Last month I shared some thoughts on Mariah Fujimagari’s path to the ECHL, including her time as a Demo Goalie at the Global Goaltending Retreat. A week later, I wrote about the Jungle Cats versus Zoo Tigers metaphor and what it means within the context of goaltending and skill development.
I soon realized that, just like Mariah, there was another Jungle Cat on the prowl at both the Kalamazoo Wings ECHL training camp and the past two GGR’s.
His name is Trevor Babin and he currently plays for the Motor City Rockers.
Presented with these synchronicities, I was compelled to learn more about Trevor and his unique journey to pro hockey. I also just celebrated the seven-year anniversary of Embracing The Grind, so I thought it would be fun to have Trevor join me for a good ol’ fashioned “The Power Within” style interview.
I first learned about Trevor back in 2021 through his goalie coach and good friend, John Zdunkiewicz from Ztending. Backed by his insights and my own research, Trevor earned a scholarship to attend the 2022 GGR. He returned to Breckenridge this past June and showed everyone that his game had reached another level. Sure enough, he got a taste of the ECHL during Kalamazoo’s camp, and now he’s hungrier than ever to take that next step in the pro ranks.
Beyond his recent success, the impetus for my chat with Trevor was threefold.
First of all, I wanted to draw upon some of my learnings from the recent 2023 Sport Movement Skill Conference, as I believe Trevor’s development path reflects the event’s main theme — exploring ideas at the intersection of art and science.
Next, I wanted to share Trevor’s own reflections on where his inner drive and motivations come from, how he navigates the challenges of pro hockey as a 25-year-old underdog, and how he manages his emotions as a fiery competitor.
Finally, I believe Trevor’s journey is a great example of how a goalie with very little “position-specific” coaching during their younger years can embrace a sense of autonomy and indeterminacy and still have plenty of success at the higher levels.
Goaltending as Abstract Art
As a coach, I think it’s easy to assume that a pro-level goalie will already have a complete or comprehensive understanding of their game. Then again, we often get reminded that we are dealing with athletes that are usually in their late teens or twenties. No matter how good they are, they’re still discovering and (re)defining themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Even at the highest levels, sometimes goalies are like a blank canvas.
A blank canvas, however, is not an empty one. It is full of potential. The “blank-ness” contains within its “emptiness” the possibility of all potential paintings. When we apply too much structure or we over-define a goalie’s style by over-training certain skills, they suddenly lack all of the possibilities that could have existed. They may not be as adaptable or as “open to change” as they once were.
In a similar light, this is one of the ideas behind the art style known as abstract impressionism. Abstract artists were passionate about experimenting with the absence of form and content. By not using elements that typically give shape to a painting or work of art, a certain indeterminacy remained within it, which ultimately brought out a new sense of personal meaning.
If we consider that idea within the framework of goalie development, I believe it can help coaches learn how to accept the “blankness” of many goalies they work with. By looking beyond the scope of technical precision and more on how a goalie develops a skill from indeterminate to innate, we can see that intersection of art and science more clearly.
As coaches, we also have to accept that sense of “emptiness” within ourselves. We don’t always know what we don’t know, and what we already know really well (like our coaching strengths) may not be exactly what an individual goalie needs.
Metaphorically speaking, in a way, emptiness can actually be seen as more than somethingness. Indeterminacy is not a lack of form or style, it is merely unrealized and undefinable. It is open to interpretation, nebulous, and dynamically reshaped by the environment over and over again.
With these ideas at the heart of this conversation, I really appreciate Trevor’s nonlinear path to pro hockey and his dedication to improving every day. I hope you enjoy our discussion and the inspiring story he is currently writing!
The Power Within: Trevor Babin
This interview was conducted over the phone on Wednesday, November 8.
Goldman: How did you first get introduced to organized hockey?
Babin: I started with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. If you’re a Flyers fan, you know what that program is all about. It brings inner-city kids from Philly into the game by giving them free gear and a chance to learn how to play. Once I stepped on the ice, it was crazy; I just felt like it was supposed to happen. I got introduced to the game so quickly and it was so natural that two weeks later I ended up on a Squirt AA team. I was nine or 10 years old at the time.
Goldman: Did you play any other sports besides hockey growing up?
Babin: I played everything. My parents put me into every sport possible; football, basketball, soccer. You name it, I was playing it. On top of that, I was on four different hockey teams because everyone needed goalies at my age. The sheer amount of activities I was involved in just allowed me to learn different things from whatever sport I was playing and it shows in my game now.
Goldman: When did you start getting goalie-specific coaching?
Babin: Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you when because I’ve always just absorbed anything that anyone would share with me. Whether it was from a random parent telling me how to stop the puck or just listening to my dad, I learned from everyone. My dad has always been my best coach ever since I first stepped on the ice. He is from San Diego and never played, but he’s always had a good eye for the game, so I think up until my under-16 year he was literally my only goalie coach.
Goldman: When did you realize that pro hockey was an attainable goal?
Babin: My dream was always to play in the NHL and I’ve always said that since I was a little kid. I think if you really follow that dream and put your mind to it, you can absolutely do it. Anybody who says that’s “wrong” is lying to your face. At the same time, I definitely had to work my butt off to get here and I know I still have a long way to go. But any opportunity I’ve gotten, I’ve always been prepared for it. I’ve never just sat on the sidelines waiting for something to happen. I’ve always kept my dream a priority. If you do that and put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.
Goldman: During your time at training camp with Kalamazoo, how did it feel getting more goalie-specific coaching and more support than usual?
