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I was wondering if you could discuss hockey IQ and also if it’s possible to have a high offense IQ but a low defense IQ or vice versa. Seems to me if you can have the foresight to make a great offensive play, you should be able to root it out and prevent it too and similar with defense. Maybe it’s attitude that makes a player smart at one end but dumb in the other? Leon Draisaitl is a good example of all offense, no defense…
I believe you know my recent interest in so-called “artificial intelligence”, Erik, so I’ll initially share with you what I received from my special AI resource:
“Ice hockey playing IQ is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been studied extensively in recent years. Essentially, it refers to a player’s ability to make smart decisions and execute sophisticated plays on the ice, taking into account a wide range of factors such as positioning, timing, and situational awareness.
There are many different components to ice hockey playing IQ, including offensive awareness and creativity, defensive positioning and anticipation, and overall game sense and decision-making ability. A player with a high ice hockey playing IQ will be able to anticipate where the puck will go, make smart passes and shots, and generally contribute more effectively to their team’s success.
Research has shown that ice hockey playing IQ is a key predictor of success at different levels of play. Professional players and top prospects tend to have higher levels of playing IQ than those at lower levels, and players with high levels of playing IQ are more likely to excel in both offensive and defensive roles.
One recent study found that certain players may be stronger or weaker at either offensive or defensive play, depending on their individual strengths and weaknesses. For example, players with strong skating ability and offensive creativity may excel at generating scoring opportunities, while players with strong defensive awareness and positioning may be better suited to shutting down opposing attacks.
Overall, the concept of ice hockey playing IQ is a vital one for coaches, scouts, and players looking to improve their performance on the ice. By understanding the many complex factors that go into this elusive and complex concept, players and coaches can work to develop their skills and improve their chances of success.”
Now, although I could have asked AI to delve deeper into the differences between stronger offensive or defensive players, I thought I’d handle that myself. After all, I believe I’ve coached enough players — at all levels — to have a fairly strong grasp on that topic…
To begin, let’s dismiss the players who are exceptional at both sides of the game. With that, I’m of the opinion that — given all things being equal, a lot can be influenced by a player’s inner personality. In other words, I believe that two players of very similar physical abilities can achieve more or less satisfaction in one side of the game or the other. (As for my use of the phrase “inner personality”, let me suggest that a player’s inner drive can be a lot different than what he portrays outwardly.) Actually, Erik, I’d like to ask you to consider whether you recall having any favorite or less favorite academic subjects during your high school years. For, a lot like me, I’m sure you recall enjoying spending more or less time studying a given subject based on the amount of enjoyment you experienced. So, I think there’s little wonder you and I (and the hockey players in question) gradually became stronger and stronger (or weaker and weaker?) in given areas, depending on the degrees of pleasure we experienced along the way.
Furthermore, let’s also dismiss the players who demonstrate a certain style due to their so called God-given talents, or due to the fact that their playing style was influenced greatly by some very early coaches. In other words, let me also suggest that a player’s strengths and weaknesses aren’t developed in a day. Rather, although we may get to watch a pro player through his twenties and thirties, I’m of the belief that his strengths and weaknesses were most likely developing from his earliest experiences in the game, and may have been encouraged or discouraged by numerous surrounding factors over many early years.
Okay, let’s now focus on that “IQ” thing… To me that can also be described as a player’s ability to “read” and “react” in the helter-skelter wildness of our game. My definition of such skills is two-fold, in that an effective player must first instantly read the conditions, and then be capable of almost as instantly reacting with the proper physical execution. And, while we may currently be watching pros who have a certain playing IQ, I’ll suggest that we’re really seeing a combination of their individual skills and their playing “instincts”. Moreover, as a coach, I feel most of those instincts can be taught, but only if gradually done so through the earliest, formative years. (So, let’s not expect a guy who hasn’t scored more than 10-goals per season in all his prior years to suddenly blossom into a 50-goal scorer in the NHL.)
As an aside, I have for years asked my high school level players to observe their hometown Boston Bruins’ top farm team not far down the road in Providence, Rhode Island. (Because of the relative nearness of the two cities, most of my players were able to keep fairly close tabs on both teams.) And I’d discuss with my kids the reason some pretty exciting players on the P-Bruins weren’t even getting a taste of NHL ice-time. Of course, some Baby B’s lacked the physical tools to play up, but more often than not, I suggested to my guys that those who didn’t get call-ups would likely be seen as a defensive liability in the higher level game.
