The Who, How and Why!

Gaertner Goaltending is a specialized and bespoke hockey development company focused on the most effective and personalized methods to take your goaltending game to the next level.  The approach is based on a long-term model, forming solid foundational skills and aptitude reinforcement with regular contact and skill advancement over each player’s career.  Both in season and off-season, we work with players to master the position and foster a game that has structure, balance and legacy.

In the last 14 years, James Gaertner has coached a wide range of athletes and teams from Minor Hockey Atom levels all the way through to BCHL, WHL, CHL, NCAA and professionals.  His experience has equipped him with a unique perspective on the specific focused areas of the game that are appropriate for each level of player, and a learning priority for every style of goaltending.  More than that, James genuinely commits his time and energy to his students and players, and supports their devotion to their hockey careers from day 1.

Gaertner Goaltending is the premier bespoke goaltending development service on Vancouver Island. Whether you’re booking one-on-one or small group sessions, we cater to each player’s specific needs!

Notable athletes:

Dylan Garand – CHL and WHL Goalie of the Year 2022; IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medalist 2022; NY Rangers Draft Pick 2020 (4th rd); WHL Kamloops Blazers.

Dylan Ferguson – NHL Vegas Golden Knights; AHL Henderson Silver Knights; 2021 Kelly Cup with Fort Wayne Comets (ECHL); WHL Kamloops Blazers

Matthew Hutchison – WHL Vancouver Giants, https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/junior-hockey/824728

John Hawthorne – NCAA Canisius College; BCHL Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Merek Pipes – NCAA Union College

Linden Marshall – Grüner, Norway; NCAA Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (graduate); AHL Cleveland Monsters; BCHL Trail Smoke Eaters

Austin Roden – NCAA Providence College; University of Nebraska-Omaha; NHL Arizona Coyotes Development Camp; BCHL Nanaimo Clippers and Merritt Centennials
 
Nic Renyard – 2014/15 CJHL MVP and Top Goalie; NCAA Umass Amherst; Lakehead University Usports; BCHL
 
Keenan Rancier – NCAA Minnesota Mankato
 
Aaron Trotter- NCAA University of St Thomas; BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings
 
Connor Lacouvee – NCAA Boston University, Minnesota State Univ. Mankato; AHL Laval Rocket; HK Dukla Trencin Slovakia
 
Johnny Derek – BCHL West Kelowna Warriors
 
Michael Herringer – WHL graduate; Usports University of Regina, Nipissing University
 
Evan May- WHL Everett Silvertips; BCHL Cowichan Capitals
 
Will Gurski – WHL Vancouver giants
 
Koen Cleaver – WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes Draft 2022, 3rd round, 48th overall, first goalie drafted

 

Please contact us to discover how we can take your game to the next level!

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Current affiliations:

VIJHL – Lake Cowichan Kraken – Head Coach

CSSHL – Shawnigan Lake School – Program Goaltending Coach (since 2015)

Past:

BCHL – Cowichan Valley Capitals – Assistant Coach 

VIJHL – Kerry Park Islanders & Nanaimo Buccaneers – Head Coach

Minor Hockey – Victoria Racquet Club and Kerry Park Minor Hockey – Goaltending Coach

Spring Hockey – Island Stars – Multiple age class Goaltending Coach

Skills Academy – Frances Kelsey Secondary School – Goaltending Coach

BC Female Midget AAA – Vancouver Island Seals – Goaltending Coach

BCHIL – University of Victoria Vikes – Assistant GM/Coach

BCHL – Victoria Grizzlies

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Proud of you @koencleaverr on your first WHL start! Not many get to do it at 15! So proud of @dylan_ferguson1 on his first start and first win with the @senators tonight! Spectacular performance stopping 48/49! From the first time I was on the ice with him in 2008, there was always something special about him! Congratulations to @dylangarand on the huge performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a well deserved 🥇! The @nyrangers have a blue chip in this one! #whl #islandgoalies Great to get 4 weeks of training in with @michaelbartier_ and @nicosomerville4 these two young men’s dedication to their craft is a testament to them both. A truly huge honour and accomplishment for this tremendous young man, both the @thewhl and @chlhockey goaltender of the year awards to @nyrangers prospect @dylangarand! I couldn’t be prouder of him, and am humbled that I get to work with him for parts of his summers. #whl #chl #nhl Very proud to see @matty_hutch94 get his first of many @thewhl wins yesterday! Stopping 27/29, Matty is showing how ready he is, especially for how young. It’s been an absolute pleasure helping him grow over the last 3 years! Could not be more proud of Linden Marshall, and the work we have done together over the last 12 years,as he transitions to the pro ranks from @rpi_mhockey Congrats @dylan_ferguson1 on your first pro shutout! Dylan had a very focussed summer, learned what it meant to be a pro last year, now he’s taking advantage of it! Super proud of @dylangarand getting some minutes wth @hockeycanada at the #wjc today! Consummate professional from the moment I met him years ago, detailed in everything he does! #newyorkrangers #nhl #whl #csshl #islandgoalies
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