Rob Smith
About Coach Rob Smith
Coach Rob Smith is a Dallas native who has been coaching youth hockey throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex since 2000. Specializing in goaltender development, Rob has instructed alongside elite professional goalie coaches at premier camps in Texas and Minnesota, working with athletes at the youth, junior (NAHL/USHL), collegiate (NCAA Division I), and NHL levels.
His coaching experience spans house, travel, high school, and junior hockey, allowing him to share his knowledge and experience with goaltenders at every stage of development.
Rob's coaching philosophy centers on individualized development rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. By identifying each goaltender's unique strengths and areas for growth, he builds a customized path to elevate their game for both current success and future advancement.
His instruction focuses on the foundational pillars of the position, including skating, positioning, save selection, recoveries, rebound management, and puck handling. Through dynamic drills, modern training tools, and competitive scenarios, Rob strives to simplify the position while helping goaltenders learn to play smarter.
Coaching Experience
Coaching Experience
- Youth Hockey Coach (2000–Present)
- Private Goalie Instructor (2000–Present)
- Dallas Stars Youth Hockey League
- Allen Youth Hockey Association
- McKinney Ice Hockey Organization
- Highland Park Junior Scots
- Texas Aces
- Dallas Scots Hockey Organization
- Plano Senior High School
- Plano JV Hockey
- Mesquite Colts High School
- Euless Jr. Stars (NA3HL)
- Mounds View Girls High School
- South St. Paul Girls High School
- Pro Hybrid Training
Certifications
- USA Hockey Level 4 Coaching Certification
- USA Hockey Bronze Level Goalie Coaching Certification
- ISI Approved Coach & Insured
Coaching Philosophy
My coaching philosophy centers on individualized development rather than a "cookie-cutter" approach. By identifying each goaltender's unique strengths and areas for growth, I build a customized pathway to elevate their game for both current seasonal success and future advancement.
I focus heavily on mastering the foundational pillars of the position—skating, positioning, save selection, recoveries, rebound management, and puck handling. Through dynamic drills, modern training tools, and engaging competitive scenarios, I strive to simplify the position so goaltenders learn to play smarter, not harder.