All the above said, I suspect that some fans still question why certain players on their favorite pro team don’t seem to have a playing IQ that satisfies them. And, for that, I might have to suggest that such an assessment might not be as valid (or fair) as they believe. I mean, there’s a reason a player occupies a valued slot on an NHL roster. And I also mean to tell anyone who’ll listen that a roster has be filled with complimenting parts — which brings me to a final aside…
When I was a kid, the NHL had a unique all-star game format in which the reigning Stanley Cup champions would play against the league’s stars. And I was always fascinated to see the champs often beat the stars. Hmmmmmmmm… Could it be that the team with mostly complimenting parts were actually stronger than a team loaded with hockey IQs going through the roof? Again, hmmmmmmmm…
With all that, thanks, Erik. I’m sure I wasn’t able to totally cover such a topic, so I’d certainly welcome a response or questions on any of the above.
Thank you for the complete answer, coach. I agree that hockey IQ has a lot to do with being taught gradually from an early time on by quality coaching. Instinct also kicks in combined with experience; when to pinch, when to play back. I think some of it might be osmosis of watching a lot of hockey on tape…identifying what’s right, what’s wrong in this particular situation and internalizing it. I think another part is recognizing what’s happening right now in the play and anticipating what’s going to happen. As Gretzky says: “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.”
You remind me of an old story, Erik…
It’s said that a very young Wayne Gretsky would sit and watch games on TV with a paper and a pencil at the ready. And with each movement of the puck, he’d similarly move his pencil around the rink that was drawn on the paper. You can imagine what the tracings looked like after 60-minutes of following the puck — I mean, quite a mess, in a way. But, in another way, I’d say Wayne’s tracing of the puck was very similar to him actually skating those patterns — or, should I say, following those puck movements — right out on the ice.
Oh, then one other thing… Although Wayne is given credit for being some sort of hockey genius, I’ll suggest that he probably wouldn’t have made it so far in the game if it wasn’t for a guy named Walter Gretsky, the mastermind behind all the unique ways Wayne learned the game.
Hey Coach, I was wondering if you might know this…it may seem obvious but maybe not…I was thinking about slapshots either from a stationary shooting position vs. slapshots off of one-timers. It seems to me that a one-timer would be a faster/quicker shot, kind of like the difference between hitting a baseball pitch (redirecting the energy of the thrown ball) vs. hitting off a tee. What do you think?
First, thanks for the rather challenging question, Erik. With that, hmmmmmmmm…
I might disagree with you a bit on one thing. For, while you seemingly described the benefits of a one-timer as being “faster/quicker” — because of the way you relate it to hitting a baseball, I sense that you’re really suggesting that the one-timer travels faster or more forcefully than a straight slapshot. And, I’m going to suggest that the added force in a one-time might be marginal or barely significant.
That said, I’ll be the first to support using the one-timer when at all possible. Of course, that “when at all possible” phrase is key here.
In one situation, conditions have to be right for a traditional shot off a pass — that placing the potential shooter on his forehand and able to pivot to redirect a pass that’s been kinda teed-up between his skates. “Swoosh!” and the shot is gone without delay! In a second situation, a player can also shoot off his own pass — as when I’d have my defensemen work on sliding backwards along the blue line, drag the puck along, and then fire the puck as it’s sliding toward them. In effect, a D has made a pass to himself. And again, “Swoosh!” (Of course, other skaters could use the same move in other areas of the offensive zone — perhaps with a lefty shooter pivoting and shooting while moving down the right side, and a righty pivoting and shooting off his own pass while moving down the left side.)
To me, the most important part of all I just described — in both scenarios, is that the enemy goaltender is forced to move with each change in puck location, and that the shot usually arrives on net while he’s still moving, or while he isn’t quite able to get where he’d really like to be. Moreover — here’s something that few might consider, but the goaler is also needing to focus and refocus his eyes as he moves.
Wrapping this up, Erik, I’m with you when it comes to there being big benefits to shooting off a pass, while we might not totally agree on where those benefits lie.
I’ve been unable to play roller games this summer due to lack of people but I still practice by myself and use different types of pucks and balls for different purposes. For example, I use a tennis ball to bounce off a wall and work on my hand-eye coordination to hit it out of the air.
