TS: When did you start playing goal?
B.M: I started playing goal at the age of 5.

TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?
B.M: I switched back and forth between goalie and player for the beginning then no one else wanted to play so I turned into our all time goalie. Like most girl goalies, I think we all have the similar story of having an older brother that was a forward as well. Why not put your little sister in net and shoot things at her

TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?
B.M: I didn't really have goalies that I tried to mimic growing up but I enjoyed watching Patrick Roy and now Henrik Lundqvist

TS: What team/level do you currently play?
B.M: I currently play on the United States Women's National Team

TS: What gear do you currently wear?
B.M: Reebok XLTs

TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own? 
B.M: My favorite piece of equipment that I own is either my pads or my new CCM skates. Tough call.

TS: You also provide lessons to younger goaltenders through Gold Medal Goalie Training. What made you decide to peruse the coaching side of the position? 
B.M: While playing on the National Team, it is hard to get full time jobs because we travel quite a bit. I was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University before the last olympics and loved coaching but really just liked the one on one kind of feel and playing with the goalies anyways. So when I returned to Pittsburgh I opened my own facility that gives me the flexibility to travel with the team and also do what I love.

TS: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?
B.M: I grew up without a ton of goalie coaching so I always relied on athletic ability to get me by. It wasn't until a few years ago I broke down all of my sloppy flopping around and learned how to move as a goalie. So I would say I move pretty well now but can rely on my athletic ability to get my out of things when I need to.

TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
B.M: I don't really have any superstitions but I do like to play some catch before games and throw a lacrosse ball around. I've learned that superstitions became more of a distraction and something that made preparing for a game more stressful i think. Now I just like to jam out to my favorites with my team mates and get some laughs in before the game.

TS: You’ve represented the United States multiple times on the Olympic stage and the World Championships, which includes winning an Olympic Silver Medal in 2010 and 2014 with the United States women’s national team. What were those experiences like for you?
B.M: I've been apart of two Olympic Games and three World Championships. Looking back, every experience was different.  The 2010 Olympics was my first experience on the National Team so that year was a whirlwind. Every year we get a little more mature and dedicated to training. Whatever it is a camp, tournament, or the Olympics it never gets old putting on that red, white, and blue sweater with my team mates. It's an experience that I am very grateful for and proud of to represent my country in the best sport there is.

TS: As of right now, if you had to choose, what has been the highlight of your hockey career? 
B.M: The highlight of my hockey career…hmm that's a tough one actually! There are different ones that stick out for different reasons. In college, we were one of the worst teams in the NCAA and we opened our season with the National Champions.  We ended up beating them 3-2 and I had the most saves of my career with 63. At the time, it was said to be the biggest upset in women's college hockey. 

TS: Finally, what type of advice would you give to all the other goalies out there? 
B.M: My advice for goalies is always the same! You have to have a sense of humor and a short term memory out there. You will have games that don't go your way and it's easy to get frustrated. Every time I've been in a slump I have someone that points out that it doesn't look like I'm having very much fun. When I change my attitude I change my outcome.

Thanks Brianne for taking the time to answer some questions for Tendysetups.com! You can Follow Brianne on Twitter and on Instagram @BrianneMcl.

Alex Dubeau of the QMJHL was kind enough to answer some questions for Tendysetups.com in this exclusive featured Interview. 

TS: When did you start playing goal?
A.D: My first season as a goalie was at the age of 6 years old.

TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?
A.D: All my life my dad was the person I looked up to the most and inspired me to be goalie because he was a goalie too.

TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?
A.D: Jonathan Quick and Marc-André Fleury because I admire the way they compete in net.

TS: What team/level do you currently play?
A.D: I play in the QMJHL for the Moncton Wildcats.

TS: What gear do you currently wear, Alex?
A.D: CCM Retro-Flex 2

TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?
A.D: I just got a brand new setup so I would say that it is my favorite piece of equipment that I own. 

TS: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?
A.D: Quickness and reflexes has always been my main assets because of my smaller size. However, I always have been large enough to cover up the net even though im not the biggest goalie. So therefore I would think that my style is similar to a Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier.

TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
A.D: Puck tracking drill at the end of every morning skate, taping my sticks, stretching for at least 30 minutes before pre-game meetings, juggling with tennis balls just before warm-ups and lastly the most important ritual for me is the visualization of game situations in my head that I do before every game.

TS: As of right now, what has been the highlight of your hockey career?
A.D: Being drafted first round and 9th overall in the 2010 by the Shawinigan Cataractes, being part of team Quebec in the under-17 world championship in Winnipeg and being invited to Montreal Canadiens combine were all great experiences, but winning the Memorial Cup in 2012 with the Shawinigan Cataractes.

TS: And finally, what type of advice would you give to all the other goalies out there?
A.D: I would say from my personal experience, that the work ethic and the time of the ice studying the goalie mindset and the technicality of being a goalie will make the difference at the end of the road if you want a make it to Major junior level at least.  

Tendysetups.com would like to thank the Moncton Wildcats Alex Dubeau for this exclusive Interview! Want to stay connected with Alex Dubeau of the Moncton Wildcats? Follow him on Instagram @Aldubz31 and on Twitter @ALDubeau.

Tendysetups.com:  When did you start playing goal, Alex?
AB:  I started to play hockey at the age of 5 as a forward and at 8 years old I became a goalie.


Tendysetups.com:  Why did you choose to become a goalie?
AB: At first, I only wanted to try in a little summer league for fun and I loved it so much that I still play this position today.

Tendysetups.com: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?
AB: I always looked up to Martin Brodeur during my career. I love the way he plays and is passion for the game. He had a great and long career. 

Tendysetups.com: What team/level do you currently play?
AB: I play in the QMJHL for the Cape-Breton Screaming Eagles.

Tendysetups.com: What gear do you currently wear?
AB: CCM Extreme Flex 2 gear.

Tendysetups.com: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?
AB: I love pads and gloves, but my masks are always a piece of equipment that I love the most.

Tendysetups.com: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie? 
AB: I’m a calm goalie with a great glove. My reads are one of my strengths, along with my positioning. 

Tendysetups.com: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
AB: I’m not really superstitious, but usually before games I tape my sticks, play soccer a little bit and get dress. 

Tendysetups.com: As of right now, what has been the highlight of your hockey career? 
AB: As of right now, the highlight of my career was being drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2013.

Tendysetups.com: And finally, what type of advice would you give to all the other goalies out there?
AB: Just believe in your dreams and work hard every time. 

Tendysetups.com would like to thank Alexandre Bélanger for this exclusive Q&A interview!
You can Follow Alex on Instagram @Alex_B30 and on Twitter @30_Belly.

TS: When did you start playing goal?

 TB: I was 8 years old.

TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?

 TB:When I played we won the games and my dad told me I should be a goalie.

TS:Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?

 TB: Carey Price

 TS: What team/level do you currently play?

 TB: Regina Pats- WHL

TS: What gear do you currently wear?

 TB: CCM EFlex 2 pro pads, glove, blocker

TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?

 TB: Always loved my gloves.

TS: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?

 TB: Said to play like Holtby

TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

 TB:If you don’t are you even a goalie?

TS:As of right now, what has been the highlight of your hockey career?

 TB:Winning the provincial title with the Winnipeg Wild in 2014

TS: And finally, what type of advice would you give to all the other goalies out there?

 TB: Always play your style and to your abilities. Continue to strive to be better and improve on both weaknesses and strengths. Stretch!

Thanks for the Q&A, Tyler! You can follow Tyler Brown on Instragram @TylerBrown31.

TS: When did you start playing goal?


 JB: I started playing goalie my second year of travel hockey, 11 years old.

TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to throughout your career?

 JB: A goalie I have admired growing up (besides my dad) would be Pekka Rinne.

TS: What team/level do you currently play?

 JB: I play for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

TS: What gear do you currently wear?

 JB: I wear Vaughn V6 2200 pads, gloves and chest protector. Bauer (concept) helmet, Bauer skates and stick.

TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?

 JB: My favorite would have to be my (Bauer) helmet, thing is nails.

TS: For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie? 

 JB: For those who have not seen my play, I'm not the most technically sound goalie, I make my save selection based on how I read the play which makes me fall into a butterfly/hybrid style.

TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

 JB: Before games I get the same thing at Tim Hortons before I get to the rink, two bagels and an iced capp.

TS: As of right now, what has been the highlight of your hockey career? 

 JB: My most memorable highlight in my hockey career would be winning the USA Hockey National Championship with my team last year at Shattuck St. Mary's.

TS: This past year you attended the New Jersey Devils rookie camp, what was that experience like for you?

 JB: Rookie camp was an amazing opportunity to see how good some of the players from the CHL and college levels are before I started my season this year. I learned a lot that week at camp. It was an amazing experience. 

Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for Tendysetups.com, Jeremy!
You can Follow Jeremy Brodeur on Instagram and Twitter @Jbrodeur30.

TS: When did you start playing goal?


    AP: My first experience as a goalie was playing street hockey with my uncle, when I was about 9. I didn't make the transition to ice hockey until I was 13. I made my first competitive travel team in my bantam minor year when I was 14. 


TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?

    AP: For as long as I can remember I was always a goalie. I've never had any second thoughts about becoming a forward. Ever since I started playing hockey in my street I was in the net. It was just one of those things where I had so much fun that I decided to stick with it.

TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to during your career?

    AP: My first inspiration as a goalie was Martin Brodeur. I loved watching him play and see how acrobatic and flexible he was in the crease. I even went so far as to buy a set of Heaton Helite pads (even though they were outdated) that he wore in 2003 when he won the Stanley Cup. Soon enough my uncle (and coach) told me I needed to switch to the orthodox butterfly style, so I then looked to the smooth and technical methods of Carey Price and Ryan Miller. I liked the thought of making saves look as easy as possible, so I began to mold my style after theirs. I also became a fan of Braden Holtby after seeing his mental toughness during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

TS: You attended the New York Islanders rookie camp, what was that experience like for you? 

    AP: Being able to attend an NHL rookie camp was a tremendous experience and an honor. It gives you a chance to see what it takes to be a professional athlete, and to see how professionals conduct themselves on and off the ice. Physically, the camp was very challenging, encompassing both on and off ice training sessions. It being my first experience at an NHL camp, it gave me the opportunity to see what I need to improve on for next year.

TS: What team/level do you currently play?

    AP: I play for the Merritt Centennials in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)


TS: What gear to you currently wear?

    AP: Pads: CCM Extreme Flex 34+1
Glove: CCM Extreme Flex 
Blocker: CCM Extreme FlexMask: CCM Pro
Pants: CCM CL 
Chest Protector: CCM AB Pro
Skates: Graf G7500
Knee Guard: Reebok Premier
Cup: Bauer Supreme
Stick: CCM 500 Pro
Neck Guard: Vaughn 


TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?

    AP: That's a tough choice, but I would have to say my CCM mask. It's the only pro level helmet I've owned, and it's incredibly lightweight and protective. I've taken my fair share of head shots this season, and it's saved me every time.


TS: For our readers who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?

    AP: I like to model my style after Carey Price. I feel that I play my best when I play calm and make saves as easy as possible. My skating and technique is my best asset as a goalie, but I can also be athletic when I need to be. 


TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? 

    AP: I'm not too superstitious, but I do follow the same routine for practices and games. I like to listen to music and tape my stick every time before I go on the ice. I also put my skates and pads on one side at a time (so left skate, left pad then right skate, right pad) which some people find eccentric. There's not much to it besides that.


TS: As a goalie who's under 6-feet, what advice do you have for any other “undersized” goalies out there?

    AP: I don't really like to think of myself as a small goalie or use it as an excuse. However, being under six-foot, there's extra importance placed on my positioning and depth in the crease. For undersized goalies, it's always important to challenge the shooter, and your skating and power has to be that much better to cover the extra space. Screens and deflections also become more of a threat, so depth is critical. Another inspiration of mine is Jeff Lerg, a 5'8" goaltender with asthma who played and won a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans and currently plays for the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. Lerg portrays the attitude that size is only a disadvantage if you make it to be, an attitude that I have myself.
TS: Thanks Anthony for the Interview! 
You can follow Anthony Pupplo on Instagram @ap0031 and on Twitter @AP_0031.