Coaching Style & Philosophy
expert goaltending
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I coach from firsthand experience, not theory. I’ve played at the highest levels against elite players and understand the realities of the position, the pressure, adversity, confidence swings, setbacks, and success.
In addition to skilled training on the technical and skating aspects of goaltending, we also focus on coaching the mental component of goaltending. This is an often overlooked, but an essential component of the position. I actively train:
Confidence
Composure
Resilience
Mental toughness under pressure
My approach is patient, adaptable, and individualized when I train goalies. I don’t force goalies into one system or style. Instead, I work to understand each goalie’s strengths, personality, and game, and tailor my coaching to help them succeed while building from a strong technical foundation.
My goal is to help goalies develop not only better habits and skills, but a deeper understanding of the position and what it truly takes to succeed at higher levels. I want the goalies I train to “reach their highest peak” by training with summit goaltending.
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Learn more!Coaching Experience & Organizations
Jesse’s coaching experience combines elite playing credentials with hands-on development work at all levels of minor hockey in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Current Goalie Coach for VMHA (Vancouver Minor Hockey Association)
Founder of Peak Goaltending, running:
Pop-up goalie camps
Private and small-group goalie sessions
Experience coaching goalies of all ages and levels
Have ran camps that combine:
On-ice goalie training
Off-ice strength, conditioning, and movement work
While playing professionally in Latvia:
Trained under multiple high-level goalie coaches with different philosophies and perspectives.
Solidified myself as a goalie coach for a minor hockey team during the season in Latvia.
Jesse Makaj — Playing Career & Background
Currently playing for Simon Fraser University (SFU), an NCAA Independent program, competing against Division I colleges.
Ranked 18th among North American goalies for the NHL Draft (2019)
2016
Played in the WHL for:
Kootenay Ice
2017-2019
Played in the WHL for: Winnipeg Ice
2021-2022
Played with the Kamloops Blazers
2023-2024
Played in Latvia’s top pro league