About Us
Train with the best
The Mental Goalie Approach
Specializing in:
Semi-private, private sessions, and camps in Maine & Upstate, New York, The Mental Goalie employs a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to goalie training. Broken down by age/or skill level, we tailor our comprehensive training approach to different age groups and skill levels. We understand the pressures of what it takes to be a goalie and the stresses that come with the position, both on and off the ice, so most importantly The Mental Goalie is a fun and exciting place to train, where players will not only get better, but develop their love for the game.
The hockey world is changing and so is the understanding of the goaltending position. As little as ten years ago it would have sounded absurd to dedicate a portion of practice to goalie training. Now, it is becoming expected. However, the goaltending position is still one often misunderstood, and The Mental Goalie’s approach to goaltending is to reinforce and help ease the mental toll on today’s goalies. There is no “right” or “wrong” style of goaltending anymore, but there is a way to approach the mental training of the goalie game. This, along with coaching and reinforcement of fundamentals, proper save selection, and positioning, can help goaltenders develop the most important skill of all in today’s hockey game: patience.
In 2021 we introduced The Mental Goalie’s Mindset Academy, an online platform offering mental skills training exclusively for hockey goaltenders. Our training modules cover crucial aspects like confidence-building, accountability, and discipline. We aim not just to enhance technical prowess but also to fortify the mental resilience of aspiring goaltenders. Along with the Mindset Academy, we offer 1 on 1 mentorship (our ELITE Program) to goalies of all ages. Our Mindset and ELITE students have gone on to have their most successful seasons, and have used the skills learned to land roster spots at Prep Schools, NCAA and ACHA colleges, Junior programs, and AAA selects programs.
Coach Austin "Ace" Christopher
Coach Austin grew up in Winthrop, Maine, following the typical path of young hockey players – competitive youth travel to high school varsity. He excelled on the ice and earned several state and school awards, including MVP, 1st Team All State, and the Hobey Baker Maine High School Boy’s Hockey Award. His dream was to play at the college level, but his family couldn’t afford the traditional route of pay-to-play juniors.
In 2013, he took a different path and walked into the head coach’s office at Franklin Pierce University, a Northeast-10 NCAA Division 2 College, with odds against him but an unwavering belief in himself. He was offered an opportunity to try out for the team and made the Ravens’ squad. He redshirted in his first year and then competed for four years on the NCAA team. After five years of college hockey, he graduated with an MBA in 2018.
Following graduation, Coach Austin began coaching student-athletes, with a focus on the complete mental and physical aspects of the sport. This led to the creation of The Mental Goalie and shortly after, the Mental Goalie’s Mindset Academy. The Mindset Academy goes beyond mental toughness, addressing the mental struggles and demands of the sport that take a great toll on all goaltenders during their journey. Drawing from his own experiences and learning, Coach Austin has guided young athletes to build confidence, accountability, discipline, self-awareness, and positive and productive thinking. His comprehensive and thorough mindset training is tailored to goalies and has resulted in positive outcomes for all his students and their families.
Before starting The Mental Goalie, Austin coached with the Goalie Academy Boston and was a staple instructor at the Rousseau’s Goalie Clinic in Falmouth, Maine, alongside John Racine. As the Mental Goalie, Austin has served as the goaltending coach for numerous youth organizations in the area, including Troy Albany, Saratoga, Clifton Park, CP Dynamo, Saugerties, and Schenectady. Coach Austin is also the on-ice coach for Shen High School, Saratoga High School, Christian Brothers Academy, BHBS High, and his alma mater, St. Dominic Academy. Over the years, he’s coached the men’s and women’s teams at Northwood Prep, and Thomas College. Outside of mental skills training, his bread and butter is semi private & private lessons, as well an intensive summer camps from New York to Maine designed to push athletes out of thier comfort zones and build mental toughness.
I just wanted to say thank you for an excellent weekend! Ben can’t stop talking about how much he loves camp and thought it was so much fun! He is asking when the next mini camp will be 🙂 You and your team did a fantastic job and I just wanted to let you know. Thank you so much for your continued help with Ben. He played his best game this weekend by far. I think all of his hard work with you is coming together.
