OUR STAFF
MATT SMITH- PRESIDENT/HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Matt is the current Owner/President of Matt Smith Goaltending Inc. which was created in 2009. Matt has worked with over 40 Professional/Major Junior/NCAA D1 goaltenders. Since 2011 he has seen 8 students drafted to the NHL, 33 drafted to Major Junior and 9 have signed professional contracts. Smith is currently the goaltending coach for the Soo Greyhounds(OHL) and also spent six seasons as the goaltending coach of the Guelph Storm (OHL) becoming the second youngest coach to win an OHL Championship at 24 . A combination of youth and passion allow for Smith to easily relate and push his students to higher levels. Matt is rapidly gaining a reputation for success from minor hockey to professional ranks.
PERSONAL APPROACH BECOMES RAPID SUCCESS
In 2018, Matt started a new chapter in his coaching career. For the first time he was not affiliated with a team and decided to focus on a "client first" based approach, which focused on a more individual approach to coaching. Creating stronger bonds and becoming a sounding board for his students. The approach would rapidly garner successful results.
CLIENT SUCCESS SINCE 2018:
-5 students have been drafted to the NHL in last three drafts (Jones 19' 59th, Daws 20' 84th, Cranley 20' 163rd, Gaudreau 21' 81st, Lennox 21' 93rd.)
- 10 MSGI clients have attended NHL camps and 9 have signed professional contracts.
- 9 MSGI clients have been invited to Hockey Canada's program of excellence
- 7 MSGI Goaltenders have represented their respective countries internationally
-28 OHL Draft picks
-2019-20 MSGI clients were starters for Hockey Canada at all levels (U17,U18,U20)
- IIHF World Junior Gold Medal(2020 Daws), U18 Gold Medal(2021 Gaudreau), U18 Silver Medal (2020 Lennox).
-2019-20 MSGI clients amounted for 20% of all OHL wins.
- OHL most improved players three years straight in coaches polls (Popovich 18', Jones 19', Daws 20')
CLIENT SUCCESS SINCE 2018:
-5 students have been drafted to the NHL in last three drafts (Jones 19' 59th, Daws 20' 84th, Cranley 20' 163rd, Gaudreau 21' 81st, Lennox 21' 93rd.)
- 10 MSGI clients have attended NHL camps and 9 have signed professional contracts.
- 9 MSGI clients have been invited to Hockey Canada's program of excellence
- 7 MSGI Goaltenders have represented their respective countries internationally
-28 OHL Draft picks
-2019-20 MSGI clients were starters for Hockey Canada at all levels (U17,U18,U20)
- IIHF World Junior Gold Medal(2020 Daws), U18 Gold Medal(2021 Gaudreau), U18 Silver Medal (2020 Lennox).
-2019-20 MSGI clients amounted for 20% of all OHL wins.
- OHL most improved players three years straight in coaches polls (Popovich 18', Jones 19', Daws 20')
OHL EXPERIENCE
In six seasons in with the Guelph Storm, Smith had an immediate impact. In his first season starting goaltender Garret Sparks would set a franchise record in wins (36) and shutouts (7) he was also named team MVP, CHL Goaltender of the month twice, won IIHF World Junior Gold, and signing an NHL contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In the 2013-14 season the success would continue with starter Justin Nichols. Nichols' came just one win shy of Spark's previous record with 35 wins on the season, and he was also named OHL goaltender of the month twice. Backup goaltender Matt Mancina won the D.W. 'Minty' Award for top rookie goaltender and was named CHL goaltender of the week in December. That same season the Storm went on to win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy (regular season champions) and the J.F. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions for only the third time in franchise history.
In 2014-15 starting goaltender Justin Nichols was named the team MVP and set a new franchise record, becoming the only goaltender in Guelph Storm history to have back to back 30+ win seasons.
2015-16 saw a disappointing year as the Storm rebuilt from a championship run. However starting goaltender Michael Giugovaz had career highs in save percentage and shutouts and was named CHL goaltender of the month in January.
In 2017-18 starting goaltender Anthony Popovich would be named the teams "Most Improved Player" and would earn an invite to Dallas Stars camp.
In the 2013-14 season the success would continue with starter Justin Nichols. Nichols' came just one win shy of Spark's previous record with 35 wins on the season, and he was also named OHL goaltender of the month twice. Backup goaltender Matt Mancina won the D.W. 'Minty' Award for top rookie goaltender and was named CHL goaltender of the week in December. That same season the Storm went on to win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy (regular season champions) and the J.F. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions for only the third time in franchise history.
In 2014-15 starting goaltender Justin Nichols was named the team MVP and set a new franchise record, becoming the only goaltender in Guelph Storm history to have back to back 30+ win seasons.
2015-16 saw a disappointing year as the Storm rebuilt from a championship run. However starting goaltender Michael Giugovaz had career highs in save percentage and shutouts and was named CHL goaltender of the month in January.
In 2017-18 starting goaltender Anthony Popovich would be named the teams "Most Improved Player" and would earn an invite to Dallas Stars camp.
IMPACTS OUTSIDE THE OHL
Matt also coached women's hockey at the University of Guelph where they won an OUA Championship and starting goaltender Val Lamenta was named CIS Most Valuable Player, 1st team CIS All-Star, lead the country in GAA and SV% and was the first goaltender to be named female athlete of the year at the University of Guelph in one season.
Smith also coached Junior B in Guelph for a single season where starter Colin Furlong would win League MVP honours and was named a 1st team GOJHL All-Star.
Smith also coached Junior B in Guelph for a single season where starter Colin Furlong would win League MVP honours and was named a 1st team GOJHL All-Star.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Smith has played at the Junior B, Teir II, OHL, and CIS levels. As a player he won a Sutherland Cup with the Elmira Sugar Kings and an OHL Championship in 2008 with the Kitchener Rangers. Smith also played a single season with the Guelph Gryphons (OUA) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.
KEATON HARTIGAN- SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
Keaton joined our staff as a full time instructor in 2017. He was the goaltending coach for the University of Waterloo Warriors (OUA) for three seasons. Prior to U of W he spent two seasons with the Waterloo Siskins (GOJHL) where in his first season the team would make a Cherry Cup final appearance. Hartigan retired from playing in 2014 with professional playing experience in Rapid City (CHL) and Herentals HYC (Netherlands). Prior to playing professional Keaton played 4 years at the University of Waterloo where he was named an OUA all star and was team MVP.
Keaton grew up in Kitchener where he would play AAA hockey in the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association. In junior Hartigan would spend time with the Kitchener Dutchmen where he would win the team MVP in 2006 and finish his Junior career with the Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) before joining the CIS. ranks.
Keaton grew up in Kitchener where he would play AAA hockey in the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association. In junior Hartigan would spend time with the Kitchener Dutchmen where he would win the team MVP in 2006 and finish his Junior career with the Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) before joining the CIS. ranks.