SUCCESSFUL GOALTENDER DEVELOPMENT
What We Do
EXPERT & THOROUGH VIDEO ANALYSIS
A very personal, thorough review and discussion of your SPECIAL HOCKEY GOALTENDERS present skills, tendencies, areas of strength & areas for improvement!
PERSONALIZED PLAYER PROGRESS
This is PERSONAL for your goaltender [female or male] and you! Developing CONFIDENCE with Guidance, Preparation, Adjustment & Caring.
Family Testimonials
Kian Hodgins
From Dave Hodgins, June 2022
Here you go and thanks: Our son Kian attended Pilot Mound during the 2021-2022 season. Before selecting to send Kian to PM we spoke at length to Gordie PM’s goalie coach. We were impressed from our initial conversations with Gordie regarding his philosophy to coaching and his instantaneous rapport with our goalie. He explained that he would be providing goalie training sessions once a week as well as meetings with all the PM goalies as a group during team dinners where all things goaltending would be discussed. Additionally, he explained that he would meet one on one with his goalies to discuss their individual progression and any areas he felt needed more attention. Throughout the year Gordie accomplished this and more with Kian communicating regularly with him one on one or part of the larger PM goalie team. Kian expressed to us that Gordie took the time to review full games with Kian by providing extensive breakdown and explanation of what he could do to improve. As this was Kian’s first time away from home Gordie and the coaching staff and support staff provided Kian with the support he needed both on and off the ice. A special note of gratitude to the PM house parent Brittany with support from Ginger who took such good care of Kian. We were also extremely pleased that Gordie communicated with us and responded immediately to any questions that we had throughout the year. As parents we made a huge financial decision and sacrificed our child living away from home so he could chase his dreams. We could not be more pleased at watching Kian develop his confidence and skill as a goalie under Gordie and the coaching staff at PM. We were so proud when as a 15 year old everyone’s hard work was recognized when Kian was nominated by the CSSHL for the goalie of the year award.
15yr old Kian Hodgins ’06 of Ottawa, Ontario was signed by the Adirondack Junior Thunder, Glens Falls, NY of the 10 team ECHL. At 14 years old Kian came to us for one year, possibly two, to put him over the top for the A] possibility of signing with a North American junior hockey ‘A’ team or B] to be drafted into the OHL… Kian’s trust in Pilot Mound and me, was realized with his Adirondack Jr Thunder New York signing!
About Gordie Tumilson
Long time Goalie Coach & Mentor
I am a proud original Winnipeg Jet goalie from the WHA days of 1972-76! I, like all of my counter-parts before and until the late 1990’s am totally self taught. Meaning we learned the game the hard way – nothing handed to us. We had to figure it out ourselves!
With this dedication to learning I have transferred what I know as a goalie coach and mentor to goalies, parents and coaches for over 40years! I have grown with the game and in particular the ‘differences’ in movement, stance and very much the mental & emotional aspects of the position! I have successfully guided goalies and alike through the most difficult, pressure packed times providing encouragement and most importantly confidence to my young goalie friends and their support group.
My Hockey History
- Winnipeg Jets WHA 1972-76 [one Avco Cup]
Prior to Jets
- West Kildonan North Stars [MJHL] 2 years – league all-star in year two
- 1 year with St Boniface [senior hockey] Mohawks
- 6 years of “outdoor only’ hockey as a kid at Northwood Comm. Centre in Winnipeg
Coaching
- Pilot Mound Hockey Academy [2018-present] PMHA Buffaloes
- Hockey Canada Certified coach & goalie coach instructor within the certification program
- Had the opportunity to work with and be influenced by so many 1st class people in hockey. Helping me to be the successful coach/mentor/person I am today.
- 40 years coaching goalies [boys and girls] at all levels from Junior, AAA, high school, right to A1 at the community centre level.
- Assisted in promoting over 30 goalies to junior or college level capabilities.
- Most importantly have been part of the support team for well over 150 goalies, and others on the team, and them becoming good quality people!
My Coaching Philosophy
I believe it is totally up to the player to take the responsibility for attaining their highest desired level of achievement [in anything they do]. It is the responsibility of the support team to do just that – support the players efforts and desires to our fullest. Always keeping in mind honesty, caring, respect, courtesy, morals, ethics and ultimately best effort.