One new thing I started after finding a heavy rubber puck-like machinery piece with a hole in the middle of it on the street, I started shooting it and eventualy broke it in half. So I bought a weighted puck and just started shooting it. I’ve noticed it takes a bit to wind up for a wrister to shoot it but I think it has improved my shot. A regular puck now feels very light. What do you think about using a weighted puck as a training aid?
I’m sorry to hear about your lack of playing time, Jerry, but I love your question. Actually, I want to do that justice with my own answer, but since I’m swamped with a few extra end of the month chores, I’m going to leave it here for a day or so, and allow others to give it their best shot. I’m hoping we’ll get a number of them before I can answer.
Well, I’m saddened that others didn’t take the opportunity to share their thoughts with you, Jerry. However, as you well know, I’m not shy…
Up front, you should know that I very much believe in using pucks of varying weights. That said, things can go wrong if they aren’t used wisely or purposefully. Also up front, buddy, get that sensation of the weighted baseball bat (or the weighted puck) out of your head — that’s all it is, a sensation, because seconds after using the weighted object, that stronger feeling is gone. My Principles of Motor Learning professor earned a PhD, which in turn gave him the right to tell us that such a sensation is pure nonsense.
As for the caveats… Know that anything weighted can start making you stronger, but because a movement is weighted, it can also make you slower. And this suggests to me that you be very specific about using the weighted puck — as in using it only to shoot, and to not do any dribbling or much else with it. You don’t want to develop slower hands.
One other thing… Supposing I started doing bicep curls with a 15-pound dumbbell. In the beginning, I might gain a little strength, by telling my body that it must be able to lift that amount of weight a certain number of times. Once my body adapts to those conditions, however, what do you think happens next? The answer: not much — at least until either the weight is increased and/or the number of reps are increased. Make sense? It should, because it’s a fundamental law in strength development.
Hoping you can see the photo I’ve inserted here, it shows a machine I built in my old off-ice training facility called The MOTION Lab. And, if you can make it out, you should see that I could adjust the resistance my student worked against, and at least somewhat increase his strength gains over time. (I also had him work in various postures, so that he could pull the trigger under almost any game conditions. And I even had him and others shoot with one hand and then the other.)
Then, one last thing… I know you’re an older in-line player, and for that reason I’d suggest you take all the above with a grain of salt, and pick and choose what might suit you best. My real concern here, is for the young coaches, parents and players who may not normally have access to this kind of information.
Good luck, buddy, and thanks for the question.
Hi Coach,
Again, it’s an honor and a pleasure asking hockey stuff of the man who helped to guide at least forty players into the NHL.
My neighbors’ boy is doing very well as a junior in high school hockey. He just turned 17 at the end of December so he’s about the youngest in his class. Anyway, he scored a hat trick the other day but in the same game was run from behind and had to leave on crutches. The kid who ran him was tossed out of the game.
He’s been feeling better and even practiced with the team today but just told me that his knee hurt at the end of practice. The issue is that he has an important game on Saturday, (in two days!) and his coach is insisting that he play despite the knee pain. Apparently, he is a top scorer and the team is in first place.
I joked that he should do an Antonio Brown and he laughed, but I can sense the worry and the powerlessness and his rookie coach overstepping his boundaries and intimidating an injured player to play in an important game.
I wish I could help but maybe you can add a suggestion…What would you do if you were him or his mom? (His dad is divorced and not involved) Thanks Coach; a quick answer would help in this case, as I just found out about this and the deadline is quickly approaching, unless Covid or an upcoming nor’easter postpones the match.
First off, Jerry, flattery will get you everywhere! (LOL!)
However, on the more serious note — and it is kinda serious…
To be honest, there may not be an answer to (or a way out of) this situation without there being some ramifications (maybe except for one).
Only the player knows for sure whether he can skate without pain or not. And, if there’s just the slightest question about that, I think it best for the family to get to a doctor quickly, this to take the decision out of their hands and also out of the coach’s hands.
On the flip-side, I suspect that the player (and his mom) could cause some hard feelings (that might never go away), if he or they take matters solely into their own hands.
Lastly, a quick story… I’ll never forget my high school football coach telling my dad to keep me home a day or two after I’d had an ingrown toenail removed. We had a big game coming the next day, and I could have been a rather important offensive player. However, just as you’re hoping, our game was wiped out by a fairly heavy snowstorm.
I mention the above story for the sake of other coaches who might be reading this, because that changed my view of coaching forever. I’ve even suggested that I’d trust my own son to that coach, and I’d like to think that my players and their parents would feel the same about me.
