Pete Fry Goalies of the Month - April 2026

Each month, we recognize three goaltenders training within the Pete Fry Goalie Mindset program who are performing at a high level and demonstrating what happens when preparation, confidence, and mindset come together in the crease.

For April, we’re recognizing Jakub Dobeš, Domenic DiVincentiis, and Christian Kirsch: three goaltenders who stepped up when the pressure was at its highest.

Jakub Dobeš - Montreal Canadiens (NHL)

April Stats: 6-3-1-0 | 2.81 GAA | .897 SV%

Jakub Dobes continued to prove why he has become one of the biggest goaltending stories in hockey. After a dominant March, Dobes carried that momentum into April and into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where every save, every moment, and every bounce carried more weight.

His numbers only tell part of the story. Dobes went 6-3-1 in April, but what stood out most was the way he handled the pressure of playoff hockey against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In Game 5, with Montreal trying to take control of the series, Dobes stopped 38 shots to help the Canadiens earn a massive 3-2 win and move within one victory of advancing.

That series became a true test of composure. Every game was tight, every mistake mattered, and Dobes continued to give Montreal a chance. Even in Game 6, a 1-0 overtime loss, he was excellent again, stopping 32 shots in a goaltending duel with future hall-of-fame goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Then, in Game 7, Dobes delivered again. Montreal was outshot 29-9, but Dobes made 28 saves and helped the Canadiens win their first playoff series since 2021. That is the kind of performance that goes far beyond technique. That is belief, presence, and the ability to stay calm when the entire season is sitting on your shoulders.

What stands out most about Jakub right now is his confidence under pressure. He does not look overwhelmed by the moment. He looks like a goaltender who trusts his preparation, trusts his game, and truly believes he belongs on the biggest stage.

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Domenic DiVincentiis - Manitoba Moose (AHL)

April Stats: 4-2-0-0 | 2.40 GAA | .906 SV%

Domenic DiVincentiis picked the perfect time to elevate his game. In April, he helped lead the Manitoba Moose into the Calder Cup Playoffs and quickly became one of the major stories of their postseason run.

After taking over the net in the first round against Milwaukee, DiVincentiis gave Manitoba exactly what every playoff team needs: calm, competitive, reliable goaltending. He helped the Moose win back-to-back elimination games against the Admirals, turning aside 50 of 52 shots across two straight 2-1 victories to push Manitoba into the Central Division Semifinals.

He followed that up with one of the best performances of his young professional career, recording a 39-save shutout in a 1-0 Game 1 win over Grand Rapids. It was his first Calder Cup Playoffs shutout and only the 10th playoff shutout in Manitoba Moose franchise history.

A Winnipeg Jets draft pick and rising goaltending prospect in the organization, DiVincentiis is showing the kind of growth teams want to see from young goalies at the pro level. The regular season has ups and downs for every developing goaltender, but the playoffs reveal a lot about a player’s mindset. Domenic has shown that when the pressure rises, he rises with it.

What stands out most about Domenic is his resilience. He battled through the demands of his first full pro season, stayed ready, and delivered when Manitoba needed him most. That is playoff goaltending. That is mental toughness.

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Christian Kirsch - Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

April Stats: 8-2-0-0 | 2.35 GAA | .897 SV%

Christian Kirsch put together an outstanding April for the Kitchener Rangers, helping backstop the team all the way to the OHL Championship Series.

Kirsch went 8-2 in April, giving Kitchener steady, composed goaltending throughout a deep playoff run. His numbers were strong, but his impact was even bigger. In playoff hockey, the job is not always about being perfect. It is about making the next save, staying composed after momentum swings, and finding ways to win no matter what.

That is exactly what Kirsch has done.

He was named OHL Goaltender of the Week after helping Kitchener take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Championship Series against Windsor. He made 20 saves in a 4-3 overtime win, then followed it with a first-star performance in a 2-1 victory, stopping 27 shots and improving to 10-1 in the 2026 OHL Playoffs at the time.

Kirsch’s journey is also an impressive one. The 6-foot-4 netminder from Basel, Switzerland was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, represented Switzerland at the World Juniors, and is committed to Quinnipiac University. Now, in his first OHL season, he has helped lead Kitchener to the league final.

What stands out most about Christian is his poise. Whether it is a tight one-goal game, overtime, or a series with a trip to the finals on the line, he continues to compete with control and confidence. That is what high-level playoff goaltending requires.

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We’re proud to recognize Jakub Dobes, Domenic DiVincentiis, and Christian Kirsch as our Goalies of the Month for April.

At the highest levels of the game, talent alone is never enough. The goaltenders who continue to separate themselves are the ones who train their minds as seriously as they train their bodies.

For more insights into our Private Goalie Mindset Coaching program, click here.