CLICK HERE for FAQ Relating to Goalie Schools

CLICK HERE for FAQ Relating to Year Round Training Centre

CLICK HERE for FAQ Relating to Goaltender Rentals 

World Renowned Goaltending Schools > FAQ

Q. Is the school sold out?
A. Please check the individual school page (logo's on main school page) of the program you are interested in, if it is sold out it will be noted at the top of each location's information

Q. How much is the school?
A. This information is noted on each individual program page of this website

Q. Should I sign up for Essentials, Intensity Prep or High Intensity?
A. This is always a personal choice, but we encourage our students and their parents to make this decision for the right reasons and by being as honest with yourself as possible. Do NOT sign up for the Intensity program because you think you might be above the Essentials program. Our Essentials program is more challenging than most other schools, so called 'Elite' offerings. 

If you haven't been to a week long goalie (anywhere) school before, you should take the Essentials, regardless of your level of play. If you are prepared to work harder than you have ever worked before and be pushed to a level, both physically and mentally, beyond your comfort level, then sign up for the Intensity program.

Q. Can Girls/Women Attend?
A. We have always accepted females into all of our programs, but in the past few years we have seen a huge increase in the number of girls and women signing up for our programs. In recent years we had about 25 to 40% female attendance in our various programs.

Q. Do you have pro's instructing?
A. Yes, each of our instructors is a professional coach/instructor. 
We do not believe in bringing in a 'big name' for the sake of enticing kids to our school. We have in the past, brought in NHL goaltenders and it has proven to be a detriment to the overall school. We believe in quality instructing and many of our coaches are certified and trained professionals who have worked with elite athletes and are pro's themselves. Please visit our philosophy and instructors pages for complete information on this topic.

Q. Can I sign up online?
A. Yes, just visit the individual school information pages or the Application/Terms & Policies pages and you will see a link to 'Online Signup'. Direct access is also available from our shopping cart area. 

Q. We signed up for billeting, when will we be notified of the family's name and number?
A. This information will be provided 2 weeks prior to the school start date. We do not finalize any arrangements prior to this date.

Q. Can I billet with my friend?
A. While we try to accommodate all requests, it is impossible to guarantee this.

Q. Who are your billeting families?
A. Most are local families who billet for junior hockey on a regular basis, occasionally our own instructors also billet. All are 'checked out' and must adhere to a specific code of conduct to qualify as billets for our school.

Q. Can I sign up for one program and then switch (up or down) to another if I want?
A. This can be arranged, however our programs are usually sold out, so this may not be possible. There are also no refunds for any reason once a program has begun, even if moving 'down' to a lesser program.

Q. Do you offer prizes?
A. Yes, please see Prizes. We offer close thousands of dollars in annual prizes, these are awarded to deserving students who apply themselves during the school, they are NOT awarded based on ability but effort and attitude. Prizes are generously supplied by our sponsors: Vaughn, Itech and  Eddy Mask..  

Q. What are the times the school operates on?
A. Please check the individual program pages on this site, times are listed for every program.

Q. Can you give me some more information on your schools
A. Please be specific when asking a question. We get this type of request a lot, but we have no idea how to reply to it. Almost everything about us, our philosophy, our instructors and program information, etc. is on this website. We'll be pleased to speak to you or answer any questions you may have, but we need to know what information you require.

Q. I want to come to the school, can you hold me a spot.
A. Unfortunately, we can only hold spaces with a deposit, there are no exceptions to this policy.

Q. Can you mail me some more information
A. There is more information on this site than could ever be mailed and we no longer produce a printed flyer, so if you are here, please check out the website thoroughly. 

Q. Why don't you have many locations like some other schools and does this mean your school isn't as good?
A. We do not present a large number of schools because every one is operated by our trained staff who travel to each location. This ensures each and every school is properly administrated and the students are receiving only the professional instruction we will allow our name to be associated with. To assume a school is better than another simply by the number of locations is definitely incorrect. Most schools with large numbers of locations, simply franchise their name out to local people who operate the school, often with inexperienced instructors.

Q. Can you come to our town and do a school or clinic?
A. We'd love to put on a school in every area that would like to have us. However taking an entire school on the road is a complex undertaking. Please click HERE for information on how you can help us come to your location.

Q. Are you associated with any other school or company known as "Puckstoppers"?
A. Absolutely NOT! Please click HERE for information on how some unethical people are taking advantage of our name.

