Mitch Calvert
The Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association’s new goalie program is getting a helping hand from an NHL defenceman.
Quite fitting considering a defenceman’s job is to do just that out on the ice.
Chicago Blackhawks’ defenceman Duncan Keith’s promised donation of $5,000 (announced during “Duncan Keith Day” here this past summer) has been officially received, and is expected to go towards the goalie program headed by Glenn Witherspoon and Paul Visser.
“Goalies are [few and] far between to find, and we thought by starting this program it would spark some interest in a few young players that may be thinking of getting in the net,” FFMHA president Wayne Strachan said.
The group meets at least once a week, with Witherspoon and Visser running drills aimed at improving a goalie’s fundamental skills.
The two run their own drills, but also got technical information from Fort Frances native Jon Gustafson, a member of San Jose Sharks’ front office, on how their NHL team works with their goalies.
“I think the most we had out at one time was about 14, but it usually runs from about a dozen down to six or seven,” Witherspoon said of participation in the program. “The ones who are interested and who are trying to improve their techniques get a lot out of it, and it definitely helps.
“There’s lots of equipment we can get and [the donation] will go to good use,” he added.
Strachan said the gear bought with Keith’s donation will allow participating goalies to use it during the season and for hockey schools as needed.