Hoping that helps, Jerry.
That helped coach. The upshot is I told the player and his mom what you said. It’s very logical that a doctor should handle decisions of this nature. I can’t speak from experience but it doesn’t seem high school hockey has its own separate medical team so hurts and injuries seem to be treated on a case by case basis, usually by the coach, parent or player. It doesn’t seem like an ideal solution. I talked to my neighbor the player afterwards. He said he played, it hurt and he felt as though he shouldn’t have been playing. I don’t think he likes the coach either. Again, I agree with you that informed medical decision should be the guiding factor here. Otherwise hard feelings (both ways) appear to develop.
My question is about my rollerblade wheels.
I play inline one game a week and practice once a week on an outdoor cement-based rink, which ruins equipment like wheels, stick etc. quickly. (All of the indoor roller hockey rinks in the area have closed) So I got a pair of cheap Missions, and a bunch of cheap wheels and sticks. The skate only fits 72mm and 78mm wheels and the ones I put on are all 80A.
A few months ago, I changed all the wheels to new ones on both of my skates as well as greasing the rotors etc. The old ones were all worn down.
So I’m looking at the wheels now – a few months later – and the right back wheel needs changing. It’s flat and worn down. The left back wheel is a bit shaved down but not very noticeable. (I have pictures I’ve sent to Coach Chic – the first picture is a comparison between the right back wheel which is worn down and had to be removed, and a brand new 78mm wheel. The second picture is of the left skate and shows more even wear of the wheels by comparison.)
Is there anything you can tell by the wheels about the way I’m skating? Looks like I’m using the right foot as an anchor far more than the left. Is there anything you can observe by this? Thanks…please address the skating, which I’m still trying to improve at 61.
Great to hear from you again, Jerry, and it’s also great to have you use this area for hockey help. (God bless you for still skating and still working out at 61-years old!)
I’m going to mull over some thoughts about your in-line wheel concerns. In the meantime, since I’ve been away from the roller courts for so long, I’m hoping a lot of other guys might be able to help you better than I.
Lastly, I’m including the two photos of the wheels that you sent me. Hopefully they show well here, and help others to inspect them a bit — good luck…
You will always have 1 foot that’s more dominant than the other, the same way football/soccer players always/usually have 1 foot they prefer to kick with… that being said the wear on your wheels may very well be because of the surface your skating on, you need harder wheels for skating on cement…
Any number that mentions “mm” is describing the size
Any number that is followed by “A” is describing the hardness…
Very soft wheels ( for indoor use on inline tiles or wooden sports hall floors) will be close or lower than 78A and the higher the number gets (for example 85A) the better it will be for outdoor surfaces such as cement or asphalt.
Obviously your chassis (inline TUUK) will be setup for for certain sizes so stick with the same number followed by “mm” and change the hardness “A” depending on which surface you’re playing on.
I have a set of indoor wheels 76A which have much better bearings on them as I service them more often so they’re ready for competitive games and I also have a set of 84A wheels for outdoor use which I have a set of old bearings in them as I don’t care about them as much if they get dirty!
Hope this helps.
Thanks Joe.
Indoor and outdoor are different games and I think depending on the circumstances, you need different equipment. I’m trying to go as cheap as possible and get many of my wheels, sticks etc. free or incredibly cheap. One thing I’ve done is yard sales, Savers, the town transfer station. People discard their equipment, I pick it up if I can use it. I’ve picked up skates, taken the wheels off them and donated the wheel-less skates before. It makes changing wheels not so much of a financial burden.
I’ve bought wheels on ebay too. Maybe I’ll order the the 84A wheels and see how it goes. I’m at 180 lb but understand I need harder wheels for outside. I think I’m also going to start making a concious effort to anchor my turns on my less dominant skate.
As coach says, you need to be able to do everything at least two ways.
Hey guys, hope I can Help.
1- Wheels search for Labeda Asphalt they will be good enough and gives you all the safety you need. This old frames normally only works good with 72mm and or 76mm wheels. To make sure search on Google the model of your skates or ask Mission.
2- bearings, to keep the bearings working make sure you never skate on water, make sure after you skate you do not leave inside the bag(the “sweat vapor” will compromise the bearings and Everytime after you skate, have an old toothbrush in your bag, using the toothbrush to clean the bearings only spinning the wheels and taking of the dirt will make sure the bearings works for good.
