Episode 350: Chicago Blackhawks prospect Adam Gajan

Episode 350 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features freshly signed Chicago Blackhawks prospect Adam Gajan. In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Gajan shares greta stories, insights and advice from his two years of college hockey, including what changed to allow him to breakthrough this season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and earn and entry level contract with the Blackhawks team that drafted him in the second round in 2023, and his first pro start in the AHL. Gajan also talks about his experience with Slovakia at the Olympics, including an incredible off-ice experience with Jake Oettinger, the evolving state of goalies and goalie coaching in his home country, his use of NHL Sense Arena, and lots more.  In the Parent Playbook, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we answer a question from one of our readers who asks if there is more value in playing 100% of the games at a lower level, or embracing an A-team challenge where they will learn to work in a tandem. Hutch also goes on a rant about how 12 year olds should not have to fight for ice time! We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Eric Comrie of the Winnipeg Jets sharing the cheat code him and Connor Hellebuyck use to manage a 3-on-1. And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at the new Warrior Covert goalie stick, which is lightweight and features a lower kick point that makes it easier to quickly elevate hard passes past opposing forecheckers. 

Episode 349 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features Los Angeles Kings goalie development and AHL goalie coach Adam Brown. In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Brown shares stories and insights from a unique path as the son of a long-time NHL assistant coach that included getting to be in the room with some big names, his own playing days into minor pro, and the transition into coaching. He shares lessons from some of his early and current influences, including recent InGoal Radio guest Mike Buckley, and some exceptional advice on trying to bridge the gap between teaching technique and allowing goalies with different strengths and styles to play free. In the Parent Playbook, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we dig into the truth about junior tryout camps -- is it just a cash grab, or is it worth it for your young goalie?  We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Dustin Wolf of the Calgary Flames breaking down a lateral power play chance and what he calls a '"50-50" push.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at an exciting event coming soon featuring the Bauer staff and perhaps even a few pro guests. 

Episode 348 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features freshly signed Los Angeles Kings prospect and 2025 NCAA champion Hampton Slukynsky. In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Slukynsky talks about the decision to leave Western Michigan one year after winning a national championship and sign his entry-level deal with the Kings alongside older brother Grant, a forward who has been a big part of his path. Slukynsky shares insights and stories from his unique development route, from backyard rink sessions with his brother and older friends in Minnesota, to relying on YouTube for coaching until he got to the USHL, where he also won a championship as a rookie while having a goalie coach for the first time. He also talks winning gold at the under-18 world Championships, under-20 World Junior Championships and World Championships alongside Jeremy Swayman and fellow NHL Sense Arena user (we get into how he uses it) Joey Daccord.  In the Parent Playbook, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we talk about the best ways to find growth opportunities this summer with different coaching voices and camps.   We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Casey DeSmith of the Dallas Stars with a great breakdown on how to manage plays when you feel behind laterally.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at they steps required to go from designing your dream gear on one of the many recently launched customizers, to making sure it fits your body and your game, and placing that custom order. 

Episode 347 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features gold-medal winning Team USA goalie coach Mike Buckley of the Los Angeles Kings. In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Buckley talks about his experiences at the Olympics, including his work with Connor Hellebuyck, and shares some incredible lessons from a coaching career that includes a decade in the NCAA before the past seven in the NHL, first with the Pittsburgh Penguins and there last three in Los Angeles. Buckley talks about teaching "motion," a variation on backwards flow (for lack of a better term) that isn't limited to rush chances, and the psychology and mindset he's brought to the Kings, including walking us through a simple breath work drill that Anton Forsberg said has helped him immensely this season. It really is a can't miss interview loaded with takeaways for goalies at every level.   In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we ask whether that desire to protect our kids in minor hockey is really preparing them for life beyond it.  We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Jet Greaves of the Columbus Blue Jackets with a two-part look at sharp-angle shots and passes behind screens.   And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at the Warrior Alpha Surge pads, with so many new features we had to saves the gloves for another time. 

Episode 346 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features a pair of Olympians: gold-medal winner Aerin Frankel from Team USA and Rei Halloran from Team Japan.  In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Frankel shares insights from her gold-medal winning experience at the Olympics and success with the Boston Fleet after an outstanding college career, including advice on managing pressure on a big stage. And in our second feature interview, Halloran talks about her unique path the 2026 Winter Games with Team Japan as something of a late bloomer who did a lot of different sports, including horse back riding which has some interesting ties to goaltending, before playing Div. 3 NCAA at Wesleyan University, then professionally in Norway and Sweden, as well as the occasional practice fill-in stint with the Fleet. In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we build on a recent post-game interview with Devin Cooley of the Calgary Flames and revisit the importance of finding wins within the game regardless of results. We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring the return of veteran Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes and a breakdown on how to play a 2-on-1 pass higher in the zone compare to in tight.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at the new True Catalyst Nitro pads and their patent pending Post Connection System, a large, uniquely shaped toe bridge design to improve post play. 

