But the virtual environment is ideal for goalies because those same plays always end up coming toward the goalie, and their movement is more contained. "Jacob used it and practiced the next day and couldn't believe how good he felt tracking the puck in practice because the goggles force you to move your head to track the puck," Ranford said.ĭeveloped in the Czech Republic by founder and CEO Bob Tetiva over the past three and half years, Sense Arena also has a skater's version where a player can hold a stick and run drills or react to plays all over the arena. The early feedback from prospect goalie Jacob Ingham, who has a set with him in Germany, where he is playing on a loan from the Kings, reinforced that development potential. That's because he sees it as a development tool to help focus on puck-tracking mechanics and encourage active hands, and as a way to help his goalies rest more during the season.
Though the idea of being able to work on goalie-specific skills at a time when not everyone has access to ice because of the coronavirus pandemic is part of the appeal, Ranford believes it will have continuing value. Los Angeles Kings goaltending coach Bill Ranford got involved with the virtual reality program after learning about it at an online goaltending symposium in June, and now has several Kings goalies using it. "There's a part where it's an actual player shooting so you can read the release and it's crazy how realistic that is, and then there's also some reaction-time drills. I'm shocked by how realistic the whole thing is," said Bibeau, who signed a two-way contract on Oct. "You put it on and you basically appear in the net in an NHL arena and you look around and it's really like being in an NHL arena.
It has since been adopted by 10 NHL goalies, including Philipp Grubauer of the Colorado Avalanche, Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Antoine Bibeau of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Sense Arena launched in late July as a program that allows goalies to feel like they are facing real shots, using a headset and paddles that can either be held in or attached to a goalie glove and blocker.
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