ELITE GOALIES is comprised of an exclusive coaching staff dedicated to your improvement on a year-round basis. Below is information on the current staff. You can contact anyone below by filling out the contact form and including their name in the subject line.
MIKE VALLEY: Elite Goalies Owner and Master Instructor
Mike is entering his third year as goaltending coach for the Dallas Stars and is the founder of Elite Goalies. During the 2008-09 season, Mike served as a goaltending coach within the Nashville Predators organization as well as for the Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA). Mike has successfully developed and works with goaltenders at all ages, including dozens of goalies currently playing in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA and the US National Development Program.
As a goaltender, Mike played his Junior-A hockey for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL. He then spent two seasons at the University of Wisconsin before signing a free-agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Mike enjoyed the hands-on benefits of working with some of the top goalie coaches in the game during his six years of pro hockey. His playing days were split between the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and the Swedish Elite League.
BRIAN ELLIOTT: NHL Guest Instructor, Elite Goalies Wisconsin
Brian Elliott was a drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Elliott is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.
A student of the game, Elliott capped off his time at the University of Wisconsin by registering a 15-27-2 record on a struggling squad. After his final season of college hockey came to an end, Elliott signed a try-out contract with the Sens’ AHL affiliate and the Newmarket, Ontario native saw action in his first professional hockey game.
In 2007-08, Elliott started his first NHL game and spent the majority of his time honing his skills in the AHL.
Elliot would split time during the 2008-09 season between Ottawa and their AHL affiliate in Binghamton. In 31 games for the Sens he put up impressive totals (2.77 GAA and .902 save percentage) and began to establish himself as a legitimate NHL goaltender.
The following season Elliot became the Senators primary goaltender, appearing in 55 games for the club, putting up solid numbers despite the team’s struggles on the ice.
The 2010-11 season would be a similar story. With the Senators’ playoff hopes all but gone, management began a full rebuilding process and starting unloading much of the club’s higher-priced veteran talent. On February 18, 2011, Elliot found himself among those who would be leaving the nation’s capital. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Craig Anderson.
* bio courtesy of NHLPA
AL Montoya: NHL Guest Instructor, Elite Goalies Illinois
Al Montoya was a drafted by the New Your Rangers in the 1st round of NHL Entry Draft, Montoya is a graduate of the University of Michigan. His resume is impressive and it includes a Gold Medal with the US National Junior Team. In the 2010/2011 season “Monty” finally got his NHL chance with the New York Islanders, and made the most of it. This spring he was rewarded with a one-way NHL contract.
STEVE SHIELDS: Master Instructor, Elite Goalies California
After one season with the University of Michigan, Steve Shields was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.
Shields played for Michigan and for the next three seasons he led the league in wins and goals against average in the 1992-93 season. He was also named to the CCHA’s First All-Star Team in both ’93 and ’94 while also being named to the NCAA West Second All-Star Team in those years. A Hobey Baker finalist in 1994, Shields, left Michighan after his senior yearin 1994 to begin his professional career playing with the Rochester Americans of the AHL and South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL.
The 1995-96 season saw Shields make his debut in the NHL in a brief two-game stint with the Sabres, though he spent the majority of the season with in the AHL. He split time over the next two seasons between Buffalo and Rochester, backing up Dominik Hasek when he was with the Sabres. Shields was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 1998 where he immediately got more playing time than he had seen in the NHL previously.
Shields played with the Sharks for three seasons before moving on to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2001-02. Following a brief one year stay in Anaheim, the former University of Michigan standout moved on to the Boston Bruins in 2002-03 and then on to the Florida Panthers in 2003-04.
Shields is the owner and founder of iCoach.com, an online video analysis program used by hundreds of junior and college programs.
* bio courtesy of NHLPA
SHANE CONNELLY: Master Instructor, Elite Goalies Wisconsin
Shane helped the Team USA U-17 select team to gold at 2003 five nations tournament in Slovakia. He was fifth in the league with a .917 save percentage in 2003-04 with the Chicago Steel (USHL), and first in the league in playoffs with .952 save percentage. He went 4-1-2 with a 1.11 goals-against-average as a sophomore backing up Hobey Baker finalist Brian Elliott. He stopped 43 shots for a shutout on November 9, 2007 against North Dakota and had five career shutouts. 2008 Winter Carnival MVP. Named to All-WCHA Academic Team and Academic All-Big Ten Team. Shane played 2 seasons of pro hockey before accepting a job as the Director of Hockey Operations for Bowling Green (NCAA).
MIKE LANE: Master Instructor and Director, Elite Goalies Wisconsin and Illinois
Mike has been training goaltenders ranging from squirt to college for the past 17 years. Mike is the head goaltending instructor for the Milwaukee Junior Admirals and works as the head goaltending instructor for WAHA (Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association). His experience coaching within the NCAA and USA Hockey makes him a highly respected coach.
LARRY CLEMENS: Master Instructor, Elite Goalies Wisconsin
Larry is currently the assistant coach and goaltending coach for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL. Larry has over a decade of experience training goaltenders ranging from squirt to college. Larry works closely with WAHA (Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association) as well as Team Wisconsin.
Additional Camp Instructors Include:
- Thomas Speers (UMass Boston, NCAA D3)
- Mitch Thompson (UW Badgers, NCAA D1)
- Cab Morris (Dartmouth, NCAA D1)
- Garret Sparks (OHL)
- Josh Hillegas (Jr A. EJHL)
***Please note that our Elite Goalies Canadian Instructors can be found at www.elitegoalies.ca
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JOSH TROWBRIDGE: Off-Ice Martial Arts Trainer and Advisor
Josh joins the Elite Goalies staff as our off-ice martial arts trainer and advisor. Josh is an internationally certified 3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor (Tang Soo Do) with 26 Yrs of Training Experience and 15 Yrs Teaching Experience. He is a Gracie Trained Instructor as well as a Certified Tai Chi Instructor. Josh is the owner and head Instructor of the Trowbridge Martial Arts Academy.
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“Mike has a really unique approach to coaching goalies that brings together the mental and physical sides of the position seamlessly. He has the ability to explain the details of the position so that anyone can understand them, and has personally been a great mentor for me throughout my career.”
