Goalie IQ is the ability to read plays, anticipate scoring chances, and make smart decisions under pressure. Our Goalie IQ Program helps goalies develop these skills through game film analysis, situational awareness training, personalized feedback, and constant mentorship. By improving Goalie IQ, goalies can stay calm, react faster, and make difficult saves look easy by thinking the game at a higher level. Take your game to the next level and develop the mindset and skills that set elite goalies apart!

“Just Play More Agressive”

Have you ever heard a head coach say those words? Playing goaltender in hockey is arguably the most unique position in all of sports. It demands an entirely different skill set compared to forwards or defensemen, a short memory to shake off mistakes, and an unbreakable mindset to handle immense pressure.

When a skater makes a mistake, it’s often unnoticed. When a goalie makes a mistake, there’s no hiding—it’s immediately visible and can change the game.

As the game of hockey continues to evolve, becoming faster and more skilled than ever, how are goaltenders staying ahead and taking their performance to the next level? The answer lies not in simply playing “more aggressively” or even the technical skills acquired at a goalie specific practice, but in reading the game to make decisions and understand when to use the tools in your toolbox.

A key part of this is the concept of 'smart depth.' This involves reading the play, anticipating potential outcomes, and moving with purpose to maintain optimal positioning in the crease. By improving efficiency and decision-making, goalies can increase their chances of making the save.

We Train Smarter, and Harder.

GameTime Performance’s Goalie IQ programs are designed for goaltenders of all ages and skill levels. If your goalie aspires to reach their full potential, developing their Goalie IQ is a crucial part of their journey.

While technical skills are often prioritized in goalie-specific training, the mental and IQ side of the game is frequently overlooked. Too often, goalies work through static drills and movements without fully understanding how to apply these tools in game situations.

Our Goalie IQ programs focus on teaching goaltenders to think the game at an elite level. By bridging the gap between technical skills and Hockey IQ, we help goalies slow the game down in their minds, enabling them to read plays more effectively, position themselves more consistently, and make challenging saves look effortless.

Transform Your Goaltender’s Performance with Our Goalie IQ Program - View Our Process

  • During the initial FREE meeting, our focus is on getting to know your goaltender—their strengths, areas for improvement, goals, and everything in between. We kindly ask that you provide a few minutes of game footage in advance so we can review it prior to the meeting. The purpose of this session is to build a strong connection with your goaltender and collaboratively set clear, actionable goals and expectations for the sessions ahead.

  • Our Premium Goalie IQ Program includes bi-weekly video reviews of your goaltenders game(s). To ensure a thorough analysis, we ask that game footage be submitted to GameTime Performance at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. This allows us time to review and prepare key clips for discussion.

    Our video reviews focus primarily on decision-making throughout the game but will also address technical skills if we identify areas where improvements can be made. These sessions are highly interactive—we’re not just here to talk at your goaltender; we want to understand their thought process and reasoning behind their decisions to help them learn and grow. This collaborative approach is where real learning happens.

    The Goalie IQ Program is built on fostering a culture of learning. For athletes to truly develop new skills, they need to both understand the concepts and apply them within a short time frame. Although video reviews don’t involve on-ice practice, they are an essential tool for connecting understanding with practical application.

  • At the conclusion of each bi-weekly meeting, your goaltender will receive a goalie report card within 24 hours. This report highlights two specific strengths identified during the review and two targeted areas for improvement, with clear goals set for the next session.

    Every eight weeks, we provide a detailed and comprehensive report card covering all aspects of their game. These report cards are designed to deliver actionable feedback, encourage meaningful reflection, and support effective goal setting for continuous improvement.

  • Throughout our bi-weekly sessions, we will regularly analyze specific plays or goalies from recent NHL games. After all, who better to learn from than those competing at the highest level? This approach allows our youth goalies to relate their own game and decision-making to the pros. While there are various styles of goaltending in the NHL, one thing is certain: every top-level goalie shares an exceptionally high Goalie IQ, which is essential to succeeding in today’s fast-paced and skilled game.

  • The Goalie IQ program goes beyond simply reviewing game footage with your aspiring goaltender. It's about building meaningful relationships, offering mentorship, and challenging your goalie to reach their full potential. By joining our Premium Goalie IQ Program, you gain access to 24/7 mentorship, ensuring continuous support and guidance.

The Results You Can Expect

  • INCREASED PERFORMANCE

    Have you ever noticed how most NHL goalies make saves look effortless? Your goaltender will do the same as they develop their Goalie IQ and begin reading the game like the pros. No longer will they rely solely on size, technical skill, or athleticism—they will harness their Goalie IQ to move more efficiently in the crease, make the appropriate save selection, and make difficult saves appear easy.

  • INCREASED CONFIDENCE

    A smart goalie is a confident goalie. Just like anyone, goalies feel more anxious when they're unsure of what’s coming next. Goaltending in hockey is arguably the most stressful position in all of sports, and confidence can be hard to maintain, especially when performances don’t meet expectations. This is where Goalie IQ comes in. With Goalie IQ, your goalie will play with confidence, no longer guessing what’s next or hoping they make the right save selection. Instead, they will read the game, see it in slow motion, and make even the toughest saves look routine.

