Since the idea of the NALL was brought up, goalies have always been thought of as an issue for the league. Where will an all-American league get box goaltenders from? Today I'll be discussing why there are no American goaltenders, how more American goaltenders can be developed, and what the NALL's role is in all this. A lot to swallow, I know. We will start with the basics.
There are very few American goaltenders in the NLL. You see it in the indoor tournaments, American goaltenders are hard to come by. There aren't many to choose from. Why is this? Because when you think about it, where are they going to play? I live in Buffalo, one of the US hotspots for indoor lacrosse, and there is no where to play box near the city. You have to drive out to the Reservation if you want to play. Say you live in Virginia? Good luck finding an indoor lacrosse league to play in.
Sure, box lacrosse works at a lower level in Canada. But Canada has something that most of America doesn't have, lots of ice rinks. Sure, there are ice rinks in the north. The further south you go, the less rinks you're going to find. In Buffalo there are 3 rinks, not including the First Niagara Center. How many rinks do you think there are in Georgia? Not as many, I can tell you that. And even if there are rinks, it doesn't mean that lacrosse will be played. You have to put down a floor or turf, which many rinks probably don't want to do. Ice time is very costly, and that's just when the ice is being used. How much will it cost to put down the turf and take it off, as well as maintain the ice under it. Quickly lacrosse becomes much more expensive than most people are willing to pay.
Youth box lacrosse is non-existent right now. If that grows, then the player pool will grow. I know its been thrown around a lot this summer, but a collegiate box league would be a huge step forward for the sport. Even at a club level box lacrosse in college would be a great thing. Just getting guys playing it will give teams way more goalies to choose from. It may also give some outdoor goalies a chance to try out indoor. They are two completely different words, its not like an outdoor goalie can just go to the NLL and try out playing indoor. You even look at guys like John Galloway (pictured above) who is an excellent goalie, but is trying to play as a transition player in the NALL. Guys need to start playing box lacrosse at a young age to help develop some of the skills.
What is the NALL's role in all this? Its very simple really. Say you're an American goalie who just started up trying out indoor. You're not going to beat these Canadian goalies who've been playing since they were young. The NALL gives you time to develop your skills against some really good players. Maybe at some point you'll get a shot at the NLL. 10 new jobs have opened up in American cities for indoor goaltenders. Who's going to step up, and what will the quality of goaltending be? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Remember to check out my radio show on the Lacrosse Radio Network, Goods On Lacrosse, tomorrow at 6 p.m. eastern. My guest will be recently resigned Washington Stealth captain Lewis Ratcliff. Make sure to check out my show from last week with Jim Jennings in the archives if you haven't listened yet. As always check me out on twitter @GoodsOnSabres and watch my YouTube videos! I've got those up and going again, just search GoodsOnSabres on YouTube. Thanks for reading!
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