Videos from TGT YouTube Channel

The day of the Belarus game at Nagano 1998, my head coach pulled me aside privately. He said: if the game gets out of hand and he has to pull me, don't take it personally. Just give everything I've got. "This could get ugly. We might be in over our heads." He meant well. He was being honest about where we were.

But I want to tell you what I did with that. We'd already lost to Germany 3-1 and France 5-2 in pool play — close games, but losses. Belarus had just beaten those same teams 6-0 and 7-1. The math wasn't complicated. Nobody in that building thought Japan had a chance. We faced 44 shots. Tied Belarus 2-2. I skated off feeling hollow. The fans went wild. The team celebrated. And I couldn't. We didn't win. We weren't advancing. Old school Canadian — a tie isn't the job. But something happened in the media tunnel after that game that I've never talked about publicly before. A private moment with someone I deeply respected, that changed how I understood recognition, validation, and what actually matters in a career when nobody's watching. This video is about two things: what you do when you're counted out, and where the most meaningful recognition in your career actually comes from.

A 13-year-old client told me she doesn't know if she'll ever make it. She started playing hockey a year ago.

Same week, I'm working with a Canadian pro playing in the Swiss Elite League — years in the game, big contract, the kind of career most people would look at and say "he made it." And he's dealing with the same voice. Different people. Different worlds. Same internal battle.

This video is about that voice — where it comes from, what it costs you, and what to do about it. The 13-year-old is learning whether to even try out for Double A. The pro is navigating what happens after the expectations shift and the pressure changes shape. Neither of them is weak. Both of them are doing the work right now. And one thing I learned from years on staff in the NHL: coaches notice.

When a goalie gets pulled, when a player gets benched — the conversation in the coaches' office isn't "how did they play." It's "how are they responding." That reputation follows you. Every time.

At some point during my season with Kunlun Red Star in the KHL, the GM came to me with a plan. He wanted me to go through the full KHL player physical — as a potential emergency backup goalie.

I was their goalie coach.

The reason this was even a conversation: KHL travel. The distances are nothing like North America. Beijing to Helsinki. Fuel stops somewhere in Siberia. Soldiers boarding the plane to check passports instead of going through customs. Alex Kovalev was keeping track all season — we did over 138,000 kilometers of travel. You can't just call up a backup and have him fly in when you're deep in Russia.

So the GM came up with another option.

I went through the full physical in St. Petersburg. All day. Ten rooms. Including one I still don't fully understand.

This is also the video where I talk about the hotels — because if the travel tells you something about the scale of the KHL, the hotels tell you something about the range. The Ritz in some cities. Something else entirely in others. One hallway I walked down that I will never forget.

Episode 2 of the KHL Series. More to come.

Lots of coaches — especially up-and-comers — get caught up in looking like they're coaching. Filling silence. Demonstrating knowledge. Showing they're earning their spot. And they miss the thing that actually builds a player.

When I was coaching at the NHL level, the skill that made the biggest difference had nothing to do with drills, systems, or technical knowledge. It was listening. Really listening.

In this video I walk through what that actually looks like with three different personality types — the alpha, the self-conscious, and the disengaged — and why most coaches skip past this entirely.

I worked with some of the best goalies in the game, including Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Campbell. The technical stuff mattered. But this mattered more.

People keep asking me this question. "Dusty — would you ever go back and coach in the NHL again?"

My real answer surprises people. Not because of what happened to me — but because of what I realized even when things were going well.

I loved the rink. I loved the goalies. I loved the relationships. But the business side of NHL coaching was always at odds with how I operate. That was true even before any of the harder chapters started.

Then the harder chapters happened. Challenges that pointed me somewhere I didn't expect.

The Goalie Therapist isn't what I do because the NHL didn't work out. It's what the whole thing was building toward.

After four years with the LA Kings, I walked away — for a team in the KHL. Not Russia. Beijing. This is the story of how that happened, and what I walked into when I got there.

