Hockey/Questions Answered by Expert Dina Solimini
| Subject | Date Asked |
| assist | 12/8/2011 |
| Q: P3 passes to P1, P1 passes to P2, P2 passes back to P1 who then scores. Should P3 get credit for the ... A: My experience has shown it depends on the ref! Sometimes only 1 assist is listed and sometimes the ... | |
| line changes | 12/1/2011 |
| Q: During line changes/ substitutions, how do the players know when to head for the bench- does the ... A: In the NHL they change like any other level. The coach calls the center for the next line to go and ... | |
| line changes | 11/27/2011 |
| Q: During line changes/ substitutions, how do the players know when to head for the bench- does the ... A: Well at the younger levels (mite/squirt) they may play "buzzer" hockey. The clock is set for 1-2 ... | |
| Line Structure | 10/29/2011 |
| Q: I am captain of a 30 and over hockey team. We have had several debates. When 12 guys show up to ... A: Sorry I tried to answer the other day but I dont't think it went through. I would choose the 3rd ... | |
| Goalie equipment | 7/5/2011 |
| Q: My name is Joshua, and I was wondering if you would be able to tell me where I could get some cheap ... A: Look at the bulletin boards in your area rinks for used equipement, ask a local Youth program's ... | |
| Women's Hockey Advice | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I'm hoping you will be able to help me. I'm in my 30's, and have been playing ice hockey for 1 year ... A: Wow Amy you're brave! A few ideas...try a junior stick since they aren't as wide in the shaft. ... | |
| 16 year old goalie never played ice only roller and foot | 4/1/2011 |
| Q: I'm very good at roller hockey and i play with Adults double my age. How do i make that transitions ... A: Aaron, if you do not know how to ice skate at all, I suggest lessons with regular "player" skates. I ... | |
| Goaltending styles | 3/4/2011 |
| Q: My question is: What are the different goaltending styles? I've heard something like ... A: Ana Back in the day there were 2 types of styles: stand-up and floppers (now called butterfly). It ... | |
| semi pro hockey | 1/24/2011 |
| Q: im 18 years old and i've been told i have the skills to go somewhere in hockey. I know that i am far ... A: I answer this question all the time! Don't know your position, where you've played or what camps ... | |
| My chances | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: I'm going to be 20 in march and i just started getting into the game. I would like to know if there ... A: Nick I need a lot more info from you such as where you've been playing, where you're from, ... | |
| College Hockey. | 1/18/2011 |
| Q: Hey, I have been playing hockey for almost eight years now. I am a sophomore in High school. I ... A: I need more info from you.....position, location, have you been to any camps or scouted by anyone, ... | |
| goaltending | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: My name is chris i am from dayton, ohio i am playing varsity for my high school this year as a ... A: It is important to finish high school! If your high school is a strong program and you're already ... | |
| hockey workouts | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: I have to workout all offseason for football season at my high school so i figured since i play ... A: Jared, I encourage you to look through some of my previous posts about conditioning. Even though ... | |
| Recruiting? | 11/30/2010 |
| Q: Solimini, I am a goaltender from Pennsylvania, whose dream is to play NCAA division 1 men's ... A: I was always surprised to learn that PA was not a big hockey place! Yes videos are still used! No, ... | |
| Chest protector | 5/26/2010 |
| Q: This is only the second new chest protector I've ever gotten and I'm scared that it will be to stiff ... A: i hated new chest protectors so i wore my old one for about 20 years!! wear your old one during ... | |
| Goalie training | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: How can I improve my hand eye coordination as part of goalie training? Also, what are some drills I ... A: Well first off I ask people, did you ever play baseball? Do you consider yourself a good catcher? My ... | |
| Goalie sticks wood vs composite | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: Dina, My son is a freshman playing varsity hockey as the backup goalie. In the last 3 mos he has ... A: It sounds to me that they know their stick has some issues. I can't tell you what to use, but I ... | |
| Mite Goalie Pads/Skates | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: my son (8) has been playing goalie for two years now, and I finally purchased him goalie skates. I ... A: Yes I think his little legs along w/ size of skates and pad are the issue. I think it is great that ... | |
| Mite Goalie Pads/Skates | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: my son (8) has been playing goalie for two years now, and I finally purchased him goalie skates. I ... A: I agree most definately....before goalie skates are introduced, the goalie needs to be a strong ... | |
| using linoleum for off ice hockey drills | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: Dina - in your response to another question on off ice hockey drills, you recommended the use of ... A: someone finally went through my previous answers!! Really it can be any size depending on what you ... | |
| Delay of game penalty | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: I have been playing hockey for 20 years and had an interesting call made the other night. ... A: Sorry for the delay (LOL!)! Well there is a penalty for delay of game, but in your case the ref ... | |
| blocker pad | 8/13/2009 |
| Q: I'm 26, 5'10" about 170pounds,is an "intermediate" size blocker pad too small for me?Its a nightmare ... A: You're welcome! It's a personal preference again...I think you answered your question in that you ... | |
