Freeze Welcomes Alex Shrady as New Goalie Coach

Alex grew up in Connecticut and began his hockey career in 1987 at the age of 5, coached by NHL legend Gordie Howe, when Gordie was playing with the Hartford Whalers. During his youth hockey days, Alex played forward and defense for the Washington Youth Hockey Association and then was traded to the Watertown Red Wings where he played Peewee and Bantam, helping them capture the CT State Championship. He played 4 years of Varsity High School Hockey for the Shepaug Spartans. On his downtime, he was a Level 3 USA Hockey referee, officiating games for all levels up to Midgets. When in college, he injured his knee and did not play during his time as he rehabbed his knee and helped coach the Franklin Pierce University Rowing team as a second passion. After college, he played pick-up hockey with multiple teams in CT, MD, and VA. In 2009, he started playing goalie for his men’s league team that was without a goalie. It was during this time that he honed his craft as a goalie by watching NHL goalies and working with goalie coaches in the Virginia area. He helped his men’s league teams, which played in upper B and C levels at Kettler, win 6 league championships. In 2014, he was offered a professional tryout with the Danbury Whalers of the Federal Hockey League as a player and goalie, playing 4 games before re-injuring his knee and ending his pro career.

Alex has turned his passion for the game of hockey to help grow the sport by coaching. He joined the West Virginia Vipers Hockey team in 2020, as goalie coach. In the 2021 season, he was back behind the bench with the Vipers as a goalie coach and assistant coach of the high school team leading them to the 2021 Crabtown Showdown 18U Championship. Alex will be spending time with each team weekly in addition to our current monthly goalie clinics.