The Ice Dawg goaltender room just got a little bit deeper with the addition of true freshman Andrew Goldstein.
Goldstein, or “Goldy” if you ask his teammates, hails from the small town of Weston, Massachusetts—about 15 miles outside of Boston. While many goaltenders find themselves between the posts simply by chance, Goldstein was destined for the job from the very beginning.
His father, Randall Goldstein, served in net for the Tufts Jumbos in the early 1990s, however Goldstein claims his dad didn’t make any attempts to sway him towards following in his old man’s footsteps.
“He never, ever, talked about it with me,” Goldstein said. “He just wanted me to go play hockey.”
And he did just that. Goldstein started skating at four and handling pucks at five, officially taking on the role of netminder at seven.
Growing up in The Bay State, Goldstein remained true to his roots, cheering on the Boston Bruins and drawing inspiration from their roster, specifically former goaltender Tuukka Rask. “I always liked his play style—It’s very entertaining,” said Goldstein. “Sometimes I’d try to make some saves like him, and it didn’t end well because he used to make a lot of desperation saves. But really, all the Bruins goalies I watched growing up [were inspiring] just because it was my favorite team, and me being a goalie, I kind of always focused in on them.”
When it comes to his own playing style, Goldstein is not your average hockey goaltender. Measuring in at 5-foot-8, the freshman claims his build has certainly not been without its hardships over the years, but ultimately grants him some unique freedoms when in net. Goldstein has developed a knack for agility that not many others can replicate due to their lengthy stature.
“I’m on the smaller side for goalie,” he said. “So I try to basically be a stand up goalie for as long as possible, as in, I try not to drop early. That’s something I’ve really had to work on throughout my playing career. I would definitely say skating’s one of my strong suits, and I think I’m also very flexible… I need to be perfectly in position every time [I play] just because I’m a little bit smaller.”
Since arriving in Athens this Fall, Goldstein has been taking strides to make the most of his college years and build community—both on and off the ice.
He’s currently majoring in Business (Intended Management) and is involved with the Society of Entrepreneurs club on campus. To him, the UGA Hockey program is yet another way for him to foster lifelong friendships while continuing to play the sport he loves.
“I’m just excited to be part of a new family,” he said. “Meeting new people and becoming part of a brotherhood—it seems awesome.”
It’s clear Goldstein is ready to reap the social benefits of joining the team, but he’s also absolutely committed to putting in the work that comes with it. He claims his inaugural season as an Ice Dawg is all about his own personal and athletic growth.
“[I want to] become a better goalie, and also become a better person, too,” Goldstein said. “And I think I can gain that from being a good teammate on and off the ice.”
With role models such as veteran Ice Dawg goaltenders Ryan Testino and Isaac Haugen paving the way, Goldstein says he’s eager to get some game minutes under his belt and keep pushing himself at practices.
He made his first appearance in the red and black at the Ice Dawgs’ home opener against Auburn and looks forward to his future in The Classic City.
“My dream has always been to play hockey for as long as possible,” he said. “It’s awesome that I get to continue here at such a great school and be part of such a great program.”