In this episode, Jamie and Roope cover:

• Roope’s background: Northern Finland, starting goalie at 4, full-time by 9

• Why he started coaching while still playing: “I didn’t get the help, so I wanted to help others”

• How Finland’s goalie coaching education system works (levels, regional coaches, consistent messaging)

• The shift in Finnish coaching culture: more organized education and easier pathways into coaching

• Building a goalie development program from scratch at Kärpät:

  • More resources + more ice time (4–5 goalie touches per week, not 1)

  • Recruiting coaches and building a culture that values goalie development

• How Roope made the jump to North America and the Red Wings organization

• What Roope looks for in a new AHL/NHL prospect: strengths first, weaknesses second

• The non-negotiable skill: skating pace and sharpness (on feet + on knees)

• Can you turn a bad skater into an elite skater? His honest take

• Geographic goalie “identities”: Finland hands, Czech athleticism, Russian body control, North American compete

• AHL → NHL readiness: sustainable habits, success at each level, details that scale to 60+ games

• Why some goalies stick: passing the “eye test” + coach trust

• RVH teaching priorities: stay on feet longer, strong anchor, learn to recover to feet

• How AHL consistency is built: coach consistency, structured routines, monthly check-ins, and small drill evolutions

• ECHL as a development tool: not required, but often valuable for hunger and growth

• Roope’s parting shot: continuing education and staying hungry to improve every day

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30 Ways in 30 Days to become a better hockey player, delivered right to your inbox: https://app.arketa.co/ghostathletica/intake-form/7AeAoDC0KdRC5f35oYUs

The new website: www.ghostathletica.com

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• Why mistakes are necessary for learning — but not all mistakes should be allowed

• The difference between technical freedom vs habit correction

• Confidence explained as preparation and standards, not results

• Resiliency as the ability to bounce back from failure

• Why tying confidence to outcomes is dangerous

• How coaches should individualize accountability (not all players get the same leash)

• Youth hockey habits vs tactics (ages 9–12)

• Why goalie tip training often fails due to predictability

• The importance of surprise and randomness in goalie development

• Screen training tools: what works, what doesn’t, and why real shooters matter

• NHL goalie fights, goalie goals, and goalie culture

• Parent mailbag: signs it’s time to move from parent coaching to a goalie coach

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Key Points Discussed

• The youth hockey buzzword problem: “development” often gets reduced to individual skill work and ignores human development.

• Why Derek believes winning matters — not as the only priority, but as a teacher of responsibility, teamwork, pressure, and accountability.

• Confidence explained: confidence is owned, built through preparation (routine, hydration, nutrition, visualization), and shouldn’t be dependent on external validation.

• Resiliency explained: bouncing back from fear, failure, and adversity — and why kids must experience competitive situations to learn it.

• Coaching reality: a coach being “hard on a player” can mean investment; being ignored is often the real warning sign.

• The difference between putting players in positions to succeed vs “shortening the bench to win.”

• Story from the Oakville Winter Classic: late goals against, overtime loss, and the mindset response Derek got from his 10-year-old goalie son the next day.

• Book recommendation: Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday — why it’s valuable for athletes, goalies, and hockey parents.

• Listener/community plug: Derek invites DMs and in-person conversations at rinks; encourages sharing the episode and leaving a 5-star review.

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• Get the tryout checklist here: https://app.arketa.co/ghostathletica/intake-form/N2Wh0mCY5NnCURRU35OI

• Quick intro + Ottawa Senators rumor mill and why “team statements” create speculation

• Youth hockey politics: tier friction, recruiting paranoia, and why organizations resist outside help

• Workshop outreach update: education, injury prevention, nutrition, and performance presentations for teams (in-person or remote)

• Development philosophy: pushing kids forward vs protecting organizations

• “Hard truth” segment: survivorship bias, genetic ceilings, and why “just work harder” is incomplete advice

• Goalie development realities: style isn’t copy/paste—find what works for the athlete, not what looks like an NHL comp

• Listener Q&A (Jack, 2014 goalie): spring/summer structure, private training timing, and multi-sport value

• Spring hockey: when it helps (low starts, injury recovery, new teammates/experiences) and when it’s unnecessary volume

• Off-ice training: what matters around age 12 (running/jumping/landing/cutting basics done well)

• Environment warning: age-group training and social influence (older-kid locker room culture, distractions, maturity gaps)

• Private lessons vs semi-private: why competition + better shooters + built-in rest improves training quality

• Team selection advice: stop chasing “best team,” chase the best situation (challenge, development, culture)

• Mindset tool: “confidence stacking” through daily choices (sleep, hydration, preparation, school, mobility)

• Potential Goalie Science Podcast camp discussion

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Hosts:

Dr. Jamie Phillips – Former pro goalie, DPT, Founder of Ghost Rehab & EGM

Derek Bujan – Owner, Bjan Goaltending & On Ice Hockey Performance

Special Format:

First-ever in-person episode with special appearances from Jamie’s wife and a live Q&A from the community.

Topics Covered:

• Team Canada’s World Junior goalie selection controversy

• Zayne Parekh’s NHL future: skill vs. attitude

• Coaching regrets: overcoaching, goalie rotation, and learning the hard way

• Gender-based coaching adaptations: girls vs. boys

• Junior hockey decisions: A vs AA at U13, goalie partner vs. solo crease

• New gear trends and technique myths: RVH wrist injuries, Panda, paddle grips

• 2023 coaching and business highlights (EGM, Ghost, championships)

• 2026 predictions: trades, goalie shifts, and who’s winning a Cup

• Vlog reflections, family, mentorship, and why documenting matters

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Topics Covered:

• Why one youth hockey all-star team was picked by drawing names

• How coaches can better support goalies through anxiety & pressure

• U.S. junior league breakdown: NAHL, NCDC, NA3HL, BCHL

• The risk of trusting the wrong advisor (or coach)

• Differences between junior and AAA development environments

• Goalie career mismanagement: how it happens, how to avoid it

• NHL goalie trends + how Olympic ice changes the crease landscape

• Coaching shoutouts, gear wins, and what we’re testing next

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