Hi, I am Kenny Sroka. I was at your Leduc camp in August. My regular season starts next week but I am currently playing 3 on 3. Already I am noticing that I can take the net away from the shooters that I couldn't before. The repetitive drills come into my mind in many plays and I am able to naturally play the position. Many of the shooters I considered REALLY good and that made me nervous are now trying to figure out different ways to get the puck by me. Thank you, I really enjoyed your camp and I learned so much.

Kenny Sroka
Maidstone, Sk
1st yr Pee Wee

It’s amazing what a year can do!

We first heard of Eli Wilson in the Vegas Hockey Showcase back in 2010.  My son Ethan had found his passion as a goalie when he was 5 years old and even though Hockey 2 requires goalies to rotate positions, he was never happy to skate out. He knew then that all he wanted to be was a goalie.

He trained with different goalie coaches and seemed to get a little bit better as time went on.  We tried different programs, camps, private sessions, anything “goalie” that we could sign up for.

Once back from Vegas we looked up Eli Wilson’s camp and registered Ethan for the camp in the summer.

Well what a surprise! Ethan could not stop talking about Eli and could not wait to get to camp the next day. He wished the camp was on for the whole month and even though he was exhausted he always had the biggest smile when I picked him up.

I had no idea of the magic that was happening inside Ethan during that week. I would only become aware of it during tryouts that fall.

Something inside Ethan changed and he performed extremely well during tryouts. Not only did his technique improve by leaps and bounds, but his inner confidence, mental focus, discipline and drive made a very huge positive shift. 

The only downfall was that now Ethan refused to train with anyone else or attend any other goalie programs. I tried to convince him and sometimes even bribe him (I know ..not the best approach but I wanted to keep the fire that Eli had started in Ethan going..).

We had no choice but to patiently wait until the next summer to sign up for camps again.  Needless to say when we learned that Eli had moved to Vancouver and was available for private sessions, we immediately contacted him and started weekly private sessions. It has been a year now and Ethan looks forward to his sessions and to put into practice at games what he learns from Eli. He is continually improving and his games are consistently amazing !

I am forever grateful to Eli for the hours he spends week after week working with Ethan. He has been such a positive influence on him in so many areas and his teachings go beyond what Ethan can do during games. Somehow his influence spills over to practices, before and after game performances and an overall attitude.

Thank you so much Eli! You are the best!

 Madeleine and Ethan

Thanks

Manjit

My son, Eric Forbes went to the Eli Wilson Goalie Camp in Denver this past summer at Big Bear Arena.

Will there be another camp offered in Denver this summer?

The summer camp really helped Eric improve his skills!  He tried out for the travel teams and it was amazing how I saw him displaying all the skills that I saw him working on in the camp.  Eli's strategies really work!  His body remembered what to do!  Eric went from being a House ice hockey player to making a Midget Major A team and he is only 15 years old!!! 

Hopefully there will be another camp in Denver in 2013 as he would like to attend again!  Please let me know!
Sept 2, 2012

Liam Reily age 11

Tonight Liam played his first game  since being back (Crested Butte, Colorado)-  in our newly roofed outdoor rink.  His team won 5-2 and his save percentage was 82%.  He said he was able to make two of his saves tonight because Eli taught him about the 4 zones and he knew what to do.  When I asked him if he noticed how the other team always had a 2nd shooter right across from the open side of the net when their first player had the puck behind his net, Liam said "well Mum, that is where my soft focus comes in - and I was making quick checks on the 2nd guy all the time."  Finally he said one of the things that helped him the most from the Jasper camp was the sports psychology sessions.  He said the instructor was so good and really taught him a lot about resetting after being scored on.  Liam said, after he got scored on tonight, he used his stick to sweep out his crease, to sweep everything about the goal away and reset for the next play.  He said it was so helpful and that the sessions helped him think about when he "gets into his goalie mindset" - he says now it is when he puts his helmet on - he is geared up and thinks of nothing other than being a goalie.

Colten Lancaster age 13

Hi my name is Colten Lancaster I would like to tell you about my season and how Eli Wilson helped me out. I went to Eli Wilson’s School in 2010 and it was awesome. What I knew was only a little piece of goaltending, but they showed me much more. They helped me to perfect my slides, gain more control over my behind the net play, my positioning in the butterfly, Timing, gap closure, angles and much more. It helped me become a much more rounded goalie. Then I was off to my tryouts for the Fort St. John AA Flyers. The reason I went for the AA team is because we are a small town and don’t have enough players for AAA. There were four other goalies besides me and we tried to get one of two spots. I made the team and so did one of my friends. We only went with seventeen skaters, including the goalies. We went on to win 4 major AA tournaments, Placed first in one AAA tournament and second in another AAA tournament. We went undefeated in the all Peace League in the regular season and then went undefeated in the playoffs and won the league banner. Then the unthinkable happened we won the B.C. provincials. It was the first time in twenty years that the Fort St. John Flyers had won them in any division. My save percentage was 0.928 over the 5 games that I played in Provincials. That is what I did in my season. I think Eli Wilson Goaltending and Eli Wilson were a big part of my success this season and would suggest it to anyone looking to improve their game and take it to the next level.

