2010 Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending Summer Camp/Reebok Challenge Questions (WEEK IV)

Please read the questions below and provide answers via email (elitegoaltending@yahoo.com) before 3.00 pm Friday July 9. Total of 10 points available towards winning the Reebok Challenge unless answers turned in late. If turned in later than 3.00 Friday but before answers are posted, a maximum of 5 points will be awarded. Questions turned in after answers are posted recieve no points.

Question 1 – From on-ice instruction, when discussing rebound control, name the order of what the goalie should move? (2 Point for Correct Answer) 

a. Hands, Eyes, Feet

b. Eyes, Hands, Feet

c. Feet, Hands, Eyes

d. Eyes, Feet, Hands

Question 2 – Fill in the following phrases from the blog post “Ray Emery – The Path He Took Towards Career Destruction and Lessons From His Journey” (4 Total Points with 0.5 Points for Each Correct Answer)

Hard Work leads to __________

Playing well leads to ______

People telling you about your great play leads to ___________

Over-confidence leads to ______________

Lesser practice intensity leads to ____________

Self-pity leads to _________

Negative behavior leads to ____________

Distraction towards team leads to ______________

Question 3 – In “A Crater is Filled with Character” several components of personal character important to the success of a hockey player is listed. Name four. (2 Total Points with 0.5 Points for Each Correct Answer)

Question 4 – In “Selfish Lost: a situation is only “adversity” when viewed as such. Most of the time is it? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Question 5 – What is Carey Price doing wrong in this picture according to a post on the blog? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

2010 Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending Summer Camp/Reebok Challenge Questions (WEEK III)

Please read the questions below and provide answers via email (elitegoaltending@yahoo.com) before 3.00 pm Friday June 25. Total of 10 points available towards winning the Reebok Challenge unless answers turned in late. If turned in later than 3.00 Friday but before answers are posted, a maximum of 5 points will be awarded. Questions turned in after answers are posted recieve no points.

Question 1 – True or False – In a scientific study from the University of Calgary, elite goalies watch the shooter’s body as the shot is being released.  (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Question 2 – Steve McKichan’s article, “Top Ten Reasons for Goaltending Success” was posted on the blog. Use that article to answer the following two questions.

2a. True or False – McKichan believes as long as you are working harder than any goalie you know, that is working hard enough? (1 Point for correct answer).

2b. True or False – According to the article, the author believe goalies need to practice on both their weaknesses and skills they have already mastered? (1 Point for correct answer)

Question 3 – Sports psychologist Adam Naylor suggests methods for goalies to control energy level. Name two methods to increase and two to decrease energy (2 Points Total for Correct Answers – 0.5 for each method)

Question 4 – Like Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi, “successful goalies constantly have to adjust to the circumstance, but, unless they have the ____________, they will fall short.” (1 Total Point for Correct Answer)

Question 5 – Anxiety is feelings of nervousness, worry and apprehension that is common in goalies. Name one reason you, as a goalie, feel anxiety during (or before) a game. According to a blog article, what two things could you do to control the anxiety? (3 points total with 1 point for reason of personal anxiety and 1 point each for anxiety controls)

Question 6 – In a post on the blog featuring Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood,  it quotes Osgood stating, “”I was always prepared and made sure I was, so, when I got the call I didn’t second guess myself” in reference to his hard work at practices while serving as the team’s back-up. Osgood went on that year to replace Dominik Hasek as the team’s starter in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and lead the team to winning the Cup (2008). In the article featuring Osgood’s quote, it states why so many goalies in the back-up role never become the team’s starting goalie. What is the reason (1 Point for Correct Answer)

ANSWERS – 2010 Reebok Challenge Questions (WEEK II)

Question 1 – In a post featured on this blog, Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas says goalies are “due for a stumble” when? As well, goalies should always be “reaching” for what? (2 Points with 1 point for each correct answer)

Link – https://elitegoaltending.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/hockeys-finest-tim-thomas/

Answer – Thomas brilliantly says goalies “are due for a stumble” when they sit back and think to themselves they have “made it.” This is regardless of level of play. Once a goalie thinks they are at the top of their game, they are ready for the fall. For success, Thomas suggests goalies always should be reaching for higher goals.

