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.
Question QUESTION: I'm 26, 5'10" about 170pounds,is an "intermediate" size blocker pad too small for me?Its a nightmare trying to find a cheap full right blocker and I can get a great deal on an int. size
ANSWER: Hi John
It's a personal preference I think. I cannot answer that. I understand trying to save $. What I would suggest is trying it on and grab a stick and pretend you're playing. Maybe even have some one throw some balls or pucks at you to simulate using it. If it feels good then go with it...but, if you are playing a lot of hockey or are at a high level, you might get what you pay for and it might wear down too fast.
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QUESTION: Hello again Dina!You"ve been a great help to me so far.My goalie pads have a strap at the very top of the thigh risers,is this supposed to go through the loop in the back of my goalie pants?I feel alot less constricted if I leave that strap off altogether.Bad idea?
Answer You're welcome!
It's a personal preference again...I think you answered your question in that you feel a lot less constricted w/o it! If you are not getting bruises and the puck isn't sneaking in w/o it, then do what feels best. Sometimes these added things on equipment are so much of hinderance and 1 more thing to worry about or fix!