Brett King - 98 Goalie

"We are attending our 2nd Eli Summer Goalie Camp this year in Denver, CO, our 3rd one in Toronto, ON and 4th in Edmonton, AB. We were first introduced to the Eli Wilson camps last summer after trying out numerous different goalie camps around Alberta over the past few years. Eli's camps stand out from the rest in instruction, skill, style and consistency. Eli is on the ice with the goalies and groups are small compared to what we have experienced. The improvement and gains Brett made in just one summer camp with Eli landed him on a AA team from previous B level hockey. The camp itself is very well organized, and we highly recommend the Eli Wilson camps to anyone looking for such an elite level of instruction. Brett will continue Eli Wilson camps as long as he is a part of hockey. Thank you Eli, Dan and Eli Wilson Goaltending."

The King Family

Tony Bielec, Jasper Minor Hockey Association

Good morning Dan,

    I just wanted to send you a quick note about the mini camps that Eli Wilson held here (Jasper, Alberta) in March. All the kids ,coaches and parents were thoroughly impressed by Elis coaching techniques and the impact they had in such a short time (2 days)! We had many young coaches, both goalie and player come to camps to pick up some pointers so we can continue to emphasize and duplicate what Eli had initiated. Eli`s style of teaching, patience with kids and knowledge of the position  far surpassed my expectations.

  The impact he had on the goalies was significant, our Atom goalie was able to help his team all the way to the division finals, our pee wee goalie shone throughout  the playoffs , although we came up short in the first round he was a big part of the year’s success .Our bantams boys and girls goalies were also hugely successful in both provincials and playoffs. The timing of the  minicamp was perfect and people have already begun to ask if/when we can do this again!

 Once again Dan, my many thanks to both you and Eli for this opportunity  to have such  an elite coach work with our communities youth!  

Again, Thank You for your support in helping us find a place to stay and other arrangements.  Nelson enjoyed the Eli Wilson camp, and benefitted greatly from what was offered there.  We would definitely consider doing the camp again, whether in Edmonton, Ottawa or Vancouver.

Elizabeth Griffiths, Delta, BC

We thank you and Eli Wilson for the opportunity for Olivier to attend the camp. The patience of everyone including the students was evident. This camp will be how Olivier measures all others.      

 Sincerely,   David Dundas

Carey Price talks about Eli Wilson Goaltending Camps

I've been working with Eli exclusively for the better part of 10 years. We collaborate to create a system to rely upon in any situation presented in game play. We identify areas that can be improved upon & he always has input as far as thought process, save selection & practice drills to make the game more simple & easier to manage. The biggest quality I find in his teaching is his ability to adapt to a goalie's individual strengths, weaknesses & approach to allow each goalie to be coached specifically for their game. He believes, as I do, there aren't uniform rules for goaltending but a few basics that are needed to create a system to make the goalie comfortable and consistent. He is a true student of the game & has introduced new techniques & strategies consistently to me & his students over the years I have worked with him. Some examples are the 4-zone approach to behind the net play, the knee-drop, the butterfly-to-the-post method for wraps, the narrow butterfly for in-tight shots as well as equipment upgrades he pioneers & stays current in. I believe he is a great mind in the game that can work with goalies any level, size or style & can help the train, think & play the game better.

Ray Emery 

Hi Eli;

Thank you for working with Eric this past summer. He really enjoy the experience of working with you. Your drills are second to none. Add this to your expert eye and attention to detail, you end up with a great goalie session. The shooters were excellent and challenged Eric in many different game like situations that you directed. Hope all is well.

Your friend
Bill Comrie

Allie Carter

Testimonial-
Over the holiday break I flew to Vancouver from Detroit, Michigan for a couple of goalie lessons with Eli Wilson. I have attended his summer camp for the past five years and love it more each year. I knew my glove needed some work and Eli is a goalie coach I can trust to help me improve. He knows how to pack a goalie lesson full of drills and does not waste time helping you improve. After four lessons I felt that my glove had significantly improved and I had gained so much confidence. Not only did my glove improve but the repetition of the drills helped my movement in the net. The first practice back from break my coach even commented that he noticed I had been working on my glove over break.
Apart from improving my skill, I got to see the beautiful city of Vancouver. Walking around the city was great. You could see the snow-covered mountains in the distance, the food was amazing, and everyone was so friendly there. I would definitely recommend checking out Stanley Park, the Suspension Bridge, and the Botanical Garden. Venturing out to Vancouver for a couple goalie lessons was definitely worth the trip. Vancouver is a great city to be in and I couldn’t put a price on the knowledge I gain through the goalie lessons. I can’t wait to make the trip again!