| blocker pad | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: I'm 26, 5'10" about 170pounds,is an "intermediate" size blocker pad too small for me?Its a nightmare ... A: It's a personal preference I think. I cannot answer that. I understand trying to save $. What I ... | |
| Hockey weight | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: i'll really aprreciate an answer THANK YOU. ANSWER: Hi Eden, It would depend on your height and how ... A: I am sorry, I do not think I can answer that question for you. Women's ice hockey is the only sport ... | |
| Hockey weight | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: i'll really aprreciate an answer THANK YOU. A: It would depend on your height and how physical you are or the league you're in I think. If you get ... | |
| goalie skates | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: I'm new to the goalie game(i've played defense for 4 or 5 seasons now recreationally)I'm about to ... A: Good point John! Until college I always wore a plastic one that hung off the cage. I switched to ... | |
| goalie skates | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: I'm new to the goalie game(i've played defense for 4 or 5 seasons now recreationally)I'm about to ... A: Yah...you're crazy!! What is the appeal, the cool mask? The bulky nasty stinky gloves? The awe of ... | |
| Goaltending problems | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to progress faster in my goaltending so that i can move up to pee wee which is my age ... A: I think your pad height sounds fine. Sometimes if they are too big and the ankle/ toe area extends ... | |
| Goaltending problems | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to progress faster in my goaltending so that i can move up to pee wee which is my age ... A: Sorry for the delay. What do you have access to in order to workout or practice off ice? Have you ... | |
| off ice summer training | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: Dina, thanks a lot for reading and hopefully answering my question. I have son who is very dedicated ... A: Nutrition: A bit trickier b/c I really can’t help someone other than myself or someone trying to ... | |
| off ice summer training | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: Dina, thanks a lot for reading and hopefully answering my question. I have son who is very dedicated ... A: I think that is awesome that your son runs! I think that is something hockey players don't do a lot ... | |
| goalie workout | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: Hey, I'm a 15 year old goalie and i play midget B girls hockey. I am planning on trying out for the ... A: Here's some info to start: • I believe sprinting, bike work and throwing in some foot speed drills ... | |
| goalie workout | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: Hey, I'm a 15 year old goalie and i play midget B girls hockey. I am planning on trying out for the ... A: I will get back to you soon on this. But first, what do you have access to for workout stuff? What ... | |
| Getting my game back | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: I am a transplanted 50+ Canuck now living in California. Some of the young guys I work with are on a ... A: That is great that you want to get back on the ice! I get a lot of people asking me for dryland ... | |
| tryouts | 4/25/2009 |
| Q: Hey Dina, I read your description and noticed that you have experience in goaltending as well as ... A: J. So I cannot answer for them. I can only give you what I would do or have heard of scouts/ tryout ... | |
| Jr. A/ OHL | 4/22/2009 |
| Q: I am in a state of total confusion. I can't seem to make a team, no matter what! I WANT to make it ... A: OK so you are saying that if you sign, they own your butt for 2 years and you only get about 4 hrs ... | |
| Jr. A/ OHL | 4/21/2009 |
| Q: I am in a state of total confusion. I can't seem to make a team, no matter what! I WANT to make it ... A: So you are still in High School? If you sign w/ the Ice Dogs what does that mean? How much hockey/ ... | |
| Jr.A/Jr.B Goaltending Conditioning and Training | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: Canada. As a goaltender I realize that the speed, competition, and new added length to the schedule ... A: Go to the sports section then pick lacrosse and the expert- Jonathan Edwards. BTW he was also a ... | |
| Jr.A/Jr.B Goaltending Conditioning and Training | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: Canada. As a goaltender I realize that the speed, competition, and new added length to the schedule ... A: Sorry for the delay, I really had to think about this one and even still this could be a long ... | |
| Jr.A/Jr.B Goaltending Conditioning and Training | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: Canada. As a goaltender I realize that the speed, competition, and new added length to the schedule ... A: Congratulations on the invitations!! I need some info from you so I have an idea as to how to help ... | |
| goalie | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Dina, my son is 7 and is playing goalie, he is a very strong skater and his coach has said that we ... A: I do not agree with the coach's reasoning. Goalie skates are not a cure all. In fact they are very ... | |
| moving up at 24 | 2/2/2009 |
| Q: Ok, so I'm a goalie, 24, living in ottawa On. I got into the game late, (grade 10ish) with floor ... A: This is the most popular question I get! I've answered this several times in this forum and I would ... | |
| goalie question about butterfly | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: about 5'9 with 32" goalie pads. I can never quite get a closed off 5 hole in my butterfly. What can ... A: There is no easy way to answer this. Your pads may be the problem as to why you cannot close the ... | |