Question 2 – True or False – Whenever a goalie is practicing his movement on the ice without facing shots, it really doesn’t matter whether the gloves are positioned correctly since there is no chance of making a save? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

ANSWER – False.  As we preach on the ice, details matter. In this example, goalies should always make sure they are moving correctly while giving themselves the best chance to make a save (hence, correct glove positioning). Practicing movement with correct hand positions reinforces good habits and good habits make good goaltenders. So, for several of the goalies in the camp, pay attention to your hands while working on movement. Too many goalies have their palm facing the ice instead of in front of them. It is the little things that make a difference – from saves made to success during tryouts.

 Question 3 – In overtime of Game Six of this year’s Stanley Cup Final, Michael Leighton allows a poor goal against to give the Chicago Black Hawks the win and first Stanley Cup since 1961. What basic goaltending rule did Leighton fail to do that most likely caused the goal against? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Answer – B. Turned body from being square to the puck/shooter to facing up-ice and away from shot.

Question 4 – According to sports psychologist Saul Miller, there are three “key operating principles” for managing the mind effectively. List each and include a short description of each (6 Points with 1 Point for listing each correct principle and 1 Point for describing each)

Link – https://elitegoaltending.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/intro-to-goalie-management-101-%e2%80%93-manage-your-mind/

Answer – 

1. The mind is like a TV – always on thinking thoughts and creating images and feelings. Person has the ability to “change the channel” if they don’t like what is “on”
2. Player gets more of what they think about – great argument for staying positive!! Whatever is focused on by a person is magnified.
3. Our feelings affect our thoughts and our thoughts affect our feelings – feelings of power and strength lead to more positive thoughts which leads to more confidence and better chances of success.

2010 Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending Summer Camp/Reebok Challenge Questions (Week II)

Please read the questions below and provide answers via email (elitegoaltending@yahoo.com) before 3.00 pm Friday June 18. Total of 10 points available towards winning the Reebok Challenge unless answers turned in late. If turned in later than 3.00 Friday but before answers are posted, a maximum of 5 points will be awarded. Questions turned in after answers are posted receive no points.

Question 1 – In a post featured on this blog, Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas says goalies are “due for a stumble” when? As well, goalies should always be “reaching” for what? (2 Points with 1 point for each correct answer)

Question 2 – True or False – Whenever a goalie is practicing his movement on the ice without facing shots, it really doesn’t matter whether the gloves are positioned correctly since there is no chance of making a save? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Question 3 – In overtime of Game Six of this year’s Stanley Cup Final, Michael Leighton allows a poor goal against to give the Chicago Black Hawks the win and first Stanley Cup since 1961. What basic goaltending rule did Leighton fail to do that most likely caused the goal against? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

a. Did not use a pad stack

b. Turned body from being square to the puck/shooter to facing up-ice and away from shot.

c. Did not shuffle towards the far post since that is where Kane was shooting to

d. Did not use the butterfly save movement

Question 4 – According to sports psychologist Saul Miller, there are three “key operating principles” for managing the mind effectively. List each and include a short description of each (6 Points with 1 Point for listing each correct principle and 1 Point for describing each)

The Will to Compete, Battle, Adjust, and Win

With 90+ seconds left in Game Six of the Cup Finals with the score tied 3-3, Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi makes a save many are saying allowed the Hawks to win the Cup.

Watching it, is there any real technique he used? Not even close.

Does he appear to get a good read on the developing play to know what is about to happen? Nope. There is no evidence he even knew Jeff Carter from the Flyers (#17) had come around the net and Niemi seems a bit surprised, based on his head movement and decision on how to move with the pass, when Carter receives the puck .

