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Q: Every time I go to a game or pratctice, I can't get myself pumped up and ready to whoop the other team. I would like to know how you get yourself hyped up and if there is any thing I need to do before a game or practice.

A: Every player and goalie, at one time or another, struggles with being flat for a game or practice. Getting mentally prepared is a key part of every great athlete's pregame routine.
      Generally speaking, there is not one magic fix for getting pumped up. Every player uses different things for both motivation and concentration. Being a goalie, the steps you take will need to include a higher level of concentration - thus allowing you to better focus on the task at hand (making great saves). Whether it be a game or practice, the need for focus is necessary. There is always something at stake (It might be bragging rights amongst your teammates or the opportunity to impress a scout in the stands.). But, in order to achieve success, you must be ready, and a pregame routine will help you get there.
      There are many things that we have seen players do over the years to get themselves psyched up. One of the typical ways to get pumped (and you may even use this in your dressing room) is with music. From heavy metal to martial music, players have been using music for a long time to get ready for a game. At many of the higher levels, a player will often listen to a walkman on the bus or in the dressing room to help them relax. By shutting out the distractions around them, these players use this time to think about the game.
      Thinking about the game is another necessary part of being mentally prepared. Positive thinking and visualization, although they may seem abstract, will do a lot for your game. On your way to the game, close your eyes (with your music on or not) and imagine making great saves - all types of saves, from two-pad slides to glove saves. One of the things I always thought about, before the big saves, was warm-up. I would visualize myself going through warm-up - getting used to the puck and moving around my crease. By visualizing warm-up as well as great saves, I would be able to get rid of that nervous feeling I'd get during the real warm-up. It would seem like old territory. I was relaxed.
      Along with visualization comes positive thinking. Sometimes you'll feel off for some reason - maybe your legs feel heavy. A lot of players in this situation will tell themselves the opposite. "My legs feel great" or "I'm flying out here". Those positive thoughts will have a surprising effect on your game. Only when you leave the negative behind will you be able to perform your best. For a goalie, positive thinking is particularly important. It is important not only before the game but also during the game. Every goalie lets in goals, and every goalie, at one time or another, lets in a soft one. It is the great goalie that can rebound from them. Positive thinking and solid concentration will help you be one of those goalies.
      Another great way to prepare for a game (or practice) is to go out in the hall, either by yourself or with your goaltending partner. Do some stretching. Do some visualization. I always used to throw a puck back and forth with my partner after stretching. It always helped us to relax before we hit the ice. As well, you may see some players who disappear in the stands by themselves to tape their stick.
      Above all though, develop a routine. It is ok to deviate from it a bit, but try to develop a routine and stick with it. If you aren't sure, try a few different things until you find out what works for you. Then, stick with it. Some people call hockey players superstitious, and some are. But, when you get right down to it, most are just doing a routine that helps them to relax and prepare them for the game.
      As a goalie, remember while you are practicing that every goal counts. If you make a conscious effort of hating having the puck go in the net during practice, you won't let it go in during games.