pliny--a great question, but no...the goalie, actually, has to be the fastest person on the team (and with great eyesight). i was left defense. see, the defense has a 2 yard stick, as opposed to everyone else, whose stick is merely a yard.
a fellow defenseman (the best player on the team, IMO) called me the yoda of the pokecheck. i had no speed, so i got great with the stick. i can make most people drop the ball...i just need a couple inches of stick showing...and when the ball is on the ground...well, the truck runneth over...and then HEAVES the ball upfield!