Quick answer
The Extreme Better Hockey Pro Goalie ($159.95) is a heavy-duty nylon tarp with eight target holes that straps onto any full-sized hockey goal. It's worth it if you already have a goal and want to train picking corners against a realistic "goalie" instead of an empty net. It turns aimless shooting into deliberate accuracy practice — every rep has a target, and every miss gets a rebound you have to handle. If you don't own a goal, look at the Better Hockey Shooting Tarp instead — it hangs on its own and needs no goal at all.
Key takeaways
- Eight target holes cover the spots real goalies get beaten: corners, hips, and the five-hole.
- Fits any full-sized (72") goal — note that the goal itself is not included.
- Heavy-duty nylon takes full-power slap shots without tearing or sagging.
- Pucks that don't go in bounce back out — so you also train collecting rebounds and shooting again.
- At $159.95 it sits between simple corner targets ($39.95) and the full stand-alone tarp ($299.95).
- Works anywhere your goal works: garage, driveway, backyard, or on the ice.
What the Pro Goalie actually is
The Pro Goalie is a shooter tutor–style goal cover: a tough nylon tarp printed with a goalie graphic that you strap over the front of a full-sized goal. Eight holes are cut where goals actually get scored — high and low corners, over the shoulders, and through the middle. Shoot through a hole and the puck stays in the net. Hit the tarp and the puck comes back at you, just like a save you have to pounce on.
That last part matters more than most people think. An empty net teaches you nothing about what happens after a save. With a tarp in front, roughly half your shots come back out — and suddenly you're practicing the exact skill that wins games at every level: burying the rebound.
Watch it in action
Coach Erik's tip: Don't just shoot at "the tarp" — call your target before every rep. Say it out loud if you have to: "top left… low blocker… five-hole." Players who name the hole before shooting build shot selection instincts that show up in games. Players who just fire pucks at a goalie picture build nothing but a sore garage door.
Who it's for — and who should skip it
| Situation | Verdict |
|---|---|
| You have a full-sized goal and shoot at an empty net | ✓ Buy it — this is exactly the upgrade you need |
| You want to train accuracy, not just shot power | ✓ Buy it — eight defined targets beat "aim roughly top corner" |
| You want rebound practice built into every session | ✓ Buy it — misses come back out to your stick |
| You don't own a goal (and don't want one) | ✗ Get the stand-alone Shooting Tarp instead — it hangs without a goal |
| You're on a tight budget | Consider Shooting Targets ($39.95) — four corner targets that clip into any net |
| You want data-backed target placement | Look at the Pro Shooting Targets ($59.95), developed with the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation |
Pro Goalie vs. the alternatives
Better Hockey makes three ways to add targets to your shooting practice, so here's the honest breakdown:
- Shooting Targets ($39.95) — four targets that hang in the corners of any net. Cheapest way to add accuracy work. The net stays open, so no rebound effect.
- Pro Goalie ($159.95) — full goal cover with eight holes. Realistic "goalie in the net" look, defined scoring spots, and built-in rebounds. Needs a full-sized goal.
- Shooting Tarp 7x10 ($299.95) — a full backdrop with target holes that hangs in a garage or doorway. No goal needed, and it also protects the wall behind. The pick if you're building a shooting zone from zero.
If you're setting up a complete home zone, pair whichever you choose with a shooting pad or flooring tiles for an ice-like surface under the puck.
Coach Erik's tip: My favorite Pro Goalie routine for youth players: 20 shots, but you're only allowed to shoot at the hole I call — and every rebound must be buried within two seconds. It turns a shooting session into a scoring session. Ten minutes of that beats an hour of blasting pucks at an open net.
Setup and durability
Setup is a few minutes: stretch the tarp over the goal frame and fasten the straps. It fits standard 72" goals, stays taut through hard sessions, and the nylon is heavy enough that full-power slap shots won't blow through it. It lives happily outdoors — driveway, backyard rink, or on the ice at practice. One honest note: the goal is not included, so factor that in if you're starting from scratch.
Not sure it fits your space or your goal? You can view Better Hockey gear in AR on your phone before you buy.
FAQ
Is the Pro Goalie shooting tarp worth it?
Yes — if you already own a full-sized goal. For $159.95 it converts empty-net shooting into targeted accuracy and rebound training, which is where real scoring improvement comes from. If you don't own a goal, the stand-alone Shooting Tarp is the better buy.
Does the Pro Goalie come with a goal?
No. It's a tarp that mounts on a goal you already have. It fits any standard full-sized (72") hockey goal.
Can it handle hard slap shots?
Yes. The tarp is heavy-duty nylon built for repeated full-power shots. It's the same construction approach as our larger shooting tarps, made to take a beating season after season.
Can I use it outdoors?
Yes — driveway, backyard, garage, or on the ice. Wherever your goal goes, the tarp goes.
What's the difference between the Pro Goalie and shooting targets?
Shooting targets hang in the corners of an open net and are the budget option. The Pro Goalie covers the whole net with eight holes, looks like a real goalie in the crease, and sends non-goals back out as rebounds — so you train accuracy and rebound finishing at the same time.
What surface should I shoot from?
Any smooth surface works, but pucks behave best on a shooting pad or training tiles. See our guide to tiles vs shooting pads to pick the right base for your setup.
Summary
The Extreme Better Hockey Pro Goalie earns its spot for one simple reason: it gives every shot a purpose. Eight real scoring targets, rebounds that keep the rep going, and construction that shrugs off slap shots — for $159.95 on a goal you already own, that's one of the highest-value accuracy upgrades you can make. Building your zone from scratch instead? Start with the stand-alone Shooting Tarp and our complete home training setup guide.
