EYECANDYAIR was able to catch up with a member of our goalie family
Matt Bochniak from Street, MD, USA
To do this special exclusive one-on-one interview!

ECA: What inspired you to be a goalie?
MB: The cool pads and awesome masks! But seriously, the goalie looks awesome, and that was the position for me. Goalies also get all the ladies.

ECA: How old were you when you started?
MB: I started late, 15.

ECA: What is the highest level you have played?
MB: College In-line in the ECRHA/NCRHA for Loyola. On ice, I played in a summer Pro-Am league with guys from college, Juniors, ECHL, & AHL. Some of my past teammates have played pro inline (MLRH/PIHA/AIHL), Juniors and ECHL.

ECA: Did you ever have a goalie coach?
MB: Nope, but if I did, I would be a goalie coach's nightmare. Ironically though, I'm the head coach for Loyola College Roller Hockey, which has me coaching in-line goalies.

ECA: What style of goaltending do you play?
MB: I have my own style. Kinda like Hasek and now Thomas. The best advice on goaltending style I got was from a pro ice hockey scout; "it doesn't matter how you stop it, as long as you stop it". I play by that quote.

ECA: How many times a week do you play?
MB: Two times a week on the rink either playing or practicing, and one day a week on the treadmill and bike.

ECA: What are your strengths?
MB: My angles, butterfly and I've been told my glove. My angles are something I stress though. I'm only 5'10", so I have to play smart at the level I play to make up for my lack of size. Almost every goalie I play with or against is 6 foot plus. So, I'll come out a lot to cut down the angle on point shots.

ECA: Care to add weaknesses?
MB: Teammates always aim high stick-side at practice. I guess they're trying to tell me something.

ECA: Who is your favourite NHL goalie?
MB: I grew up a huge Belfour fan, when he was in Chicago. Besides Belfour, I also love the stuff that Hasek was doing in Buffalo. Right now Thomas (again for the style of play) and Nabokov in San Jose.

ECA: What type of gear are you wearing?
MB: I'm a big fan of the Reebok pads. Got a pair of 6K leg pads and X-Pulse chest protector. For my glove set, I use a Valken V-Max catcher and blocker. In-line tour goalie skates, or Ice Hockey Reebok 3K goalie skates.

ECA: What kind of mask are you currently wearing?
MB: Eddy GT, which is awesome!

ECA: What was the inspiration behind your goalie mask design?
MB: The inspiration for my design came from two different ideas. My initial idea was a mask with a "hockey graveyard" of tombstones of shooters I've prevented from scoring. The zombie was kinda an afterthought at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it fit. When coming onto the ice for warm-ups, one of my old teams used to play White Zombie's "Thunder Kiss 65". That song I've always attached to hockey, and the zombie/hockey graveyard mask design was born. The rest was all Steve. I gave him direction, and he took it to the next level.

ECA: Do you have any game superstitions?
MB: Not so much superstitions, but I do have a routine that I always follow. I make it a point to be in the locker room an hour before the game. Try to eat 4 hours before game time, nothing else but water or sport drinks after that..

ECA: Any advice to other goalies out there?
MB: Study the game and learn the art of reading plays as they come to you. I always try to see a team I'm playing ahead of time. I look for players tendencies like, will they look pass or are they shooters. This will help you read plays in a game.

ECA: Anything else you'd like to add?
MB: Steve is a phenomenal artist. My mask is a masterpiece. When I'm not playing, I keep it in a case in my office. Dealing with Steph and Steve at EYECANDYAIR was a pleasure. They were professional in every step of the process. If you want a great design, EYECANDYAIR is the place to go!

You can check out Matt in Action on youtube!

Matt, that was so much fun! Thanks for taking time to chat with us and share your goaltending experiences and thoughts for all to read.
Best of luck on the ice and enjoy your EYECANDYAIR custom painted goalie mask!

If you are a member of the EYECANDYAIR family and would like to be a featured goalie, please send us an email info@eyecandyair.com