| slapshot/wristshot | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: i was wondering if you knew of any workouts that would help me increase the power behind both ... A: A few little things come to mind. Using weighted pucks and adding thin layers of weights on your ... | |
| Probelem with youth hockey-coach's son | 9/14/2008 |
| Q: Tonight at practice the coach's son was going after my son. Earlier in the day he told him he was ... A: Well you say it's 1 incident? I would wait to see if it continues. It could have just been this ... | |
| goalie drills | 8/22/2008 |
| Q: I'm gonna be a first year bantam goalie and i need some dryland goalie drills. got any ideas? A: I've already answered this question several times. Below I've cut/pasted my answers because some of ... | |
| Goaltending | 8/22/2008 |
| Q: My next question....I am a goalie and am using my equipment from 10 years ago and know that things ... A: I believe I've answered the fitness question a few times before. Please search through previous ... | |
| rust on your skate blades? | 8/10/2008 |
| Q: if you have rust on the bottom of your skate blades how can you get it off, and does it effect your ... A: Depends on how bad it is. If it's a years worth or something to that affect, then just go get them ... | |
| Skate purchase | 7/18/2008 |
| Q: My son 8 year old and has been skating since he was 3. He has now played 1 year of competitive ... A: As a goalie, I know more about goalie equipment than for skaters. Some skates are notorious for ... | |
| goalie | 7/2/2008 |
| Q: I am a 15 year old girl i use to play hockey when i was in grade 3 and 4. I want to start to ... A: Of course I would suggest more either way, no matter what!! I work in the medical/ science field and ... | |
| goalie | 7/2/2008 |
| Q: I am a 15 year old girl i use to play hockey when i was in grade 3 and 4. I want to start to ... A: I assume you have gotten cleared with your doctor about playing? If not that is something you need ... | |
| goalie | 7/2/2008 |
| Q: I am a 15 year old girl i use to play hockey when i was in grade 3 and 4. I want to start to ... A: That's great you want to get back on the ice! First you need to tell me some things...So you want to ... | |
| goalie skates | 6/10/2008 |
| Q: My son is playing goalie and is 7 yrs old. He has never used goalie skates. He's pretty average ... A: No Problem! Well, I'm tooting my own horn here, but I was very fortunate in the program I grew up ... | |
| goalie skates | 6/10/2008 |
| Q: My son is playing goalie and is 7 yrs old. He has never used goalie skates. He's pretty average ... A: My honest opinion is to wait until he is an older squirt at the earliest. What I think is crucial is ... | |
| goalie catchers | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: what is the best/most appropriate youth catcher available? My 7 yr old has an RBK 6k Yth, but it ... A: Well catchers are interesting. I feel they are a goalie's holy grail, they are sacred! As for your ... | |
| Run faster to skate faster? | 5/20/2008 |
| Q: Dini With summer here I plan on running more to keep in shape and lose some blubber. Of course I am ... A: I believe sprinting, bike work and throwing in some foot speed drills will help you become faster. ... | |
| Goaltender Stats | 5/5/2008 |
| Q: My son just finished his first year of Squirt Travel hockey as a goaltender. I have maintained his ... A: One way to compare stats is to look at the statistics around the league your son is in. My guess is ... | |
| knocking net on top of goalie | 3/26/2008 |
| Q: Twice in one game, (during the second last game for a birth in Provincials) our goalie (Midget A ... A: It would have been good to know your involvement with this. Are you a coach, another player or ... | |
| become a better goalie | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: ANSWER: Hi Tom, Before I can try to answer your question, I need more information from you. What ... A: Ok....this can be a very detailed and long discussion. Do you have access to a gym or a trainer at a ... | |
| become a better goalie | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: hi my name is Thomas Macdonald i play for a good hockey team but i would like to play A or AA any ... A: Before I can try to answer your question, I need more information from you. What level are you and ... | |
| NHL pro Butt Ends | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: I was curious, a lot of the stick I see the NHL guy using obviously have may different butt ends ... A: There are several reasons for the butt-end. A knob on the end makes it easier to pick up when you ... | |
| Goalie Catcher | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: I just got a new reebok x-pulse glove and i just can't get it broken in. Do you have any suggestions ... A: Ok, for your "power-leg"...can you pop-up easily or do you take a one-leg approach to getting up ... | |
| Goalie Catcher | 2/24/2008 |
| Q: I just got a new reebok x-pulse glove and i just can't get it broken in. Do you have any suggestions ... A: I have not tried this model of catcher, but I have suggestions. With the newer models, the material ... | |
| Drill? | 2/20/2008 |
| Q: I am an older guy that just started playing rec. hockey. I can skate and pass OK so I am not doing ... A: I suppose it depends on how ambitious and funny you want to look :) Well for foot speed you scan ... | |
| Drill? | 2/20/2008 |
| Q: I am an older guy that just started playing rec. hockey. I can skate and pass OK so I am not doing ... A: Ok there are things you can do on/off ice, but because you asked for on-ice at shinny & public ... | |
| Weight | 2/16/2008 |
| Q: I am 48,and havent played organised for a long time. I got hit by the bug again after helping coach ... A: Well any unwanted weight gain can pose many health risks. Risks include cardiovascular disease, ... | |
Dina Solimini
Top Expert on this page
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.
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