Tampa, Fla. -- Frantz Jean knows what it takes to play goalie. He also knows what makes a good goalie.
"They have to be stronger mentally than anyone else," Jean said.
That's where Jean makes a difference. When either Tampa Bay Lightning goalie, Dwayne Roloson or Mathieu Garon, struggles, Jean lends a unique perspective.
"It's nice to have a sounding board," Roloson said. "somebody that's been in that situation, played games and be able to relate to what you're feeling or you're doing out there."
Jean is in his second season working with the Lightning goalies. He never reached the NHL but that doesn't matter to a goalie, as long as the coach understands the nuances of the position.
Jean fits that profile perfectly on head coach Guy Boucher's staff because Jean knows the pressure and scrutiny that awaits his two players.
"Being a goaltender is something very different than any other job in hockey," Boucher said. "They're the only players that have a red light pointing at them saying you made a mistake (when a goal is scored)."
"Essentially it's like a golfer," Jean said. "When a golfer struggles with his swing, you gotta go back the basics."
That's where the cardinal principle between goalie and coach is maxed out.
"It's a pretty tight knit relationship because there's got to be trust involved," Jean said.
And only a goalie would understand.
Travis Bell, 10 News