My love for the game of ice hockey started early while watching my uncle play. I was drawn in by the action on the ice and my life became all about hockey! At first, it was the rush of skating and scoring. Eventually, I realized that the guy in the net was the key to winning. He had to stop the puck! Challenge on! After convincing my parents that my passion was to be a goalie, I took off. At first, I loved the cool gear. Then, I embraced the intense training it took to be the very best. Handling the pressure and the mental part of the game required just as much training as the techniques used on the ice. In time, my success drove me to reach that next level and never give up.
I started competitive play at age 7 on a B team, then moved to the Pee Wee level where I had a unique opportunity to play with a group of guys that to this day, I call 'my brothers.' We won a State Championship, and the camaraderie was a rush I'll never forget. Next, our Bantam AA team made it to the finals but we finished in 2nd. Yet, through tribulations and a few humbling moments, I learned much about teamwork, how to be an effective goalie and how to lead. The key was to learn from all of it. In Midget AAA, my team went as far as the Pacific Coast Regionals (SCAHA). That same year, we also competed in the NAPHL, again going as far as the National Championship! Along the journey, I was chosen as the Pacific Region's top goalie to represent at Nationals, asked to write an article in a SoCal paper on mental preparedness and received various other prestigious honors. At the Jr Hockey level, I played in the USPHL, WSHL & briefly in the NAHL.
While in the NAHL, the reality set in that despite my strong skills, my 5'6" stature would keep me from furthering my playing career. Down but not beaten, I changed my direction while keeping alive my passion for the game. Again, Challenge on! The journey to becoming a coach was a compilation of my player/goalie career, refereeing, volunteering at camps, and being encouraged by key individuals who believed that I could coach others effectively. And I have an incredible passion to work with the next generation.
Coach Reed