The Kings had offered me an extension. Around the same time, I got a call from Kevin Weekes about a completely different opportunity — Kunlun Red Star, a KHL team based in Beijing, gearing up for the 2022 Olympics. For the first time in my career, I had real leverage. I took the leap. I thought I knew what I was walking into. I had no idea. Within weeks, the whole team relocated to Shenzhen — a shutdown period meant we couldn't even practice in Beijing. We played games and lived in a hotel there for over a month. Condensation dripping off the rink roof felt like actual rain during practice. The ice would fog up so thick we couldn't see ten feet in front of us and had to skate in circles just to clear it. And in the middle of all that chaos, I ended up on the ice helping out one of the young goalies on the women's Olympic team — which led to one of the funniest moments of my career. It's in this video. You'll see why. That was just the first month. And it only got stranger from there.

I played in the Olympics. I played pro hockey for fifteen years. Two years after I retired, I'd lost everything I owned.

This is the part of my story I don't usually tell. Here it is.

I built a business after I retired — worked hard at it, was in over my head on the financial side. Then 2008 hit while I was already stretched thin. I lost the investments. Three properties. The family home. All of it. A buddy got me a job selling cars at a dealership. No hockey. No identity. No structure. Just trying to figure out who I was without the only thing I'd ever known. Those dark times are what led me back to the rink — and eventually to the work I do now.

I never thought I had a problem. Then I had my 39th birthday. Hockey has a drinking culture nobody talks about honestly. I was inside it for 21 years.

This is what it actually looks like — and what it finally took to get out. Six years of junior hockey. Fifteen years of pro. I partied through all of it. The Japan years, the junior years, all of it. It was the culture. It was the code. Show up the next morning and give everything — that's what made you tough. Until the career ended. And the structure disappeared. And there was no next morning skate to sober up for. This is that story.

I missed the shuttle to my first NHL training camp. I was 20 years old, scrambling in a hotel lobby, about to miss practice in the most important week of my career. Then a voice behind me said, "Do you need a ride?" What happened next is still one of the most surreal moments of my whole career. This is that story.

I failed at every level of pro hockey. I got cut. I got bumped. I got benched at the highest level of the sport. Six years of junior hockey. Fifteen years of pro. I failed more than almost anyone I know. But there's one thing I'm actually proud of — and it took me years to even see it. This is that story. — If this hit home, the work I do now with goalies and athletes on the mental side of the game is at @dustyimoo70 across all platforms. Mindset coaching, goalie development, and the stories behind the saves.

I played in the 1998 Nagano Olympics for Japan. That should be the highlight of my hockey career. It isn't. The best night I ever had in the game came years later — in an AHL rink, when I was the backup. No spotlight. No anthem. Just one night that meant more than the Olympic rings ever did.

This is that story. If this hit home, the work I do now with goalies and athletes on the mental side of the game is at @dustyimoo70 across all platforms. Mindset coaching, goalie development, and the stories behind the saves.

I was an NHL goalie coach. I never planned to take on kids. Then one family reached out about their 10-year-old son. His name is Elliott. His dad called him "the most serious 10-year-old I'd ever seen." They'd already tried psychologists. They didn't expect me to say yes — they just hoped I'd be willing to talk to him once. Five years later, I'm still working with him.

This video is the story of how that one conversation opened my eyes to something I should have known earlier: the patterns that destroy young goalies aren't formed at 19. They're formed at 10, 11, 12 — before anyone even knows to look for them. I still love coaching the NHL guys. But reaching young goalies before the system writes them off has become one of the most important parts of what I do. I didn't plan for it. Elliott opened that door. If you've got a young goalie at home, or you ARE that young goalie, this one is for you. I'm Dusty Imoo — former 15-year pro goalie, 1998 Nagano Olympian, NHL goalie development coach with the Winnipeg Jets and LA Kings. Now I help goalies, parents, and athletes build the foundation for the best version of themselves.

Heading into my first NHL draft, I was the #1 ranked goalie in the draft. Three years later, the NHL had passed me over three drafts in a row. I never got drafted. This is the story of those three years — what went wrong, what I learned, and why being written off three times by the system is the foundation of how I coach young goalies today.

If you've ever felt overlooked, or you've got a kid who's been written off, this one's for you. I'm Dusty Imoo — former 15-year pro goalie, 1998 Nagano Olympian, NHL goalie development coach with the Winnipeg Jets and LA Kings. Now I help goalies, parents, and athletes work on the mental side of the game first.

