from Jamie McLennan of TSN,
It's no secret, when I've been asked if I had to build a goaltender, what would it look like, the simplest reply I can offer is: Pekka Rinne.
- 6'5"
- unreal flexibility
- elite lateral movement
- great puckhandling
- the Finnish relaxed but intense mental makeup
- durability (can play 70 games in a season)
- structure, but worries about stopping the puck by any means necessary
- elite rebound control because he catches pucks - and this is why I believe Pekka and most Finnish goalies work to give themselves the edgeThere are a few reasons I am biased, one being I had the great fortune of playing with one of the most talented goaltenders I've ever come across in Miikka Kiprusoff. Second, I had the opportunity to go to Finland three summers in a row and work with some of their goaltenders and the coaches involved in their development, and watch firsthand the philosophy and thought process behind what they believe to be important in the mechanics of goaltending.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.