A Legacy of Pads and Mentors
Rudy Guimond, the 2025‑26 QMJHL goaltender of the year, posted a 2.27 goals‑against average and a .922 save percentage while winning 40 of 50 starts, cementing his status as the league’s top net‑minder.
During a recent meeting with former Red Wings net‑minder Jimmy Howard, Guimond was struck by the distinctive Vaughn Iceberg pads that Howard now wears, a design that has become synonymous with modern goaltending aesthetics.
Howard, who transitioned to a goaltending coach role with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Detroit franchise, switched to the Iceberg equipment after previously using Vaughn gear, a move that Guimond says shaped his own gear choices and inspired his equipment partnership.
Growing up, Guimond’s father could not afford customized pads, a limitation that made Howard’s later success with the Iceberg line all the more inspiring; the young prospect has spoken of modeling his style after Carey Price, the Montreal Canadiens legend recently inducted into the 2026 Hall of Fame.
Price’s blend of poise and aggressive net‑play has become a blueprint for Guimond, who now trains under Howard’s guidance while eyeing a professional contract; his ultimate goal is to translate his QMJHL dominance into the AHL and, eventually, an NHL roster spot.