Goaltending is, without a doubt, the toughest position in the toughest sport. Yet despite the risks involved the position holds a special appeal. As a goalie, one can ultimately feel responsible for the outcome of a game. One night the goalie can be the hero and the very next a sieve. Consistency is a rare and precious commodity in goaltending.
Goalies require an excess of mental strength and concentration to stay on top of their game.
It's a high pressure position, where mistakes usually lead to one's opponents lighting up the scoreboard. They need explosive body power and strength and the utmost atheleticism. There weren't a lot of women playing ice hockey back then. Unfortunately I therefore refused to learn to skate when I was kid. So I started in ball hockey during the summer, not thinking I had the skating skills to start ice hockey.