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Today's goalies can thank equipment advancement

March 28, 2009 11:21 AM | Posted by   Kelly Hrudey  

Hockey Canada does a wonderful job in so many areas, but one in particular stands out to me is its Hockey Academy program.

This program helps incorporate the great game directly into many schools across our country with a focus on skill development. Occasionally, Hockey Canada will ask me to help out a little and I always jump at the opportunity.

This past week I was in Okotoks, Alta., speaking to the kids and parents that are currently involved with the program which is run by Chad Barton within the Foothills School Division.

We had a question and answer with all in attendance and we of course talked a lot about netminding and some of the similarities from when I played and also some of the changes that have taken place since my retirement.

On the topic of today’s goaltender, we discussed the transition from the so-called “stand-up goalie” to today’s version that makes many saves from their knees.

The question was posed, why didn’t my era adapt to this style more quickly?

The biggest reason certainly was the fact the equipment protecting us just wasn’t as effective as the gear worn by today’s goalies.

The conversation reminded me of one I had many years ago outside the dressing room in Billings, Mont., where my Medicine Hat Tigers visited for a game.

After we played, I was introduced to a popular NHL figure by the name of Rudy Pilous (he won a Stanley Cup as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1961). In the course of the discussion he said that there were parts of my game he really liked, but one concern he had was that from time to time I looked scared of the puck.

I replied, “Yeah, it hurts.”

Rudy was scouting at that time and meant no disrespect. He was just wondering why I might be afraid on occasion.

Back then, we were often injured by the puck and although the equipment was the best at that time, it only protected us to a certain degree.

It’s hard to imagine, but during the course of my NHL career there were times during games and practices that my toes were so sore that every little shot to the skate was excruciating.

For that reason, it wasn’t uncommon for me in practice to actually lift my foot off the ice and allow the puck to enter the net just because I didn’t want to damage my toes any further.

I know the kids at the Q & A were somewhat surprised by that because today they are better protected and will never feel truly afraid of the puck like goalies in my era often did, which, believe me, is a good thing.

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