Featured Goalie – December: Nicolas Roy

Goalie Army Academy is proud to announce that a student of our goalie training program, Nicolas Roy of the Ottawa Sting Major Atom AA, is our Featured Goalie of the Month for December.

Whether it’s by viewing his numerous YouTube highlight videos or seeing him train during our goalie training sessions, it doesn’t take much to understand that Nicolas is a true gamer seeking to play at the highest level possible in order to face shots from the best players at his age level.

History

Beginning in Novice hockey at the age of 7, Nicolas tried the goaltender’s position during his fourth game, and never looked back.  With a love for the highly technical position, Nicolas’ development began with appreciating the ability to be engaged for the whole game, and having the opportunity to consistently improve and master technical movements which he applies during game play.

From there, Nicolas developed his game by playing at Novice C, Novice B, Minor Atom A, and reaching the Major Atom AA level this season.

NHL Sponsor Recognition

This season, all of the goalie training is paying off!

On January 1^st, Nicolas will be featured during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts as part of the Bridgestone #GreatStopsPromo, giving him some well-deserved exposure for all of the hours of goalie training, his athleticism, and in-crease abilities.

Please join me in congratulating him for this amazing achievement.

Use of Video

Despite reviewing game footage with his father to seek out ways for additional improvement, Nicolas still finds time to watch and study Carey Price, his favourite goaltender.  Witnessing the precision of his movements in order to remain well positioned, his execution of explosive movements when necessary, and his ability to lead by example by remaining calm and positive, Nicolas hopes to model himself after one of the best goaltenders in the game one day.

Preparation

Although he has a full schedule of hockey with his team, Nicolas includes Goalie Army Academy’s goalie training programs to keep him on track for his technical and on-ice development within our Academy Clinics sessions.

Nicolas’ success during his games also comes from his preparation routines by finding ways to become active during the off-season which enable him to become a better goaltender.  So far, Nicolas plays catch with his father, and dribbles a soccer ball with his feet on his walk (1.5 kms) to and from school every day.  He also finds time to play volleyball with his older sister.  All of which are a great combination of activity to help him with his coordination, agility, and control.

Nicolas’ pre-game routines are like many within our goalie training program which allow him to warm up with his team, stretch, and begin the process of warming up his eyes and hands by throwing a tennis ball against a wall.

In addition to his warm up, Nicolas also includes visualization techniques within his pre-game routine; focusing on positive thinking.

In-Game

Like his favourite goaltender, Nicolas does well at not allowing pressure situations or goals against him to faze him.  Instead, he remains calm and positive.  By noting the situation which caused the goal and immediately visualizing the same situation going his way, allowing him to make the save, Nicolas learns from each goal scored against him immediately, enabling him to move forward within his game with a positive attitude.

The support from Nicolas’ family is also a huge contribution to his success because of the constant encouragement he receives from his family to work his hardest and to do his best, playing the game for the pure enjoyment whether he wins or loses.

 

 

Congratulations Nicolas!