One of the best parts of being a goalie coach is watching goalies grow, not just on the ice, but through the challenges they face along the way.
This past season with the Lorne Park U11A team, Ari had to overcome a major setback. After a freak accident at school, he suffered a concussion that kept him from playing games for about four to five weeks. Missing that much time in the middle of the season is never easy, especially for a young goalie who is building confidence and finding his rhythm.
What impressed me the most was the commitment from everyone around Ari. His parents, the coaches, and the entire Lorne Park team made sure he had every opportunity to get back safely. They arranged extra ice time specifically for Ari so he could ease his way back into the game instead of being rushed.
Once Ari was cleared to get back on the ice, we kept things simple. Since he was not cleared to face pucks yet, we focused on skating, edge work, movement, and rebuilding his comfort in the crease.
When he was finally cleared to face shots, it was another learning process. After a concussion, it is natural to be hesitant, and rebuilding the confidence to attack pucks instead of fearing them takes time. Ari trusted the process, and each session you could see his confidence continue to grow.
