About
Why we do what we do. Take a deep dive into our history, teaching methods and philosophy. See who we do and have worked with over the years.
WHY
GDI USA is an ice hockey goaltender specific business operating out of Chicago, IL USA, while networking throughout North America and into Europe. Previously based in Washington, DC, we offer an array of programming including Personal Consultation, National and Regional Development Camps in the summer, Mid Season Tune Ups in the winter, Specialty Clinics, in-season Association Partnerships, Mental Conditioning, Game and Video Assessments, Gear Selection Assistance, Professional Scouting services, and Player Advising / Placement Assistance. In short, GDI USA offers a goaltender everything they will need to learn, develop, and thrive through the course of their career. We hope you enjoy our new website; as we continue to be your premium goaltending resource.
Philosophy
All goaltenders should be provided with elite coaching and development. That’s why we create a personalized experience for each goalie at each of our events. Our staff has the experience and training to deliver our comprehensive curriculum and cater it to the individual athlete. We know that once a goaltender establishes a strict and distinct base of fundamentals, that they must then have a unique approach to the position. As a goaltending athlete progresses through a career, countless unique experiences and individuals are implanted upon this player’s game. Through these experiences, the goaltender begins to build an approach. This approach combines these experiences with core fundamentals plus the distinct strengths and limitations of the actual netminder. During a GDI USA experience, athletes will seek to hone, refine, and repackage this distinct approach. Why do we take this stance
“Goaltending style is a journey” – Ian Clark, GDI Founder.
Features and Benefits
Progression Levels
Our system of teaching is broken down into distinct progressions. These levels are similar to class courses; smaller bundles of skills broken into manageable steps. It is this system which has helped lay the foundation for GDI USA’s instructional success.
Innovative and Cutting‐Edge Skill Development
Bring the most up‐to‐date and proven approaches into your game. We spend the season working with every level from youth to junior and pro goalies and coaches. Our approach, philosophy, and analysis of the position are founded on our comprehensive curriculum, experiences, network, and students.
Skill Development Sessions
The best Coach/Athlete ratios in the industry ensure every moment of ice is processed and managed with correct drill structure and proper execution by the athletes. All full groups consist of never more than 15 goaltenders on the ice with 5 or more coaches.
History
Launched in 2007 as GDI Southeast and renamed GDI USA in February of 2015 to support expansion in the Mid Atlantic, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the US. We are GDI in the United States. Since the naming of Regional Manager Ryan Honick (now President) at our inception, we have established ourselves as a premier developer of goaltenders anywhere we host.
GDI was born in 1992, and has been a world-leader in the development of hockey goaltenders. The tools and techniques developed by GDI have revolutionized the way that goalies play the game. Traditionally, GDI has conducted summer camps, in-season and off-season consulting programs and published an array of development resources and periodicals. Over the course of GDI’s history, its reputation grew due to exceptional knowledge of the goaltending position and the ability to consistently convey that knowledge to coaches and goalies. Founder Ian Clark (and current NHL Goaltending Director) is credited with establishing this unparalleled success and reputation. GM’s, Coaches, Scouts, and Agents from the NHL, Minor Pro, NCAA, Major Junior, and Junior A have come to rely on GDI for development, avocation, references, referrals, information, and placement through use of its vast network.
Skill Development Sessions
The best on-ice ratios ensure every moment of ice is processed and managed with correct drill structure and proper execution by the athletes.
Position Specific Movement (PSM) Sessions
Movement drives positional efficiency at any level of play. Agility work in this area will further enhance the athlete’s entire game and dovetail with the skill development sessions.
Fitness Development Sessions
Physiology is a key ingredient to on ice success. We partner with leading Strength & Conditioning coaches at nearly all events.
Vision Development Sessions
Use of this neurological stimulant will become routine during this specialized development component.
Goaltender Specific Lecture Series
An ever evolving lecture series has been created to leave no stone unturned during the programs. Lectures are given at select events by guest speakers and coaches.
Post‐event Mentoring and Follow‐Up
In addition to each event wrap up discussion and assessments, we can provide continued mentorship throughout the hockey season.
In 2006, with the addition of long time client and retired NY Ranger goaltender Dan Blackburn as Vice-President of Training Services, GDI took on the revolutionary task of expanding worldwide in an effort to refine the goaltending industry’s fragmented marketplace.
At its peak in 2009, GDI Regional Managers could be found in 15 regions of the US, Canada, and Europe. Their mission of leveraging GDI’s curriculum, quality, and philosophy was a successful endeavor as GDI Training Centers were constructed, resources including an interactive website and the monthly periodical The Goalie News magazine flourished, and the GDI equipment line was launched.
In 2010 the GDI Corporate entity closed. Current and former GDI coaches continue to develop their own companies while evolving their business foundations GDI lay in place, continuing to further our brand and network.
Clients
We do not take ownership of any goaltender! GDI USA and its staff have worked with many goalies, teams, clubs, and associations at many levels, in many places. We are honored to have had the opportunity of training, developing, and guiding these athletes and organizations. Our affiliated lists consist of individuals and organizations that we have had the privilege of being on the ice with at one time or another since 2007. We are pleased to be, or have been, even a small part of the goaltenders, coaches, staffs, and parents hockey experiences in a positive, inspirational, and constructive way and hope to be, or have been, a valuable resource for them to reach their goals and aspirations. Every athlete experiences endless guidance throughout their playing careers, and should. Simply stated, we do not take ownership of any goaltender; and never will. Goalies do not make the goalie school…Coaches make Goaltenders.
Dive into the list below.