Babin: I’m not stubborn or superstitious, so if things need to change, I’m really cool with it. When it came to hearing other coaches critique my game and how I played, I definitely listened and integrated those things into my game. Every practice I always tried to work on something, whether it’s with a coach like Joel [Martin] or even all of the coaches at the GGR – all of those lessons matter. You always have to learn and adapt to changing situations, and I think with just how my life has gone in general, especially outside of hockey, I've been really good at accepting change. I know I can adapt my game based on people telling me to try something and then being able to go out and do it.
Goldman: Moving forward, what is your biggest goal for the rest of this season?
Babin: Taking my butt right back to Kalamazoo. That’s my biggest goal. That’s been on my mind since I left. From the professionalism to how things are run to the quality of play in the ECHL, I just feel blessed to have a chance to play more at that level.
Goldman: How would you describe yourself or your goaltending style?
Babin: Just come watch a game. You would know exactly who I am. Off the ice I’m really calm, but once I put on that mask, everything changes. The self-belief I have is definitely a big factor in who I am and how I play.
Goldman: What do you think goalie scouts say when they watch you play?
Babin: That I play with a lot of passion. I feel like my love for the game gives me that adrenaline rush, and that’s how I’m going to play. It’s hard to explain. I always tell people, if you don’t play with passion, don’t play at all. My skill comes from the love of the game. At the same time, I’ve never done anything stupid out there, if that makes sense. There’s a fine line between being tough and having that aggression and then doing stupid things that can cost the team. So when I play, I’m definitely getting involved, defending my teammates, and being a team player out there. That is what stands out to most coaches, on top of being able to stop the puck and do my job as a legitimate pro goalie.
Goldman: The fact that you don’t really feel the need to list a bunch of technical terms for your style is exactly why I think you’re a Jungle Cat and not a Zoo Tiger.
Babin: Yeah man, I appreciate that. [laughing]
Goldman: What keeps you motivated on a daily basis?
Babin: I know I’m a little different when it comes to other goalies. You see it a lot on social media — the goalie lingo and technical stuff and other things goalies are posting. I could play into all that, but that’s just not who I am. Growing up in Philly, it was a very different upbringing than most pro hockey players in general, so I definitely look at that as a big factor in how I approach the game on a daily basis. With my drive and work ethic on top of the confidence I have to keep getting better, it all definitely helps me overcome the challenges of competing against other goalies that were drafted or higher ranked. That’s how I find the drive to stay motivated every day.
Goldman: What things are you doing outside of practice to stay prepared?
Babin: Being focused in the gym and getting stronger than I am right now is a big priority. Obviously the on-ice stuff will take care of itself when I’m out there, so I’m just staying prepared for when that time comes. I also have a five-month old puppy now, so that limits my distractions and keeps me focused.
Goldman: You said earlier you’re not superstitious, but do you have any routines or things that help keep you present on a daily basis?
Babin: Lots of meditation, affirmations, and things like that. Self-talk is really important to me and so is my family’s support. All of those things definitely help out with my daily journey.
Goldman: What is your biggest challenge mentally right now? Just wanting to be back in Kalamazoo?
Babin: Just proving that I can play at that level, no matter where I’m at right now. SPHL or the Fed, just showing that I can play in the ECHL and live up to whatever expectations I have for myself. Mentally, I’m just trying to keep going and stay motivated and climb the ladder. I think my biggest challenge is to just be where my feet are and stay focused on where I’m at, and then be prepared for the other things that are going to come.
Goldman: How do you try to balance that desire to move up with the importance of staying focused on where you’re at? Is that a daily battle for you?
Babin: I’m definitely anxious to get back to Kalamazoo. It definitely plays in my mind, but it’s not a daily battle. I want to get that phone call, I want to go back every day. So of course it’s on my mind, but I’m using it as a positive and as a way to keep myself motivated. It’s my purpose for getting up every morning.
Goldman: I’ll never forget when your gear didn’t show up at the GGR back in June. I was so annoyed because the camp goes by so fast and I knew you were so excited to be there. But you were so chill about the whole thing. Where did that calmness come from? Have you always been that way off the ice?
Babin: I definitely have my moments of being a little frustrated, but I think I learned how to stay calm from my mom and dad. No matter how hard things were back home in Philly, they always said ‘everything will be okay, even if it’s tomorrow or the next day.’ When things like losing my gear happen, I know that’s just how things go in life sometimes. I just think it’s really important to realize that you can’t bother to try and fix something if it’s not in your hands.
Goldman: Where does that inner belief in yourself come from? How would you explain that resilience and your steadfast approach?
Babin: Definitely comes from my family. My mom, dad, brother, and sister. They know what went on in our lives growing up, so to have them helping me stay focused and positive is where my inner faith comes from. It’s the constant love of the family and always believing in each other. It’s knowing each one of us had our own unique paths in life. My mom and dad always said, each of us is going to do something incredible, we just don’t know what it is yet. My parents – they were that voice of faith to keep me humble and keep my eyes focused on the dream. They’ve helped me so much throughout my life. They know that I was definitely more of the ‘problem child’ I would say, especially with things that were going on outside of the house. Being in that environment in Philly wasn’t easy, but they definitely kept me straight.
Goldman: That’s awesome. That’s a key takeaway and a great stopping point. You’re not just doing this for your own glory. Your entire family allows you to make this journey about “we” instead of “me” and I think that balance brings an egoless approach that helps you stay true to yourself and focused on the dream.
Babin: For sure, I got people in my corner to take care of. That family support is the number one thing that helps keep me going. I want to get to a point for them, too.