So how did Niemi come up with a save leading to the Hawks winning the Cup?

It was solely his will to beat Carter be making himself as big as he could after he made a wrong decision in reaction to the pass across the top of the crease. He knew he was beat being on his stomach so he lifted his blocker from the ice to as high as he probably could get it  as he slid across the ice in the fraction of a second.

The result, make the save off his elevated shoulder and giving the Hawks the opportunity to win the game in OT.

Net Lesson: Never give up on a play regardless of what you think the outcome will be. Too many goalies quit when they knew they’re beat. Successful goalies constantly have to adjust to the circumstance, but, unless they have the will to win every battle, they will fall short. The game of hockey is all about competing – make sure every time you’re on the ice, you are there to win your battles.

ANSWERS – 2010 Reebok Challenge Questions (WEEK I)

Question 1 – Below is a viedo clip from Game One of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals where Patrick Sharp scores in the second period against Philly goalie Michael Leighton. What does Leighton do wrong that contributes to the goal against (2-Points for Correct Answer).

Answer – Leighton does two things wrong during the play. First, he is much too deep in his net. Although he is facing a 2 on 1 so he can’t be too far out in event of Sharp passing the puck, he at least needs to be at the top of the blue paint of his crease. Leighton is a big goalie at 6’3″ so he can play deeper in his net than many, but, against as good a shooter as Patrick Sharp, he needed to challenge more. Second, Leigthon drops his catch glove from the position of taking away the top corner of the net to just below his knees as he drops to the butterfly which opens up the top corner. Considering where the puck was being fired from, the glove drop was excessive and, along with the deep play, cost Leighton and the Flyers. 

Question 2 – True or False – According to Patrick Roy, it is important for goalies to always show their teammates nothing will bother them regardless of what is happening in a game. (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Answer – TRUE. Roy was very sensitive to how he was perceived by teammates and opponents and never appeared rattled so his teammates could just relax and play. This is very important for all goalies to pay attention to. Slumped shoulders, throwing hands up in the air as to give up, slamming stick against posts are all signs of disaster for teammates. Their anxiety will increase taking their focus off their job resulting in less effective play from them.

Link to Answer – https://elitegoaltending.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/the-secret-to-roys-success-all-goalies-should-adapt/

Question 3– Dan Blackburn became the starting goaltender of the New York Rangers as an 18 year-old during the 2001 season. On a blog post, he gave five reasons why it is critical for goalies to work on the mental part of their game. Of the five, list two reasons and provide a short one-sentence explanation of each you list. (4 Points for Correct Answer) 

Answer – Reasons are – Increased Consistency, Improved Focus, Increased Confidence, Coming Back from Injury, and Find the Zone.  After listing two from the list, goalies had to add sentence of explanation of each.

Link to Answer –  https://elitegoaltending.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/blackburn-on-the-mental-game/

Question 4 – The staff at Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending has identified two factors as to why many once-dominant young players (squirt, pee wee) become just average players once they reach the bantam level? Name both observations (2-Points for Correct Answer).

ANSWER- “Having seen many players (goalies and skaters) once considered very good at younger ages only to become average when it really matters (2nd year bantam through midgets), I have noticed two common factors in every case: the lack of work ethic and passion for the game.”

 Link to Answer  – https://elitegoaltending.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/the-need-for-work-ethic-and-passion/

Question 5 – When a goalie has a hard time staying focused throughout the game, sports psychologist Adam Naylor recalls, in a video posted on this blog, a “high level coach” suggesting to him the goalie should? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Answer – Naylor recalls a coach suggesting goalies struggling with focusing during a game should do a “play-by-play” as if an announcer calling the game for radio and television. From personal experience, there is no greater way to calm the mind and focus on the game.