Episode 345 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features a return appearance from Canadian Olympian and Vancouver Goldeneyes goalie Emerance Maschmeyer  In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Maschmeyer talks about her experiences at the 2026 Olympics, and how it differed from 2022 both in terms of having fans in the building and being a parent this time around. We also got some great advice on how to handle nerves in big moments, including a reminder message she writes on her blocker, and talk about her transition from Ottawa to Vancouver in the PWHL, and what its like to again be working with a new coaching voice. In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, drop Part 2 of what to do when the season comes to an end, as it has for many minor hockey families, to give give everyone proper closure. We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring the debut of Brandon Bussi and a great video breakdown on rush depth and choosing the proper push path on a cross-ice one timer.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at their big sale on Pro Return equipment from CCM and Bauer, including big names like Vasilevskiy and Markstrom. 

Episode 344 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features Tampa Bay Lightning, Syracuse Crunch goalie -- and recently named AHL goalie of the month -- Brandon Halverson. In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Halverson shares lessons and insights from a long, often winding journey to his first NHL start last season with the Lightning, more than a decade after being picked in the second by the New York Rangers in the 2014 NHL Draft. It's a path that included playing second division in Germany after injuries forced him out for almost two seasons, and at one point working as a delivery driver as he worked his way back from multiple surgeries, before starting his comeback in the ECHL and earning his way up to the AHL and then the NHL. It's a can't miss chat filled with great advice, both between the pipes technically and tactically, and between the ears with mindset tips.  In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we talk about what to do when the season comes to an end, as it has for many minor hockey families, to give give everyone proper closure. We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Matt Murray with breaking down how to managed post play and posture on an angled rush attack versus a low-high passing play. And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at the new True Project X stick, with a lively mid-kick flex, sharp graphics and weighing in at just 535 grams.

Episode 343 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features the Top Women's Goalie of the 2026 Olympics, Switzerland's Andrea Braendli.  In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Braendli discusses backstopping the Swiss women to just their second ever bronze medal in Milan with a 2-1 overtime win over Sweden after a series of 40-plus save performances just to get to the medal games. The 28-year-old shares stories and advice from her roots in the game playing mostly against boys growing up in Switzerland, and how she ended up winning a NCAA national championship at Ohio State before heading back overseas to play in Sweden, where she was named the league's top goalie. She talks technique, tactics and how to adjust to new coaching voices, including why some of her worst goalie coaches ended up being her best.  In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we talk about metrics and how to use (or better yet ignore) them, while also somewhat irincally introducing a new, free shot-tracking application developed by InGoal. We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, featuring Alex Lyon with some great advice on managing rush depth, and when to let go and just play on instinct.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, for a look at CCM's Phenom chest protector, which shrinks pro-level protection into a mobile unit for kids. 

Episode 342 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features Carolina Hurricanes goaltending coach Paul Schonfelder.  In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Schonfelder shares his path -- and important lessons from it -- to the NHL as a coach, including the transition from a short stint playing minor pro to coaching Junior A in Ontario, then coaching in the OHL, with Hockey Canada and into a development role with the Hurricanes that led to his current job. He shares tips on working with different styles of goaltender at the same time, quickly building relationships with new goalies (as he had to do with waiver claim turned rising star Brandon Bussi), the importance of a growth mindset, how to help your goalie manage the mental challenge of low-event games, and lots, lots more. In the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we look at important lessons from Connor Hellebuyck's path from never playing tier 1 minor hockey to becoming an Olympic champion.  We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, in which Vizual Edge user Cam Talbot sharing tips on how to use "windows" to manage plays and passes from behind the net.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports for a look at the most common padded undergarments in NHL locker rooms (and tease a new arrival to the category!)

Episode 340 of the InGoal Radio Podcast, presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, features standout PWHL rookie Hannah Murphy of the Seattle Torrent. In the feature interview presented by NHL Sense Arena, Murphy shares some of the highlights from the first half of an impressive first season in the PWHL, including backstopping the first win in franchise history in front of 8,600-plus fans in Seattle. The well-spoken 22-year-old shares how she learned to handle big moments and crowds during a standout NCAA career at Colgate University that included a .937 career save percentage and being team captain as a senior, as well as a lot of other great tips and advice from her path to pro, including why she prefers a floating-T in the pocket of her gloveIn the Parent Segment, presented by Stop it Goaltending U the App, we re-visit the keys to handling the car ride home after a game, but this time with a focus on playoffs. We also review this week’s Pro Reads, presented by Vizual Edge, which features Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres with a great breakdown of a net drive with pass option.  And in our weekly gear segment, we head to The Hockey Shop Source for Sports for a look at the CCM EFlex 7.5, an incredibly priced tier of gear that still maintains some pro-level features.