" EASILY THE BEST PLACE TO TRAIN IF YOU WANT TO BECOME ELITE."
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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 30 Professional/Major Junior/NCAA D1 goaltenders. In the span of 2011-19(8 years) he has seen 4 students drafted to the NHL, 20 drafted to Major Junior and 4 signed professional contracts. Smith 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 both from minor hockey to professional ranks.
PERSONAL APPROACH BECOMES RAPID SUCCESS
In 2018, Matt started a new chapter in his coaching career. For the firs time he wasn't 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 sounded board for his students. The approach would rapidly garnered successful results.
In April 2018, client Tristan Lennox became the 1st goaltender selected in the OHL draft 26th overall to the Saginaw Spirit. 4 students would get NHL tryouts and 3 more would sign OHL contracts.
In December, Lennox was named to Team Canada U17 team. Student Hunter Jones quickly was attracting NHL scouts after being named goaltender of the Month in September and was also named to the CHL Top Prospects Game and to the Canada/Russia Series.
In April 2019, client Ben Gaudreau became the highest goaltender selected to the OHL in 17 years going 7th overall to Sarnia Sting. Completing back to back seasons a MSGI goaltender was the first goalie selected in the OHL Draft.
By early June , 24 goalies from across Canada where invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltender evaluation camp. 5 of the 24 invited trained with Matt directly.
Later that month Hunter Jones was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2nd round 59th overall and was named to Hockey Canada's World Junior Summer Training Camp.
By December 2019, a new MSGI client had stolen the headlines as goaltender Nico Daws quickly led the OHL in all categories and sat a top NHL Central Scouting list for North American goalies. Hunter Jones and Daws were named to the CHL Canada Russia Series and both MSGI students earned a spot as two of the four goaltenders selected to Hockey Canada World Junior Camp Roster.
Later that month Daws would be named the starting goalie for Team Canada becoming only the third goaltender in Canadian World Junior history to be undrafted and make the team.
January 2020, Daws would capture a gold medal for Canada. Later that month he would named to the CHL Top Prospects Game in Hamilton.
April 2020, Hunter Jones would sign a Entry Level Contract with the Minnesota Wild.
May 2020, Nico Daws would be named OHL Goaltender of Year for only the second time in Guelph Storm franchise history.
In April 2018, client Tristan Lennox became the 1st goaltender selected in the OHL draft 26th overall to the Saginaw Spirit. 4 students would get NHL tryouts and 3 more would sign OHL contracts.
In December, Lennox was named to Team Canada U17 team. Student Hunter Jones quickly was attracting NHL scouts after being named goaltender of the Month in September and was also named to the CHL Top Prospects Game and to the Canada/Russia Series.
In April 2019, client Ben Gaudreau became the highest goaltender selected to the OHL in 17 years going 7th overall to Sarnia Sting. Completing back to back seasons a MSGI goaltender was the first goalie selected in the OHL Draft.
By early June , 24 goalies from across Canada where invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltender evaluation camp. 5 of the 24 invited trained with Matt directly.
Later that month Hunter Jones was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2nd round 59th overall and was named to Hockey Canada's World Junior Summer Training Camp.
By December 2019, a new MSGI client had stolen the headlines as goaltender Nico Daws quickly led the OHL in all categories and sat a top NHL Central Scouting list for North American goalies. Hunter Jones and Daws were named to the CHL Canada Russia Series and both MSGI students earned a spot as two of the four goaltenders selected to Hockey Canada World Junior Camp Roster.
Later that month Daws would be named the starting goalie for Team Canada becoming only the third goaltender in Canadian World Junior history to be undrafted and make the team.
January 2020, Daws would capture a gold medal for Canada. Later that month he would named to the CHL Top Prospects Game in Hamilton.
April 2020, Hunter Jones would sign a Entry Level Contract with the Minnesota Wild.
May 2020, Nico Daws would be named OHL Goaltender of Year for only the second time in Guelph Storm franchise history.
OHL EXPERIENCE
In six seasons in with the Guelph Storm, Smith would have an immediate impact. In his first season starting goaltender Garret Sparks would set a franchise record in wins (36) and Shutouts (7) a long side being named team MVP, CHL Goaltender of the month twice, winning 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 coming just one win shy of Spark's previous record with 35 wins on the season. Nichols would also be named OHL goaltender of the month twice. Backup goaltender Matt Mancina would win the D.W. 'Minty' Award for top rookie goaltender and be named CHL goaltender of the week in December. That same season the Storm would go onto 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 would be named the team MVP and set a new franchise record, becoming the only goaltender is 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 coming just one win shy of Spark's previous record with 35 wins on the season. Nichols would also be named OHL goaltender of the month twice. Backup goaltender Matt Mancina would win the D.W. 'Minty' Award for top rookie goaltender and be named CHL goaltender of the week in December. That same season the Storm would go onto 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 would be named the team MVP and set a new franchise record, becoming the only goaltender is 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 would win 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 be 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 be 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 would win 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 would earn 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.