Michal Neuvirth and the "bob and weave"

I've had this video in my playlist for a couple of years now, but I always refer back to it as a great practical example of goalies fighting the screen.  It also highlights a little of how Neuvirth's pre-game routine includes a mental and physical warm-up drill that specifically targets screen opportunities.  I love the concept of this so much that I have made a drill based on the body movement exercises when introducing screened plays in my goalie development sessions.  They are what I call "bob-and-weave" patterns.

The reality of the modern game as young goalies progress through the older age categories and higher skill levels is that screens and obstructed views are the defacto rigor of plays in one's own zone.  As the bodies get bigger and the gear gets better for players, the more willing the forwards are to go to the net bringing their tag-a-long defenders.  The result is a forest of legs, sticks, and bodies that a goalie must actively fight to see around.  The nature of the situation is so common, that almost all goalie development drills that include a shot or a puck in play should include a screen progression.  The older and more skilled the goalies are, the more this should be included.  Trust me, as a goalie, I HATE screens, but even though they are so detested by goalies it is all the more reason to work on them.

Not to pick on Malcolm Subban who is a legitimate future NHLer, from what I saw of him from the last World Juniours was a real lack of intensity in fighting screens.  In the game against the USA, his first three goals came through screens, and while I agree that he had little chance on the first one, the other two, there was little or no head movement to fight and see the puck.  As soon as he lost sight, instsead of trying to regain eye contact on the puck, he dropped into a blocking butterfly.  Not only is he just hoping the puck hits him, he is also hoping that the puck hasn't moved laterally prior to the shot release.

His only goal against during the round robin play versus Russia was another example of lack of eye-contact on the puck in the zone and hoping body position is enough.  With his athleticism, size, and natural ability, he should be able to overcome these bad habits with solid goalie coaching.