About The Goalie Academy
The Goalie Academy is a goalie specific training organization focused on preparing goalies to play at the highest levels. The GA, has a proven track record of producing the top goalies in the Mid-Atlantic area. Our goalies have gone on to play AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA D-I, NCAA D-III, USHL, NAHL, and New England Prep, not to mention the overwhelming number of AAA goalies that come to us for guidance on a regular basis. We have also had several goalies attend NHL training camps.
We specialize in everything goaltending. Included in our year-round events are private lessons, camps, clinics, video coaching, team coaching, organizational coaching, goalie equipment, and goalie specific off-ice training.
With our staff having worked with many current NHL goalie coaches, we know first hand what it takes to reach the highest levels of play and we are able pass on our knowledge to all goalies who train with us.
Our staff is comprised of instructors who have all played at least college level hockey or higher, but even more importantly, we are still students of the game. We have great coaches, who pay attention to every detail and we have the patience to ensure that our students are doing things right! Goaltending and goaltending coaching is not only our job, but it is our PASSION.
About Progressive Hockey Development
Progressive Hockey Development (PHD) is the home of The Goalie Academy’s year-round training. Our PHD facilities are located in Sterling, VA, Rockville, MD, and Newton, MA. The PHD facilities allow us to work one-on-one with our goalies, both on ice and off ice, to ensure their full, well-ronded skill development. There is no doubt that private lessons are the single best tool for a goalie’s progression.
Our large surfaces allow us to focus on all aspects of the goaltenders game, such as fndamental skill development as well as game situational play. Our facilities are far superior to many other programs, which only provide simple “shooting ranges” that do not allow for anything other than straight on shots at the goalie.
Our off-ice areas also provide our goalies with yet another opportunity to move ahead of their competition. In this feature, we focus on goalie specific training including, core strength, leg explosion, flexibility, hand-eye coordination, and overall conditioning and stamina building.
About the Directors
The Goalie Academy, Inc. and Virginia
Darren Hersh co-founded The Goalie Academy in 1996 after a successful hockey playing career that included an ECAC Championship and Playoff MVP Award with Bowdoin College in 1993 and a Central Hockey League Championship with Wichita Thunder in 1994.
Hersh is the current Goalie Coach for the Reading Royals, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. With Reading, and with Johnstown Chiefs in 2009, Darren has been fortunate to have been able to work with six (6) minor league goalies with NHL camp experience including Kris Mayotte (Colorado & Washington), John Murray (Columbus), Ben Scrivens (Toronto), Matt Dalton (Boston), Michael Hutchinson (Boston), and Daren Machesney (Washington).
As the Director of The Goalie Academy, Hersh prides himself and his organization on their ability and track record of producing high level goalies from the ground up and from non-traditional hockey areas like Maryland, Virginia, and Central Pennsylvania. Coach Hersh has helped develop from very young ages Dan Sullivan (University of Maine), Jay Williams (Miami of Ohio University), Dan Rivellini (Babson College) and top college prospects Nick Ellis (Pomfret School), Stephen Morrissey (Kent School), and Eric Vierkant (Culver Academy). Some of the best future prep, junior, college, and pro goalie prospects are originating in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania with The Goalie Academy.
Among Coach Hersh’s other high level students have been Kris Mayotte (Union College and AHL), Anthony Feyock (University of Rhode Island and CHL), Pudge Sillery (Union College and FHL), Michael Clemente (Brown University), and Freddie Bergman (University of Nebraska-Omaha). He also works with the DC area’s best young and rising goalies, including the top AA and AAA goaltenders.
Maryland
Kristofer Mayotte joins The Goalie Academy staff after finishing a four year professional career. Prior to his pro career Kristofer won a Clarke Cup Championship with Sioux City in the USHL, and was a four year starter at NCAA Division1 Union College. Kristofer has shared the ice with goalies such as Jose Theodore, Peter Budaj, Simeon Varlamov, Michael Neuvirth, and Jon Quick. Also, Kristofer has been coached by 5 different NHL goalie coaches which has allowed him to develop an elite level approach to goalie development.
As a coach, Kristofer has coached many of the top level goalies from the area, including Dan Sullivan (University of Maine), Jay Williams (Miami of Ohio University), Michael Clemente (Brown University). He also, works the local areas top young talent as he currently has 8 AAA goalies coming to work with him on a private one-on-one basis.
The Goalie Academy of Boston and Massachusetts
Doug Michals co-founded The Goalie Academy in 1996 after a successful hockey career that included record setting seasons at The University of Connecticut and a brief stint in the ECHL with Johnstown Chiefs.
Michals currently operates his 1-on-1 private goalie training out of the Fesseden School rink in Newton, MA and Doug is the Director of Goaltending for The Boston Jr. Bruins organization.
In the recent past, Michals has also been the Director of Goaltending for the Hershey Jr. Bears organization as well as the Goalie Coach for Governor’s Academy in Byfield, MA and Xaverian Brothers School in Westwood, MA.