I’m not sure he would have even continued being a goalie if he didn’t have you…he was so beaten down and discouraged. So thank you for believing in Seth and helping him to believe in himself again!
Thanks so much for your kind words and all of the mentoring and coaching you have done with Leo. It means so much for you to reach out and let me know how you see him as he does work so hard and I am so happy that his hard work paid off. It was nice to see him connect with you and follow your coaching, he learned alot from you and your caring for him allowed him to grow as a skater and as a young man. I appreciate your work and am so glad the goalie community has you to guide and mentor their youth!
It's great to hear your take on Cole and I appreciate that. I watched him last week for the first time in a while and noticed the improvement immediately. I believe his improvement is a direct result of your coaching. He enjoys going to goalie practice and working hard more now than ever before because I believe he connects with you and your coaching style. There is no doubt you have made a difference not only to his goalie abilities but his work ethic and confidence. We are all proud of him and I appreciate all the hard work you have put in with him.
Hey on a side note thank you for all your help.. You really helped Blake alot.. He really likes your approach and does his best to implement what your teaching. On a team that had high expectations with alot of depth the pressure was on the whole season. Thank you for helping him succeed
Hey Coach...I made the team! I just wanted to thank you for all of the hard work you put in to help me get to where I am now. I am excited to finally get my shot at the AAA level and am really excited to play on this team and will keep busting my ass to get even better. Can’t wait for Thursday!
The Mindset Academy
What You'll Learn in The Mindset Academy:
Learn how to develop the necessary mindset to not only perform at your best, but to also overcome obstacles and push past limitations. With a focus on building mental toughness, resilience, and confidence, this course will help you achieve your goals both on and off the ice.
Stop Doubting and Start Dominating
Step inside the mindset of peak performance. Coach’s Notes is where we break down proven mental skills, confidence strategies, and training insights designed to help athletes sharpen focus and build resilience, both on and off the ice.
The Only Controllables You Have
As goaltenders, our performance on the ice often feels like a delicate balancing act between skill, strategy, and sheer determination. In the midst of the chaos, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by factors beyond our control – the speed of the puck, the skill of the opposing team, or even the decisions of the referees. However, amidst this uncertainty, the only controllables you have that remain firmly within your grasp are: your preparation, your attitude, and your effort. Attitude serves as the cornerstone of mental fortitude, shaping our perception of
🚫 5 Things You Should Never Do After a Loss!
Every goaltender faces the challenge of recovering effectively after a tough loss. Resilience plays a vital role in their success on the ice. To overcome setbacks, it’s essential to steer clear of certain pitfalls that can hinder progress and erode confidence. In this blog post, we will discuss five important strategies that every goalie should employ to bounce back stronger after a loss. 1. Shifting Focus: Avoid Dwelling on the Outcome It’s natural to feel disappointed after a loss, but dwelling on the outcome can impede progress. Instead, redirect your
How Non-Judgmental Awareness Can Boost Mental Toughness for Goaltenders
Boost Your Mental Toughness If you’re a goalie looking to up your game, you know that mental skills training is essential. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the concept of non-judgmental awareness and how it can help goalies reduce anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and increase resilience on the ice. Non-judgmental awareness, also known as non-judgmental mindfulness, involves observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment without judgment or evaluation. By cultivating a sense of openness, curiosity, and acceptance towards whatever arises in one’s awareness, goalies can learn
Maine’s Mini Ice Rink
The Ice Shack
Located in the heart of central Maine, The Ice Shack is a 27×40-foot ice training facility uniquely designed for hockey and skating skill development. This rink is a first of its kind in the region and serves as the home base for The Mental Goalie. Our mission is to develop the next generation of hockey players and strengthen the hockey community in Maine. The Ice Shack offers personalized, hands-on training in a setting where players can refine their craft and grow their skills.
The Mental Goalie School
Ready to Get Started?
Unlock your full potential with us at The Mental Goalie School! Schedule 1-on-1 lessons, join an upcoming goalie camp or enroll in our Mindset Academy – now’s the time to sharpen your focus, boost confidence, and elevate your game. Don’t wait until the season starts, start building your edge today.
