By LOGAN CLOW
Daily Herald-Tribune
It’s a brand new coaching staff for the Grande Prairie Storm this season.
The latest addition is goaltending coach Mitch Paradis.
Some in Grande Prairie may be familiar with Paradis who has and will continue working with GPAC teams.
“I’m really familar with how (head coach Matt) Keillor and (assistant coach) Blake (Cosgrove) work, so, even with (GM) Mark (Bomersback) and (assistant coach) Dennis (Rix) out right now we have a good (staff),” said Paradis.
“What I like about the whole staff is they always involve me in the decisions. We work good together.”
Paradis played hockey until his late teens and then started working as a goalie coach six years ago in New Brunswick at the midget AAA level. In his career, he’s worked with several goaltenders who have gone on to play major junior hockey.
“I’m there for (the goalies). I just want to make adjustments with them… I don’t want to change the way they perform,” he said, of the duties he’ll have with the Storm goaltenders.
“They know how to stop a puck. I’m just there to give them tools and hopefully they take it.
“I want them to be comfortable at stopping the puck their own way, but in control at the same time. I just want them to make it easier for the defencemen and forwards.”
In addition to working with the team’s goaltenders, Paradis will also provide scouting reports to Keillor and the coaching staff on opposing goaltenders.
Paradis is also a Hockey Alberta regional lead for goaltenders in northwest Alberta. His role is to provide goaltending drills and feedback for minor hockey coaches in Peace Country communities.
“We’re trying to create relationships and trying to create (opportunities for area goaltenders) to go to a high level and stuff,” noted Paradis.
This season marks the first time Paradis, who moved to Grande Prairie three years ago, has worked as a goalie coach at the junior A level.
“It’s a challenge but it’s fun,” he said.
lclow@postmedia.com
Twitter: @DHTLogan