Why Rent a Goalie?

There are many reasons why you may need to rent a goalie such as injuries, scheduling conflicts and lack of depth etc. Quality experienced adult goalies are in short supply and often hard to commit to a team or league. There are some important questions you should ask and simple steps you can take when renting a goalie.

5 common reasons why a team might need to rent a goalie:

1. Injuries: One of the most common reasons for renting a goalie is to cover for an injury to your team’s regular goaltender. This can be especially important if your team is dealing with multiple injuries, as it allows you to maintain a strong presence in net while your injured players heal.
2. Lack of depth: Even if your team doesn’t have any injuries, you may still choose to rent a goalie to add depth to your roster. This is especially important if you have a young or inexperienced goaltender who may benefit from a little extra support.
3. Special events: Sometimes, teams will rent a goalie for a specific event or tournament. For example, if you’re participating in a tournament and your regular goaltender is unavailable, you might choose to rent a goalie for the duration of the event.
4. Cost effectiveness: Renting a goalie can be a cost-effective way to add depth to your team. Instead of committing to a long-term contract, you can bring in a goalie on a short-term basis, which can be a more affordable option.
5. Experience and skill: Renting a goalie can also give you access to players who may be more experienced or skilled than your regular goaltender. This can be especially helpful if you’re facing a particularly tough opponent or if you’re trying to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Adult Hockey Goalies are in Short Supply

1. Physical demands: Playing goalie requires a high level of physical fitness and athleticism, and not everyone is up to the task.
2. Specialized equipment: Goalies require specialized equipment, including leg pads, gloves, and a chest protector, which can be expensive to purchase and maintain
3. Time commitment: Playing goalie can be a time-consuming and demanding role, requiring regular practice and commitment to the team.
4. Mental challenge: Playing goalie can be mentally challenging, as the position requires quick reflexes, decision-making under pressure, and the ability to handle adversity.
5. Limited opportunities: There are typically fewer spots available for goalies on teams, as there is only one goalie on the ice at a time. This can make it harder for goalies to find opportunities to play.

How To Rent a Goalie?

Best Questions to Ask to Rent a Goalie

It is important to ask your potential goalie questions to get a sense of the goalie’s level of experience, dedication, and ability to handle the demands of the position. It’s also a good idea to watch the goalie in action, either through game footage or in person, to get a better sense of their skills and style of play.

Some good questions to ask an adult hockey goalie before signing them up for your team include:

What is your current level of fitness and what do you do to maintain it?

Hockey is a physically demanding sport and goalies need to focus on their fitness. For example, do they go to the gym? Do they have any form of workout routine?

Do you have any prior experience playing hockey as a goalie, and at what level?

Having prior experience playing hockey in any capacity is beneficial for a goalie as it provides a solid foundation of knowledge about the game and the skills needed to play it. Additionally, having experience playing as a skater can help a goalie understand the perspective and movements of the players on the ice, which can be useful in anticipating and reacting to shots and plays.

What kind of equipment do you have, and is it in good working order?

It’s important for goalies to wear properly fitting and well-maintained equipment in order to perform at their best and stay safe on the ice.

How often do you practice and how do you stay sharp during the season?

The frequency of practice for hockey goalies during the season will depend on the level and intensity of their competition, as well as their personal goals and needs. At a minimum, it is generally recommended for goalies to practice at least once a week during the season, either on their own or with a team or coach. For goalies who are competing at a high level or who have specific areas of their game that they want to improve, more frequent practice may be necessary. In these cases, goalies may choose to practice multiple times per week, or even daily, in order to get the repetitions and practice time needed to develop and refine their skills.

How do you handle high-pressure situations and adversity on the ice?

Hockey goalies often face high-pressure situations during games, such as facing breakaways, penalty shots, or shots in close with the game on the line. By staying focused, composed, positive, and in the present, and using visualization techniques, hockey goalies can better handle high-pressure situations and perform at their best when it matters most.

Are you able to commit to regular practices and games with the team?

Committing to regular practices and games is essential for goalies to develop and maintain their skills, stay sharp and in shape, and be an important part of their team.

Important Rent a Goalie Attributes

Ensure you find the best quality goaltender available. Ensure your rent a goalie has strong reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to think and react quickly, which can be developed through practice and training regardless of a person’s background in hockey. Ultimately, the most important qualities for a goalie are a strong work ethic, dedication to improving their skills, and a willingness to learn and adapt.

1. Reflexes: Quick reflexes allow for a goaltender to stop the puck before it reaches the goal line, giving their team an opportunity to score. Fast reflexes are key for any goalie because they allow for quick reaction and recovery from mistakes.  
2. Hand-eye coordination:  Good hand-eye coordination helps a goaltender anticipate where the puck will go, providing them with extra time to react and make saves.
3. Quick thinking and decision making:  Quick thinking and decision making allow a goaltender to anticipate the puck’s movement and make timely saves.
4. A strong work ethic: A strong work ethic allows for a goaltender to practice and train with consistency, which in turn increases their skillset.
5. A willingness to learn and adapt: A willingness to learn and adapt is key, as it allows for continued development of unique skillsets. Individual differences between goaltenders can be seen in how they control the puck, their positioning on the ice, how they stop and start, and the speed at which they implement a play.
6. An understanding of the game: An understanding of the game requires an appreciation for all aspects of hockey. A goaltender who truly understands the sport and how to position themselves will also be able to understand how their opponents are playing.

Conclusion

Overall, renting a goalie can be a valuable tool for any team looking to add depth, cover for injuries, or boost their chances of success. Quality free agent adult hockey goalies are in short supply due time commitments, physical demands and the need for costly specialized equipment. Nonetheless, you can follow 5 simple steps to rent a goalie.

Remember, it is important to do your due diligence by looking for the right attributes and asking the right questions to make sure you’re getting a player who will be a good fit for your team.

If you are a team in desperate need of a quality goalie to join your team, check out our extensive listing of free agent players on Subsneeded. If you are a free agent goalie looking for games, list yourself today on Subsneeded. List and showoff your skills, set your availability and take bookings from teams desperately looking for a goalie or quality player.