More than 50 goalie coaches from across the country descended on St. Louis this past weekend for USA Hockey’s Silver Goalie Coach education course - and the energy at the Centene Community Ice Center was buzzing with purpose.
Hosted by the St. Louis Blues from January 22-24, the three-day clinic wasn’t just about sharpening skills; it was part of a bigger mission: to elevate American goaltending to the point where U.S.-born goalies are logging 51% of the minutes at the game’s highest levels - the NHL and PWHL - by 2030.
That’s an ambitious goal, but weekends like this one show it’s more than just talk.
The clinic blended over five hours of on-ice training with seven hours of classroom sessions, offering a comprehensive deep dive into the art and science of goaltending. It wasn’t just about technique - though there was plenty of that - but also about how to better develop young goalies, how to teach the position with more nuance, and how to build a sustainable pipeline of elite American netminders.
Among the coaches lending their expertise was David Alexander, the Blues’ Director of Goaltending. Alexander has been with the franchise since 2017 and played a key role in developing Jordan Binnington, including during that unforgettable 2019 Stanley Cup run, and more recently, Joel Hofer. His presence at the clinic gave attendees a direct line to NHL-level insight - the kind you can’t get from a textbook or a highlight reel.
Also joining the event was Alex Cavallini, one of the most decorated American women’s goaltenders of her generation. Cavallini, who most recently played in the PWHPA, is a trailblazer in every sense - the first goalie in USA Hockey history to represent the U.S. at the U-18, U-22, and senior levels. Now serving as a youth hockey ambassador for the Blues, she’s been a fixture at the club’s Girls Development skates and youth hockey graduations, helping inspire the next wave of talent.
The clinic wasn’t just for coaches. Around 60 local goaltenders hit the ice to train with some of the best minds in the position, getting hands-on instruction that could shape their development for years to come.
And in a move that speaks to the sport’s growing accessibility, nearly 80 kids under the age of 8 got the chance to try goaltending - for free. It’s the kind of grassroots outreach that could pay major dividends down the line.
The weekend also spilled into the NHL spotlight. During the second intermission of Saturday’s game between the Blues and the Los Angeles Kings, eight young goalies took the ice at Enterprise Center for a scrimmage - fully suited up and rocking Team USA and Team Canada gear in celebration of the upcoming Winter Olympics. The pads were more than just flashy; they were replicas of Jordan Binnington’s Team Canada setup from the 4 Nations Face-Off and Cavallini’s Team USA pads from the 2022 Winter Games.
It was a moment that brought the weekend full circle - from grassroots development to the NHL stage, from learning the position to celebrating its biggest stars. And if USA Hockey’s 2030 vision is going to become a reality, it’ll be because of weekends like this - where knowledge is shared, inspiration is sparked, and the future of American goaltending takes another confident stride forward.