Well, Jerry Z, I think we can see how helpful it is to have friends in high places (like Joe Anson and Pablo Navarro). Thanks, Joe and Pablo!
Great suggestions Pablo. Many thanks.
II just wanted to Thankyou for all of your guidance and continuing advice as My son Ben begins to play hockey his freshman year in highschool this year attending Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield Mn. He is working super hard and it’s humbling to be able to ask advice from a veteran coach as yourself
Wow, that is REALLY kind of you, Ben. I don’t think I’ve helped all that much, but it’s at least as humbling from my side, thinking I’ve helped even a little. Wish your son good luck for me, and please do be sure to keep me posted on his progress. I envy you guys, because you have some exciting times ahead.
A negative opinion of Jeff is pretty common among Sabres fans. He went from 40 goals a couple years ago playing with Eichel to 14 goals last year. (coach took him off Eichel’s line) This year he has 2 goals, playing in all the games. That with an 8 year contract for $9 million a year.
So it doesn’t matter being slashed with one hand on the stick as opposed to two. The ref was so close to that play. I wonder why he missed it?
I think you’re missing my point, buddy, because what I’m saying is that, “The video doesn’t lie, but the eyes of strongly opinionated fans surely do.”
So please do watch the replay as often as it takes to make you see what’s really going on.
Thanks for the in-depth answer coach. A couple things occurred to me. One thanks to your gif, I noticed Skinner with one hand on his stick when his stick was slashed out of his hands. His strength holding onto the stick was probably comprimised by this. I also ran this by a couple buddies who came up with a couple things I never thought about…one of them said that Skinner’s a known diver. I think if someone’s a known diver, then you have to look at them sideways. Anything is possible with a dishonest player trying to get an edge. Another said that it’s impossible that an NHL player would let go of his stick on purpose, even with a light slash. I didn’t agree with that. But no one noticed he’s been letting go of his stick often lately. A whole different aspect is that the Sabres recently changed head coaches. To me, it might have been a combination of factors…a possible hand injury, one hand on the stick, a slash, possible trying to get an edge with a cheat an inattentive ref. And maybe just maybe this particular ref will call the slash knocking the stick out of the hands with two hands on the stick but not with just one …
I think it should have been called a penalty shot. But they’re New York and we’re only Buffalo.
Thanks for the follow-up, Jerry. And, while I’m sure there can be a bunch of opinions on this one, it seems that a lot is being influenced by a player’s perceived tendencies, plus the feelings of fans relative to the obvious New York State rivalries.
That said, let me offer one more thought after reviewing that video a few more times… For, if Skinner was looking for a penalty call, I think he’d have made a rather overt flinch as the opponent’s stick hit his glove. I saw just the opposite — that he kept on going, which tells me he was playing things honestly. Also, I do stick to my suspicion about him having a hand or wrist or finger injury.
Question about hockey rules.
There was this play by Skinner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTRI-dCFZbc)…He had his stick slashed from his hands and went in on a breakaway, dribbling the puck with his feet going all the way down the ice.
My question is about the minutiae…I’ve noticed Skinner losing his stick fairly often, especially lately. Now we know these things: 1. When a stick is slashed out of a player’s hands, it’s usually a penalty on the slasher. 2. When a player intentionally dives, there’s a penalty for that too. I know it must be almost impossible to tell, but putting 2 and 2 together, is there a penalty for intentionally losing his stick on a weak slash? It’s like an intentional dive, only faking losing the stick to draw a penalty on the slasher.
I would think that a pro hockey player would always hang on to his stick if at all possible and would be strong as hell… Have you ever heard of a penalty called for intentionally losing your stick while being lightly slashed? I know there’s one for throwing the stick but how about one for faking having it slashed out of their hands. I assume it’s too hard to tell and refs respond by not calling a penalty at all, on either side.
Has anyone ever seen this called? I assume if it’s ever called it would be under the “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” category. Or maybe if true, they’ll have to call it the Jeff Skinner Rule.
Thanks for that question, Jerry. You know I always enjoy the ones that come from you. And, up front, I’m glad you also sent a video so that I might spend some time studying it.
