Nate Ziemski is the new volunteer goalie coach for the Gophers. He replaces his boss, Robb Stauber, who worked with coach Don Lucia since he took over the team nine years ago.

Stauber quit at the start of this season because he no longer had the time. He runs two goalie training centers called Goalcrease, one in Blaine, one in Edina.  Ziemski actually runs the Blaine center

Stauber offered to help Lucia find a replacement. Obviously, Stauber did.

“[Ziemski] started on Monday,” Lucia said. “He played for Robb’s brother. He was an all-America goalie at Wisconsin-Superior. They won a national title while he was there.

“He has been working in Robb’s goalie schools the last couple years. He manages the Blaine office and he teaches goalies.”

The coaching Ziemski does, especially appealed to Lucia. “I wanted someone who that’s what they do, they work with goalies.”

The Gophers have three young goalies, sophomore Alex Kangas who has played every game so far, and two freshmen Kent Patterson and Jake Kremer.

“It is as much for Kent and Jake as anyone,” Lucia said, referring to adding Ziemski to his staff. “Those two need it when they are not playing. They need couple days a week. He has the time and the commitment to be here twice a week for 45 minutes to an hour. Which is going to be great for our goalies to have that. Robb just did not have the time.”

Patterson played the second half of an exhibition game against the University of British Columbia but otherwise has not been in a game.

Will he play this weekend when the Gophers face New Hampshire, a non-conference opponent? “There is always a chance,” Lucia said. “I have not thought about it that much. There is a chance, but Alex is our guy.”

Interpretation: If the Gophers are way ahead or way behind, Patterson may play. Otherwise, expect Kangas to be in there.

The Goalcrease has a bio for Ziemski. Here it is: 

Nate played high school hockey for Duluth Central. His extensive junior hockey experience includes a Junior B national championship before playing in both the NAHL and USHL. He then played D-III college hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Superior where he holds numerous goaltending records, was named All-American twice (‘01,’03), and also won a national championship (‘02). He played pro hockey for the Jacksonville Baracudas in ‘03-’04. Nate has been a certified Goalcrease instructor since 2002 and started coaching full-time in 2006.

Nate holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from UWS with a minor in coaching.

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