Link to Answer  – https://elitegoaltending.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/preventing-the-slump/

2010 Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending Summer Camp/Reebok Challenge Questions (WEEK I)

Please read the questions below and provide answers via email (elitegoaltending@yahoo.com) before 3.00 pm Friday June 11. Total of 10 points available towards winning the Reebok Challenge unless answers turned in late. If turned in later than 3.00 Friday but before answers are posted, a maximum of 5 points will be awarded. Questions turned in after answers are posted recieve no points.

Question 1 – Below is a viedo clip from Game One of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals where Patrick Sharp scores in the second period against Philly goalie Michael Leighton. What does Leighton do wrong that contributes to the goal against (2-Points for Correct Answer).

Question 2 – True of False – According to Patrick Roy, it is important for goalies to always show their teammates nothing will bother them regardless of what is happening in a game. (1 Point for Correct Answer)

Question 3– Dan Blackburn became the starting goaltender of the New York Rangers as an 18 year-old during the 2001 season. On a blog post, he gave five reasons why it is critical for goalies to work on the mental part of their game. Of the five, list two reasons and provide a short one-sentence explanation of each you list. (4 Points for Correct Answer) 

Question 4 – The staff at Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending has identified two factors as to why many once-dominant young players (squirt, pee wee) become just average players once they reach the bantam level? Name both observations (2-Points for Correct Answer).

Question 5 – When a goalie has a hard time staying focused throughout the game, sports psychologist Adam Naylor recalls, in a video posted on this blog, a “high level coach” suggesting to him the goalie should? (1 Point for Correct Answer)

2010 Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending Summer Camp Information

Hello Goalies and Goalie Parents,

It has been a while since details of the 2010 Summer Camp were announced and the first session is quickly approaching so we are sending this information so everyone is informed and no one misses anything.

Dates and Times of the Camp

The camp sessions are Friday evenings beginning June 4^th and ending July 30th. There will be no session July 2^nd in observation of Independence Day.

The first ice session begins promptly at 4.05 pm and the second at 5.35 pm. Each on-ice session is 90 minutes long and there will not be an ice-make in-between sessions. Details of off-ice sessions are listed below in Section V.

Camp Location

All camp sessions will be held at the Ice Ranch. Address is 841 South Park Drive in Littleton. Ice Ranch phone number is 303.285.2110.

Goalie Groups

There are two groups for the camp, each based on combination of birth year and experience. They are split evenly based on camp attendees.

The Fleury Group – Designed for younger and/or lesser experienced goalies            

The Miller Group – Designed for more experienced and/or older goalies.

Group Information/Sessions

Each week The Fleury Group begins working on-ice while The Miller Group begins with off-ice training.

Attendance

With a 8-week camp, we expect several goalies to miss at least one session. Please email us (elitegoaltending@yahoo.com) before the camp begins with date(s) you will be missing so the staff can plan sessions accordingly.

Final Payment

To reserve a slot in the camp, a deposit was required in the amount of $300.00. The remaining balance ($275.00) is due before your goalie begins their first on-, or off-ice, session. We are sorry but there are no exceptions.

Balances can be submitted when goalie checks-in on July 4th. If a goalie is going to miss the first week, please notify us by email at elitegoaltending@yahoo.com and we will make arrangements.

Checks are to be made out to Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending.

Jerseys and Off-Ice Apparel

Each goalie will be provided a camp jersey to wear throughout all ice sessions of the entire camp. The jerseys, which are all goalie cut, were ordered through a custom manufacturer and had to be pre-ordered in the early spring.  Jerseys will be distributed during check-in and since sizes were estimated at time of order there may be cases where jerseys are not actual size goalie would normally order.

For off-ice training, please make sure to bring attire and shoes appropriate for working out. Any goalie without appropriate shoes will not be able to participate in the workouts and will have points deducted from the Reebok Challenge.

Goalies are responsible to bring their water to the off-ice training portion of the camp.

