The Gold in the Net goaltending school came back to Yorkton for the fourth time last week.Instructors said during the final day that it is one of the best goaltending schools available throughout the world.
Current New York Ranger goaltender Henrik Lundquist has part ownership in the company in his homeland of Sweden.
The group is franchised right across Canada, says Wayne Veasey, owner of Gold in the Net.The group's Canadian office is based out of British Columbia and came to Yorkton mostly because of the facility offered at the Gallagher Centre.
"Every year, it's awesome. We really look forward to coming back here," he says.
"It's gone really smooth," offers Ben Witmer, an instructor at the camp.
"We gradually get to know the kids and their individual needs."
There were 7-8 goaltenders participating in the camp from Yorkton and everybody was placed into rankings going from regular to intermediate to advanced.
The camp builds up throughout the week too, says Witmer, meaning they progress to different skills as the week goes on.
He said it's hard to keep everything the same all the time because of the way the game has changed.He said they've been starting with the most basic concepts, such as keeping square to the shooter, keeping the stick on the ice and always moving towards the puck in order to challenge it.
"Even a Junior goalie develops bad habits," Witmer suggests.
"It's something that just keeps coming up."
Witmer says he's been with Gold in the Nets for 10 years, having spent time as both a student and instructor. Veasey said there is normally quite a bit of talented kids that come to the school, but also noted that they do not always start out that way.
"They may not be the most talented at first, but they have the desire, definitely!"
He also made the interesting point that not all twentysomethings will hear their name called on draft day. The Gold in the Net school also tries to train kids to play whichever style of goaltending they feel most comfortable with.
Usually it's the butterfly style, says Veasey, but not always.
