As you head down the stretch it is a good time to start preparing for the upcoming playoff season. It is an opportunity to hone your physical, technical and psychological game.Over the next two months, GDI Prairies will be discussing numerous topics on the goaltenders game relating towards playoff preparation.Many goaltenders look towards playoffs in "awe" and begin to build up anxiety and worry t

The Credit Union Cup went to northern Saskatchewan last year and there is no reason to think it couldn't stay there. With help from both vetern goaltender Adam Bartko and rookie Myles Hovdebo the Ice Wolves have taken a strangle hold on the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with minimal goals against at 143 in 46 games - the second lowest in the league. La Ronge currently sits first in the Bauer d

The Spokane Chiefs have added 17-year-old goaltender Adam Iwan to their roster to serve as a back-up to Mac Engel this week. Twenty-year-old James Reid was injured on Sunday night and will miss Wednesday night's start against the Everett Silvertips. Reid is currently second in the WHL in goals against with a 2.48 average. Reid's status will be determined later this week.Spokane will play three hom

Wednesday night, Teagan Sacher helped bump the Winnipeg Thrashers into first place with a perfect 3 - 0 game against the Winnipeg Wild.With Sacher's second shutout of the year he makes his presence in net evident to the league as he shuts the door on 28 shots against, and several quality scoring chances. The Wild were held scoreless on their six powerplays, which included two in the opening six mi

GDI-PRAIRIES SUMMER CAMP LAUNCHWinnipeg, MB (River Heights Arena) August 22-26, 2011Regina, SK (White City Arena) July 25-29, 2011Designed for a progression of skill levels, these camps are vital to the long-term growth of a goaltender. Camps for the first two skill levels (INTRO1 and ADV2) drive home the fundamental skills necessary for more sophisticated development. Camps for the third skill le

Yesterday's clinic had a strict focus on pass-outs. Key developmental points revolved around having an approach that was initiated by one's ice awareness and save response time. With constant repetition and instructional feedback, each goaltender developed a more defined approach to the techniques used in the various zones of the ice that correlate to corner pass-outs.With this Sunday Power Hour b

Coming up this week, GDI Prairies goaltenders will face off in a battle for first place. Right now the Winnipeg Wild and Winnipeg Thrashers are neck and neck through the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League standings. The Wild sit with 61 points and have a game up on the Thrashers who stand with 58 points.Game time is 7:30 at the MTS Iceplex. Don't Miss it!Each of the 4 GDI goaltenders have shared th

Friday night Regina Pats goaltender Damien Ketlo turned aside all 47 shots he faced against the Swift Current Broncos. After the game Ketlo was named the games 1st Star.The victory leads the Pats to a 6 - 0 record against the Broncos this season and pushed the club to within three points of a playoff spot within their conference. After a slow start to the season, the Pats have showed strong determ

GDI trained - Tyler Oswald has been called up to the Saskatoon Blades. Heading into the weekend the Blades will meet the Calgary Hitmen Saturday night at home.The Saskatoon Blades currently sit atop the Western Hockey League with 68 points.Oswald was acquired to the Blades in 2008, being drafted in the 5th round, 96th overall.

This past weekend, Pembina Valley's Tyler Oswald was awarded the Manitoba Midget AAA All-Star Defensive Player of the Game for the Provincial All- Star game.With 25 games notched this year, Oswald has faced a total of 968 shots against - which caps all goaltenders in the league. With consistent preparation and play, Ozzy holds a .905 Save Percentage.Congrats Ozz! Keep up the hard work.