I participate in hockey as a means to keep my body and mind sharp. I play goalie for my middle-of-the standings division 3 men’s league team. I spend most of the game standing upright on my skates, while the opponent’s netminder falls and flails. My Goals Against Average currently ranks 7th out of 12 in the league. But that’s not the point.

I am the modern stand-up goalie.

I hear what the other team says. In pre-game talks, they point out ways to exploit my style. I hear what the guys say on my team when they think I’m not listening. “When are we going to get a real goalie?” I also hear their cheers when I make a text-book standing kick save. I see the fast breaks we get from my mobility and passing ability. But that’s not the point.

I am the modern stand-up goalie.

I am a student of the sport, and the position. I’ve studied the likes of Brimsek, Parent and recently Brodeur. I saw Esposito on the precipice and value his hybrid sensibilities. While I appreciate the steadfastness of Bower, I do not agree with impeding the development of the sport. I welcome slapshots. But that’s not the point.

I am the modern stand-up goalie.

Roy advanced the butterfly style into the modern era and I was delighted at his success. Giguere fundamentally changed the rules with his suffocating run to the cup. I’m not too old to learn a new style. I think I would make an excellent butterfly goalie. But that’s not the point.

I am the modern stand-up goalie.

I understand I’m viewed as stubborn and archaic. I do not remain standing on my skates to defy the opposing players, my own team or history. I remain standing as an effective means to keep pucks from entering the net behind me. I do not do it out of laziness, quite the opposite. I do it as a challenge, as a way to show flair in an already acrobatic role. That’s the point.