A hockey team can only be as good as its goalie. The difference between good and elite hockey teams is the quality play of its goalie, especially in high-pressure situations.

Luckily, sophomore Jared Maddock has already proven to be a skilled goalie for the Grand Valley State men’s club hockey team (Division II), and his high-quality play could be exactly what GVSU needs to make a deep run in the tournament or even win a national championship.

Maddock is no rookie in the net, as he’s been playing his favorite position in hockey since he was nine years old. Playing in the net involves being able to play under pressure, and Maddock thrives in that setting.

“What I like the most about it is that you’re still a part of the team, but it’s more individual than any other position in hockey,” he said about being goalie. “I like it more because there is a lot more pressure on me.”

Maddock had an impressive career at Plymouth High School, posting an impressive 29 wins and saving 90.3 percent of the shots that came his way. Playing exceptional competition is always a good test of skill, and that’s what Maddock loved the most from his high school playing days.

“My favorite hockey memory would have to be when we played this tournament in Minnesota,” Maddock said. “(We) played the Australian National Team and a few state all-star teams from high school, and it was fun do well against good teams.”

As his high school days were drawing to a close, Maddock knew that GVSU was the right place for him to be. He was excited to come to Allendale, not just for hockey, but for academics as well.

“I knew a couple of kids here that played on the hockey team, and they said it was fun, but I came here because of my scholarships in academics,” Maddock said. “I just liked the school, and I decided to play hockey, too.”

Maddock has played exceptionally so far in his tenure with the Lakers, saving 92 percent of shots on goal with an impressive 19-4-2 record at the helm of the defense. Not only is he playing like the elite goaltender this team needs, but he’s been having fun, too. 

“This is definitely the most fun team I’ve ever been on,” Maddock said. “And it’s my favorite team I’ve played on for sure.”

Just like the rest of his GVSU teammates, Maddock has high expectations for this squad’s season. 

“Our team right now has all the tools to win a national championship,” he said. “We have depth at every position, our guys have gelled well and I think we’re going to go pretty far this year, if not win it all.”

When asked how he plays well under all that pressure, Maddock offered up some good advice for any future goalies to know: “Just stay calm and don’t get too rattled if you get scored on because if you do you’ll play even worse.”

Maddock is one of the many players on this team with tournament experience. He totaled three wins and 86 saves in the Division II Nationals last year while only allowing 12 goals in four games played.

The GVSU goalie has his heart set on earning a title for this team before he has to hang up his skates for good.

“My goal here is to win as many national championships as I can with the time left that I have,” Maddock said. 

If the entire team adopts the same championship mindset, this has the potential to be a promising season for GVSU.

Maddock and the rest of the Lakers face off twice with Trine University this weekend. The puck drops at the Georgetown Ice Center at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and again at Trine at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14.