The Job of the Non-Carrier

You don't need the puck to create offense

Last night I talked with a Major Junior player who wished his teammates would pass him the puck more often. I directed our conversation toward an important distinction between low- and high-level hockey.

In low-level hockey (minor hockey, beer league, etc.), the most reliable way to create offense is by beating defenders as the puck carrier. In those leagues, opponents don’t defend well. On the flip side, teammates are less available off the puck. It makes sense to lug the puck yourself, to try and make something happen individually, especially if you’re a player with the potential to play at the next level.

Once you start playing high-level hockey, however, the landscape changes. Now, the most reliable way to create offense is by moving into threatening positions as a non-carrier. Junior, college and pro defenders are harder to beat 1v1. Goalies are bigger and square up more accurately. The responsibility falls on non-carriers to help the puck carrier find high-quality solutions.

Increasingly, having the puck is to exploit value (via carrying into open space or via shooting), while not having the puck is to create value (via manipulating the defensive structure).

Here are four ways to create value for your team, even if you never end up touching the puck.