Welcome Fellow Goaltender, Coach, Parent or Hockey Enthusiast,
It is important to understand my philosophies, beliefs and the personal goals I have for myself and those who choose to work with me.
As, founder of Goalie Genius Consulting and Puckstoppers Goaltending School and Services I am very passionate about goaltending and the sport of hockey, have been my entire life.
I have been professionally coaching and teaching the art of goaltending as well as consulting with coaches, teams and leagues, since 1988. Hockey and goaltending specifically, has afforded me some incredible opportunities I am very thankful for.
It is important to understand my philosophies, beliefs and the personal goals I have for myself and those who choose to work with me.
My intent is to teach every goaltender the essential core skills while developing an understanding of their spatial environment and how to incorporate maximum net coverage, while minimizing movement to become as efficient as possible, expending minimal energy, while working to develop a style that suits the individual goaltenders abilities and strengths.
The final piece of the formula for successful growth and development (in anything you choose to do) is building self esteem and confidence. These often overlooked key components must be utilized to unlock the students full potential.
My goal for every student is simple: I want my clients and/or students to develop and maintain a solid work ethic and continually strive for improvement every time they are on the ice. This is always my first priority. I demand effort and commitment from my clients in both in hockey and business.
If we can develop and ingrain this way of thinking into the students mindset, the accolades and advancements will come and they will progress accordingly. The result is increased enjoyment of the game and the manifestation of advancement opportunities. 
In hockey I define this by telling students “If you work hard, you get better, you play better, you enjoy the game more”. It really is that simple. This is a lesson all parents and coaches need to understand as well.
This overall approach allows me to garner the most from any goaltender who is willing to listen, work hard and learn.
My belief is that we never stop learning and I have always worked hard to continue my own education and personal growth. While I have extensive knowledge and experience in the goaltending & hockey world, I am also certified by The Coaches Training Institute, having received MC & ACTP Accreditation from the ICF, in addition to regular engagements for Consulting/Coaching in the business world.
Wayne Gretzky, once said to me. “when it’s not fun anymore, it’s time to quit”. So when the greatest of all time understands that it still has to be fun, every player and coach in the game should take notice.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with goaltenders throughout the world from various levels of professional hockey in 4 countries, through to the NHL as well as literally thousands of minor hockey goalies.
From Finland to South Carolina to Mexico to London, Ontario. I have worked with and had the opportunity to meet and discuss hockey with Gretzky, Hasek, Orr, Cherry, Belfour, Roy, Fuhr and many others. This has allowed me to gain valuable insight into the greatest minds that have ever played the game.
Working on ice with players such as 7 time Stanley Cup Champion Bryan Trottier and former NHL player Alain Lemieux who had a 17 year pro career as a player and coach, with obvious ties to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, has allowed me to understand the mindset of a professional player and overall team operations. 
Being invited to Finland by the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation to work with goalies throughout the country, presenting several ‘mini’ camps with the countries budding star goaltenders, was a great honour, but also gave me insight into the world’s most advanced goaltending system. One that has produced more top NHL goaltenders than any other program (per capita) in recent years.
In 1996 I approached Hockey Canada about creating a national goaltending program (similar to the one in Finland) that would standardize goaltending development to give a consistent message while providing proper and essential instruction to developing goaltenders and minor hockey coaches.
The goal was to give every goaltender and coach in Canada a proven foundation of core essential skills that could then be utilized to develop standardized and proven techniques to produce superior goaltenders. Coaches would learn the research and statistical data that supported the skill-set and abilities required to ‘build’ a better goaltender.
Unfortunately this recommendation was ignored until just recently. Hockey Canada has finally realized this is the best solution to the deteriorating state of goaltending skills in Canada and is finally attempting to introduce this type of system.
I was fortunate to be involved with the Finnish program shortly after its inception, it is now recognized throughout the hockey world as the model program for goaltending development
My approach to goaltender development is based on what I saw and experienced while in Finland combined with the wealth of experience I have compiled over nearly 3 decades. I learned much from the Finnish research and proven system, yet goaltending has many varied styles and I understand that each goaltender has specific strengths and weakness that must be considered, however, there is only one set of essential core skills that must be taught and adhered to.
There are a lot of coaches and schools out there who make false promises or entice students with the promise of becoming professionals, this is not a fair motivator for a student in the early stages of development. I certainly encourage everyone to strive for the pinnacle of their sport or career, but playing for the purpose of becoming a pro is not logical and contradictory to enjoyment of the game itself.
I firmly believe the number one goal is to become the best you can be at whatever you choose, but using your own skills and abilities while understanding what works best for you, but also understanding why it works best for you. There are far too many coaches who TELL students what to do without explaining the reasons they are being asked to change. 
If the student fully understands the true reasons they are being asked to change and develop in a certain way, they will appreciate and become much more receptive to the teachings. Phycologically human beings are much more inclined to ‘buy in' and strive to correct deficiencies when they understand the benefits and reasons for the change. Providing the 'why' is also vitial in developing a relationship built on trust and respect.
The role of the coach/consultant/instructor is to develop the core essential skills and ensure the goaltenders reactions are based on the unconscious ability to cognitively and instinctively recall these techniques.
Next, help the goaltender understand their own strengths, develop a style best suited to their skills and abilities, while continually building the knowledge base and honing the essential skills, all while developing confidence and self esteem.
Te result of this simple formula: Play better, enjoy the game more, continued desire to strive for improvement, stay in the game, advance.
Goaltenders must become students of the game and the position itself. Learning the core essential skills and developing their own style based on individual strengths and weakness’.
One of the most frustrating things I see is when coaches attempt to teach a goaltender to play a specific style or develop habits based on the coaches beliefs, thought processes and skills, not those of actual goaltender and his/her limitations, skill-set or abilities. This is incorrect! After the core essential skills are in place, the goaltenders individual style is developed through years of expereinces and effective coaching. 'Style' is then developed and created based on each individuals abilities, tendencies, preferances and skill-set.
After developing the core essential skills, the goaltenders ‘style’ will become unique and tailored to their ability and skill.
Have fun, enjoy the game and the role you play in it, but learn to work hard and learn the mindset that will push you to improve. Give yourself and your team the best opportunity to have more fun and advance further by being your best.
Do not settle for good enough!
Sincerely,
Chris Dyson
Founder
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