Our goal is to give students the best possible training available. We start with our top-notch staff that is second to none and then group the students by age and talent, allowing them to push each other within individual groups. Our staff uses innovative drills and challenges every student to apply their game and ice awareness at the highest level. Our staff is comprised of Pro, College, Major Junior and Junior players that have all been Bandits past students.
Seated: Ryan Gregory and Jimmy Blanchard
Standing: Stan Matwijiw, Joe Messina, Matt Swanson and Bryan Hogan
Meet The Full Time Staff!
Our staff has the unique combination of experience, knowledge and insight to fully understand what it takes to be the best. We currently train some of the best NHL, AHL, ECHL, UHL, Division I, Division III, NAHL, USHL and youth goalies in the state of Michigan and the nation.
Stan Matwijiw - Director
Coach Matwijiw unique character is what drives this well oiled goalie school. With depth of knowledge that only comes from years of experience, Stan has developed a proven system that has helped goaltenders succeed at every level.
- former standout goaltender in the Canadian Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders and the Lethbridge Hurricanes
- 1992 Molson Player of the Year
- Free agent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993/94
- Goalie Coach at the University of Michigan from 1999 - 2006
Joe Messina - Head Instructor/Marketing
Coach Messina brings the unique combination of talent and academics to his coaching knowledge. Joe graduated from the State University of New York at Brockport with honors and was a NCAA All American Scholar Award winner his senior year
- Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing and Communications with a minor in English
- Prep School Star at hockey powerhouse Shattuck St Mary's where he led the Prep team to an amazing 51-7-3 record
- Played NCAA Division III hockey for the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles
- Goalie Coach at Davenport University from 2005 - present (2007/08 ACHA D-2 National Champions)
Matt Swanson - Head Instructor
Coach Swanson brings an unmatchable intensity and knowledge to the Bandits staff. Matt plays an important role in developing Bandits Goalie School into one of the premier goalie schools in North America.
- Bachelor's degree from Ferris State University in Secondary Social Studies Education with a minor in English
- One of 25 players in FSU history to be a part of the schools first ever 2002-2003 CCHA league championship and first ever NCAA tournament bid
- Received the prestigious Steve Banonis Award for most improved player
Dr. Hugh Bray - Sports Psychologist from the University of Michigan
Dr. Hugh Bray is a Sports Psychologist who is also a goaltender and consequently is well aware of the mental demands and pressures of being a goalie. He has worked with the St.Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings as a team psychologist working closely with the goaltenders. He has been the team psychologist for the 1992 USA Olympic team and has been involved with the National Developmental Teams of USA hockey. For the last 17 years he has been the team psychologist for the University of Michigan men's ice hockey team. His unique experiences have allowed him to develop specific mental techniques which when learned and used allows a goaltender to play at a significantly higher level.
Jim Marinoff - Strength and Conditioning Coach - Personalized Fitness Caching (PFC)
Jim Marinoff war born and raised in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. A hockey and football standout in high school, his play on the gridiron as a linebacker got him much attention and earned him a college scholarship to Moorhead State University. At Moorhead, Jim majored in Exercise Science and Sports Training, and received certifications with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. Jim’s career took off in the field he loved, strength and conditioning. First, Jim became a conditioning coach at his former high school before a seven year term as a Personal Trainer at a large fitness facility. In January 2002 Jim started his own training and coaching business called Personalized Fitness Coaching PFC. From years of personal experience and advanced education, PFC organizes training for large audiences from professional athletes to heart patients and everything in between.
To learn more about Bandits, go to: Bandits Goalie Camp - Learn to Rob the Shooters Blind! 
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