François Allaire

François Allaire is an ice hockey goaltending coach currently working for the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL. He is highly regarded in the hockey community as the preeminent goaltending consultant, instructor, and innovator.

Allaire developed most of what has become associated with his name in the 1980s as the Montreal Canadiens's first ever goalie coach. In the 1990s, he evangelized his ideas to the younger generation of goalies, making his technique the new standard. The 'Allaire style' stresses sound positioning, getting down into the butterfly, and taking up as much net as possible. He has encouraged his goalies to wear the biggest allowable gear.

Allaire made his reputation mentoring Patrick Roy, winning Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993. In 2004, he guided the relatively unheralded Jean-Sébastien Giguère to a cinderella Conn Smythe Trophy winning Stanley Cup run, reinforcing his image as a goaltending guru. He won a 3rd Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

His brother Benoit Allaire, also a goaltending coach, has worked for the Phoenix Coyotes and is currently with the New York Rangers.

Interviews

ESPN interviewed Allaire shortly after Patrick Roy announced his retirement from professional hockey here: http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/2003/0528/1560164.html

External links

*hockeydb|34838