The name "The Goalie Therapist" wasn't my idea. It started as a joke around the NHL — coaches and players calling me "the Dr. Phil of goalie coaches" because of how I worked with them on the mental side of the game. When I left the NHL and started my business, I leaned into the joke. Here's the story. I'm Dusty Imoo — former 15-year pro goalie, played in the 1998 Nagano Olympics, coached in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets and LA Kings. Now I help goalies, athletes, and parents build the foundation for the best version of themselves — on and off the ice.

The hockey business doesn't stop, but you have to. 🏒🧤

Welcome to another session of Beyond the Mask. In today’s video, we are re-visiting a foundational concept: Work-Life Balance. As an NHL coach and Olympic athlete, I spent years thinking that 100% hockey, 24/7, was the only way to be elite. I was wrong. The reality is that "more" isn't always "better," and if you let the game consume your entire identity, you risk burning out before you ever reach your peak. We often think of Work-Life Balance as a binary choice—you're either on the ice or you’re off it. In this updated approach, we look at balance as the ultimate survival skill for the hockey world. We discuss why your mental health is the foundation of your game, and why "who you are downstairs" is what makes "who you are upstairs" successful. In this video, we discuss: Why the "All-In" mentality can actually damage your performance. Defining "Work" as the high-performance grind, and "Life" as the Human Behind the Mask. Why having an identity outside of the crease is a requirement, not a distraction. Strategies for running a "Balance Audit" to stay grounded. If you want to survive the unknown of the hockey business, you have to prioritize the person inside the mask. Let's get balanced.

Whether you are a Junior player waiting for a camp invite or a Pro waiting for a contract offer, the "Waiting Room" feels exactly the same. 🏒🧤

In this session of Beyond the Mask, we’re diving into Mental Limbo. It’s that high-pressure gap where you don’t have an agent, you don’t have a team, and the phone isn’t ringing as much as you’d like. In this video, we discuss: Why your value isn't tied to the date on a contract. Navigating the "Unknown" when you are the CEO of your own development. Staying "grounded" and "vigilant" to avoid the Panic Mode trap. A message for the support system: Why your anxiety is contagious. Don't let the silence of the off-season break your mental engine.

The playoffs are winding down, and the physical "grind" is finally stopping—but your 2026 season starts today. 🏒

🧤 In this session of Beyond the Mask, we’re breaking down the "Post-Season Trap." Most players and parents let off the gas the moment the last whistle blows. They think mindset training is only for game days. But if you wait until August to find your "Safe Haven" or fix the anxiety that built up during the season, you’re already behind.

In this video, we discuss: Why spring and summer are critical months for your mental engine. How to perform a "Spring Audit" on your game-day anxiety and faulty games. The "CEO Mentality": Taking ownership of your development when you don't have an agent or advisor. How parents can guide their athletes toward a healthy off-season balance. Don't just survive the grind—own your journey.

What happens to your game when hockey is the only thing you have? 🥅

In this session, we’re talking about Loving Something Outside of the Game.

I spent years thinking that being a pro meant living and breathing hockey 24/7, but I actually found my greatest edge when I learned to step away from the crease. Whether it’s picking up a guitar, getting out on a motorcycle, or stepping into a boxing ring, you need a "Safe Haven" where you aren't just "The Goalie."

In this video: Why an "all-in" identity can actually make your performance fragile.

How my hobbies saved my sanity in Pro and Junior hockey. Giving yourself permission to have a life outside the The Grind.

Stop being a goalie who happens to be a human. Start being a human who happens to play goalie.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for your weekly Goalie Therapy sessions.

I see so many young goalies paralyzed by their big dreams. You want the NHL, you want D1, you want the big stage—and I love that.

I was that kid, too. But there is a massive difference between having a North Star and having a distraction.

In this session, we’re breaking down why "Future-Tripping" is the #1 killer of performance and how to shift your focus back to the only place that matters: The Present. Stop playing in 2028.

Start winning in 2026.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for your weekly Goalie Therapy sessions.

Have you ever stepped onto the ice feeling "heavy"? Or noticed that after one bad goal, your entire game starts to leak? That isn’t a fitness problem. It’s an Energy Problem.

As the "Goalie Therapist," I’m a huge believer in the Tony Robbins philosophy: Motion Creates Emotion. If you want to change your performance, you have to start by changing your energy.

In this video, we’re breaking down how to audit your energy and flip the switch from negative self-talk to a "Peak State" that wins games.

In this session, we cover: State Management: How to use your body to fix your brain.

The Energy Leak: Identifying the negative self-talk that zaps your speed.

