(Originally published December 2023)
This week I received the following email from a paid Newsletter subscriber.
This season, my son is playing 18U Tier 1 AAA hockey. However from 12U up until this season, he never played AA let alone AAA.
Between 12 & 14, he was always one of the last cuts. He had some skill & smarts but because he lacked physical maturity he was continually told he wasn't "fast enough.” When I realized he wasn't improving during this time, or enjoying the game, I pulled him out of travel hockey.
The plan was to not only teach him the game in more detail, but give him focused reps on up-to date habits and skills that could benefit him as we waited for him to "grow into his body.” This is where your insights into the game served as a tremendous asset.
We found ice time for him to work with skills coaches and with your help (indirectly), I created a development plan. I coached high school at the time so he was able to play for me to get some game experience and apply what he was learning, albeit not at a AAA level.
Flash forward to this season, he is now 6'1, 190 lbs. The edgework, the skill sessions, the focus on development during those formative years have provided him an opportunity to now play at the T1/AAA level.
What I've also noticed in this process is that he is now a more confident, coachable person because we were providing him the context of the why and how (again, with your help) which has turned him into a student of the game.
What a wonderful story!
A player I’ve worked with who’s had a similarly uplifting journey was Trevor Moore. The Californian-born forward starred at the NCAA D1 levels before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Starting as a bottom-six player with the AHL Marlies, Moore forced his way onto the Leafs (past many TOR draft picks) before being dealt to the Los Angeles Kings as part of the Jack Campbell trade.
At the time I figured Moore would be a competent NHL checking-line player for a few seasons before returning to the AHL or moving to a top European league. Instead the 28 year old keeps getting better. He is currently on pace for a career-best offensive season (25 points in 30 games).
Here are four habits that’s allowed Moore to become a trusted player in all situations for LAK. You may not be able to execute them as well as LAK12 does, but adding them to your game will help you become one of those sneaky-good players who “came out of nowhere.”
Tracking: First in, first out
LAK12 (black) is the first player under the goal line to play the puck. Second later he’s also the first forward back to help his Ds neutralize a CGY rush.
Some athletes are born with a high motor. Indeed Moore’s seldom been out-worked for as long as I’ve known him. Sprinting 100% through the middle of the ice might not come naturally to all players, but what you do mindfully and repeatedly ends up becoming part of your DNA.
Wall Play: Back to the defender
LAK12 retrieves a puck along the boards, puts his back to the defender and then plays the puck out of pressure.
Moore has tremendously quick hands and feet, but at the NHL level getting into 1v1 duels is a losing proposition.
Instead of trying to stickhandling through the onrushing defender, Moore presents his backside and initiates contact to put his opponent in a bind. Remember that Ds are always looking to hit you, the puck carrier. But they often run out of ideas when you bring the contact to them.
After the bump, Moore plays the puck out of the pile to a waiting teammate. It’s not an eye-poppingly brilliant maneuver, rather a solid, high-percentage continuation play that allows LAK to extend its OZ sequence.
DZ Coverage/Penalty Kill: Scan the weak side
On the penalty kill, LAK12 frequently scans behind him and adjusts his position to stay between the puck and the weak-side threat.
As a fulltime winger, Moore’s defensive responsibilities are twofold:
Fight for the puck when it is on his side of the ice
Keep tabs on player movement when the puck is on the opposite side
Scanning is a remarkably simple act - turn your head toward Spot A, take mental note of what you seen, then do the same thing for Spot B. Rinse and repeat. What makes it challenging is remembering to do it when you’ve been on the ice for over a minute, your heart rate is over 190 and the other team is swarming your net. That’s when it pays to be in tip-top physical condition, as Moore is.
Shooting/Passing: Weigh your options
LAK12 scores off the rush not by shooting as hard as he can, but by placing the puck as softly as he needs to.
The trouble with effort guys (and gals) is that they like to do everything as hard and as quickly as they can - skating, hitting, chewing gum, you name it.
Hockey is as much a game of finesse than one of brute strength. Beating a goalie sliding laterally, connecting on an indirect pass and clearing the DZ without icing the puck are all about spotting the puck. Play the game hard but treat the puck gently, and you’ll win more shifts.