ROB MASSIMI GOALTENDING & PERFORMANCE
About Rob Massimi
Founder of Mind in the Crease
Every goaltender develops differently, and my approach starts with understanding the athlete before deciding what development should look like. Rather than applying the same formula to every goalie, I want to understand their strengths, challenges, goals, and the way they experience the position.
I have spent much of my life in and around goaltending, first as a goaltender and now as a coach working with athletes across youth, travel, high school, and college hockey environments. Those experiences have shaped the way I view development. Technical coaching is essential, but preparation, confidence, decision-making, game awareness, and the ability to respond under pressure also influence how a goaltender performs.
Mind in the Crease brings those areas together through individualized on-ice development, performance consultation, and interactive video development. The goal is not to replace the coaching an athlete already receives or give every goalie the same training plan, but to identify what each athlete needs and connect the work across different parts of their development.
Ultimately, I want goaltenders to better understand their game, recognize their own patterns, take greater ownership of their development, and become more confident in their ability to read, adjust, and compete when the game does not go exactly as planned.
BACKGROUND & CREDENTIALS
Experience That Shapes the Approach
Goaltending & Coaching Experience
• Goaltending and coaching experience across youth, travel, high school, and college hockey environments.
• Head Coach, Ramapo Saints Hockey.
• Assistant Coach and Goalie Development Coach, Morristown-Beard School.
• Former goaltender evaluator for USA Hockey’s Atlantic District for multiple summers.
Counseling & Mental Performance
• M.Ed. with tracks in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
• Licensed Associate Counselor and National Certified Counselor.
• Pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and the CMPC credential through AASP.
• Mentored by Dr. Vincent Lodato, Lead Performance Consultant for the Utah Mammoth (NHL).
Individualized Athlete Development
• Athlete-first development based on goals, strengths, challenges, and environment.
• Integrates on-ice development, performance consultation, and interactive video development.
• Includes parent education and communication when appropriate.
• Priorities evolve with the athlete, season, and goals.