Ice hockey goalies face unique pressures and challenges, making their perspective on the game particularly insightful. Their reflections often reveal the mental fortitude, focus, and acceptance of pain that are essential for success in this demanding position. Here are some quotes that capture the essence of being a hockey goalie.
The demands on a goalie are mostly mental, meaning that the biggest enemy for a goalie is himself. It's not a puck, not an opponent, not a quirk of size or style. The stress and anxiety he feels when he plays, the fear of failing, the fear of being embarrassed, the fear of being physically hurt are all symptoms of his position. These fears are in constant ebb and flow, but never disappearing. The successful goalie understands these neuroses, accepts them, and puts them under control. The unsuccessful goalie is distracted by them, his mind in knots.
As a goalkeeper you need to be good at organizing the people in front of you and motivating them. You need to see what's going on and react to the threats.
It is pretty tough for a goalie when you look at it. You're always the last line of defense.
The goalkeeper is the jewel in the crown and getting at him should be almost impossible.
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Everybody makes mistakes, but when goalkeepers make them, it is costly.
Goalies can't make all saves. It is never the goalie's fault.
Goalies are fine fellows when you meet them at center ice. They are fine fellows off the ice too. But don't think this cordiality is going to apply when you skate by the front of his cave.
Don't try to beat the goalkeeper.
It's tough to look great as a goalie.
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A goal keeper must radiate pace.
Goaltending: The Hardest Job in Sports
Goaltending is a suffering position. Your equipment protects you from injury, but not from pain, every time you go out there. And if you allow a goal, the red lights go on for everyone to see. The pressure is unreal. Most of the goalkeepers they feel the pressure.
The funny thing is most goalies will never like talking about the crazy saves, more they will talk to other goalies and people who understand the position about the fundamentals they executed well and made a hard save because they were in the right place.
The shots come at them hard and fast but standing in the line of fire goalies don't even blink. I remember from old ice hockey games maybe the Rangers, the announcer would say "You've got to Sacrifice the body."
Some guys score and some guys don’t.
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Right now I’m scoring goals and I’m the king of the world. And a couple weeks ago I was almost in the toilet.
I don’t train to look good in the mirror.
If they can play eight more years, then I can too.
I grew up trying to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, not Team Canada.
The NHL’s opinion of itself is so high…. Let them get drunk on their greatness.
I say no words… I can’t speak with him. I shy.
It showed nothing.
When my son lets up an early goal or gives up a run of them I say "long game" and it eases his mind.
"Pain is weakness leaving the body" saw it on the back of a kids shirt who sits in front of me in homeroom he got it the shirt from his brother whose in the marines.
My most appreciated saves are ones where its a screen and I get all over the place to save it or I was out of position on a back door knocker and have to get insane in the guy's face from across the GLE haha...
People ask me why I play goalie, and I tell them I love it.
The goalie is like the guy on the minefield. He discovers the mines and destroys them.
Lacrosse is simple. These poles are your home, your castle. This crease is your fence. Hey that's mine!
Let an opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let an opponent smash into his flesh and you fracture his bone; let an opponent fracture your bone and you take his life!