AboutDina Solimini Expertise I can answer goaltending questions including: equipment, rules, positioning, psychology, drills, fitness, recruiting, etc. I can answer questions about American college hockey (especially Women's), Youth, and High School (especially East Coast/ New England area). I can answer some nostalgia questions for example: what was it like to play in all leather equipment? What was it like to skate in rinks that had chain link fencing instead of glass? I cannot answer specific statistics questions including College and Pro hockey.
Experience I grew up in New England and played goalie in the Youth Hockey program (including a Metro Team) from Mite AA through Midgets (pretty much the only girl in the programs). I played on my High School Boy’s team all four years.
I played 1 season at Boston College as a starter and finished the last 3 seasons as a starter at the University of New Hampshire. In my senior season we won the longest game in college history. We beat Providence 3-2 in 5 overtimes!
I also played with Team USA at different times in my career. I was also a 1998 Team USA Winter Olympic hopeful.
For the last 5 seasons I have coached several organizations as the goalie coach and second assistant coach. These levels include: Youth Hockey boys and girls and High School boys and girls.
Organizations Youth Hockey, MA
Education/Credentials BA and MS
;USA Hockey Level 3 Coach
Awards and Honors 1998 Winter Olympic Hopeful
1996 ECAC Champion
1996 UNH Female Athlete of the Year Nominee
1995, 1996 ECAC All- Tournament Goalie
1993-1996 Holder of several UNH goaltending records
1995 Member, Women's USA Select Team
1991 Teen Magazine Sports Girl of the Year Finalist
1990-1991 US Women's Training Team
Past/Present Clients Current: Youth Hockey, MA
Past: High School, MA, Rochester Youth Hockey, Rochester, NH, RinkSport, Inc., Quistgard Goaltending.
Expert: Dina Solimini Date: 7/18/2008 Subject: Skate purchase
Question My son 8 year old and has been skating since he was 3. He has now played 1 year of competitive hockey (at least 4 hours a week). He plays Centre and is fast and excellent with his edges. He's on the shorter side and fine-boned (4ft 2", 57 lbs). He wore an Easton Synergy 800 youth, size 12 skate last season (while wearing a size 1 running shoe). They were getting tight at the very end of the season so we did have them stretched once. Do you have any advice as to buying skates eg. brand/design for his age, body type, position and ability/level of play? Advice as to skate sharpening (3/8" vs 7/16") would be of interest as well.
Thanks so much! Lynda
Answer Hi Lynda,
As a goalie, I know more about goalie equipment than for skaters. Some skates are notorious for running narrow or wide. I think I remember Bauer being on the wide side and some skates like Graf cannot be worn by everyone. The rule was always to buy the skates without a lot of wiggle room, but not so the toes are touching the top. With kids it's probably tough b/c they grow so fast. During the summer, feet swell so keep that in mind. Also be aware when trying on skates whether you have socks on or not. If you skate barefoot then try the skate on barefoot. If you wear socks, make sure you try on the socks you'll skate with. Again, as a goalie, I'm the wrong person to ask about sharpening and radius. I think there is someone else in this group that is better suited to discuss skates.
