The most critical player on any hockey team is the goaltender. Not only is it impossible to play without one, the role goalies play on each team make them a vital piece of the team’s culture, confidence and success. Yet, unlike playing quarterback in football or being a pitcher in baseball, kids at the youngest levels of hockey (and their parents) aren’t always lined up waiting for their chance to play goalie.

That may change with the introduction of the new QuickChange goalie gear.

Two of the main challenges in getting players to try being a goalie are directly related to the equipment they wear. First off, there is the cost of attaining the unique set of gear goalies need before players have even tried it, and even if the local association has equipment to use, putting all of the equipment on and wearing it for an entire practice can be intimidating.

QuickChange goalie gear, which was developed by Total Hockey in cooperation with USA Hockey, is designed to eliminate each of those barriers and make playing goalie for the first time easier and more enjoyable. The 24-inch leg pads include an extra-wide knee channel to accommodate standard shin guards while the jersey/chest protector features an extra-wide neck opening with a Velcro strap to be easily slipped over a player’s helmet. These features allow 8U skaters to become goaltenders in 60 seconds. In the matter of one practice, every player on a team can give the goaltending position a try.

To ensure every association in Minnesota has the opportunity to utilize this innovative set of gear, the Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors approved the purchase 300 sets of QuickChange goalie gear. Each of Minnesota Hockey’s 145 community-based associations will receive two sets of the gear.

“We applaud Minnesota Hockey’s huge step toward promoting more participation at the goaltender position by purchasing this QuickChange gear for its associations,” said USA Hockey American Development Model Manager, Goaltending, Phil Osaer. “More kids will be given the opportunity to try the position without their parents needing to make the commitment to purchase gear until much further down the line.”

In addition to the QuickChange goalie gear, Minnesota Hockey named Edina native Steve Carroll was named Minnesota’s first-ever Goaltending Development Coordinator on April 7. Carroll has served for twelve years as the director of Minnesota Hockey’s top goaltending camp. In this new role, Carroll will be tasked with developing grassroots programs such as Try Goalie Days and goaltending clinics that will assist associations in increasing goalie numbers and enhancing their skill development.

“This is a very exciting step taken by Minnesota Hockey,” said Carroll. “I fully expect more boys and girls in Minnesota to fall in love with goaltending, which will only benefit all aspects of the sport in our state.”