Another thing I remembered after chatting with a fellow goalie last night: Bigger does not equal better.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to not constantly go for bigger sticks. In my early days, I'd go for 28, 29 inch paddles, as that let me keep my blocker higher with my stick still on the ice. I felt I took up much more net and the bigger stick helped me when I had the paddle down.
But, longer sticks like that help to open up your 6 hole and make low blocker saves much more awkward. You'll see guys in beer leagues everywhere with longer sticks, but most pros will use shorter. It's not about where you blocker is in your crouch, but where it is when you drop. And, it's much easier to raise the blocker making a high save than trying to tighten your arm and close that 6 hole.
Don't be afraid to try a smaller paddle!
Additionally, don't automatically go for the 12" pads with that 3" thigh rise. A lot of goalies thought it was the end of the world when the NHL went to 11" pads, but a few guys who made the switch like the mobility the slimmer profile allows. Additionally, less thigh rise improves mobility as well, and it is often a welcome trade if you can just play a little smarter and cover your five hole with your stick.
When picking out your equipment, don't simply try to take up more net. Purchase gear that's comfortable, suits your style, and allows you to move around the crease efficiently.