(Goalie) Will playing roller hockey help me improve on ice?

[HandsomeKessel]

I'm spending some time in Germany (about 5 months) and they don't have ice during the summer because their rink isn't fully enclosed so they can't get it cold enough during Summer.

I played roller hockey for the first time a week ago and it's going to take some time to get used. The fact that I can't get my hands on a pair of goalie skates doesn't help either. I'm just worried that I won't get any better during my time in Germany. One area that I really need to work on is my sliding and I can't slide in a an inline rink. What can I do to make sure I get the most out of these 5 months?

Thanks

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[Beezeral]

I'm spending some time in Germany (about 5 months) and they don't have ice during the summer because their rink isn't fully enclosed so they can't get it cold enough during Summer.

I played roller hockey for the first time a week ago and it's going to take some time to get used. The fact that I can't get my hands on a pair of goalie skates doesn't help either. I'm just worried that I won't get any better during my time in Germany. One area that I really need to work on is my sliding and I can't slide in a an inline rink. What can I do to make sure I get the most out of these 5 months?

Thanks

Having played both my entire life, there are a ton of differences as you have already learned. Simplified, most ice hockey goalies play a butterfly style. Roller hockey goalies have to rely on athleticism and play more of a hybrid Hasek style. In my opinion, playing roller hockey will help round out your game by forcing you to play different than you are used to and really help your game in scramble situations because you will have to learn to flop around and find creative ways to make saves.

My best advice for you is to not try and force an ice hockey mentality on roller hockey.

 

[tarheelhockey]

From what I can tell (my son is a goalie but I am not) roller is a lot more skating-intensive for goalies. Not only do you lose the ability to slide in the butterfly, but you also lose your edges for the sake of moving side-to-side while standing. Even just small adjustments in your stance require a deliberate skating motion, not just leaning on your edge to scoot over a bit. Lots of t-pushes to get from one side to the other.

I'd think you would come out of it with improved skating.

 

[goalie29]

My best advice for you is to not try and force an ice hockey mentality on roller hockey.

I agree.

They are so different, with a different set of skills. I played ice for 10 years before I tried roller. Other than being on making sure you are on the correct angle, not much is the same in regards to footwork or skating.