Episode 5 - Hiroki Wakabayashi 2/6/2020

In this episode I talk to Hiroki Wakabayashi, a netminder specialised coach from Japan but now living in Phoenix, Arizona.

We talk about his journey to the US via Hong Kong and his work with netminders from the AHL, Olympics, NCAA, national teams and NHL drafts. We focus our attention on netminders, their mindset and what specific physical training they need in comparison to skaters.

We discuss how young goalies should specialise in being a goalie and how parents should approach the development of their child if they end up wanting to play in net. I find out about the different S&C practices across Hiroki's different experiences around the world and his current project which involves a lot of statistical research that can help coaches at all levels.

Another topic we talked about was his recent diagnosis of Cancer and how he found out, how he dealt with the news and how he's been fighting it. 

Another episode you should really listen to!