The Goalie Coaches Newsletter

The newsletter for goalie parents who want smarter development decisions — not more noise.
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Goalie Parents Edition Issue 26 @goaliecoaches

IN THIS ISSUE

01 Crease Notes — The Incredible never give up story of Brandon Bussi

02 Gear Verdict — Hot Buy on the True HZRDS 9x4 Goalie Twig

03 This Week's Find — Off-season training with Seattle Kraken Joey Dacord

04 Development Corner — Development Corner — Gear Built for the Goalie Wearing It

05 Crease Poll — One question. 10 seconds. Shapes next week.

01 — CREASE NOTES

The incredible story of Stanley Cup Champion Brandon Bussi

In the summer of 2020, if you grabbed a burrito bowl at the Chipotle in North Andover, Massachusetts, there's a real chance Brandon Bussi rang you up.

He was 22, undrafted, playing college hockey at Western Michigan, and working a summer job because that's what you do when the NHL hasn't called and rent doesn't care about your save percentage.

Fast forward six years. Bussi just made 22 saves to shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0, clinching the Carolina Hurricanes' first Stanley Cup since 2006 — and becoming the first American goalie to win a Cup-clinching game in a shutout since Jonathan Quick in 2014.

In between: three quiet seasons buried in Boston's system behind Jeremy Swayman, a contract that expired without a single NHL appearance for the Bruins, a one-year deal with Florida he never played a game for, and a waiver claim by Carolina that looked like a minor roster move at the time. He didn't even win the starting job — he got it in relief during Game 3 when Frederik Andersen ran out of gas. Carolina outscored Vegas 16-6 with Bussi in net from that point on.

Here's the part that hits different than your average underdog story: Bussi's masks carry autism symbols in support of his younger brother Dylan, who's on the spectrum. He's been selling "House Money" hats with proceeds going to the Autism Society of North Carolina — a nod to the mindset he leaned on through every setback. Nothing left to lose, nothing to fear, just play.

If your goalie is grinding through a tough season right now — buried on a bench, doubting themselves, wondering if it's worth it — Bussi's story is worth sharing with them. The path isn't always a straight line. Sometimes it runs through a burrito assembly line.

02 — GEAR VERDICT

This week's gear deal is a real one — not a "going out of business" discount, an actual markdown on a current flagship stick.

The TRUE HZRDUS 9X4 normally runs $359. Right now it's $215 at Pure Goalie.

The 9X4 sits at the top of TRUE's composite lineup — lightweight build, a low kick point designed for quick puck movement, and the kind of paddle stiffness that holds up under repeated stick saves without feeling like a two-by-four in your hands. If your goalie has been using a wood-composite hybrid or an entry-level stick and is ready to step up, this is the upgrade that actually makes a difference in puck handling and reaction speed — not just marketing copy.

At full price it's a tough sell for a lot of families. At $215 it's one of the better values we've seen on a top-tier composite stick this year.

​Check out our Goalie Stick review articles here​

03 — THIS WEEK'S FIND

Off-Season Training With Joey Daccord and His Dad

Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord posted a behind-the-scenes video giving us look at his off-season training with his dad at Stop It Goaltending, and it's exactly the kind of content we love sharing — no production, no hype, just real reps.

What stands out watching it: even an NHL goalie's off-season work looks a lot like what your goalie should be doing right now. Repetition, footwork, controlled movement drills — the fundamentals don't change once you're a pro, they just get sharper.

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Worth watching with your goalie this week, especially if they're in the middle of off-season training and need a reminder that the boring reps are the ones that count.

04 — DEVELOPMENT CORNER

Gear Built for the Goalie Wearing It

Quick one this week tied to a real product: Bauer's Vapor Fly-W chest protector is built specifically for female goalies — not a smaller men's cut, an actual different pattern.

The shoulder floaters, arm flex zones, and core fit are designed around a different body shape than the standard men's chest protector line. If you're a parent of a female goalie who's been making do with a unisex chest protector that doesn't quite sit right, this is worth a look. Fit affects mobility, and mobility affects how a goalie plays — it's not a minor detail.

It's a small signal of a bigger shift happening in goalie gear: more manufacturers are finally designing for the goalies actually wearing the equipment, not just shrinking a men's mold.

One question. Your answer shapes next week.

What's the biggest challenge you're facing

with your goalie's development right now?

As always thank you for being the best part of Goalie Coaches — Joe · Goalie Coaches