Cory Simons

My hockey journey began at the age of 4, and I fell in love with goaltending by 6 — I never looked back. Growing up in Illinois, I took a less traditional path, choosing high school hockey over AAA. That choice came with its share of adversity, but it helped shape not only my playing career, but also my outlook on life: if you want something, you have to work for it.

 

After a successful and decorated high school career, I set out to chase a dream I had held onto for years — playing Junior A hockey. That dream came true with the Rochester Ice Hawks, launching both my junior career and my eventual life in Minnesota. Thirteen years later, I returned to Rochester as the Grizzlies’ goalie coach. I earned MnJHL “Goalie of the Year” honors and went on to play my final two years of junior hockey in the Canadian MJHL for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines — the most fun years of my playing life.

 

During my last junior season, I committed to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, fresh off their national championship. But college hockey turned out to be the toughest stretch of my career. I didn’t enjoy the experience as I had hoped — and that’s okay. College hockey can be a great fit for some, but it’s not for everyone. There are other ways to continue playing at a high level, and I wish I had known that prior. Still, I walked away with a degree and a lot of life lessons.

 

After college, I turned pro and played five and a half years across two different ‘A’ pro leagues. There were ups and downs, but the memories — playing across the U.S. and Canada in front of thousands of fans — will stick with me forever.

 

Throughout my pro career, I often volunteered as a goalie coach with local youth programs. That’s when I realized what I wanted to do next: coach. In 2021, after retiring from professional hockey, I began coaching full-time. Since then, I’ve worked with goalies of all ages and skill levels — from young kids stepping onto the ice with their pads on the wrong legs, to Junior A goaltenders chasing college commitments. I truly love working with every level, and I believe I have the tools and insight to help any goalie improve.

 

At IQ Goaltending, I focus heavily on two key foundations of elite goaltending: skating ability and positional awareness. If a goalie can master their edges and understand how to read angles, everything else starts to fall into place.

 

One of the best coaches I ever had — Kenny McCudden (current Washington Capitals Assistant & Skills Coach) — told us when I was a kid:

 

“The best goalies can skate as well as, if not better than, the best skaters on the team.”

I was the only goalie in our organization who stayed on the ice for player skating days — thanks to my dad for pushing me. That decision changed the course of my career. Today, edgework and skating remain cornerstones of IQ Goaltending.

 

Ultimately, my goal is to treat every goalie the way I wish I had been treated. I’m not a drill sergeant — my coaching style is creative, technical, and always challenging. My aim is to help goalies ignite their own competitive fire — something that can’t be coached.

 

If you love the position and show up ready to work, I promise:

With IQ Goaltending, you’ll train smarter, play better, and go further.

         

 

- Cory Simons

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