Off-Ice Training Information

Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending formed a partnership with Casey Bond and Paul Goldberg for all of our goalie-specific off-ice workouts. We are very pleased to offer our goalies the opportunity to learn from the Strength and Conditioning Coaches of the Colorado Avalanche.

Each off-ice session will last approximately 60 minutes and will concentrate solely on developing areas that will enhance each goalie’s on-ice performance.

Most off-ice sessions will take place outside so please make sure to bring something to drink.

Sessions begin at 4.15 (The Miller Group) and 6.05 for The Fleury Group.

Reebok Challenge

Each goalie will participate in the Reebok Challenge as part of the camp. As before, each week there will be an on-ice drill as well as goalie-specific homework questions to earn points.

On-ice points are awarded two ways. First, goalie will be awarded points based on how successful they execute the drill. In addition, each goalie will be paired-up with goalie of similar skill. Whoever scores better throughout the drill will be awarded bonus points. Our aim is to rotate the goalie tandems so goalies only compete against each other once.

Homework answers can, primarily, be found on our blog in the numerous articles. Blog address is www.elitegoaltending.wordpress.com.

 The top three goalies in points for each group will earn new Reebok goalie gear. The top three prizes are

The Fleury Group

First Place – Revoke 7000 Goalie Pads

Second Place – Revoke 7000 Catcher and Blocker Set

Third Place – Premier 7k Goalie Stick

The Miller Group

First Place – Revoke 9000 Goalie Pads

Second Place – Revoke 9000 Glove and Blocker Set

Third Place – Premier 7k Goalie Stick

Point System is as follows-

Point Accumulations

On-Ice Session Drill – Up to 10 Points

On-Ice Bonus Points – Up to 2 Points (if tie score, bonus points are split)

Off-Ice Homework/Questions – Up to 10 Points

Attendance – 2 points each week attended

Point Deductions  

Late to On-/Off-Ice Sessions        1 point

To prevent problems with delivery (i.e. email spam filters, incorrect addresses), weekly posted on our blog.

Weekly Reebok Challenge Questions will be posted on the blog each week by Sunday evening. To submit answers please click on our email link (listed with the questions) and send the email when answering is completed. All goalies must submit their answers by 2.00 pm Friday to earn up to 10 points. If any questions are submitted later, the highest possible point total for the week is 5. No points are awarded after answers to questions are posted on the blog which, typically, will be the following Sunday evening after the session.

For winners in each group, all winners will receive Reebok gear. Under no circumstances will any substitutions from other goalie gear manufacturers be allowed. If a winning goalie does not need the actual gear he earned, a substitution from within the Reebok line will be allowed of the same value.

Please note, Kevin’s son, Dillon, will be participating in the camp and Reebok Challenge but will not be eligible to win any of the prizes if he were to finish in the top three in his group. He is not aware of this and Coach Whalen prefers it stays that way…

Goalie’s Behavior/The Ice Ranch

Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending is very pleased to offer our camp at The Ice Ranch and believe the facilities will be a perfect fit for our camp. Although we do not expect any problems, we do require all goalies treat the facility and its staff with full respect – particularly the locker rooms. If any goalie(s) is found to abuse the facility/staff in any manner, they will be sent home immediately and may be excused from the remainder of the camp. If excused, there will be no refunds issued by Rocky Mountain Elite Goaltending and goalie will be held liable for any property damages to the rink.

Locker Room Assignments

Each group will be assigned two locker rooms and we request goalies use one of the two locker rooms assigned to their specific group.

Elite Goaltending Blog

All camp announcements, Rbk Challenge Questions and Weekly Recaps will be posted on our blog (www.elitegoaltending.wordpress.com).  The majority of the homework questions will be based on content from the blog entries.

Contact Information

Please feel free to contact either Brian or Kevin with any questions throughout the camp. Please note, we will not discuss Rbk Challenge results.

 Kevin Whalen – 720.207.8081

Brian TenEyck – 303.717.4329

Thank you – we look forward to working with each goalie this summer.