Sandy has worked with many goaltenders in the PWHL and has helped in their development to become successful goaltenders in the CIS & NCAA. He is driven to demand excellence, a strong work ethic and a dedication to the craft he is passionate about.
Gary Soper
Head Coach, Whitby Jr Wolves 2009- 2014
My name is Rick Traugott and I am the head coach of the girl’s prep team at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario. I have been coaching for the past 18 years at both the prep school level with boys and girls, as well as in the GTHL at the minor bantam and midget AAA level, tier two junior and college level with the Ryerson Polytechnic University Rams. I had the pleasure of working with Sandy at an Elite Aeros skills program. Sandy was on the ice with all of the goalies while I was evaluating their skills. I was truly impressed with Sandy’s approach to teaching the game and after getting to know him over lunch knew that he would be a superb addition to our coaching team here at TCS. Sandy worked with all of our goalies (both boys and girls) each week in dedicated ice time. In particular, our two girls were elite bantam and midget goalies and their improvement over the season was astounding. Sandy worked diligently to identify each goalies’ strengths and weaknesses then put in place strategies to help them improve. Sandy’s knowledge of goaltending skills was evident in every session he ran. What was most impressive though was Sandy’s ability to communicate effectively to our goalies – including a standout from Mexico working in his second language. My two female goalies, who had worked with many coaches in the past, both felt they identified with Sandy better than anyone they had worked with. Sandy has become a very important piece of our coaching puzzle and I am truly ecstatic that he will be with us again next season.
Rick Traugott
Trinity College School, Head Coach
Sandy has been the goalie coach for my teams for the past 6 years and I won’t use anyone else. The goalies are excited to work with him every time he comes on the ice with us and I know they are in very capable hands. From my perspective as a coach, he always fits into the practice seamlessly, whether I give him a whole hour and half the ice or 15 minutes and from the tops of the circles down. I greatly value his willingness and ability to be flexible to what our team practice needs and admire his ability to get what he needs done no matter what the circumstances. He is a true professional and has a great rapport with his goalies, the players, the coaches and all members of the team staff. He’s a great teacher, coach, and role model and we are very fortunate to have him as a part of our team.
Kim McCullough
Head Coach, Toronto-Leaside Jr Wildcats, PWHL
Assistant Coach, Ryerson University Women’s Hockey Team
Team Ontario Under 18 Coach, 2012 & 2013
Director and Founder, Total Female Hockey
Sandy has been a key part of our women's hockey program since its inception 5 years ago. He excels at providing our goalies with advanced technical feedback in a way that challenges them to reach their full potential as goalies and people.
Lisa Haley
This was my first year having Sandy work with my Leaside Wildcats Peewee BB team. Sandy's drills, approach and use of video dramatically increased our fresh-out-of-house-league goalies techniques, endurance and leg strength. In addition, Sandy was key in developing the very important mental side of the game, which can be very stressful for a goalie. Our goalies confidence was night and day at the end of the year versus the start. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Sandy.
Paul Verkuyl
After we recruited one of Sandy's top goaltenders to join our program in 2011, he committed to driving to Guelph once a week for 4 years to continue to develop this student athlete. I learned so much about the position while spending time on ice with Sandy and I'm able to keep our goalies accountable throughout the rest of the week. Sandy sent video footage to all of our goalies and coaches after each session so we could continue to reinforce his techniques and tactics. Our goalies play the puck better and more often than most and it's like having a 6th player on the ice for breakouts. He holds his athletes to a very high standard and keeps them accountable both in season and out of season. I've truly enjoyed working with Sandy and I'm grateful for the knowledge he has passed along to me throughout our time together.
Rachel Flanagan
Head Coach Women's Hockey - University of Guelph
High Performance Level 2 certified coach
Hockey Canada Development Team Asst Coach (2010-2012)
FISU Games Team Canada Asst Coach (2013)
OUA Coach of the Year Women's Hockey ('12/13 & '13/14)