http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/21676482
Goalie Kaiden Whaley, 9, is the best player in the world of the week
by Greg Wyshynski,ย ESPNย
ESPN presents the best player in the world of the week. Each Tuesday, weโll honor the skater or goalie from around the hockey world โ every league, every level, every player โ who had the best previous week, Monday through Sunday. If thereโs a player youโd like to nominate, from your local team to a high school team to your beer league, email us here. And remember: Stats only tell part of the story, so tell us why he or she deserves this honor.
Kaiden Whaley. Who is Kaiden Whaley?
Well, heโs 9 years old. He started playing hockey in McDonough, Georgia, in an inline hockey league, where he fell in love with the sport and, specifically, with being a goalie. He now lives in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and plays for the U10 Jr. Bulldogs out of Hagerstown, Maryland. Itโs his first season playing on ice.
The Bulldogs faced the Georgetown Titans last weekend. The Titansโ goalie was sick, so forward Leopold Hylton was forced into action as their netminder. One problem: He had never played goalie, nor had he even ever worn the equipment before.
Hyltonโs coaches told him that he was probably going to surrender some goals. He gave up seven. He came back to the bench, distraught, after the first period.
During intermission, Whaley skated over and did something that sliced right through the ferocious, competitive clichรฉs of youth sports: He gave his opponent an impromptu goaltending clinic. He taught Leopold how to move properly when facing shots, how to better use his gear in making saves.
While it didnโt turn him into Dominik Hasek, the chat helped calm Leopold down and allowed him to enjoy the next two periods.
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