Okay, though, from your text… Momentarily I’m going to comment on something you said that might be pretty meaningful to this whole matter. Before I get into that, however, let me say that a lot of background information nowadays is hidden from the hockey public — and especially from a team’s opponents, when it comes to saying much about a player’s injuries. If you’ll notice, clubs are more often describing one as having “an upper body injury” or “a lower body injury”. In other words, they never really tell opponents where a good slash or knee or whatever might inflict the most pain, or make a current injury worse.
And that brings me to an early comment of yours, as in, “I’ve noticed Skinner losing his stick fairly often, especially lately,” with the key phrase there being “especially lately.” And, doesn’t that suggest to you that something has been wrong with the player — especially lately? I suspect so. Ya, I’m betting dollars to doughnuts that Skinner has or had a hand or wrist or finger injury.
With that, I’m going to try including a repeatable GIF file just below here, so that we can all watch what happened…
Skinner Stick Problem
I just spent a little more time watching that video, Jerry, and I even zoomed in to watch the defenseman a little closer. And, for sure, I can see that the “D” hacked Skinner’s stick and caused the dropped stick. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t right about there being an injury, but it does suggest to me that the ref missed the call (without having the benefit of replay as we do).
Coach Chighisola, been quite a while since I last saw you. I played with your son Mike in a summer league in Cohasset when I was in college. How is Mike doing these days? I played with some really good players during my time, and never saw anyone with a harder wrist shot or as quick of a release than Mike.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Dennis, and thanks for reminding me of some good times at the old Cohasset Winter Gardens. For sure, Mike was a highly skilled player. How has life treated you since way back when? Are you still involved in the game?
Hey Danny coach of westville atoms c house from Nova Scotia
Hey coach I have a question for you?
When you are determining lines for Adam house what is the best way to do it I usually have a good player and about and average player and another player that is still developing to balance them out just wondering what u would do?
Thanks Danny
To begin, Danny, my suggestion is that you are one sharp young hockey coach.
The first reason I say that is because you recognize that there is some significance to putting lines together. Even more importantly, though, is your recognizing that certain line combinations can be very helpful for the development of young players.
Now, for others passing by, they should remember that we’re not talking about pros or college guys or even high school players here. No, we’re talking about the younger ages where the things we coaches do can either help or hinder those kids’ growth.
With that, I’m going to say that I usually put lines of young players together just about the way you’ve mentioned. At the same time, let me share my slightly different thinking as I did so…
– Most teams have from two to three young forwards who are quite a bit more skilled than the rest of the roster (I don’t think I’ve ever seen or coached a team in that bracket that couldn’t be described in that way). And, while I’m first thinking about my team’s ability to win their share of games, spreading those few talented players over at least two lines always made it very difficult for opponents — with all their strength placed on one line — to match with us. (Now, before anyone thinks that this approach points to a “win first” attitude, I’m going to suggest that young kids just tend to enjoy their rink experiences — and even apply themselves more at practices, if they’re successful more times than not.)
– Okay, so if I’m able to spread the strongest players over our lines, I’ll then usually spread the next tier of players in the same manner. And, if I’m looking for balance in three lines, I might pair my best forward with the sixth best, my second best forward with our fifth best, and then place numbers three and four together.
– From there — and much like you seem to do, Danny, I fill in the empty forward slots with kids who are “still developing”. My reasoning is that a collection of over-matched players — like a line of the weakest kids — might really struggle to move the puck from their own end, or get many attacks going. Amazingly, however, I’ve seen those lesser skilled kids come along fairly quickly, as their more talented linemates create lots of offensive situations and scoring opportunities. Rather quickly, they start learning to get open for their mates, and they even begin looking to pounce on loose rebounds and such.
Lastly, although the makeup of forward lines always seems to get the most media coverage when it comes to our favorite pro teams, I’ve most often tried to form my teams — youth through college — into 5-player units. And in that way, there’s certainly more to be considered when balancing a roster.
Hopefully that all makes sense. I really thank Danny for the fun of talking hockey, and I invite him or others to comment further here.
Kevin
Coach: PW and Bant.
Colorado
Are we the only rink in the country that needs to wash pucks goals cones and pads after every practice due to Covid?
(LOL!!!) Although that’s a first to me, Kevin, it’s not nearly as harsh as has happened in my old home state of Massachusetts — they’ve completely shut down hockey up there.
As you might know, this site is only days old, so I’m not sure how many others from our game will immediately notice your post. So, just for the heck of it, I think I’ll toss that out into a few groups I’m in, and see what others say.
Thanks a bunch for starting the ball rolling in this section.