Keeping reflexes razor-sharp a huge challenge for NHL goalies

Outside of serving as a sparring partner for world-class heavyweight boxers, being a goaltender in the National Hockey League is probably the most physically demanding job in pro sports.

Encased in more than 60 pounds of protective gear, NHL goalies must combine superb hand-eye coordination, deft footwork and steely concentration in order to defend their 4-x-6-foot net against incoming shots that routinely reach 100 mph, while fending off opposing players who crash the crease at breakneck speed.

The puck-a 1x3-inch disc of vulcanized rubber weighing 6 ounces-is harder than a golf ball and when fired at top speed can inflict serious wounds, but the men behind the masks rarely flinch when shooters are bearing down on them.

Unable to practice or even have access to ice since the coronavirus outbreak shut down the NHL season on March 24, how are the world's top goalies maintaining their edge?

"No one's been through this before," Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets told Canadian Press this week.

"There's really no book on what to do, no right way. I'm not able to strap on the pads, and that's the most important part about being dialed in as a goalie, getting a feel and really getting the workload. Going for a run isn't going to keep me in goaltender shape.

"It's definitely a challenge not to be able to go on the ice. In times like this, it's all about trying to be creative."

Jacob Markstrom of the Vancouver Canucks has taken to facing a tennis-ball machine set at maximum to keep his reflexes sharp, while Joonas Korpisalo of the Columbus Blue Jackets kicks golf balls against his garage door to do the trick.

"We're doing our best and working a lot on hand-eye," Markstrom said. "Not letting your eyes fall asleep is maybe the biggest thing."

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen has a distinct advantage over his rivals: He's living with teammate and 47-goal shooter Auston Matthews during the shutdown and the two regularly square off against each other.

Hellebuyck and a handful of other members of the goal-tending fraternity, including Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild and James Reimer of the Carolina Hurricanes, have turned to specialist trainer Adam Francilia for customized programs.

"In some cases they have really great home gyms at their disposal," Francilia said. "And then there's guys living in a condo with nothing... but I have enough stuff in my repertoire that they only need their body weight to train.

"Every goalie has little bits and pieces they can always work on, whether it's related to a past injury or some imbalances or bio-mechanical hiccups that you never get to during the season. The only limitation is knowledge and creativity."

Ottawa Senators netminder Craig Anderson, who turns 39 next month, told Canadian Press there's also a "mental battle" in preparing for the resumption of a season that may or may not arrive.

"You just have to force yourself through it ... it comes down to a mindset," Anderson said. "It's too early to tell which way this thing's going to go. You just want to make sure you're ready at any given moment. You need to keep your mental focus on actually playing hockey even though you can't be on the ice."

The monotony of self-isolation remains the biggest hurdle.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if they're training to return," Francilia said.

"I tell the guys to think about this as exercising because you want to be a healthy individual. Try to widen your world view. At the same time, they're so used to competing and becoming single-minded in their focus.

"I encourage them to also get excited. This is an opportunity in an otherwise pretty uneventful day to create that competitive moment."