This free registration helps MYH stay connected with our goalies and families throughout the season.

We'll use this group to share goalie-specific practice sessions, development opportunities, communication, and occasional resources.

There is no cost or commitment associated with joining the group. Please register your goalie so we can make sure they're included.

Why is MYH changing its approach to goaltending?

We want more kids to discover the position, more young goalies to receive quality development, and every goalie to have a positive path as they grow. Our approach is designed to build well-rounded athleticism, a stronger goalie pipeline, and provide increasingly focused development as players get older.

Why does MYH want multiple kids playing goalie at 8U and 10U?

Because we can't build future goalies unless kids get opportunities to try. Sharing the position gives more players meaningful experiences in net, keeps our goalie pipeline healthy, and avoids asking young athletes to make a long-term positional decision too early. Goalie is also potentially the most important position on the ice; we can't let the first family to invest in goalie gear dictate a cohort's goalie development planning.

My child loves goalie. Why can’t they just play goalie full-time at 8U or 10U?

Great—we want kids who love the position, and we'll work hard to give them excellent goalie development! At 8U & 10U, though, we're still developing complete hockey players. Skating out helps young goalies become better athletes, skaters, and students of the game while allowing other kids to discover the position. There will be plenty of time for greater specialization as they get older. Every full-time 8U or 10U goalie is an opportunity closed off to other athletes.

What if my 10U player already considers themselves a “goalie”?

We’ll treat that enthusiasm seriously and provide meaningful opportunities in net. But being especially interested in goalie doesn’t mean a player needs to specialize exclusively at 9 or 10 years old. Our goal is to build well-rounded athletes and develop interest in goaltending without closing doors—for that player or for others who may discover the position.

Will sharing the net hurt my child's goalie development?

We don't believe so. At younger ages, goalie development includes much more than simply accumulating games in net. Skating ability, athleticism, movement, puck skills, hockey sense, confidence, and quality coaching all matter. We want to develop those qualities alongside goalie-specific skills.

How will MYH decide who plays goalie at 8U & 10U?

In 8U, all players will "pass the bag" of goalie gear during the season. In 10U, goalie interest and development will be considered throughout the season rather than determined by one assessment or early decision. Coaches and MYH's goalie development staff will work together to provide appropriate opportunities while considering players' interests, readiness, development, and the team's needs.

Will 10U goalies be assessed as goalies or skaters?

Second-year Squirts may choose to be assessed as both to provide the club with more information. Both matter. Because 10U players are still developing as complete hockey players and are not yet being placed on a full-time goalie track, their overall skating and hockey development remains important. Goalie observations can help us understand development and plan opportunities, but we don't want a single goalie assessment to determine who gets access to the position.

When does MYH begin supporting greater goalie specialization?

The progression is intentional: 8U is about discovery; 10U is about exploration, a good number of goalies, and well-rounded development; 12U introduces greater commitment and specialization, and 14U provides increasingly position-specific development. Players don't all develop on exactly the same timeline, but our structure becomes progressively more goalie-focused as they get older.

Why does a 12U team need two goalies? Wouldn't one goalie develop faster by playing every game?

More games don't automatically mean better development. Two goalies provide appropriate rest, healthy competition, practice partners, and opportunities for both players to develop without placing an entire team's season on one young athlete. Quality practices, goalie-specific training, and purposeful game opportunities matter more than simply maximizing starts.

Does having two goalies mean every game must be divided exactly 50/50?

Our coaches will work to ensure all goalies receive similar opportunities. Our goal is equitable development over time, though that may not equate to identical experiences every weekend. Coaches should provide both goalies with similarly meaningful opportunities while considering development, workload, scheduling, tournaments, and other circumstances.

What if one goalie is clearly stronger than the other?

Youth hockey isn't only about maximizing today's chance of winning. Coaches should compete while continuing to develop both goalies. Differences in ability may influence individual situations, but they shouldn't cause one young goalie to stop receiving meaningful development opportunities.

What if my goalie wants more games?

Wanting the net is a good thing! Competitiveness and enthusiasm are qualities we want to encourage. At the same time, MYH's responsibility is to develop all of our players and goalies over the long term. More isn't always better, and game volume is only one part of goalie development.

My child's team's coaches aren't goalie experts. How will they teach goalies?

We don't expect every volunteer coach to become a goaltending specialist. MYH will provide coaches with simple resources, practice guidance, and support from our goalie development group so they can confidently include goalie development in every practice.

Will goalies receive training outside normal team practices?

That's our goal. MYH is building goalie-specific development opportunities while also helping team coaches better develop goalies during regular practices. We don't want goalie development to happen only during occasional specialized sessions—it should be part of the normal hockey environment.

What should families focus on instead of starts, saves, or goals allowed?

Look for progress: better skating and movement, improved positioning, competitiveness, puck tracking, recovery after goals, communication, confidence, and enjoyment of the position. Goaltending development isn't linear, and statistics at these ages rarely tell the whole story.

What is MYH ultimately trying to accomplish?

We want kids to discover goaltending, fall in love with the position, receive excellent development, and have a clear pathway to keep growing. A successful goalie program isn't just one that produces a great goalie—it consistently creates opportunities for the next group of kids to become goalies, too.