Ian Clark - Helping the Pro's Work on Every Part of Their Game

Less than a month after being the Blue Jackets' new goaltender coach, Ian Clark is trying to instill his philosophies into Columbus' younger netminders.

"Goaltenders play the most important role on the team and they have the biggest impact on team success," Clark said. "Their preparation has to be impeccable. My objective is to implant those seeds in the young guys."

While Clark is making his first appearance at development camp, Mathieu Corbeil, Allen York, and Martin Ouellette are all returning participants.

Clark said he spent Tuesday just watching the players and getting to know them while Wednesday he began to get more technical with the trio. (For the full news article Click Here)

In addition to a previous eight years with the Canucks organization, Clark was also a member of Team Canada's coaching staff at the World Junior Championships from 2003-06, winning silver medals in 2003 and 2004 and capturing gold in 2005 and 2006. He also served as the Florida Panthers goaltending consultant in 2001-02. Highlighting the list of goaltenders he has worked with includes Roberto Luongo, Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fleury, Cory Schneider, Andrew Raycroft, Johan Hedberg and Mathieu Garon.

Clark, 45, is recognized as the leading educator of the goaltending position as his knowledge and innovative approach has attracted high-performance goaltenders at the NHL, minor pro, major junior and NCAA levels. He was the founder of GDI (the Goaltender Development Institute) and served as technical author of From the Crease – The Self Development Guide to Hockey Goaltending from 1998-2003 and The Goalie News from 2003-08.

Ian Clark - Helping the Pro's Work on Every Part of Their Game

Schneider a Piece to the Puzzle for Game 7

Cory Schneider may have not expected to hit the ice when heading into the Stanley Cup finals, but now after game six he has tallied up 65 minutes of play and has faced a fair amount of rubber within the time in goal, holding out 39 shots.

Being in net is known to be one of the toughest positions to play in hockey. A position where it has been evident in how success can fall on a goalies shoulders due to how they perform. Looking for success, goaltenders prepare meticulously day in and day, going through repetition in practice and analyzing video and critiquing tendencies of opponents.

Now, for a backup goaltender this is a whole different story. A goalie is now asked to play a supportive role to the starting goaltender. The bench becomes a separate home to the crease where the number two encourages teammates and discusses everything tactical for the team. Holding their job, several coaches resort to having their backup recording stats and the oppositions motives during games. Ice time in practices has to be fought for at times, and is pressured in to go beyond the sixty minutes of practice time for extra ice.

Looking to this years playoffs a rare occasion was presented to Cory Schneider. Heading into the post-season he was settled in knowing that he was looked upon to play a supporting role to starting goaltender Roberto Luongo. Displaying his ability to adapt when called upon through the Vancouver Canucks playoff run, Schneider has presented his incredible mental focus through being emotionally flexible.

Continually owning and developing his skills with great effort during practice and through off-ice training he has prepared himself for every opportunity to play, even if his chance of playing is minimal. As a backup through the playoffs there has never been an instance where he has stopped caring or working hard, knowing that in doing this he would only set himself up for failure.

Heading to Vancouver for game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, this will be the last deciding game and end to the 2011 cup run. With the series dead locked at 3-3 tie, the President Trophy recipients have received the right to hold the game back home. Holding in his pride, Schnedier has been a strong value to the final chapter as he went 16-4-2 when called upon during the season. Previously in his goaltending career with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL he was known as the teams starting goaltender and was represented as the teams backbone holding the team in numerous games throughout both the season and the playoffs. In 2007 he was named the league's Goaltender of the Year following his second season. Previously before his professional career, he backstopped Boston College to a record setting sixth Lamoriello Trophy in team history as East Champions.

Stepping into his first full season on an NHL roster, Schnedier has resisted the urge to stop caring and be disheartened. Known as a competitor he has always put in a full effort battling to challenge his teammates in practice, setting a standard for the character of he he wants to be known.

Young goaltenders moving forward through their hockey career can learn a lot through past experiences such as contributing to the team unit in a more supportive role. Too often, when a goaltender is placed as a backup through a playoff run they layer and allow frustration and disappointment to set in. Becoming so highly focused on the present will cause a goaltender to eventually give up. Contrary for both Vancouver Canucks goaltenders, both have overcome many challenges to get to where they have climbed to get to today.

Schneider will be noticed for his emotional control and ability to adapt throughout the season and playoffs...no matter how game 7 ends.



Previously training with GDI National Consulting Camps and being under mentorship from NHL Goaltending Consultant Ian Clark, Cory Schnedier displays an impeccable technical foundation. Quickly acquiring read and anticipatory skills over the course of his full NHL season he has started to settle into a promising career. Below is a past video of Schnedier being put through the paces in a repetitive post-save recovery drill.

Schneider a Piece to the Puzzle for Game 7

Columbus Blue Jackets Name Ian Clark Goaltending Coach

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced June 6 that Ian Clark has joined the organization as goaltending coach. Clark most recently served as the Vancouver Canucks goaltending coach and consultant from 2002-10.

"We are very pleased to welcome Ian to our coaching staff," said Blue Jackets Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson. "He has a tremendous amount of experience working with NHL goaltenders and helping them improve their level of play. We look forward to him working with all of our goaltenders and strengthening that position throughout our organization."

"Having worked with Ian in the past, I believe his work ethic, knowledge of the goaltending position and the way he communicates with players will make him an excellent addition to our staff," said Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel. “He has worked with a number of very successful NHL goaltenders and will be a great resource for our players at this very important position."

In addition to his eight years with the Canucks organization, Clark was also a member of Team Canada's coaching staff at the World Junior Championships from 2003-06, winning silver medals in 2003 and 2004 and capturing gold in 2005 and 2006. He also served as the Florida Panthers goaltending consultant in 2001-02. The list of goaltenders he has worked with includes Roberto Luongo, Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fleury, Cory Schneider, Andrew Raycroft, Johan Hedberg and Mathieu Garon.

Clark, 45, is recognized as a leading educator of the goaltending position as his knowledge and innovative approach has attracted high-performance goaltenders at the NHL, minor pro, major junior and NCAA levels. He was the founder of the Goaltender Development Institute and served as technical author of From the Crease – The Self Development Guide to Hockey Goaltending from 1998-2003 and The Goalie News from 2003-08.

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Columbus Blue Jackets Name Ian Clark Goaltending Coach