MTN Goaltending Profile and Philosophy

Profile

Mind The Net Goaltending was founded in the spring of 2004, by Travis Harrington and Ian Robertson, with the idea of providing elite goalies from Saskatchewan a goalie school that would meet their needs, within Saskatchewan. The main goal of MTN Goaltending is to help develop the elite goaltending talent to raise the profile of Saskatchewan goalies. You will not find a goalie school in Canada that operates the way we do. We have placed a huge focus on providing the most comprehensive and personalized goalie school experience possible. With our Top Prospects program, catering to established Midget “AAA” goalies up to college and pro ranks, we only accept six goalies per camp. Coupled with our usual 2:1 goalie to instructor ratio you will be hard pressed to find a more personalized experience. This personalized experience is why over 83% of all Top Prospects students, that have gone through our program, have made at least one significant jump in level of elite hockey, not to mention how many went on to career years.

The name, Mind The Net, is also an indication of the emphasis we place on the mental training and preparation aspects that come with being an elite goalie. We cover topics ranging from visualization and self-talk to game/team tactics to the expectations and what it takes to be an elite goalie. At each camp, our students receive the MTN Goaltending Guide which is updated yearly with 5-10 new articles on a wide array of topics; this year’s edition is 248 pages long. The last thing that MTN uses regularly, that other schools do not use in a similar way, is a video analysis to show the goalie’s how they look according to the puck’s perspective as opposed to what the shooter sees. Since we are deeply principled in our stubbornness to only take six goalies, in a Top Prospects Camp you will not see many other elite level goalies schools that offer that kind of an experience.

Aside from the work with Saskatchewan’s elite goalies we also have helped to develop the province’s goaltending at the grassroots level. We have been traveling around to various minor hockey associations throughout Saskatchewan where we put on weekend goalie clinics. The weekend clinics are designed to help the goalies, their parents and the minor hockey coaches as well. Over the last seven years we have completed over 60 clinics to rave reviews.

It is because of our reputation throughout Saskatchewan with the elite goalies, who are generating a lot of success, and our work with minor hockey associations that we are moving into our second year as the official goaltending consultants for the Saskatchewan Hockey Association. Despite only being in operation for seven years we have seen some incredible successes. It is through a solid instructional foundation and through sticking to our values and principals that MTN Goaltending will be an increasing success for the years to come.

Philosophy

MTN looks at all aspects of the goaltending position. Helping to build the appropriate tools, that when combined with the goaltenders unique physical and mental characteristics, will go towards establishing the goaltender’s very own style of play. There are philosophies of play that can be integrated into all styles. However while resources can help guide a style of play it is up to the goaltender to incorporate these philosophies into their own style. For this reason MTN believes that goaltenders must be self-motivated/developers.

The goaltender must first and foremost have fun! Becoming a better goaltender has many trials and tribulations and it is easier to work hard and improve if the goaltender enjoys what they are doing. If the goaltender does not relish and enjoy the challenge that the position can present, then it is very unlikely that they will have the drive and determination to improve.

As the goaltender's skills improve and they move up the hockey ladder they must learn to not only master the physical skills required but the mental ones as well. Too often the goaltender does not know of the little things that can help them achieve success and chase their dreams. The Top Prospects program will focus on aspects that will help the goaltender move onward and upward, not only in their hockey skills but in their life skills as well.
MTN has experienced the misunderstandings that coaches and parents have about the goaltending position. It is these misunderstandings that constantly challenge the goaltender to question themselves as to if what they are doing is right. Very seldom does the goaltender have a knowledgeable support system that they can turn to during the hockey season. For this reason MTN will encourage parent and coach participation, both on ice and off, at their weekend minor hockey camps.

MTN confidently feels that they will expose the goaltender to physical and mental skills that can be used to prepare them for success in their primary job in hockey, “ KEEPING THE PUCK OUT OF THE NET!”

Accolades (as of the fall of 2011)
(In only seven years with 44 Top Prospects and 32 Midget "AAA" Prep students)

Mind The Net Goaltending has coached:

Midget “AAA”:

• Two Telus Cup Champions
• Two SMAAAHL champions
• Two SMAAAHL League Finalist
• One Telus Cup Top Goaltender Award
• One Canada Winter Games Goaltender (Team Saskatchewan)
• One Bronze Medallist for Team Western at U17 World Hockey Championships.
• One SMAAAHL Top Goaltender Award Winner
• Six SMAAAHL league All-stars
• 14 Goaltenders rank within Top Five for Wins, GAA, SP% over the last seven years.

- Three goalies in the last five years have won the $1500 Mac’s Tournament Scholarship.

Female "AAA":

• One SFMAAAHL League MVP
• Two of the Top Female “AAA” Goalies in Saskatchewan,
  
  • Two members of U18 Women’s Team Saskatchewan

Junior “B” PJHL:
- One PJHL Champion, two time finalist, Goalie of the Year, First and second Team All-stars.
- One PJHL All-star (2010)

Junior “A”:

• One SIJHL League Champion and two Time All-star
• One Dudley Hewitt Cup Finalist
• One, two–time SJHL League Champion
• One BCHL League Championship Finalist (second in all major categories)
• Two BCHL All-stars (Last year one was second in league for wins, top five in GAA, SP%)
• One MJHL All-rookie Team Selection
• Five SJHL Player of the Week Awards
• One SJHL League Champion
• Two SJHL League Finalists
• In 2010 one USHL goaltender led the league in Saves, Games Played and was second in Minutes Played
• One 2010 Anavet Cup and Royal Bank Cup participant
• One 2011 Anavet Cup participant
• One MJHL League Finalist

NCAA/CIS/ACAC:

• One student who has completed four years eligibility. Holds several records for RMC Paladins, including career wins(went on to short stint in the SPHL).
• One NCAA Scholarship to the University of North Dakota (now transferred to NAIT)
• One student who has completed freshman year from Niagara University (CHA)

Professional:
- One student with a brief career in the Central Hockey League and the Southern Professional Hockey League

I am looking forward to this new Partnership with MTN as your articles, tips and information is always a huge help and very clear and eay to understand and digest.

Your articles have definatley been a big plus point in my progress.

Thanks for all your input, its very much apprecaited and looking forward to more.

Scottish