About Us
Our coaches bring a unique blend of coaching and playing experience, ensuring every student receives a quality training experience.
Christian Gaffy
Founder
Coach Gaffy is the Founder of Lakes Area Goaltending and the goalie coach of the Forest Lake Boy’s Hockey Team. He recently served as the Goalie Coach for the Minnesota Whitecaps and has helped coach youth to professional goalies in Minnesota and surrounding areas. A native of Scandia, Minnesota, Gaffy played college hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth, winning a National Title in 2011 and Saint Marty's Univerisity. Following college, he returned to Forest Lake and began his coaching career as an assistant at his Alma Mata while establishing Lakes Area Goaltending.
Hunter Miska
Coach/Owner
I am excited to be part of Lakes Area Goaltending. I am very passionate about the position of Goalie and am always looking for ways to improve my craft. In doing so, I’m able to share those improvements with my clients and help them achieve their goals and dreams in net.
With my experience of playing in the NHL, AHL, and DEL and currently playing professionally, I am able to provide insider tips and tricks on how to be the best goalie.
I make sure to pay attention to details in every goaltenders game in order to give the best feedback for the goalie to improve their game and take it to the next level. I am looking forward to working with the next stars of tomorrow.
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David Zevnik
Coach
I am extremely excited to be part of such an elite coaching staff here at Lakes Area Goaltending. We have an amazing variety of coaches with all different backgrounds who have played in the best leagues in the world. It is truly a unique and special experience for these young goaltenders to be on the ice and learn from current/past pro goaltenders.
The thing I love most about coaching is getting the opportunity to help young goaltenders grow on and off the ice by teaching them key values that will benefit them, not only in hockey but also in life. While training and working on fundamentals, I challenge the goaltenders' mental game. Far too often, the mental side of the game is overlooked.
My experience includes Winning State for St. Thomas academy (2011, 2012,2013), playing for Wichita Falls Wildcats in the NAHL and playing D1 for St. Cloud State University. Besides playing hockey, I've been coaching goalies for the past 8 years. I am currently employed at Breakaway Academy as their lead On-ice Goalie instructor.
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Kasimir Kaskisuo
Coach
With 7 years of pro experience from Europe to the NHL, I’m excited to train and share my experiences with dedicated young goalies who want to play in the NHL.
While fine-tuning the technical details of each goalie’s unique style, I want to help goalies read the play, build their mental game, and create habits that will take the goalie to the next level and maximize their potential.
Evan Foss
Coach
Evan Foss joined Lakes Area Goaltending in 2019 and has been working with goalies on and off the ice since then. He grew up in Hugo, MN, and played high school hockey at White Bear Lake. Following high school, he walked into the Division 1 Men's hockey program at Minnesota State University Mankato, where he played for two years before shifting his focus to school.
Some fond memories of playing include: beating Hill Murray in the section final to go to the Class AA state tournament his senior year of high school and making it to the Frozen Four his sophomore year of college.
After graduation in May 2023, he plans on moving back to the cities to help grow goalies at Lakes Area Goaltending.
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Our Goalie Training Mission:
Athletes will learn to practice specific movements and develop an understanding of the position that will lead to consistency in practice and in games.
Our Goalie Training Philosophy:
The most challenging position in sports, hockey goalie, must have reliable coaching and training over time. Over time, players develop trust, understanding, and a network that will promote growth and positive engagement in the game.
Our goal is to meet the needs of the hockey Community. If you are still looking for an option that works for you, please contact us, and we will do what we can to make it work for you.