IN THE CREASE


Overcome pressure with positive preparation By Timm Lorenz


M


any athletes struggle to per- form well while stressed or un-


der pressure, especially goaltenders, and if you can train your mind to help properly prepare in a positive man- ner, it’ll greatly increase your on-ice performance.


Being mentally calm and ready for a game is one of the least-practiced but


most important skills for athletes. Having a plan that’s aimed towards helping put aside any unwanted internal or external distractions, such as self-doubt or scouts in the stands, is key towards playing well. Many different techniques can be utilized to achieve a positive focus, such as visualization, relaxation and stretching. One problem that usually occurs prior to a game is that the goaltender is


already focused on the negatives, or “what ifs,” which means they’re already set up for failure in their mind. Goaltenders need to take a more positive approach to the game, and that begins with a healthy mental and physical outlook to their performance. Many successful goaltenders are known for their strange superstitions, such


as Patrick Roy, who talked to his posts before games. While sometimes these routines may sound strange, they are ways for a goaltender to keep their mind focused on the task at hand and keep the outside and negative distractions out of their mind. After a good performance, remember what preparations you took so you can


build a routine for the future. That will help you keep a positive mindset and play to the best of your ability.


For more goaltending tips, drills and information, visit www.ITCgoaltending.com.


ITCgoaltending.com


Kanai right at home as CAHA’s new president T


By Paul Willis


he new guy in charge at the Colorado Ama- teur Hockey Association (CAHA) isn’t exactly a new name in the state’s hockey landscape. And that’s probably a good thing. It was doubtful the new CAHA president was


going to be a freshly graduated college kid. Ex- perience was paramount in selecting a successor for the retired Phil Paolilli, and Randy Kanai was perfect for the gig. Kanai was a founding board member of the


Rocky Mountain RoughRiders. He also served on the board for the Arvada Hockey Association, and was an existing executive board member at CAHA. “It’s gone well so far,” Kanai said. “The issues


I’ve had to address are things I was expecting; nothing out of the ordinary or anything like that yet. We have a great board here, so my thing is to get my resources (to handle certain issues) rather than having to tackle all of it myself.” Kanai, 53, is a Colorado man through and


through. He graduated from Wheat Ridge High and attended the University of Colorado in Boul- der before graduating from CU Denver. His daughter and son each attended Ralston Valley High School in Arvada. Kanai also was the founder and president of


the Colorado Tier Hockey Association, adding to his vast experience in the field. He recent- ly dropped his position on the board with the RoughRiders to curtail any perceived conflict of


ary matters were afoot. That indeed is a myth, as CAHA’s positive impact is much more pro- nounced. “We’re working with several different enti-


ties in trying to grow the game and get younger players involved,” Kanai said. “And we’re always looking into player safety, concussions, training and background checks for anybody who might be in contact with any of the kids.” Kanai said CAHA’s fundraising efforts will


interest. “He comes from the bottom up rather than the


top down, so he knows the struggles that each as- sociation could face and have faced,” CAHA vice president Christina Cooley said. “He can see the issues from the perspective of the association.” Paolilli used to joke that associations often


perceive CAHA as a bully, believing it only came around when suspensions and other disciplin-


be put towards statewide programs that help emulate the American Development Model, USA Hockey’s design for consistent, age-appropriate, across-the-board training. Part of that concept will be enacted as part of


CAHA’s growing relationship with the Colorado Avalanche. Beginning this season (assuming the NHL and NHLPA reach a collective bargaining agreement), when 8U players skate between pe- riods of NHL games at Pepsi Center, they’ll do so cross-ice rather than on the full ice sheet. “It’ll be just like how all the 8U players are practicing,” Kanai said. “If everything is going to be done cross-ice, it seems silly to have them skating full ice at an Avalanche game. The Ava- lanche has agreed to purchase the cross-ice bum- pers, and what it really allows us and the Ava- lanche to do is showcase four teams rather than just two.” While the sponsorship from the Avalanche


has been paramount, Kanai is also in conversa- tions with the state’s newest hockey organiza- tion, the Denver Cutthroats of the Central Hock- ey League, as well as sporting goods giant Sports Authority. In addition to Kanai, Cooley is new this year


on CAHA’s executive board. The former North- ern Colorado Youth Hockey president replaces former vice president and disciplinary chair Brenda Rawal. “The board is a great group of people who are passionate about hockey and love doing their job,” Kanai said.


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