We were very fortunate to have Eli Wilson as Stuart Skinners goalie coach the past few years.
Stuart was an athletic, passionate, hard working goalie throughout his minor hockey years. After meeting Eli Wilson and becoming involved in regular coaching sessions Eli re-worked what Stuart was doing in net into a working systematic process. So the save that Stuart used to make through athleticism and much effort was re-worked so the save was still made but in a much smoother methodical process utilizing less expended energy.

After each session Stuart became stronger, faster and smoother with Eli’s system. Positioning, focus, vision of the puck and game awareness are continually instilled into the “goalie psyche” and Stuart’s game became stronger. 

As a first year Bantam Stuart made the AMBHL SSAC Bantam AAA team. He ended that year with a save % of 0.910, GAA 2.59 and tied the league with 4 shut outs.
His second year playing for SSAC Bantam AAA regular season save % of 0.929, GAA 1.75 and led the league with 4 shut outs. Stuart started the season as #1 in the AMBHL league and ended the year as the #1 goalie.

Working with Eli has been an amazing experience. Stuart attended sessions with Eli in Ottawa where he found himself working on ice with another of Eli’s students Ray Emery of the Chicago Black Hawks. The two goalies did the same drills at the same intensity and took the same shots from the Jr. A and Major Jr. shooter’s. Stuart was 12 years old at the time.

Stuart was then invited to the Pro NHL camp that Eli runs. Stuart was 12 years old on the ice with such goalies as Ray Emery (Chicago), Devan Dubnyk (Oilers) and Jason Labarbera (Phoenix) to name a few.

Stuart also was invited to the Major Junior Camp that Eli puts on where he was with many Major Jr. tenders. These opportunities have been exceptional experiences for Stuart and with Eli’s continued instruction Stuart continues to learn, be challenged above his ability level and pushed in a positive way toward his personal goals.

There are no words to thank Eli for his ability to impart the knowledge of the goalie position to Stuart. Stuart looks forward to his private sessions with Eli each month and applying what he learns from Eli to his game.

When the opportunity presented itself to us from Eli Wilson as a goalie instructor we took it and we’re so glad we did.

Thank you Eli.
The Skinner Family

There is nothing like working with Eli.  His understanding of the position of goaltending is second to none.  With this knowledge he puts together drills that seem simple but somehow translate directly to game situations.  I find over and over after a big win that the movements and positioning that allowed me to make the important saves were a direct result of what I have learned from Eli.  This gives me the confidence I need to be able to backstop my team in even the most pressure filled situations. 

Jared Dempsey- 97 Belle Tire AAA 

My name is Matthew Pesenti.  I am ten years old and live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  I have been to Eli Wilson's Goalie Camp each summer for the last two years.  Before I went, I was a tier II goalie.  After my first year, I improved a lot and made tier I.  I then made AAA as the starting goalie.  I also got a try out for the Saskatchewan Brick team where only the top AAA players in the province make the team.  I made the team and played some of the games.  We made it to the finals and our team got silver.

I just finished my second camp with Eli Wilson, and my Dad says that my improvement in the second camp was even more than from the first camp.  I am really excited for the new hockey season to start.  Eli Wilson's camps have given me a lot of confidence for the season.

Thanks a lot,

Matthew Pesenti

It was an awesome experience for Jacob and he learned a ton.  We will definitely be back for more instruction. 

 Jim MacNeil, Calgary, Alberta

Thanks  everything was the GREAT!! Landon can't stop talking about it " the world’s best coach and camp"  I think that if he could he would go to all of them ! I will never be able to put into words what that means, he was so down about playing your camp put the light back in the eye.     Thank you so much,

Stan Whinnery, Lake City, Colorado

Thank you for a great camp. Liam not only learned a lot, he had a very good time and looked forward to everyday of the camp! We are so glad you are planning to bring the camp back to Denver next year.

Heather Thiessen-Reily

Kohl attended the Eli Wilson camp in BC and it was very impressive. The focus on building upon a basic idea each day was not lost on a 10 year old. Our boy's game has improved noticeably and, in particular, his movement and positioning is setting him apart at the elite levels he's now competing in. I can see many elements of what was taught at camp already incorporated into his game. Simplicity and repetition makes the camp as accessible and immediately valuable to younger kids as it is for the older ones. Highly recommended!

Vick Reddi, Bellevue, Washington

Thank you for the email.  The tournament was wonderful.  His team took first place AAA, and Jordan ended with #1 goalie stats and he made the tournaments North American Team (they pick the best two goalies and a team of 8 to recognize their greatness).

 Thank you for the camp.

Shawn Hampleton, Aurora, Colorado