# Founder

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://1599928756-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMcxapGu6I3nvV0qGQEIG%2Fuploads%2FRRHUa3JoN73Tb1RGvGoP%2Fgoldy%20net.JPG?alt=media&#x26;token=e66e2b11-3a14-4b06-b9f3-563849f3c23d" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Justin Goldman</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## The Founder

The Goalie Guild was originally created by [Justin Goldman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgoldman30/) in January of 2009. Below is a collection of his experiences in professional hockey and education.

## Current Roles

Alongside his role at The Goalie Guild, Goldman is also a consultant for [Parallel Studios](https://parallel.life/). His current [research](https://thegoalieguild.gitbook.io/home/resources/research "mention") in goaltending is focused on Ecological Dynamics, Skill Acquisition and Development, Autonomous Supportive Coaching, and Practice Design.  &#x20;

## NHL EBUG

Goldman served as an NHL Emergency Goalie (EBUG) for the Colorado Avalanche for five seasons, from the 2016-17 campaign until their Stanley Cup winning season in 2021-22.

{% embed url="<https://www.nhl.com/news/ebug-emergency-backup-goalies-in-nhl/c-329248774>" %}

## Background

Goldman's career in pro hockey started back in 2003 with the [Colorado Eagles](https://www.coloradoeagles.com/) organization.

At that time, Goldman was attending [Colorado State University](https://www.colostate.edu/) as a technical journalism student and goalie for the school's ACHA team. When the Eagles franchise announced their plans to join the (former) Central Hockey League, he jumped at the chance to act as a junior scout and reporter.

For three seasons, Goldman covered every Eagles home game.&#x20;

After graduating from CSU in December of 2004, he earned a chance to cover the Colorado Avalanche as the lead editor of the Colorado Hockey Insider magazine. In 2007, he shifted to the airwaves and became a post-game analyst for [Mile High Sports Radio](https://milehighsports.com/listen/) and [KBPI 106.7 FM](https://kbpi.iheart.com/). He was also a member of the [Professional Hockey Writers Association](https://www.thephwa.com/) (PHWA) from 2007-2011.&#x20;

With an unwavering passion for playing and scouting the position, Goldman finally created the first version of **The Goalie Guild** in January of 2009. This simple website was a place to post all of his junior, college, and NHL goalie scouting reports. It also included the popular [PadsTracker](https://thegoaliearchive.com/) feature.&#x20;

In 2011, Goldman joined [NHL.com](https://www.nhl.com) as one of their first goalie-specific writers. With a focus on fantasy hockey rankings and in-depth scouting reports on NHL Draft prospects, he published over 100 articles for the League until the end of the 2013-14 season.&#x20;

In 2012, Goldman was hired by [USA Hockey](https://www.usahockey.org) as their Regional Goalie Scout for the National Team Development Program (NTDP). Based in Minnesota, Justin was responsible for scouting and mentoring junior and high school goaltenders across the state.&#x20;

During this time, he also collaborated with former Dallas Stars goalie coach [Mike Valley](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8/mike-valley) on the first of their goaltending books, [The Power Within](https://thegoalieguild.gitbook.io/home/resources/books). In 2013, he also worked with [McKeen's Hockey](https://www.mckeenshockey.com/) as their director of goalie scouting, contributing to their annual NHL Draft and NHL Fantasy reports.

In 2014, Goldman's role with USA Hockey shifted back to the state of Colorado. As the director of goaltending for the [Colorado Amateur Hockey Association](https://www.co.hockey/caha) (CAHA), he developed a framework for statewide goalie education. In the summer of 2014, Goldman also completed his international goalie development book project, [Between Two Worlds](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thegoalieguild/between-two-worlds-a-goaltending-book-project). The book was published in March of 2015.

In 2014, Goldman joined [NetWork Goaltending](https://www.instagram.com/networkgoaltending/), an international collaboration project between goalie coaching leaders in USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden. He would act as the Director of Operations for their annual Goalie Coaching Symposiums and NHL Goalie Camps in Madison, WI and Nashville, TN.

In September 2016, Goldman was chosen to be an [NHL Emergency Goaltender](https://www.nhl.com/news/ebug-emergency-backup-goalies-in-nhl/c-329248774) (EBUG) for the Colorado Avalanche. He held this position for five seasons and retired after the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, receiving a personalized team jersey from the organization for his efforts.

In 2018, Goldman created the annual [Global Goaltending Retreat](https://thegoalieguild.gitbook.io/home/programs/retreats) event for pro goalie coaches. He also launched the first version of [Lift The Mask](https://www.liftthemask.com), a program that focuses on supporting the mental health of goalies. Both are currently being run under the TGG foundation.

In 2020, Goldman joined [Sense Arena VR](https://www.sensearena.com) as a member of their Goalie Advisory Board. He held this role until 2024.

In 2024, Goldman published his sixth book, The Power Within III, extending the series to its fourth installment. He also attended the 2024 World Juniors Championship tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden and participated in the Hockey Coaching Symposium.

In 2025, Goldman joined Parallel Studios as a consultant and writer. He also returned to Sweden as a co-moderator of the 2025 IIHF Coaching Symposium during the 2025 World Championships in Stockholm. This event was recapped with an [Online Toolkit](https://thegoalieguild.gitbook.io/home/resources/toolkits) made specifically for goalie coaches that could not attend the event in-person. &#x20;

### Organizations

Goldman has worked for the following organizations:

2003 - Colorado Eagles (CHL)\
2005 - Colorado Hockey Insider\
2006 - Mile High Sports Radio & KBPI FM\
2007 - Dobber Hockey\
2008 - University of Denver Jr. Pioneers\
2009 - The Goalie Guild\
2011 - NHL.com\
2012 - USA Hockey (NTDP)\
2013 - McKeen's Hockey\
2014 - USA Hockey (CAHA)\
2015 - NetWork Goaltending\
2016 - NHL (Emergency Backup Goalie)\
2019 - MindSpark Learning\
2020 - Sense Arena VR\
2025 - Parallel Studios

### Events

Goldman has organized / directed the following events:

2014 - Elite Goalies Mentorship Camp (Vierumaki, FIN)\
2015 - NetWork Goaltending Symposium\
2016 - Warren Strelow Mentorship Camp\
2016 - NetWork Goaltending Symposium\
2017 - USA Hockey Goaltending Development Program\
2017 - NetWork Goaltending Symposium\
2018 - NetWork Goaltending Symposium \
2018 - Global Goaltending Retreat\
2019 - Global Goaltending Retreat\
2020 - GGR Online\
2021 - GGR Online\
2022 - Global Goaltending Retreat\
2023 - Global Goaltending Retreat\
2024 - Global Goaltending Retreat\
2025 - IIHF Coaching Symposium (Co-Moderator)

## Books

Goldman has authored a collection of [books](https://thegoalieguild.gitbook.io/home/resources/books "mention") on goaltending and elite mental performance.

2013 - The Power Within I\
2015 - Between Two Worlds\
2016 - Embracing The Grind\
2019 - The Hero In You\
2021 - The Power Within II\
2024 - The Power Within III

## Media

{% embed url="<https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JgFiMeE8hpg19DBB6X0FD?si=BNbvCR3gT4qnYXmHZydzqA>" %}
Justin Goldman on "The Walls Within" Podcast
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://warriorsunmasked.com/podcast/episode-106-lifting-the-mask-with-justin-goldman-how-one-man-is-empowering-goalies-worldwide/>" %}
