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Note: Coach Steve Carroll was the editor of Let’s Play Hockey newspaper when the Minnesota Wild started playing in 2000. Here was at the X on the historic opening night and reflects on some of his memories from the early days of covering the organization. 

It seemed like it took forever for the NHL to return to Minnesota after the North Stars bolted from Bloomington in 1993.

Actually, it was only four long years before the league announced that a new NHL franchise would be located in the State of Hockey. The yet to be named club would call St. Paul its home.

A few months later, the team name was unveiled with great fanfare and the Minnesota Wild were born.

For the next couple of years, the organization worked hard at building community support and getting hockey fans ready for the return of pro puck.

And they were excited when it came time to welcome the NHL back. The Wild’s first regular season home game was Oct. 11, 2020 against Philadelphia. The game was played in the sparkling new, state of the art arena, known at the Xcel Energy Center. It was built on the site of the former St. Paul Civic Center.

More than 18,000 fans, many dressed in Wild jerseys, were on hand for the historic contest. As the managing editor of Let’s Play Hockey newspaper, I was among the large contingent of local, state and national media assigned to cover the game.

Before the puck dropped, I wandered the spacious concourses of the new facility. So much Minnesota hockey history and memorabilia to see. Included in that impressive display were replica jerseys from high school hockey teams across the state. A nice salute to an important part of our hockey culture.

As game time approached, I made my way to the Al Shaver Press Box, appropriately named after the long-time, legendary announcer for the North Stars. My assigned seat was a long way from the ice, but the large center ice video board and multiple TV’s nearby made it easy to follow the action.

The Wild skated to a 3-3 tie in home opener, with easily the highlight of the game coming from Richfield, Minnesota star Darby Hendrickson. He electrified the crowd late in the first period when he scored the first goal at the X in team history.

It was fun to interview Hendrickson and other members of the team after the game. They were all so excited about being part of Minnesota hockey history.

But as the inaugural season rolled on, wins were hard to come by for the new kids on the block. The team finished that first season with a record of 25-39-13-5. The 68 points they earned are second fewest in team history.

During that 2000-2001 season, local hockey fans also quickly became familiar the neutral zone trap, a defensive style of play made famous Jacques Lemaire, the Wild’s first coach. It meant for many low scoring games, with limited number of shots on goal by both teams.

While the system was designed to increase a team’s chances of winning, it made it particularly difficult to select the three stars after each home game, which was what I was often assigned to help with.

How do you pick three stars in a 2-1 game, where each team had fewer than 20 shots on goal? Did the goal scorers always get recognized? No, that didn’t happen.

What I learned to do was consider all the players for the three-star recognition, looking for the little things or intangibles they did during a game, in addition to the obvious goal scorers and stand-out netminders.

While I no longer cover the team, it’s been interesting to observe the strategies of the GM’s, styles of the coaches, and skills of the players through the years.

It’s been a roller coaster ride for sure, with some Wild teams doing better than others in their 10 playoff appearances. Wild faithful are ready for the organization to be a regular and legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

As the puck drops on the team’s 20^th season, I’ll be watching on a nearby TV. Much like did in the early days.

It’s great to have NHL hockey back in Minnesota.

 

It’s not often you get a chance to be in the radio talking about goaltending. But that’s what happened recently with WCCO’s Mike Max invited Coach Carroll be a guest on his nightly sports show.

They discussed a lot of topics including what’s the COVID break been like for goalies, what are some good off-ice drills for goalies to work on, what it takes to be a top goalie, how do goalies attempt to stop breakaways.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the link.

 

 

Just in time for tryouts, we are hosting two more clinics this month. The clinics, each featuring six hours of ice time, are set for St. Michael-Albertville, Sept. 19, 21, 22 and at Richfield, Sept. 20-22.

“We help goalies take their game to new levels by building individual skills, techniques, athleticism, and self-confidence,” said Coach Steve Carroll, a hall of fame goalie at Edina High School and Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Carroll, who trains goalies at the youth, high school and college levels, uses his extensive experience as a goalie and coach to teach his students what it takes to be successful.

“We’re proud of the reputation we’ve earned for developing quality, fundamentally-sound goaltenders,” said Carroll who is in his 25^th year of offering programs like these. “Our instructors are passionate about goaltending and do an excellent job of explaining, demonstrating, and reinforcing the essential techniques used in today’s game.”

Goalie parents like the CGS programs because they realize that training under the watchful eye of Coach Carroll and his staff can make a significant impact in the skill development of their goalies.

“I was so impressed with your passion and kindness for the kids. I could tell within seconds that you are an amazing coach. Thanks for everything! My son will never forget the weekend,” said Tim C., Duluth, Minn.

“This was my daughter’s first time at CGS and I could not say enough good things about this school. We walked away very happy with the coaches and the whole program. We will most definitely be back,” said, Nicole W., La Crescent, Minn.

Limited openings available, register at www.carrollgs.com.

During the winter months, the Carroll Goalie School and our partner from Brian’s Custom Sports, sponsor the Shutout Wall that appears in Let’s Play Hockey newspaper and on its website. 

It’s a popular way for goalies to get recognized for posting a shutout and as you can see there are easily a couple hundred shutouts posted on the wall. Congrats to all the goalies who earned shutouts in 2018-19.

Each week, a goalie, who had a shutout posted on the wall, was selected to receive a prize pack from CGS and Brian’s Custom Sports. The pack usually included a hat from Brian’s and a shirt from CGS.

In addition to that, at the end of the season, one goalie was selected to win a custom set of gloves from Brian’s Custom Sports.