World Renowned Goaltender Training @ Our Training Centre > FAQ

Q. How far ahead do we have to book or are there openings on XX day?
A. Please check the 'Session Availability' page on our website for openings, but we suggest booking several days in advance. We require a minimum of 24 hours notice to book all appointments. 

Q. What if we can't make our scheduled session?
A. Cancellations are permitted up to 48 hours in advance, any cancellation with less than 48 hours notice is charged at full cost.

Q. How often should I attend training to continue development? 
A. We have found the majority of serious goaltenders who visit us, attend about once every week to 10 days. Any longer between sessions and there is no progression as we have to re teach the same things time after time because the student doesn't retain the information. 

We strongly recommend the 7 to 10 day window as a guideline when booking multiple  sessions where the goal is continued growth. Attending one session or one every few months will NOT develop or 'tune up' a goaltender. Like anything, repetition and practice are needed to improve and build on the learning experience. 

Q. Are there any age restrictions?
A. We have seen students as old as 61 and have no maximum age, but the minimum age is 8 years old. There are a variety of reasons that 8 is our minimum, but over 20 years of experience has proven that this is the minimum age before anyone should look to begin specific goaltender training. 

It is a proven documented medical fact that young children under 8 (and many even older) cannot maintain focus for long enough to endure or even appreciate the information provided during a one on one training session with one of our expert instructors. Children at this young age usually do not even posses the physical endurance or muscle control to benefit from many of the drills or instruction.  

The simple fact is that (in our opinion - and that of most recognized hockey authorities and governing bodies) kids under 8 shouldn't even be playing full time in goal. Teams at this age normally rotate the position throughout the team on a weekly basis. Kids at this age should be working on learning the entire game, how plays develop and becoming more proficient in skating. Goaltending on a full time basis will not allow them to do this! 

We firmly believe in providing exactly what we promise and we do not want to take anyone's money, simply for the sake of taking it...There are other schools or trainers that may be willing to do this, but we believe it is unethical to take money and not deliver what we have promised. It is for this reason that we do not accept students under 8 years of age, nor will we make exception to this policy.  

Q. Should I book 1 hour or 30 minute sessions?
A. Aside from the initial 1 hour evaluation session, we strongly recommend booking only 30 minute sessions, regardless of the physical conditioning or determination of the student. A 30 minute session is as physically demanding as about 3 hours of practice ice time with a team. 

Tests prove the mind cannot learn after the body becomes taxed to exhaustion and in providing lessons for many years, we have only seen a handful of goalies able to effectively endure 1 hour sessions, these were young men in peak condition. 

Q. Is there an expiry date on Prepaid Training Session packages?
(i.e. 3 - 5 - 10 packages)?
A. No, the packages do not expire and are valid until used. 

Q. Where exactly is the Training Centre?
A. Please see the 'Location' page on our website for all details on parking and location.  

Q. Do I wear skates and gear?
A. Yes, our students are required to wear full equipment and skates for all sessions.

Q. Is the plastic ice easy to move on?
A. Yes, although it isn't as slippery as real ice, almost all manoeuvres that can be made on real ice can be performed on the plastic.

We like to compare the plastic to riding a 10 speed bike in 10th gear, while you do exactly the same thing as you would in 1st gear, it that much harder to do. The plastic is the same and will help build leg strength and make returning to real ice, seem easy!

Q. Do I need to know what I want to do at each session?
A. Our expert instructor will help determine what area need to be worked on, but if you have a specific request, please tell us.

Q. Will the plastic ice dull or do damage to my skates?
A. We use the highest grade of plastic ice on the market, the same material full arenas are made of! It will not to any damage to your skate blades, although you may need to sharpen them a little bit more often (i.e. if you regularly sharpen every 10 hours on real ice, you may need to sharpen after 6 hours on the plastic surface).

We strongly suggest the use of the 'Sweet Stick' to keep your skates tuned and sharp, this little tool will save you a ton in sharpening costs.

Q. Can my coach come and watch?
A. Sorry but we do not allow spectators, except for your family and we STRONGLY suggest only 1 person be present during your session. Our sessions are designed to be private to maximize the learning experience. 

Q. Where do I change - can I shower?
A. We have our own change area, just follow the directions to the Training Centre and everything is there, Arena dressing rooms have showers and usually one can be found available. 

