AHAI Goaltending Academy Pushes To Expand, Develop and Improve Netminders Of All Ages In Illinois

By Ross Forman

A new, statewide initiative designed to introduce more players to goaltending launched in October will give expanded access to specialized instruction and build a stronger development community for Illinois goalies.

Welcome, the AHAI Goaltending Academy, spearheaded by Bob Zalabak, goaltending director for the Chicago Hawks, who will be joined by team of accomplished, award-winning goalies.

“I don’t think goalie development is completely broken in the state, (but) I do believe it is at least fractured, and has been for a long time,” said Zalabak, named
AHAI’s Director of Goaltending Development.

“Goalies get lost in the process of the profit-for-performance model. Goaltending development is not a linear process; it takes time for goalies to become the best versions of themselves. The current hockey landscape doesn’t lend itself to patience and that hurts goalies of all ages. For me, this is about creating a more connected approach to goalie development. We want to provide education, instruction, mentorship and opportunities for goalies to continue improving, regardless of where they play or what level they’re at. We’re building something that can have a lasting impact on the position throughout Illinois.

“Goalies see the game differently, face different challenges and need a development pathway that recognizes those differences in an environment where they feel supported.”

Zalabak, 46, who lives in Darien, is the founder of Zalabak Hockey Group. He said the short-term goal for the AHAI Goaltending Academy is to provide access for more kids to be goaltenders and help curb the negative impact youngsters endure in net.

“In other sports, the most important positions often become the most popular. (Think football) quarterback and (baseball) pitcher. In hockey, it’s the opposite,” Zalabak said. “Goalie has almost a stigma for kids to NOT want to play the position. Why that has happened over time is beyond me. Goalie is the single most important player in the game. If you don’t have a goalie, you can’t play, let alone win a hockey game. 

“Our immediate goal with our events is to establish a strong foundation and deliver quality programming that goalies and families can see value in right away.
We’re beginning with high school goaltenders through our Varsity Saturday’s programming, which will include current high school goalies and those interested in playing high school hockey, with all skill levels welcome.”

Long-term, he said the Academy is focused on creating forever goalies. Plus, the Academy will help support USA Hockey’s 51 in 30 initiative and provide more elite goaltenders to that pipeline, “I’d like the Academy to become a comprehensive resource for goaltending development throughout Illinois,” he said. “That means creating opportunities for goalies at different stages of their development, supporting goalie coaches, developing consistent curriculum and teaching resources, and building stronger connections between youth, high-school, and higher-level hockey.”

Zalabak brings a host of well-known, highly-respected goalies to aid the Academy – all focused on player development, accessibility and growing the game. Last season, for instance, Zalabak’s program at the Darien Sportsplex trained 139 goalies, representing 36 different hockey programs, including Tier I, Tier II and Tier III organizations, high schools and out-of-state programs.

His model is simple: help the goalie improve, support the club the goalie already represents and strengthen hockey throughout Illinois. Zalabak is supported by:

•    Garret Sparks: head of curriculum and instruction; former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender;
•    Alanna Serviss: lead instructor and head of girls’ advancement; former NCAA Division I and professional goaltender; and 
•    Scott Darling, lead instructor and head of goaltending operations and analytics; former Chicago Blackhawks goaltender and 2015 Stanley Cup champion.

“Goalie shortages affect more than one position; it can leave an entire team without the opportunity to play,” said AHAI president Melissa Surrette. “Bob Zalabak has built an outstanding program that provides goalies from different organizations with specialized training, then sends them back to their clubs better prepared. We are excited to partner with Bob and his gold standard group to introduce more kids to the position, support the goalies we already have and strengthen hockey throughout Illinois.”

The Academy’s first initiative will be a clinic on October 31 in Willowbrook focused on current high school, 16U and 18U club goalies, as well as goalies entering high school next year.

“The Academy benefits every age, skill level, and league level in the state,” Zalabak said. “We will have something for everyone.

“I grew up in an environment where, if you didn’t have the money, or weren’t good enough at the time, no one gave you the time of day to develop you. We aren’t cut from that cloth. We want to help every goalie that we can whether you go on to play at a high level or not. We get as much personal satisfaction helping a goalie playing house league as we do helping them play in college or beyond. Goalies are goalies and we are all in this together.  

“We want to help goalies understand not only what to do, but why they’re doing it. We want to give them the tools to evaluate their own performance, recognize areas for improvement and become more independent in their development. For me, strengthening development starts with recognizing that goaltending is more than stopping pucks. It’s skating, positioning, reading plays, managing rebounds, understanding tactics, communicating with teammates and developing the mental side of the position.”

Zalabak is building the AHAI Goaltending Academy with help from … his favorite band, believe it or not, the Dave Matthews Band and frontman Dave Matthews, who had an idea for a couple of songs and then made a list of the most talented musicians in his area, the people he really respected and he then worked up the courage to ask them to record some songs.

“I sat down and made a list of the absolute best goalie minds, then set out to contact them, pitching them the concept. I was floored at how much these talented people cared about the mission of helping,” Zalabak said. “Like the Dave Matthews Band, you will see a lot of my name on things, but I am just the glue that connects all these extraordinary people together. I could go on and on at the respect I have for my group.”

Also, part of the Academy:

•    Alanna Serviss is focused on growing the girl’s game; 
•    Michael Levine, former collegiate goalie and current Hinsdale Central goalie director, is focused on high school development; 
•    Stanley Cup champion Scott Darling is focused on using data and other analytics to coach on the ice.
•    Joe Clark, who is Connor Hellebuyck’s mentor and coach supports; and 
•    Tony Petrak, Nicholas Grabko, Vinnie Purpura, Charles Collins, Ross McKay and others are involved; and
•    Former Chicago Blackhawk defenseman and current Chicago Hawks hockey director Steve Poapst consults on how to integrate goalies into team plans.

“We want improvement to come from purposeful instruction that is grounded in competitive reality, not comfortable habits,” Zalabak said. “Goalies should leave sessions with specific takeaways: a technical adjustment, a better understanding of positioning, an improved read on a particular play, or a clearer plan to approach a game situation.

“We’ll emphasize the details that matter in real games: tracking the puck, managing angles and depth, controlling rebounds, moving efficiently, reading east-west plays, and making sound tactical decisions.

“We also will help goalies understand how to assess their own performance and communicate about their development.”

Zalabak added: “Ultimately, success comes down to whether we’re making a meaningful difference for goaltenders – and I feel we’ve already begun to do that.  We’ll look at participation, engagement, feedback from goalies and families, and the quality of the instruction we’re delivering. We’ll also want to understand whether the skills and concepts taught at the Academy are translating into practices and games.”