It stinks, but there's only one way out that doesn't involve transferring. And that's just do everything you can to show out in practice, and especially pens. Hope the Coach is watching, and treat the pens like you would a a Game 7 save situation. Go as hard as possible. No one tells these young guys this, but he's fighting for a spot. And he probably didn't realize that treating practice like a competitive battle was the assignment. Tough lesson, because he's indeed behind the 8ball now. But if he gets in midweek, he has to show out. He has to surprise the Coach and give him a reason to consider him. And if he can't manage to do that just use this as fodder for summer/fall improvement for next year. And, frankly, if he's not built to withstand this mental speed bump, then he may not be ready for the job he aspires to. Not meant to be a criticism, but a rally cry for him to just keep pushing himself beyond the place he thought he needed to be.