Q. Can I bring a friend to help shoot?
A. Depending on the situation, friends are welcome to come for the 'warm up' but may or may not be permitted to help during the actual training, for some drills having 2 shooters is helpful. Please also consider than having a friend in attendance may also be a distracting the training. 

Rental Services > FAQ

Q. I called and left a message and the goalie didn't show up, why? 
A. If you don't receive a return confirmation call, no goalie is being sent. 
With the advancement in communications, we have experienced some 'technical' problems as well. Its surprising how many callers who leave us a message and one or more numbers are omitted as the call waiting 'beep' blacks out a second of the message. Another frequent problem is callers who leave us messages from cell phones and the line fades in and out as the phone number is being left. If you don't receive a call back within 30 minutes maximum (its almost always within a couple of minutes), please try again, we might not have your whole phone number. 

Q. Why can't I can't get anyone to answer my call? (I need to speak to someone 'live)
A. Our phones are always answered by our answering service, please don't hang up and/or try again for a live person - you'll almost never get one. Leave a message and it'll be replied to almost immediately.  

Q. What if I book a goalie and he doesn't show up?
A. Although this almost never happens, we have tough measures in place to ensure your goaltender will arrive as promised.

Our goaltenders are bound by a legal contract that requires them fulfill their obligation. If a goalie fails to attend, please contact our office immediately and the goaltender will be severely reprimanded with fines in excess of three times the value of the rental cost. As well, your next booking will be free of charge.

Q. I booked a goalie and then we found someone to play for us, can I cancel?
A. Once we have confirmed the goaltender, by voice mail or conversation, there is absolutely no cancellation permitted. If the goalie arrives at the arena, he can be paid the full fee and sent home, if his services are not required.

Q. How late can I leave it before I book a goalie
A. We have covered bookings with as little as 15 minutes notice, but that is an extremely rare occurrence with 'dumb luck' in timing. 

We usually require at least an hours notice, but it depends on how busy the night is (sometimes all of our goalies have been assigned), what time the ice rental is for (daytime hours are harder to cover) and where you are playing (if we have a goalie close to the rink, it helps cut time). Our average notice is 3 to 4 hours, but obviously the sooner you call us, the more likely it is we'll be able to help you.

Please always give us a try and we'll do our best to get someone there for you. 

Q. How good are your goaltenders?
A. Each goalie is screened before they are able to play for us and all are capable and competent goalies. Of course some are better than others. We have former pro's to recreational goalies.

When booking and paying for a scrimmage your goaltender will be selected at random from our list, for league games goaltenders will be selected from our 'game goalie' list. These goaltenders have played at more competitive levels.

Q. I called from the rink and no one called me back, why?
A. We often receive calls from payphones in the arenas, payphones cannot receive return calls, as well, if you are about to go on the ice, it's too late for us to help, bear in mind a goaltender has to get to the rink (usually 15 - 20 minutes) and then dress (another 10 - 15 minutes) and if you have waited until the last minute to call, there simply isn't time for this to happen.

Q. I called at 11 PM for a goalie at 9 AM and no one showed up, or returned my call, why?
A. Our office hours are from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, if you call in after 10:00 PM we won't receive your message until the following morning. Please call prior to 10:00 PM for morning ice times.

Q. Our group had extra ice time because there was no one on after/before us and the goalie wouldn't stay (or come out early). How come? 
A. You have booked the goaltender for a specific time and he is under no obligation to play longer or outside of the time he is being paid for. Often our goalies will have other commitments that they have to leave to attend and base their plans on the time they have been booked for. 

However, very often our goalies will stay out longer for the last rental of the evening, although they are under no obligation to do this and are within their right to ask for additional money to cover additional time played, although they cannot do this unless it has been agreed to beforehand. (i.e. they can't stay and demand more money, it must be agreed to before they stay, otherwise if they stay, it is a courtesy)

Q. I want to request a specific goaltender, can I do this?
A. In some cases we can supply the same goalie for a rental, but because our goalies are kept very busy and this isn't always possible. As well, we won't send the same goalie to a group for more than 2 consecutive weeks.

Q. We need a permanent goalie for our team, can I ask the goalie to play for us or can you supply one?
A. Our goaltenders are bound by a legal contract that prohibits them from playing for any group or part of a group that they have met through Puckstoppers. Violation of this clause will cost the goaltender his position with our company and a fine of $400 to $500. Our business is to supply emergency relief goalies, sorry but we do not place goalies on teams.