AHAI Goaltending Academy

The Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) is proud to announce the formation of the AHAI Goaltending Academy, a statewide initiative designed to strengthen goaltending development, provide greater access to specialized instruction and create a more connected development pathway for goaltenders throughout Illinois.

The department will bring together experienced goaltending professionals to develop programming, establish instructional standards, support coaches and clubs, and create opportunities for goaltenders at every stage of their development—from young players discovering the position through advanced competition.

Bob Zalabak - Director of Goaltending Development

Current Goaltending Director for the Chicago Hawks, Zalabak has been appointed to lead the department as Director of Goaltending Development.

Zalabak has built a reputation for developing innovative goaltending programs, creating meaningful pathways to the sport, and bringing together coaches, educators, and hockey professionals to build stronger developmental environments. He is the founder and architect of Zalabak Hockey Group (ZHG), a collective of passionate hockey minds committed to growing the game and creating opportunities for goalies and players at every level.

Through ZHG, Zalabak has developed and directed a diverse network of hockey and goaltending initiatives, including the Chicago Hawks Goaltending Academy, Vision Goalie Academy, Hockey Heroes Roller Hockey, and the Great Goalies Grant, which was created to help address the rising cost of participation and make hockey more accessible to young athletes.

As Director of Goaltending Development, Zalabak will establish the vision, structure, and long-term direction of AHAI’s Goaltending Department, working alongside a team of experienced instructors, advisors, coaches, and performance specialists. His focus will be on building a consistent, comprehensive, and connected pathway for Illinois goaltenders—from young athletes discovering the position to those pursuing advanced and elite levels of competition.

Garret Sparks — Head of Curriculum & Instruction

Renowned goaltending coach and former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks will serve as the Academy’s Head of Curriculum & Instruction, leading the development of its on-ice coaching philosophy and instructional standards.

Sparks has helped establish the foundation of the Academy’s coaching philosophy—one grounded in competitive reality rather than comfortable habit, shaped by 10 seasons as a professional goaltender and his experience navigating the demands of the position at the highest levels.

In his role, Sparks will develop, oversee, and continually evolve the AHAI Goaltending Curriculum, including teaching standards, practice methodologies, technical progressions, and instructional resources for goaltenders and coaches at every level.

Sparks will also work closely with the Academy’s lead instructors and club goalie coaches to establish common fundamental principles and a shared language for goaltending development throughout Illinois, while empowering coaches to maintain their own individual teaching styles, personalities, and approaches.

The goal is to create consistency without conformity—giving coaches a strong developmental foundation while allowing them the freedom to teach authentically and connect with their athletes in their own way.

Alanna Serviss — Lead Instructor & Head of Girls Advancement

Former Division I and professional goaltender Alanna Serviss will lead AHAI’s efforts to expand and strengthen girls’ goaltending development throughout Illinois, while also serving as a lead instructor within the broader AHAI Goaltending Curriculum.

Serviss played four seasons of Division I hockey at Providence College, competing in Hockey East, before continuing her playing career professionally in Finland with KJT Haukat. Her experience competing at both the collegiate and professional levels gives her a unique perspective on the development pathway for female goaltenders.

In her role, Serviss will develop programming, clinics, mentorship opportunities, and advancement initiatives specifically designed to support female goaltenders, while also serving as a lead instructor for both boys’ and girls’ programs.

Her focus will span the entire development pathway—from young goaltenders discovering the position through advanced competition and college hockey, helping create a stronger, more connected future for girls’ goaltending throughout Illinois.

Scott Darling — Lead Instructor & Head of Goaltending Operations/Analytics

Former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender and Stanley Cup champion Scott Darling will serve as one of the department’s primary technical instructors while helping lead AHAI’s goaltending operations and emerging analytics initiatives.

Darling spent eight seasons in the NHL, including three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he helped the club capture the 2015 Stanley Cup. He will bring that professional experience to AHAI programming through clinics, camps, coach education, goaltender evaluations, and advanced technical instruction.

In his role, Darling will also help connect professional experience, modern goaltending concepts, and emerging analytics to practical tools that can benefit goaltenders and coaches throughout Illinois.

His focus will be on translating information and experience into actionable development—helping goaltenders and coaches better understand what to work on, why it matters, and how to apply it to the game.