4 opportunities for serious goalies
Elite Goalies Update: Florida success, Vancouver spots, NHL vide scouting, and the tool that changes everything
Hey goalies!
I've got four things I need to share with you today, and each one is going to impact your development in a different way.
#1: The Florida kids absolutely crushed it
I've been coaching goalies for decades, and I've seen thousands of kids come through camps over the years. The group that showed up to our Florida mentorship camp was operating at a completely different level than what I normally see.
These goalies didn't just show up and go through the motions. They attacked every single drill with intensity, they absorbed feedback like they were studying for the most important test of their lives, and they pushed each other to get better every day. What impressed me most was their complete lack of ego combined with maximum effort.
Well done, goalies!
#2: The Elite Goalies Vancouver camp has 5 spots left.
Our Elite Goalies Summer Development Camp in Vancouver is filling up quickly, and we're down to our final 5 spots.
You'll be working directly with me (former NHL goalie coach) and Pasco Valana, who's been with Hockey Canada for years. We have one goal for the week, and that's to make you a smarter and better goalie.
The camp runs July 17-20, 2025 at the Richmond Olympic Oval, and includes 2 intensive on-ice sessions daily, classroom work covering goalie IQ concepts that most coaches never bother teaching, and mental training sessions that separate good goalies from great ones. This program is designed for serious goalies aged 11-17 who are committed to taking their game to the next level.
Click here to register for camp
#3: I built something that solves a problem that was driving me crazy
Here's what was happening constantly: Scouts and coaches would reach out asking about a specific goalie, and I'd have to send them on this ridiculous treasure hunt across the internet. I'd tell them to check this website for stats, go to this other platform for video, look at this Instagram account for highlights, and then find their academic information on yet another site.
The whole process was completely broken, so I decided to fix it myself. I built something called Scouting Card, which you can find at myscoutingcard.com.
It's basically one link that contains everything a scout or coach needs to evaluate a player. Stats, video, personal story, contact information - everything is right there in one clean, professional hub. Think of it as LinkedIn for hockey players, except it's actually designed to be useful instead of just another social media platform.
Here's how it works:
Complete the Quick-Fill Form: After payment, you answer a handful of targeted questions about your background, stats, video links, and personal story. It only takes minutes—no spreadsheets or clunky uploads.
Your Personal Concierge Builds It: Our recruitment experts hand-craft a polished, mobile-ready Scouting Card that's optimized for speed, clarity, and coach discovery. We handle layout, bio copy, video embeds, and link organization—so you look like a pro from day one.
Review, Approve, and Share: In 2-3 business days (or less) you'll get a draft link to review. Request up to two edits on Founder plans (unlimited on Elite), then lock in your final page. Copy your unique URL and send it to any coach or scout—no more hunting for scattered files.
Check out Connor’s page: https://scoutingcard.com/article/connor-mackenzie
Order your Scouting Page: https://myscoutingcard.com/how/
#4: Get evaluated by an NHL Goalie Scout
Dan Ellis is a former NHL goalie who I worked with during my time with the Dallas Stars. He had a successful career in the NHL and has been working as a goalie scout for the Chicago Blackhawks for several years now.
Here's what separates elite goalies from everyone else: They get feedback that's accurate, honest, and actionable.
Whether you're trying to make Juniors, NCAA, or maybe even play in the NHL someday, you need people who will tell you exactly what you need to work on to get better.
Most people will tell you what you want to hear. It's human nature, but in your world, it's not helpful.
Every single NHL player I've worked with asks me the same question over and over: "What do I need to do to get better?" They're obsessed with it. They're hunting for the truth because they know that's the only way to improve.
My job as an NHL goalie coach has always been to be brutally honest and challenge them, because that's what actually makes people better.
Dan gets this. He knows that an honest evaluation is the only path to real improvement. He's not trying to make you feel good - he's trying to give you the roadmap to actually get where you want to go.
He'll watch your goalie's game footage and jump on a Zoom call to review it together, showing you specific plays and techniques while you watch. It's like having an NHL scout break down your game in real-time, plus you get a written summary of everything discussed that you can share with Junior teams and college programs.
We're accepting 20 goalies to start because of Dan's busy NHL schedule. If you want more information on this, click here and I'll send you the package options.
PS: An added bonus… You're also putting yourself in front of two guys that are deeply connected in the hockey world. Guys that get weekly texts and phone calls asking, "Who do you know?"
Here's the bottom line:
Those who know me have heard me say this before: Being a goalie is like being a race car driver.
When you pull into pit row, you have people around you that you trust completely. They make sure your car is performing at the highest level. They make sure you're ready to go back out there and compete.
It's the same thing as a goalie. You have a team around you providing opportunities and tools to help you be your best.
But here's the thing: You're the one who has to grab those opportunities. You're the one who has to use those tools. You're the one who plays.
I can put these resources in front of you. Dan can show you exactly what you need to work on. Vancouver can teach you the techniques that NHL goalies use. Scouting Card can get all your information in front of scouts.
But I can't grab them for you. I can't want it more than you do.
The goalies who make it aren't necessarily the most talented ones. They're the ones who see an opportunity and grab it. They're the ones who take every tool, every piece of feedback, every chance to get better, and they actually do something with it.
Quick congratulations: Josh Robinson will be joining Cornell's coaching staff as their goalie coach and video coach. Incredible opportunity for him and the Cornell program.
Free resource: Pasco Valana has a Substack called "The Invisible Advantage" that you can follow along with for free if you'd like to keep learning.
All the tools are right here. The question is: Are you going to grab them?
Talk soon,
Coach Valley