About the Int. Goalies’ Union
Thank you for visiting the International Goalies’ Union. As goaltenders, we all share a common bond. We gear up, go out to that net, and do our best to keep the opposition from scoring. It’s not an easy task.
Since my childhood days as a puck stopper, I was proud to be one of the goalies in the world. Although I was just a pee-wee at the time, I felt akin to not just the other goalies in my league, but goalies everywhere. From youth hockey to the top pro netminders, I felt we were all related… a special family.
When I was older, I began my career silk-screening. By day, I’d work in the screen-printing industry, learning the craft from the ground up. By night, I’d follow my goaltending passion.
It was around this time (the early 1990’s) that I started looking for goalie-themed t-shirts to wear. I couldn’t find any, or rather, any that I liked. Since I worked in the t-shirt field, I started designing my own. Other goalies would ask where I got them. I’d say, “I designed it.”
Those first designs guided me to form The International Goalies’ Union. I created my own logos and printed them myself. After legally obtaining the copyrights to The International Goalies’ Union, I opened an eBay account. Goalies loved them! I expanded to hats, bumper stickers, and more.
Soon, I started self-publishing The International Goalies’ Union Behind the Mask newszine. I’d write articles, accompanied by goalie drawings, and a comic strip about a certain little cartoon goalie named Small Saves.
Over the years, I got to know the goalies, the hockey players, and the fans. To this day, many reach out to say hello or show me that they still have their original shirts I printed decades ago. As the International Goalies’ Union grew, the Small Saves comic strip developed a life of its own.
The obligations of the comic strip began taking away the time needed to custom-print the ever-growing lineup of designs. I focused on the comic strip while trying to develop a way to expand The International Goalies’ Union to its full potential
Now, thanks to print-on-demand services like Amazon, I can present my designs the way I originally envisioned them. With today’s technology, I can connect with goalies and the hockey community the world over. My newszine is now the website. Published 4 times a year, it will bring to fruition what was started 30 years ago!
This site is for us. The goalies of the world sure do deserve it. All goalies. The youngster who has just discovered the world of goaltending, the adult netminder who puts on a show at 11 p.m. in front of empty stands, the veteran pro who has seen it all, the goalies who had to retire because of permanent injuries caused by their years of chasing their passion to play, and every goalie in between. Each and every one deserves to have a moment in the spotlight.
This is something I feel I have to do, heart and soul. A calling, a yearning. It may seem irrational, yet to me, it makes perfect sense. I’m not planning it so much as I feel I’m following the hold the world of goaltending has always had on me… I’m just letting go and letting my passion take me to my life’s dream.
So, how do you become a member of the International Goalies’ Union? Well, the moment you donned the pads, you became part of the world of goaltending. You’re already a member. Welcome, and proudly let the WHOLE WORLD know YOU’RE a GOALIE!
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