Goaltending Success Through Purpose Driven Coaching
About Me
My Experience
Goaltending
Stan Matwijiw grew up in Windsor, Ontario and played his entire minor hockey there before moving on to play for the Strathroy Blades in the Western Junior B League. Matwijiw then moved on to play in the Western Hockey League of the Canadian Hockey League for the Prince Albert Raiders and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In 1992/1993 while with the Raiders, he was named Molson Player of the Year. Matwijiw then went on to become a free agent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993/1994 and continued on to play four years of minor pro hockey until his retirement in 1998.
Coaching
After an accomplished playing career, Matwijiw transitioned into professional coaching, building a reputation as one of the premier goaltending mentors in North America. With over three decades of experience at the NCAA Division I, Major Junior, and professional levels, Matwijiw has developed a proven, results-driven system trusted by NHL organizations, collegiate programs, and elite junior teams.
His coaching philosophy bridges technical excellence with in-game application, ensuring goaltenders don’t just master mechanics — they understand how to execute under pressure at the highest levels of competition. This system has helped elevate numerous NHL draft picks and professional goaltenders, including Alex Nedeljkovic, Chris Osgood, Jack Campbell, and Thatcher Demko.
Currently the Goaltending Coach for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, Matwijiw recently helped lead the team from last place to first in their division, improving by 52 points in a single season through a complete retooling of the goaltending program. His prior coaching tenures include the Plymouth Whalers/Flint Firebirds (OHL) and the University of Michigan, where he coached and developed multiple NHL-caliber goaltenders and contributed to five CCHA regular-season championships.
From NCAA champions to NHL starters, Matwijiw’s coaching impact is clear: a relentless commitment to technical, physical, and mental excellence at every level of the game.
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