How to Stand Out During Tryouts

Flash gets you noticed. Consistency gets you paid.

How to Stand Out in Hockey Tryouts as a Goalie

Hockey tryouts can be intense—especially for goalies. With only one or two spots available on most teams, standing out from the pack isn’t just important—it’s essential. While raw skill is a big part of success, coaches are also watching for attitude, work ethic, and how well you fit into a team environment.

Here’s how to make sure you stand out in hockey tryouts as a goalie—on and off the ice.

1. Show Up Early, Prepare

Preparation starts the night before. Get your equipment ready, get your skates sharpened to eliminate surprises once you get on the ice. Hydrate and get a good sleep. Coaches notice goaltenders that are prepared. Get to the rink early, being early gives you time to mentally prepare, warm up and stretch, and connect with teammates. Take this time to visualize saves you're going to make. Reinforce your positive attributes in your head and focus on the controllables.

2. Dial in the Basics

Before you start worrying about flashy glove saves or sprawling pad stacks, make sure your fundamentals are rock-solid. Coaches want reliability more than flash. Focus on:

• Positioning: Always square to the puck.

• Rebounds: Control or direct them to safe zones.

• Recoveries: Get back to your feet quickly and cleanly.

• Tracking: Follow the puck from the shooter’s stick all the way in.

Consistency wins games, and it gets you noticed.

3. Communicate Like a Leader

Your voice can be just as powerful as your glove. Coaches love vocal goalies who communicate with their D-men—calling screens, pointing out rushes, and organizing breakout plays. It shows confidence and understanding of the game.

Bonus tip: Always be encouraging. Positivity is contagious.

4. Compete on Every Puck

Every. Single. One. Go full effort in every drill, every scrimmage, and every save. Even if you’re out of position, battle to stop that puck. Coaches love a goalie with a never-quit mentality. Show them you’re not just there to play—you’re there to compete.

5. Stay Calm Under Pressure

Hockey is chaotic, and goalies live in the eye of the storm. Coaches look for players who keep their cool, even after letting in a bad goal. Shake it off, refocus, and show mental toughness. Body language matters—keep it confident and composed, even when things don’t go your way.

6. Adapt Quickly

Your warmup might consist of a 3 on 0 on the first drill. Will you complain or just do the drill and compete? That mindset will set you apart. Don’t stress—just roll with it. Show that you can adapt, take coaching, and make smart adjustments. It’s one of the most underrated traits coaches look for in a goalie.

7. Ask for Feedback

If the opportunity is there, ask coaches how you can improve. This shows humility, coachability, and a desire to grow—all traits that separate good players from great ones.

8. Don't force it !

Like most things in life, force is bad. In goaltending, it can be deadly. Forcing yourself to play well can have negative effects, like being stiff, wide in your stance and overcommitted to shots. It can give you tunnel vision on the shooter and not let you be aware of the other threats around you. When trying so hard to be perfect, you become imperfect and focus on the wrong things, creating a snowball effect on your mental state. Letting the game come to you will allow you to be light on your feet, aware of threats around you and allow you to control your rebounds better because you're not so stiff. Some ways to avoid this, is to SMILE! Take some deep breaths, focus on what you can control, be IN THE MOMENT and enjoy playing the game and competing. Focus on the process and the outcome will take care of itself.

Final Thoughts

Standing out at tryouts isn’t just about how many pucks you stop—it’s about how you carry yourself, how you compete, and how you help the team. Be the hardest worker, the calmest head, and the most coachable player on the ice. If you can do that, your saves will speak for themselves.