The Thermostat Effect: Why your energy dictates how your whole team plays.

Practical Resets: 3 ways to change your "vibe" during a stoppage in play.

Remember: You can’t make a positive save with a negative mind. What’s your go-to "reset" when you’re feeling low energy?

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for your weekly Goalie Therapy sessions.

We all love the feeling of being motivated. That spark is what gets us started, and it’s a powerful tool when it’s there. But as a pro, I’ve learned that you can’t build a career on a feeling that comes and goes.

In this session, I’m breaking down the relationship between Motivation and Discipline. I’m not here to rip on motivation—I use it every day—but I want to show you why Discipline is the "rock" you need when the motivation runs dry.

If you’ve ever felt stuck because you just "didn't feel like it," this video is for you.

In this session, we cover: Why motivation is the "Nitro" but discipline is the "Engine."

How to honor the "Contract" you signed with your past self. The 5-Minute Rule for jumpstarting your discipline.

Why your systems matter more than your moods. Are you waiting for a 'spark' or are you following a system?

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for your weekly Goalie Therapy sessions.

Most people review their performance—whether it’s a game, a presentation, or a difficult conversation—through a lens of pure emotion. If they feel bad, they think they are bad.

In today’s session, we’re breaking down how the pros analyze their game to get better, without destroying their confidence in the process. We dive into:

The 24-Hour Rule: Why you should never "watch the film" while you’re still emotional.

Variables vs. Fundamentals: How to separate what you can control from what you can't.

The Identity Shift: Why you need to stop saying "I was slow" and start looking at the "movement" objectively.

This isn't just about goaltending. This is about how you look at yourself in the mirror after a tough day. Don't judge the person; judge the clips.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for your weekly Goalie Therapy sessions.

Every goalie knows the feeling. The "beach ball" goal goes in, the rink goes silent, and suddenly you’re trapped in a mental spiral. But as the Goalie Therapist, I’m here to tell you: It’s not the goal that loses the game—it’s the next five minutes of baggage you carry.

In today’s session, we break down the "Bounce Back" mindset, including:

The 5-Second Funeral: My specific ritual for burying a mistake before the next puck drop.

Winning the "0-0" Game: How to treat every segment like a fresh start.

The Tough Love Truth: Why staying in the past is actually a selfish act toward your teammates.

Resilience isn't about never making a mistake; it's about being the person who can make the "Shadow Save" on their own mindset when things go sideways. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for your weekly Goalie Therapy sessions.

What do you do when the phone stops ringing and you’re wearing a ball cap instead of a mask?

In this video, I’m sharing the "rude awakening" I had transitioning from a Junior star to a Pro backup, and the mental shifts required to survive it.

Being a "Pro" isn’t defined by how you play when you’re the starter; it’s defined by how you behave when you’re in the shadows. Whether you are a goalie sitting on the bench, an athlete passed over for a spot, or a professional in the corporate world watching someone else get the promotion—this is for you. In this video, the Goalie Therapist covers:

The Junior vs. Pro Trap: Why your worth hasn't dropped just because your save percentage isn't on the scoreboard tonight.

The 10:00 AM Game 7: Why your morning practice is your most important game when you aren’t starting. T

he Silent Leader: How to be the best teammate in the room even when you're hurting inside.

The Shadow Save: The most important save I ever made (and it wasn't in Nagano).

Step into 2026 with a mindset that blends small, achievable wins and lasting resilience—told through the lens of The Goalie Therapist who’s been in the coaching chair, player's chair and the therapy chair:) What you’ll hear In this video, I share a through-line from my coaching days to my work with athletes today, illustrate how micro-wins compound into real confidence, and explore resilience that holds up under the toughest saves and toughest seasons. This is storytelling with a mindset edge—not a quick-fix, but a steady, people-first approach to mental game growth. Takeaways

• You’ll hear how small, consistent wins can shift your mindset and performance across a season.

• You’ll see how resilience is built through narrative, reflection, and intention—how to frame setbacks as learning moments.

• You’ll leave with a forward-looking lens for your own goalie journey in 2026.

I sit down with two former NHL goaltenders Peter Budaj (now the Anaheim Ducks goalie coach) and my long-time friend, Corey Hirsch for a candid convo about raising kids in hockey and a mix of other goalie-related topics. If you’re a parent, a goalie, or someone who loves hockey culture, this one’s for you.

