In U7, kids don't wear goalie equipment and they rotate through the goalie position each shift. In U9, goalie equipment is provided to each team and the players rotate through the position each game.

At the U11 level, goalie equipment is no longer provided by the organization - this is generally where players decide whether to take the goalie route or the player route.

As we all know, goalie gear can be a significant investment. A common and effective way to manage costs is to have your child properly fitted at a retail store (we recommend United Sport & Cycle), then use those sizing details to explore the pre-owned market for equipment. Beyond that, equipment can be purchased at major hockey retailers in the Edmonton area. We recommend a goalie helmet and skates at the U11 age. Goalie helmets protect better than a player's helmet does, and goalie skates are designed with more room in the ankle for movement and have a different blade profile to allow the goalie to move around their crease.

We strongly recommend having the proper sized equipment for the size your child currently is. Growing into equipment isn’t recommended. Kids need to be able to control their range of motion and positioning- this is what will give them the opportunity for the best development in their position.

If you are unsure about sizing or equipment selection, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help put you in touch with our goalie community to help guide you.

Goalies skate separately during the first day of evaluations, and they are also evaluated as part of the games that the players are doing over the weeks following.  

Depending on the number of players in their age group who are interested in goalie, players do not necessarily need to commit to being a full-time goalie; they may choose to play both as a skater and in net. To support this, athletes will be evaluated in both positions so they can be properly considered for team placement in each role. As part of the process, athletes may also be asked what percentage of time they are interested in playing goal. If your player wants to be full-time goalie but is asked to evaluate as a player as well, we recommend borrowing player equipment for the evaluation process if possible.

Your child is welcome to attend our summer Goalie Conditioning Camp, which is a two-session camp that takes place the last two Sundays of August - one hour each Sunday. The cost of this camp is $50. Learn More

Your goalie is also welcome to attend the player camps in their age group (as a goalie) at no charge. These camps can provide valuable goalie practice for your kids.

After your child is placed on a team, there may be an opportunity for financial assistance for goalie training from the team budget, but this is a decision made on a team-by-team basis.

In addition to the Hawks Goalie Skills Development program, we strongly encourage goalies to participate in additional development outside of our organization during the off-season. There are local goalie-specific camps and clinics offered throughout the season and off-season as well.

In addition, lots of sports or spring/summer activities - baseball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis etc. are great for goalie development. Multiple sport disciplines are beneficial for all developing goalies and athletes.

For goalie training, some great options include:

• Level Up Goaltending
• Nastiuk Goaltending
• True North Goaltending
• R&R Empowering Society of Alberta (Terwillegar Rec Centre)
• ATC Goaltending
• Gold in the Net
• Increase Performance
• Eli Wilson Goaltending