50 of the state’s top 15-to-18-year-old goalies participated in the sixth annual Minnesota Hockey Reebok High Performance Dave Peterson Advanced Goalie Camp, held July 29-Aug. 1 at the Schwan SuperRink/National Sports Center in Blaine.

“The goalies worked extremely hard at improving their skills,” explained Steve Carroll, USA Hockey’s Minnesota District goalie coach-in-chief who served as director of the camp. “They
did an excellent job of listening to the coaches and trying new movements and techniques. The goalies made the most of the challenging and demanding development opportunity and we could see noticeable improvements by Sunday.”

Goalies were invited to participate based on their performance in the USA Hockey/Minnesota Hockey’s Spring Advanced Festivals. There were 25 boys and 25 girls at the camp.

“Everyone was getting better, the drills were awesome, you learned new techniques, you learned new movements, you learned new save selections, it’s a really competitive group of guys,” said Jack Kenney, who will be a junior at Breck. “You got really tired by the end of camp, but everyone was still working hard. It’s awesome and it’s really, really fun.”

More than 250 goalies have participated in this Minnesota Hockey program since it started in 2005. The camp is designed to provide the goalies in this age group with the foundation of fundamental skills and advanced techniques so they can continue to achieve success in high school hockey and perhaps at the next level.

“On-ice was great, six different stations with six different coaches,” said Charlie Lindgren who will be a junior at Lakeville North. “They worked you hard, they worked on your movement, and it’s a really good camp. It’s a blast and a good experience, I have been here for two years and I’ve loved it.”

Breck senior-to-be Ahsha Payne agreed.  “It was a lot of fun, you got to meet a whole bunch of new people. I know I got better because I have a lot of new tools in my tool box that I can use and learn to perfect.”

Another unique aspect of this camp is the talented coaching staff. Throughout the weekend,
17 of Minnesota’s best college and high school goalie coaches shared their knowledge and expertise with the goalies.

The coaching staff featured: Steve Carroll, Steve Debus, Steve Guider, Steve Houge, Justin Johnson, Doug Long, Toni Menth, Mike Moline, Tom Peart, Jeff Polski, Bob Rajanen, Ed Roethke, Dave Rogalski, Pete Samargia, Brent Solei, Jim Van Dusartz, Nate Ziemski.

“There are so many different coaches and they teach so many different things and if you got a questions you got answers right away,” explained Amanda Koep, who will be a junior at North Wright County. “I absolutely love it.”

The on-ice demonstrators/counselors included four Minnesota college goalies:

Alyssa Grogan, Eagan, University of Minnesota; Lauren Joarnt, White Bear Lake, Harvard University; Jake Kremer, Eden Prairie, University of Minnesota; Justin Lochner, Sauk Rapids, Augsburg College.

“The counselors were awesome and served as tremendous role models and leaders,” said Carroll. “They demonstrated the various on-ice drills and were very good about interacting with the participants.”

Off-ice presentations include an equipment seminar, goalie yoga, dryland training, nutrition, mental sports performance, video analysis and post-high school hockey options.

Players from Bemidji State University, Gustavus Adolphus College, Blaine, Buffalo, Eagan, Elk River high schools worked at the camp as shooters.

ABOUT DAVE PETERSON 

Minneapolis native Dave Peterson was an international hockey coaching legend who passed away in 1997. He was head coach of two U.S. Olympic teams (1988 and 1992). He also served as head coach of three U.S. National teams and two U.S. Junior National Teams. In addition to his international coaching experience, Dave was a long-time head hockey coach at Minneapolis Southwest High School and led his team to 1970 State Championship.

Peterson also was a passionate leader in goalie development not only in Minnesota, but also throughout the U.S. USA Hockey is still using many of his goalie development ideas and concepts today                                            

Minnesota Hockey is honored his family has allowed the organization to add his name in support of this exciting goalie development program.