  • CONSISTENT DEVELOPMENT

    It's easy for goaltenders to hit a plateau of development during the season, particularly when they aren't receiving goalie-specific instruction. The Goalie IQ program is designed to provide your goalie with continuous, year-round development to break through that plateau. Our approach goes beyond just developing technical skills. We guide them at every step to think smarter, not harder, emphasizing efficiency, decision-making, and a growth mindset. By building this strong mental foundation, we help your goaltender grow into the confident, intelligent goalie they aspire to be, consistently taking their game to the next level throughout the season and beyond.

WHAT OUR GOALIE PARENTS

ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH NICK

  • Nick has the quick and accurate ability to analyze players’ strengths and weaknesses which enables him to build effective strategies to improve the player. He has been working with my son, AJ, for over 3 years and you can see the progression in my son’s play. AJ said, “Nick can quickly analyze my play and works with me both on my technical skills and how to read the play.” Nick has the knack to be able to explain things to all levels of players, which is why he is so effective at multiple age groups. He also has an ability to adjust his approach to meet the kids where they are at mentally and skill wise to achieve the best results possible.

    April Miller - Mother of AJ Miller (2011)

    Omaha Mastery AAA

    Team Midwest AAA

    CCM Selects

  • Nick has been working with Ryker since 2021 and has played an integral role in his development as a goalie. He meets young athletes where they are in their journey, helping them grow while encouraging a holistic understanding of the game. Each session with Nick reinforces the importance of playing with confidence and leveraging their strengths to maximize performance. Beyond working with the players, Nick is also tremendous support for the parents. As newcomers to youth hockey, we faced a steep learning curve-understanding gear, how to best support our child, and navigating the overall landscape of the sport. Nick's guidance and advice have been invaluable, and we are truly grateful.

    Nikki Cruickshank, Mother of Ryker Cruickshank (2012)

    Omaha Peewee AA

    Team Midwest AAA

  • Our son, Easton has been working with Nick for a couple years now. Nick is so good with Easton. After Easton suffered a stroke last September, he lost the ability to use his left side. After he recovered, working with Nick helped him regain his strength and coordination and now, Easton is back doing what he loves.

    Kati Newcomer - Mother of Easton Newcomer (2012)

    Omaha Hockey

    Team Midwest AAA

 FAQs

  • Simply put, team practices alone aren’t enough for your goaltender’s development. If your goalie isn’t receiving goalie-specific training, they are falling behind. Even if your team has a goalie coach or someone familiar with the position, that’s a great start—but it’s not sufficient.

    Goaltending is one of the most unique positions in sports, requiring a specialized skill set. Among the most critical of these skills is Goalie IQ: the ability to read the game, anticipate plays, and make smart decisions. Unfortunately, even goalies participating in association clinics or private lessons often miss out on this key aspect of their training.

    Many goaltenders develop strong technical skills but struggle to understand when, where, and why to apply them. Our Goalie IQ program bridges this gap by teaching goalies how to leverage their strengths, address weaknesses, and play more efficiently and effectively. The result? More saves, greater consistency, and continuous growth.

  • Our Goalie IQ Program stands out by focusing on the mental and decision-making aspects of goaltending, an area often overlooked in traditional goalie training. While most programs emphasize technical drills and athleticism, we bridge the gap between technical skills and game intelligence, teaching goalies how to read plays, anticipate outcomes, and make smarter decisions in the crease.

    What truly sets us apart from other coaches offering similar services is our holistic and personalized approach. We don’t just review video or offer cookie-cutter advice; we take the time to build a strong relationship with each goalie, tailoring our instruction to their unique strengths, weaknesses, and goals.

    Additionally, we foster an environment of mentorship and continuous learning, ensuring goalies feel supported both on and off the ice. Our program also incorporates detailed feedback, NHL-level analysis, and a commitment to helping your goalie connect their skills to real-game scenarios, making us a comprehensive solution for goaltenders looking to elevate their game.

  • The Goalie IQ Program is designed for goaltenders of all ages and skill levels. Whether your goalie is just starting out, playing competitively, or striving to reach the highest levels of the game, the program is tailored to meet their unique needs. Our focus is on developing a deep understanding of the game, improving decision-making, and maximizing each goalie’s potential, regardless of where they are in their journey.

  • Our program is designed to provide consistent coaching and mentorship, but it also offers flexibility. You’ll pay on a monthly basis, allowing you to pause the program at any time. For example, you can choose to pause during the spring and summer if your goalie isn’t playing games, or you can continue working with us to review previously unexamined game footage, analyze NHL video, and more.

  • Sessions are held bi-weekly and last 45 minutes. Approximately 30 minutes of each session will focus on analyzing video from your goaltender’s games, using specific clips that we review and cut in advance. The remaining 15 minutes will be dedicated to activities such as reviewing NHL footage, setting goals and expectations, developing mental skills and routines, and addressing any other areas we identify to help your goaltender reach their full potential.

  • Goalies who are committed to learning will see results almost immediately. The Goalie IQ program isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about building on each goaltender’s strengths and providing clear, visual feedback on areas for improvement through an understanding of the game. This feedback allows goalies to make quick, actionable adjustments that can be reviewed and applied right away.

    We also equip goalies with the mental tools needed to consciously focus on specific technical aspects of their game during practice, ensuring their knowledge and improvements translate seamlessly into games. Often, it’s the small nuances of the position that are overlooked. For example, something as simple as a goalie’s positioning in the crease during a defensive zone faceoff can have a big impact. Once a goalie understands the 'when, where, and why,' these small tweaks can lead to immediate improvement.

    The examples of such adjustments are endless, and when combined, these minor changes result in significant progress.