Ron Hextall on Goalie Coach Change
Chiodo went on to have a 14-year career in the NHL, American Hockey League, ECHL and in Europe and played eight career NHL games, all with Pittsburgh during the 2003-04 season.
The competitiveness and mental toughness he displayed throughout his journey always stood out to Hextall, and is a big reason why Chiodo was named Pittsburgh's goaltending coach on Wednesday.
"Understanding the position and being a minor-league goalie for the most part - the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs, spent some time in Europe - I just really liked the profile of what he is," Hextall said.
Chiodo, 38, had spent the previous three seasons as the Penguins' goaltending development coach, where he was responsible for working with young goaltending prospects in Europe, the minor leagues, juniors and college hockey.
"Talking to a lot of the people around here that are familiar with him, there wasn't a bad word said about him," Hextall said. "His attention to detail on our prospects and our goalies in Wilkes-Barre, delving into the mental side of it and their lives to some degree - I just like what he brings to the table."
Chiodo replaces Mike Buckley, who was relieved from his duties after being the team's goaltending coach from 2017-21. Hextall said that the timing of the decision was based around making sure they did their due diligence, while also dealing with other issues which came up along the way. But ultimately, Hextall said it came down to a gut feeling.
"When it comes to decisions of this magnitude, when you talk to all your people - and I certainly got opinions from all our people - in the end, just felt like we needed a change," Hextall said. "Obviously we had Andy sitting right there. With his experience and knowledge of the organization, the goaltenders, he was, in the end, the right guy."
As a former NHL goaltender himself, Hextall understands how important the mental side of the game is for a goalie. He feels like Chiodo will be able to really help Pittsburgh's tandem in that aspect, especially with
the way last year ended for Tristan Jarry
.
"When you're a goaltender, and I lived it, there's disappointments that you have to get over and you have to bounce back from," Hextall said. "He's still a young goalie that's learning and I believe he's going to learn a lot from last year. I really like what Andy is going to bring to the table here. I feel strongly that Tristan is going to bounce back and be a very good goaltender for us throughout the entire year."
Hextall also said that Casey DeSmith, who missed the postseason due to injury, is back on the ice after undergoing successful bilateral core muscle injury repair on June 10.
"I actually watched him for a few minutes yesterday. He looked terrific," Hextall said. "I chatted with him briefly and everything is going very well. I anticipate him being 100% long before training camp."
Moving forward, Hextall said that Chiodo will be leading the process of finding his replacement as the goaltending development coach. Once they narrow the field down to a couple of candidates, Hextall, assistant general manager Patrik Allvin and president of hockey operations Brian Burke will talk with Chiodo and make a final decision.
"That's an important role, being in Wilkes and hopefully getting out and seeing our prospects this year and obviously also (talking to them) with the Zooms," Hextall said. "Players like (2020 NHL draft picks, goalies Joel Blomqvist and Calle Clang) need some attention and some teaching and some mentoring from the organization. So we'll definitely look for the best guy we can find here."