This year, the winner was Griffin Simpson, a peewee goalie from Minneapolis. He was fitted for his gloves at the Let’s Play Hockey Expo.

Coach Carroll presented Griffin with his new gloves this summer at Richfield Arena. He was on the way to a baseball game and wore the gloves out of the rink. Congratulations to Griffin.

Look for the CGS/Brian’s Custom Sports Shutout Wall promotion to return to Let’s Play Hockey this coming hockey season.

The Minneapolis-based Carroll Goalie School (CGS) continues to grow and evolve as it enters its 24^th season of providing skill development programs for boys and girls.

“We help goalies of all abilities take their game to new levels by building individual skills, techniques, athleticism, and self-confidence,” said Steve Carroll, an Edina, Minn., native, who is lead instructor at the popular weekend camps offered in the summer and fall.

Carroll uses his extensive coaching experience to teach goalies what it takes to be successful. He shares his wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the position with the goalies who attend his camps. “I’m proud of the reputation we’ve earned for developing quality, fundamentally-sound goaltenders, Carroll said. “Our instructors are passionate about goaltending and do an excellent job of explaining, demonstrating, and reinforcing the essential techniques used in today’s game, Goalies who train with us work hard, improve their skills and have fun!”

This year, CGS is offering four programs for goalies ages 6-15 including: Intro to Goaltending, Intermediate Skills, Advanced Skills and Tryout Tune-up.

Ice times are scheduled at night and weekends at five ice arenas in Minneapolis-St. Paul including Braemar Arena (Edina), Eagan Civic Arena, Richfield Arena, Schwan Super Rink (Blaine) and the TRIA Rink in St. Paul, which is the new practice facility for the Minnesota Wild.

Goalie parents like the variety of CGS programs because they realize that training under the watchful eye of Coach Carroll and his staff makes a significant impact on the development of their kids.

“Wow, Steve and his crew run a great program. My sons never complained when coming off the ice tired and were eager to get up and go to the ice early the next day. My oldest said he loved it and “by the way dad, we are doing this again next year,” Mike Swenson, Savage.

“I would highly recommend CGS. Goalies have a fun time learning new skills. Very professional coaches and great locations,” said Joyce Birchard, Willmar.

“CGS has improved our son’s goalie skills tremendously the past two years,” said Megan Altman from Woodbury. “Coach Carroll and his staff always treat the goalies with respect and you can tell they love what they do.”

Brian Kalafatich from Mahtomedi said, “This is our second time with Steve Carroll. We love the camp, from the good price/value, coaching, ice time, and skills that are developed. As long as our son continues to have fun, love hockey, and love being a tender, then we will find a way to attend his camps.”

Goalie Logan Cooksy from Lakeville said, “Is it a coincidence; five years with Carroll and five winning seasons?”

COACH CARROLL’S BACKGROUND

Carroll is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach who trains goalies at the youth and high school levels. He also is the goalie coach for the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s team .

As a goalie, Carroll won a State Peewee “A” title with Edina, participated in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, played in four consecutive NCAA Division II Final Fours and won a National Championship while at Minnesota State, Mankato. Carroll has been inducted in the Minnesota State, Mankato and Edina High School athletic halls of fame.

For more information, visit www.carrollgs.com.

We were just finishing up a team meeting following my senior year at Mankato State in 1981, when coach informed me that I had been named as a Top 10 finalist for a new award being given the best player in men’s college hockey.

It was called the Hobey Baker Award, in honor of a standout athlete from Princeton University.

While things went well for me in Mankato, I had a hard time believing the selection committee would consider me, a NCAA Division II goalie, as one of the 10 best players in all of men’s college hockey. It was an unexpected and humbling honor to even be considered for this prestigious award.

When you look at the list of finalists at the bottom of this page, it was clear from the beginning who would be winning the award. And no one couldn’t argue with the choice. Neal Broten was named the winner of the first annual Hobey Baker Award. The Roseau, Minnesota native was a star at the University of Minnesota who already had an Olympic gold medal and a NCAA championship on his impressive hockey resume.

I was invited to attend the award banquet, which was held at the old Decathalon Club in Bloomington. The guest speaker was Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe.

At the banquet, I got to meet Neal Broten. I had played against him when my Edina-East team defeated his team in the quarterfinals of the state high school hockey tournament. We talked about that game for a bit, but not for very long.

It was huge thrill for me to meet Broten, who continued on to have a magnificent NHL career.

Being named a Top 10 finalist for the first-ever Hobey Baker Award means more and more to me with each passing year.

Top 10 finalists for 1981 Hobey Baker Award
Pos. — Name — School — Hometown
G – Steve Carroll, Mankato State University, Edina, Minnesota
G – Bill Provencher, Bowdoin College, Lewiston, Maine
G – Rick Strack, Plattsburgh State University, Lake Placid, New York
D – Ed Small, Clarkson College, Ottawa, Ontario
C – Steve Bozek, Northern Michigan University, Castlegar, British Columbia
C – Neal Broten, University of Minnesota, Roseau, Minnesota
C – Mark Hentges, St. Thomas University, New Hope, Minnesota
C – Tom Lawler, Merrimack College, Andover Massachusetts
LW – Sandy Beadle, Northeastern University, Regina Saskatchewan
LW – Steve Ulseth, University of Minnesota, Roseville, Minnesota

By the way, did you know that 1980 Olympian and Richfield, Minn., native Steve Christoff served as the model for the the Hobey Baker Trophy?

Wanted to share with you an article I was asked to write for goalie coaches website.

Goalie Development Should Be Priority For Youth Coaches