Having Grubauer on the ice was no doubt a highlight for goalies in attendance. The Seattle fan favorite, who enjoyed a solid 2025-26 season said the feeling of enjoyment is mutual.
“I was going through the stations and took a peek at one guy or two, then moved to the next station and watched another three, four goalies,” said Grubauer. “I tried to help the goalies out with a bunch of ideas and tips. Every kid has a different thing they would need to improve on.”
Working in groups by age, the goalies benefitted from both on-ice drills with Grubauer and the coaching staff but additionally participated in off-ice or “dryland” drills and talks that provide more markers to improve their games in the crease and in their minds and bodies.
“We had opportunities to do off ice training,” said Takatsuka. “We showed the group different activities or exercises for the training and season ahead that maybe they haven’t seen before. We talk about different actions and habits, such taking care of your body, physical [including proper pre- and post-game approaches], eating right or working on mental skills. All of those factor into how a goalie gets better … it’s been rewarding to see some returning kids clearly improved in skills and techniques they learned in past summers.”
Grubauer Enters Final Year of Contract
True to form, the “German Gentleman” returned from his homeland in mid-July to get a jump on the season ahead. The 34-year-old puts in significant hours on and off the ice at Kraken Community Iceplex each summer, showing up six to eight weeks earlier than teammates young and older. He is taking it one day, one game, one week at a time as he enters the final year of a contract he signed as a free agent before the Kraken’s first NHL season.
“For sure, I would love to play another year or two,” said Grubauer, referring to the potential to play beyond his coming 13th full NHL season. “But if after this is the end of my NHL career, then I can’t change it. I’m going to compete, give my best to help the team to win games and collect those points we need during the season to make the playoffs. Then I think everything else takes care of itself. I’m pretty sure if I have a good year, I find another contract somewhere.”