This past weekend, Derrick Ford demonstrated why he’s a dominant force between the pipes, securing back-to-back wins with a goaltending masterclass, earning HJHL Player of the Week honours.
He silenced Cochrane with an incredible .976 save percentage and followed it up with a superb .941 save percentage in the victory over Red Deer, showcasing unmatched focus and skill.
We are excited to provide high-quality goalie development, both on and off the ice, at the College Combine in Boston, hosted by Team WestCan.
This unique event will feature 80 of the top female athletes born in 2009 and 2010, offering an invaluable opportunity to showcase their skills and gain insight into the collegiate hockey experience.
Participants will take part in:
-College-run practices designed to replicate the collegiate hockey experience.
-Showcase games where talent meets opportunity, attracting attention from college scouts and coaches.
-Recruiting and coaching seminars to expand knowledge of the college experience and the recruiting process.
-Campus tours to explore potential future homes for academic and athletic success.
For more information, contact Team WestCan today!
Team WestCan Female Elite Hockey Development is a premier athlete training program dedicated to helping female hockey players reach the next level in their careers. Over the past decade, the program has consistently provided athletes with the skills, knowledge, and techniques needed to succeed as college-level players.
Team WestCan carefully selects showcase teams comprised of top-tier athletes who excel not only on the ice but also in academics and leadership. These players demonstrate a commitment to excellence both on and off the ice. After 10 successful years, Team WestCan boasts an impressive track record of athletes who have graduated from their college promotion program and gone on to compete and commit to NCAA and U Sports organizations.
Carlos Siso and the Calvin Knights clinched the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Tournament title on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Grand Valley State University in the championship final! This marks the first time Calvin has won the GRSHOF Tournament, now in its third year.
Daniel Siso, Carlos' younger brother and an EGC summer shooter, opened the scoring just nine minutes into the first period.
Congratulations to both brothers on this fantastic achievement!
Mental Focus
Goalies need an unyielding mentality: no matter what, they must stop the puck. This means refusing to let a bad situation dictate whether a goal is scored. This drive comes from the heart—a relentless determination to do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of the net. Without this mindset, goalies cannot thrive in challenging situations.
Technical Execution
We examined two specific scenarios during the session:
When the puck is behind the goaltender
In these moments, the way a goalie moves through their crease to regain coverage differs significantly from when the puck is in front. This is where the "fall-back" technique comes into play—a skill Adin Hill has mastered. Think of "The Save" from Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. It’s a prime example of this technique in action.
When the puck is in front of the goaltender, but they are behind the play
In such scenarios, the "spread" technique becomes essential. This technique maximizes lateral coverage while enabling the goalie to use their hands effectively to smother pucks that might otherwise elevate over them. Both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are excellent examples of goalies adept at this approach.
Tactical Awareness
Lastly, we discussed the tactical aspects of these techniques. While understanding the need for the fall-back or spread techniques is crucial, knowing when to execute them is equally important. For instance, falling back too early or too late leaves the goaltender highly vulnerable. Proper timing, combined with precise technical execution, is the key to success in these high-pressure moments.
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Polhill was a cornerstone for the team throughout the month, starting in eight of the Bruins’ 10 games and leading them to a 4-3-1 record. He posted an impressive 3.00 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage during this stretch!
On Friday the 13th, Hauser delivered a stellar performance against the Everett Silvertips, stopping 38 of 40 shots and earning first-star honors.
The following night, he was equally dominant against the Kelowna Rockets, making 40 saves on 41 shots to claim his 7th win of the season.
The U18 AA Okotoks Oilers goaltender has had an outstanding December, consistently being a difference-maker in every game.
On Wednesday, the WHL rookie led his team to a 4-3 victory over the Everett Silvertips, stopping 48 of 51 shots. He earned second-star honors and was named the WHL Top Performer of the Night.
Last night, Schlenker and the Portland Winterhawks faced the Seattle Thunderbirds, securing a 5-2 win with Schlenker making 30 saves on 32 shots.
The CBHA U18AA Rangers goaltender took on the Red Deer Elks U18AA team last Sunday, stopping all 36 shots he faced to secure a 6-0 victory for his team.
The two-time WHL East Division First-Team All-Star is set to join the Badgers for the 2025-26 season after completing his Western Hockey League eligibility.
Hauser, 20, is currently 5-3-2-0 in his final season with the Wild, posting a 2.78 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
A native of Chestermere, Alta., Hauser was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft by the Winnipeg ICE. During his time with the ICE, he earned All-Star honors in both seasons, helping the team reach the 2022 Eastern Conference Championship and claim the 2023 WHL Championship.
Hauser boasts an impressive playoff record of 23-11-0-0, along with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.
Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 166 pounds, Hauser recently recorded his 100th career WHL victory with a 30-save performance in a 4-2 win over the Kamloops Blazers on November 17. He also earned the WHL Save of the Night for his efforts. Hauser is just the 19th goaltender in WHL history to reach the 100-win milestone.
We couldn’t be prouder of Daniel and look forward to watching him showcase his skills in the best college hockey league in the world next season!
In his first return to Las Vegas since being traded to the Washington Capitals, goaltender Logan Thompson received a heartfelt tribute from the Golden Knights. Midway through the first period, the team played a video honoring his contributions, prompting an emotional response from Thompson as he tapped his heart in appreciation. Reflecting on the moment, he said, "This city means a lot to me, and I love playing in front of the fans."
Thompson's performance on the ice was equally remarkable. He stopped 40 shots, leading the Capitals to a 5-2 victory over his former team. His outstanding play earned him second star honors, just behind Alex Ovechkin, who notched his 31st career hat trick in the game.
This win improved Thompson's record against the Golden Knights to 2-0 this season, with an impressive 64 saves on 68 shots faced.
In a thrilling game, the SJHL Estevan Bruins edged the Battlefords North Stars 1-0 in overtime, with Ben turning aside all 30 shots he faced.
Polhill capped off an outstanding weekend with back-to-back wins, boasting a 1.00 GAA and a .969 save percentage across both games.
Way to go, Benny!
Horne backstopped the Posse to a commanding 7-0 victory, marking his second shutout of the season. Posse head coach and general manager Torrin White praised the Lac Des Arcs, Alta., native for earning the “full trust of his teammates” through his daily dedication and professionalism.
“He’s an outstanding goalie with immense potential, but it’s his preparation that sets him apart,” said White. “In that game, he faced a solid number of shots and was absolutely rock solid.”
Horne has been stellar this season, earning seven wins in 10 games with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage—both of which rank second among all KIJHL goaltenders.
Rock on Gibby, keep it up!