It’s something that’s said all the time. Hockey goaltenders have the easiest job in the sport. They just stand there if the puck isn’t on their side of the ice and even when it is, they only have to stay in front of it and keep it out of the net. Yes, this is pretty true at face value but let me explain why playing goalie is not only hard but the most difficult position to play in the game.

When I was asked to play for my school’s team in high school, I was so excited. “I get to play hockey and I barely have to move!” Yes, those words actually left my mouth… and I was so wrong. Little did I know that I was going to have to condition myself like no other sport I had ever played. I knew how to skate and had watched the game my entire life, so I did have something to build on to start. But playing goalie called for a work ethic and respect towards hockey that I didn’t see coming.

I spent weeks on the ice at my local rink, slowly getting accustomed to the clunky and bulky pads and having to skate precisely with them on. It was ugly and I was really bad to start off. Thankfully the coach and team knew about my lack of experience and I didn’t see gameplay for much of my first season, playing backup goalie. That all changed when our starter decided to let his emotions get the best of him and got suspended…

The next practice was a tense place to be. Everyone knew what the current situation was. The only goalie they had left on the roster was a kid who has only been playing for months (actually three to be exact), compared to the rest of the team who had been playing hockey for at least a decade at this point. The weight on my shoulders was heavy. We were in a playoff race and I knew it was my play that would now make or break the season.

This is the main reason why playing goalie is so hard as the mental strength you must have is ridiculous. The game, night in and night out, relies on the goalie’s shoulders. Does he or she have a bad game? You lose. Alternatively though, if the goalie has a great game you could still lose because your team couldn’t finish on the other end. It’s an extreme amount of stress. If any other position has a bad game, they just play fewer minutes or are sat because each skater has 2-3 lines behind him to pick up the slack. Goalies have one backup or in my case, nobody.

We lost every game for the rest of the year and missed the playoffs by a wide margin. But that’s sports and it’s better to focus on the positives, right? I played my heart out and gained the respect and friendship on my team for it. They knew I wasn’t the best option but I was the only option. I played my heart out and had a great time but I learned just how much pressure the people who play this position have over them. And I was only in high school… Imagine being paid millions of dollars to play in the NHL and have to experience that same stress every game and every night for the majority of a year. All while the team you are playing for has about 4 other goalies ready and yearning to take your spot.

So to conclude Hockey Authority I wanted to give a more personal touch to the blog. I love this game, I’ve played this game, and this game will always be a part of me.

Here’s a picture of me playing in high school!

Do any other sports have positions with this much power and importance in deciding the outcome of a game? Let me know in the comments.