Stanley Cup Champion Goalie Coach Robb Tallas Joins Acadia Hockey for Goaltending Development Weekend
Axemen hockey strive for Excellence for Player Development
The Acadia Axemen hockey program was proud to welcome Florida Panthers goaltending coach Robb Tallas to the Andrew H. McCain Arena this past weekend. Tallas, fresh off helping the Panthers capture back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, worked closely with Acadia’s varsity goaltenders while also dedicating time to minor hockey goalies from the surrounding community.
As part of Acadia’s ongoing commitment to player development, Tallas spent extensive time on the ice with the Axemen’s four netminders – Thomas Couture, Nicholas Sheehan, Brayden Peters, and Jett Miller – delivering hands-on instruction and sharing his wealth of professional experience.
In addition to his work with Acadia’s varsity goaltenders, Tallas conducted 12 goalie training sessions with local minor hockey players. His guidance provided aspiring young netminders with exposure to elite-level teaching and further demonstrated Acadia hockey’s dedication to fostering grassroots development.
Axemen Hockey Sport Performance Manager Craig Slaunwhite shared how the idea came together:
“Dan (Axemen goaltending coach Dan Turner) had the original idea of bringing in a high level (hopefully NHL) goalie coach to work with our guys this summer. We talked back and forth about it for a while and then I said, let’s start at the top. Robb Tallas has been a friend ever since working together with the Panthers from 2009-2014, so I suggested approaching him. The timing was good because a few weeks later Dan and I took our kids to Ottawa to watch the Sens play the Panthers and we had a chance to pitch the idea to Robb in person. He was in from the beginning. I was worried that all the extra excitement and commitment from winning the cup again would cause him to cancel but he’s a great guy and still came through.”
The weekend left a major impression on both players and staff.
“It was amazing. The players soaked it up. I actually learned a ton as well. Robb is so good at explaining concepts and thinking outside the box”, said Slaunwhite.
When asked about the impact on Acadia’s goaltenders, Turner said:
“The weekend far surpassed any expectations that I had hoped for. To be able to listen to someone like Tallas, who is arguably the best in the world at what he does, was incredible. His ability to simplify the game will have a lasting impact on our guys. He breaks things down so well, all the little details that he touches on. You try to take as much of it in as you can. To have this opportunity to learn from him is hard to comprehend. It may be a once in a lifetime situation.”
Beyond the university team, Tallas’s experience translated seamlessly to younger players as well.
Slaunwhite added, “Robb has run many goalie camps in the past, so he has lots of experience working with kids. I think he had a lot of fun with that youth session.”
Tallas has served as the Florida Panthers’ goaltending coach for the past eight years, overseeing the training and progression of all goalies within the organization. Throughout his career, he has worked with legendary netminders including Roberto Luongo, Tim Thomas, Jose Theodore, and Tomas Vokoun.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Tallas enjoyed a 13-year professional playing career, suiting up with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Now based in South Florida, he continues to support goaltender development through his highly regarded Tallas Goalie Development camps, offering elite-level instruction to goalies of all ages.
The opportunity to bring a coach of Tallas’s calibre to Wolfville underscores the Axemen’s drive to provide their players – and the next generation of goalies in the region – with access to the highest levels of knowledge and mentorship.
