Picking up where I left off

Stop thinking about it, first off. Focus your mind on the puck. Don't worry about anything else. Don't even worry about stopping, that will come naturally. Just focus on the puck, never it let it out of your site, and focus on keeping it square to your chest. Self doubt it the goalies worse enemy.

First, where do you play where you can be traded? Sounds interesting.

Second, what was the problem with your chesty? Was it your fault, the fault of the chesty, or what? Fix the problem, get out to some skates to regain your confidence, and you'll be fine. Gotta get over it and get back in front of the puck and be confident in your gear. If you aren't, get new gear.

Just enjoy playing the game. I recently began practicing with my team again after recovering from knee surgery, and I find myself enjoying it more than ever, and playing better (besides being a little out of shape) too. Just work hard, and enjoy being healthy!

Originally Posted by synesthete

First, where do you play where you can be traded? Sounds interesting.

Second, what was the problem with your chesty? Was it your fault, the fault of the chesty, or what? Fix the problem, get out to some skates to regain your confidence, and you'll be fine. Gotta get over it and get back in front of the puck and be confident in your gear. If you aren't, get new gear.

By trading I meant he would kick me off the team and would replace me with the other goalie, and it was the fault of my chesty, It was sliding around and the back straps came loose and it exposed my neck and shoulder area

Try not to let rumors or any thing unrelated to stopping the next shot into your head. Easier said than done but try real hard to concentrate on your job. You cant control anything else and focusing on the off-ice BS is only going to distract you more and more.

As to getting back to where you were before you got hurt, you're a little puck shy right now. Nothing wrong with that; doesnt mean you've lost your nerve. It only means, like you said, you need to get your confidence in your body and yourself back. We all go through that. Anyone who denies it, hasnt played very long or has been blessed to not get busted up. When it happened to me, here's what I did. Before or after practice, I would ask my teammates to rapid fire drill me starting out at the blue line and moving the firing line down to just inside the top of the rings. For me, as I survived the drills, my confidence in my body and my ability would gradually return.

Hang in there.

Kind of sounds like a bunch of d*nks if they want to kick you off the team because of a few bad games. I dont know where or what level you play at, but im thinking you will probably have more fun on another team. Thats what its all about anyway!