Join me for an in-depth "goalie POW WOW" featuring legendary NHL goalies Kelly Hrudey and Jamie McLennan. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of the goalie position in the NHL — how the game has changed over the years, current trends, and what the future might hold for goalies. Kelly Hrudey, a Hall of Fame-caliber goalie and current TV analyst, shares his insights on the game from his extensive NHL experience. Jamie McLennan, former NHL goalie and now a prominent analyst, brings a fresh perspective on how goalies are adapting to the modern NHL. Whether you're a goalie, a hockey fan, or just curious about the evolution of the game, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and stories.

This video discusses the importance of gratitude as a powerful mindset tool for hockey players and individuals in general. Dusty begins by defining gratitude as the recognition and appreciation of positive aspects of life, encouraging a shift in focus from negative thoughts to what is going well. He shares his personal experiences with gratitude and highlights scientific studies that demonstrate its benefits, such as reduced stress, improved mental health, and better sleep. The video outlines practical ways to practice gratitude, including: 1. Morning Gratitude Ritual: Start the day by listing three things you're grateful for. 2. Pregame Reflection: Before games, take time to appreciate the opportunity to play and learn. 3. Postgame Reflection: After games, reflect on positive aspects and lessons learned, which can help shift focus from negative experiences. 4. Gratitude Journaling: Although not preferred by the host, he acknowledges that keeping a journal can help some individuals track and remember what they are thankful for. Dusty emphasizes that practicing gratitude helps maintain focus, reduces anxiety, and improves performance under pressure. He encourages viewers to stay consistent and to start small, reminding them that acknowledging gratitude even in tough times can lead to a healthier, happier life. In conclusion, Dusty challenges viewers to implement one or two gratitude practices into their lives, believing that it will bring notable benefits. He wraps up by inviting viewers to share the content and to subscribe to the channel.

The video discusses the concept of developing a "pro mindset," particularly in relation to the end of a sports season, where uncertainty about future opportunities can lead to stress and anxiety for players. The creator emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and offers advice on how to cope with the transition after the season ends. Dusty encourage players to take time off from hockey to clear their heads and not rush into thinking about the next steps or potential contracts right away. This time away helps in approaching the situation more rationally and positively when reconsidering options for the upcoming season. Using personal experiences and client stories, Dusty illustrates that maintaining a professional attitude, even when facing challenges such as not knowing where you'll play next, is crucial. They advocate for starting to cultivate this mindset at a young age, as it helps players deal with adversities not just in hockey but in life overall. The message is to focus on personal growth, resilience, and the process rather than being fixated on specific outcomes, which can lead to negativity and frustration. Dusty encourages viewers to adopt this mindset for success, emphasizing that while there are no guarantees in sports or life, a positive attitude will help them navigate challenges more effectively. As the video concludes, Dusty wishes viewers a happy Easter and invites them to subscribe and share the video with others who might benefit from the discussion.

The video is a personal address from Dusty Imoo reflecting on recent exhibition games, particularly the Four Nations tournament featuring teams like Canada and the USA. The speaker discusses the excitement and intensity of the games, emphasizing how passionate and skilled the players are. He also expresses his disappointment over Canadian fans booing the national anthem during a game, describing it as disrespectful and crossing a line, regardless of the motivations behind it. Drawing from his experiences as a former player representing Canada and Japan, he argues that the anthem should be respected in a sporting context. The speaker encourages fans to express their feelings outside of the national anthem and hopes for a positive atmosphere in future games. He ends on an optimistic note, looking forward to upcoming matches and urging fans to maintain respect during anthems, while still enjoying the competitive spirit of hockey. Overall, the video combines reflections on hockey culture with a personal perspective on national pride and respect.

The video discusses the challenges parents face when their children are involved in sports, particularly hockey. Dusty emphasizes the importance of parental support without undue pressure on the child. They share examples of parents becoming overly involved and putting pressure on their kids, affecting their mental well-being. Dusty advises parents to be a source of support rather than adding pressure. They highlight the negative impact of parents getting too involved, especially during tournaments and elite team participation. The speaker encourages parents to let their kids enjoy the sport, emphasizing the need for a supportive and understanding environment. They caution against excessive criticism or interference, advocating for a balanced approach to supporting children in sports.