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USA Hockey Today

01/25/2016, 11:30am MST
By Brenna Payne

With the creation of the American Development Model manager of youth goaltending programs position, USA Hockey is taking its netminding education to a whole new level. Phil Osaer accepted the position late last year, bringing with him a track record that includes 12 years as a professional goalie, along with coaching roles in the USHL and NCAA.

“When I began in September, I headed out on the road to get a lay of the land as far as youth goaltending. I was surprised to find out that there were a number of places that simply have a goalie shortage,” said Osaer about his first month on the job.

After studying renowned European goaltending incubators like Sweden and Finland, Osaer started implementing a USA Hockey plan to encourage more kids to try goaltending. Read more about that here and here. Additionally, he began educating youth coaches on terminology and correct positioning to help create a nationwide best-practice standard.

“It’s important that there is a consistent message nationwide among coaches, in regards to goaltending,” said Osaer.

To that end, he plans to further enhance goaltender education in conjunction with the current USA Hockey Coaches Education Program.

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