New NCAA Rule a Game Changer For Goaltenders

Time.

That’s what the vast amount of goaltenders need is more time and experience.

There’s no question the NCAA rule change will change the landscape of the game of hockey as we know it but it might change how people view the goaltending position and it’s subsequent development for countless goaltenders moving forward.

Obviously, the rule change will allow top end goaltenders to continue to develop potentially for another four years.

The CHL is incredibly well known for its overage netminders, most of which are usually undersized, undrafted or as some organizations look at it as taking the “watch and see approach.”

Those netminders will now have four extra years of time and experience under their belts if they pursue the NCAA route.

The time element of the developmental process is built in.

Most overage netminders have seen it all by the time they reach their final year in the CHL. Some have been part of a rebuild while others have been “the go to guy” for a long long time. “Tried, tested and true,” that’s what they bring to the table.

Now just imagine a Division 1 team, that have goaltenders potentially near the end of their time of the program and they could go out and land a highly touted overager from the CHL with a winning pedigree. Now that’s a game changer.

There’s a big difference between not ready and unproven. The CHL also has a tumultuous history of being a battle ground or an unpleasant place to play for young netminders and their development.

Life between the pipes isn’t always easy.

Are organizations doing everything in their power to develop and help netminders progress?

Is it “not ready”, “unproven” “too young” “needs more time” or just not good enough?

It’s seems that the hockey world use all these labels or categories for goaltenders at one point or another.

The “unproven” need to play.

The “not ready” need more time to develop.

The “veteran” needs to be pushed and challenged. In all of these instances the time factor levels the playing field.

You see time is a game changer when it comes to life in the crease.