Ray Jean, who has served as the University of Maine’s volunteer goalie coach the past three seasons, has resigned to take a position as the goaltending development coordinator for USA Hockey in the state of Maine.
It will be an unpaid position.
Jean said the position entails the development of a more thorough and organized system pertaining to the state’s goalies and goalie coaches. He will establish goalie coaching programs so the state’s goalies will receive the mentoring they deserve.
“It was something I wanted to do five years ago. It’s similar to the program they have in Finland,” said the 33-year-old Jean, who noted that Finland has produced a number of quality NHL goaltenders such as Boston’s Tuukka Rask and Nashville’s Pekka Rinne.
USA Hockey will have a national committee with regional representatives, and Jean will be the Maine representative.
“We’ll be working closely with regional directors and coordinators to develop a program that trains coaches on how to incorporate goalies into their practices,” he said.
Hockey coaches have a series of levels they can attain by attending clinics and passing tests, and Jean would like that to eventually apply to goalie coaches.
Jean runs his own goaltending school, Own the Crease, with his brothers Ryan and Cody, and he teaches at goalie clinics across the state.
“I’ve always wanted to give something back to the state, and I’m excited USA Hockey is finally doing it,” Jean said.
He said he was grateful to the university and enjoyed his time at Maine.
“The goalies were all great kids. I don’t think people realize how hard those kids work,” he said.
Jean lives in Sidney and has a full-time job at Camden National Bank. He used to drive to Orono once a week for practice and attend as many games as possible.
UMaine head coach Red Gendron said Jean did a “great job.”
“He was a very good teacher,” said Gendron. “I am delighted for him.”
Gendron said NCAA guidelines of allowing two assistant coaches prevented UMaine from paying Jean or reimbursing his travel.
“It cost him money, but Ray wanted to coach because he loves the game and the University of Maine,” he said.
Gendron said “in a perfect world, I’d love to have a goalie coach here every day.”
“But that’s not likely,” he added.
Gendron said he will name a goalie coach as soon as possible.
Randolph native and former Gardiner High School standout Jean appeared in five games over two seasons at UMaine before transferring to Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts where he was a two-year starter and posted a 21-28-5 record with a 3.36 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.