like to say what could have happened, “if only”, especially when you evaluate an event after some time. So we can discuss our daily actions. What if I turned right instead of going straight; what if the coach had put this player, and not another, and so on … This is fun for journalists that has nothing to do with reality.
— In Russia, you worked with Mike Keenan and Craig McTavish. What do they remember?
— We met with Keenan in China.
I spent my second season in professional hockey, and for me it was an incredible experience. Keenan thought only of winning here and now, and he cared little about how the youth developed. He constantly pushes you to get the most out of it, and it makes you squeeze everything out of yourself. I liked his insistence. He is not one of those who give out words of gratitude every day, but on the day of his dismissal, Keenan wished all of us good luck and thanked us for our efforts. It left pleasant memories.
I remembered a funny story. Kunlun training. I, as usual, work with Magnus Hellberg on ice. Suddenly, Mike appears and says: “Yaakko! Don’t train Hellberg anymore. He already knows how to catch the puck. Give more time to the second goalkeeper!” The funny thing is that Hellberg then played almost without substitutions and was very important for Kunlun.
As for McTavish, he and Keenan are like day and night. Craig was very calm, polite and pleasant. He did not express his emotions for nothing, but at the same time he did not yield to him in the desire to win.
I was surprised that McTavish knew many KHL players as soon as he started coaching Lokomotiv. Unfortunately, Yaroslavl then started the season badly, and Craig was fired. It was also a great experience for me. Keenan won the Stanley Cup, McTavish led his team to the Finals as a coach, and their knowledge was very useful.
“For me, this is the work of my life, I want to constantly learn and develop. Without this, it is impossible to become a good coach.”
Photo: www.ak-bars.ru
How to combine coaching and work at the factory
– You finished playing at 27. Why so early?
– I had a few injuries, but the key was that I was a mediocre hockey player. I understood that I did everything I could, and despite this, I did not break through the second Finnish league. It was better to stop and find a new occupation.
At the end of my career, I spent one season outside of hockey, and then a friend suggested that I train the goalkeepers of the youth team 2-3 times a week. I tried and started doing them every day.
In Finland, in youth teams, there is no full-time position for a goalkeeping coach, and you need to combine work in order to earn. If you like it – you do it, if you don’t – you look for something else to live. You need a lot of desire, and I had it. Former hockey players sometimes say that coaching a team is the second best thing in the world after playing hockey. I enjoy coaching a lot more than playing. I did not turn out to be a good player, and it was hard to do something, realizing that I would not become a top anyway. But when I became a coach, I got the opportunity to watch how the players progress, become better, and this is a great pleasure.
– How can you teach someone if you yourself are not very good at it?
– A hockey player and a coach are two different professions.
Of course, it’s very hard to become a coach if you haven’t played hockey at all. It’s possible, but difficult, because you don’t know how the player feels, what it’s like to play when tired, and so on. You just weren’t in his place. I played at the adult level, albeit in the second Finnish league, so I understand the guys. Many players with good careers, big contracts and lots of wins don’t have the passion for coaching that those who don’t get it all have. For me, this is the work of life, I want to constantly learn and develop. Without this, it is impossible to become a good coach. If you were a hockey star 10 years ago, it’s not a fact that your knowledge will be useful now, since the game has changed a lot, the speed has grown, the courts have changed. If you broke records in the 80s, that knowledge is not enough to be successful in 2021. You need a great desire to learn, watching a huge number of matches, watching the players.
— Playing in the second Finnish league, can you earn enough to live on?
— No.
You can study and receive subsidies from the state, say, to pay for housing. But a family man cannot live on this money. When I started coaching, I worked part-time at a pharmaceutical factory. When I had a morning shift, I went to the arena in the evenings. When I worked during the day, I gathered the team in the morning. And if I had a shift at the plant from 11 pm to 7 am, then I slept during the day, and before and after I trained children. I worked like this all week for almost three years, for two more seasons I took only morning shifts to work in the evenings, and then Jokerit offered me a job at the club.
It was hard, but I’m glad I got the experience. I know what hard work is and it takes a lot of effort to climb higher stairs. It is easier for a conditional goalkeeper with a name to get a chance to try his hand at the club. I didn’t have this name. I went to my goal step by step, and each step took a lot of time and effort. If I didn’t want to become a goalkeeping coach so much, I would have taken up education.
Maxim Stolyarov
The legendary fight from the 1990s in the NHL, the goalkeeper fight between Roy and Osgood
Championship.com
The Colorado goaltender couldn’t stand that his team was losing. And even the judge did not stop him on the way to a new fight with Detroit.
© Chempionat.com
The first part of the “Marleson ballet” between Detroit and Colorado in the late 1990s was a fight between Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon. A year after the grandiose battle in 1997, there was a repetition, although not on such an epic scale.
Video of the day
On April 1, 1998, at the very end of the regular season, a temperamentally furious Rua grappled with another Detroit goalkeeper, Chris Osgood, who, by the way, was a head shorter than his opponent. In that season, Rua was not a superman in terms of reliability – in terms of number of wins he was only the seventh goalkeeper of the season, in terms of average passing – fourth, and in percentage of shots saved – eighth.
By the third period, Detroit was winning 2-0, and the massive skirmish at the benches turned into a full-fledged goaltending fight.
Rua, being a more experienced tough guy, managed to pull a sweater over his opponent’s head, but Osgood quickly freed himself from it. Patrick made several good shots, but in the end, he could not stay on his feet and fell on his back. In total, 46 suspensions and 228 total penalty minutes were issued in that match.
Video can be viewed on YouTube.
The fight itself turned out to match Rua’s previous fight with Vernon, but in the playoffs for Colorado everything ended in the first round, when the Avalanches lost to Edmonton in seven games, and Rua conceded 4 goals after 17 shots. Osgood won his second Stanley Cup with Detroit. “If somewhere in the stands someone drops a handful of popcorn,” one of his trainers once said, “Patrick will tell you who dropped it, where and how much.” And about Rua’s temperament, epics can be composed. Depending on the fans and human predilections, he could, without sinning against the truth, be called: a fiery heart, a talkative braggart, an indomitable warrior, a narcissistic egoist, a tear-head and a mad fury.
