When the Penguins promoted Andy Chiodo from goaltending development coach to head goaltending coach last month, Ron Hextall spoke of the importance of quickly finding the replacement for Chiodo's previous job.
"That's an important role," Hextall said at the time of the goaltending development coach job. "Being in Wilkes and getting out to hopefully see our prospects this year. ... You have (Joel Blomqvist, Calle Clang), they need some some attention from the organization, some teaching or some mentoring, so we'll definitely look for the best guy we can find."
The Penguins didn't just get one guy to fill that development role, they found two.
The Penguins on Friday announced the hirings of both Kain Tisi and Charles Grant as goaltending development coaches.
Tisi and Grant will work with the Penguins goaltending prospects in the minor leagues, college, junior, and Europe, and scout draft-eligible and free agent goaltenders.
Tisi, 36, spent the last seven seasons as the goaltending coach of the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. He worked with three goaltenders who were drafted by NHL teams -- Jake Paterson (third round, Red Wings, 2012), Luke Opilka (fifth round, 2015, Blues), and Jacob Ingham (sixth round, Kings, 2016).
Tisi also owns and runs the Kain Tisi Goalie School, where he works with both novice and professional goaltenders.
Tisi played for St. Lawrence University for four years, then played one professional game for the Reading Royals in the ECHL.
Grant, 29, spent the last three seasons as the goaltending coach of the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL. He worked with one prospect who was drafted into the NHL in that time -- Kevin Mandolese (sixth round, Senators, 2018).
In his playing career, Grant played for Dartmouth College for four years, then played four games for the Knoxville Ice Bears in the SPHL and three games with the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL.
The Penguins have three NHL-contracted goaltenders who are expected to play in the minor leagues this season in Louis Domingue, Alex D'Orio, and Filip Lindberg, along with Tommy Nappier who is entering year two of a three-year AHL contract. They have two goaltender prospects in Europe with Blomqvist and Clang, who are expected to spend the season playing in the top leagues of their respective countries.
