from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

Chuck Fletcher is a Harvard graduate. Part of his hockey education took place at the side of father Cliff Fletcher, a Hockey Hall of Famer. The Minnesota Wild general manager once worked as an agent for Newport Sports Management. He rescued his team’s season last year by acquiring Devan Dubnyk from Arizona for a third-round pick.

Fletcher needs neither his diploma nor his credentials to identify the element that has revolutionized hockey. His eyes do that just fine.

“There’s no question the biggest advancement in coaching and skill development in the last 20 years,” Fletcher said, “has been with respect to goaltending.”

Equipment has helped goalies reach their zenith. Pads are taller than the Eiffel Tower. Gloves can scoop up enough salmon to handle the dinner rush at Legal Sea Foods.

But the position’s biggest advancement is in education. Goalies of all ages have never been taught as well as they are now. Techniques such as reverse VH, pushing laterally while on the pads, and playing deep haven’t just been identified and thought out well. Goalie coaches are teaching and reinforcing good habits throughout the year.

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