Devenir

DEVENR Goaltenders is leading the way on how goaltenders in Minnesota should be coached. Coaching each goalie to reach their highest potential is a process that should be developed for each individual and not the masses. If you want to become the best goalie YOU can be, train like it!

Ryan Ess- President, Owner

Coach Ess has been a devoted student of the goaltender position since 1987, working with many goalie coaches throughout his career and most notably spending 10 summers with hockey legend Vladislav Tratiak. Ryan played high school hockey in Minnesota at The Academy of the Holy Angels from 1996-2000, spending two seasons at the varsity level. During his time at Holy Angels he compiled a 25-4 record with a 1.43 career GAA and nine shutouts. In his junior season alone, he maintained a .83 GAA during a 11-1 campaign. Within that same season he was named Hockey Minnesota Player of the Week by WCCO for capturing six consecutive shutouts and was also a participant in the MSHSL Tournament. Following his successful high school career, Ryan played Junior A hockey in the AWHL for Great Falls, Montana and Minot, North Dakota where he put up a GAA of 2.44 and had four shutouts in over 40 games played. Additionally, Ryan played Division III hockey at St. Mary’s University. In 50 games played he averaged 2.94 GAA, which currently still leads all goalies who have played more than 10 games for the Cardinals. In his time at St. Mary’s, Ryan collected four MIAC Player of the Week awards and started every game during his senior year. Ryan currently coaches students in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa, and Europe.

Alli Altmann- Vice President, Owner

Coach Alli Altmann, a native of Eagan, Minnesota, is a highly respected leader in elite goaltender development and will represent Team USA as the Goaltending Coach at the 2026 Olympic Games.

Altmann has been with DEVENIR Goaltenders since 2009 and became a partner in 2013. In addition to her work with DEVENIR, she currently serves as the Goaltending Coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Previously, from 2018–2022, she held the role of U18 U.S. Women’s National Team Goaltending Coach, coaching in four IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships.

Alli has been involved with the USA Hockey program since 2016, representing Team USA at numerous international evaluation and scouting events. Her international experience includes the IIHF Women’s World Championships in Calgary, Canada (2021), Denmark (2022), Toronto (2023 – Gold Medal), Utica, New York (2024), and České Budějovice, Czechia (2025 – Gold Medal).

Additional international experience includes the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, the 2020 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Bratislava, Slovakia, the 2019 U18 Women’s World Championship in Obihiro, Japan, and the 2018 U18 Women’s World Championship in Dmitrov, Russia. (The 2021 World Championships were canceled due to COVID-19.)

Altmann plays a critical role in the scouting, development, and long-term success of the United States’ female goaltenders, contributing to sustained international excellence and championship success.As a goalie:

In 2015, she joined the MN Whitecaps, the first Women's Professional team in the state. On Dec 12, 2015 she participated in the first ever Women's Pro hockey game in MN, vs. Boston Pride (NWHL). In 2012 she finished her career as an NCAA Division I goalie for the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks, where she started all four seasons. Altmann recorded a career .901 SV% at MSU and also holds the record for most games played with 110. Alli was defensive player of the week two times during her college career. One of them was a result of her performance against the University of Wisconsin, where Alli’s 48 saves helped propel the Mavericks to a win against the Badgers for the first time in school history. Freshman year Altmann also helped her team to a first ever WCHA Final Face-off appearance. During her Sophomore season Altmann was the Buffalo Wild Wing Star of the Year. In addition, she was on the WCHA All-Academic team as a sophomore, junior, and senior. Alli recored 4 shutouts during her time at MSU. At Eagan High School she was a co-starting goalie for four years, and she accumulated a .924 SV%, a 1.52GAA, and 11 shutouts over the course of her high school career. Alli was named captain her senior season and was awarded the All-Conference and All-State awards, along with runner up Ms. Goalie. She also made an appearance at the MSHSL state tourney in 2008.