NCGD STORY
Initiated in Ottawa, Canada then deep-seated to Rouses Point, NY, USA, North Country Goalie Development was created, managed and restored by Roch Belley: Head Coach, Owner, and former IHL goalie drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Born in Gatineau, Canada, Coach Roch was skating at the young age of five. When introduced to the net briefly, he knew that the remainder of his hockey career would be between the pipes.
He was trained, mentored and coached by family and community members alike. Grabbing opportunities anywhere he could to claim starting positions within his organization and school leagues, he rose through the ranks.
That hard work landed him in the junior league for the remainder of his high school years, which led to Coach Roch being drafted in '91. Over the span of the next 3 years, he played for IHL/CHL teams Indianapolis Ice and Fort Worth Fire.
An unfortunate and sudden off season leg injury in '94 put an end to Coach Roch's professional career in the minor league hockey but it birthed the dawn of Goalie Coaching.
In the mid 90's Coach Roch partnered with an old high school hockey companion to form his first rendition of a Goalie School. This was a great success for more than a couple of years before family matters and a growing daughter became his priority.
Over these past decades he kept himself in as many mens league organizations as he could while waiting for the next opportunity to coach privately again. In 2015 Coach Roch moved to the US, and discovering a need for goalie development in the North Country.
Here to stay for the long haul, Coach Roch has been successfully running his annual Goalie Preseason Clinic out of AC-North Plattsburgh for many years years. Growing progressively NCGD has reached multiple towns and communities, such as Malone, Chazy, Rouses Point, Lake Placid and the in between, to provide public and private clinics.
Each hockey season provide new and exciting opportunities for NCGD. We are laying the groundwork for big vision and great expansion. Coach Roch is taking on greater challenges without compromising quality for quantity. Rest assure North Country Goalie Development is here to stay and serve the needs of goaltenders alike.