As the great Jacques Plante once said, “How would you like a job where when you made a mistake a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”
Judging from the popularity of the position at the grass-roots level, kids of all ages are lining up for a chance to stand in the way of flying rubber. Whether it’s the cool equipment or the thought of being a team’s last line of defense, more top athletes are drawn to standing between the pipes. And who can blame them?
Perhaps no position in any team sport has more of a direct impact on the final outcome of a game or a season than a goaltender. It is also one of the most scrutinized. Even though hockey is the ultimate team game, a goalie tends to receive the lion’s share of the blame when a goal is scored.
While equipment and techniques have changed over the years, the basic premise behind the position is still the same as it was when Frank Brimsek and Jack McCartan patrolled the crease. Stop the puck.