This past weekend I was at a girls’ hockey tournament in Duluth, Minnesota where I had the opportunity to watch two of the best women’s college hockey teams in the States – University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota-Duluth – face-off against each other in a double-header.

The games were amazing – the level of speed, skill and strength shown by the players was extremely impressive and the high degree of execution was phenomenal.  In fact, when someone made a pass that was slightly less than perfect or missed a back-check, it stuck out like a sore thumb.

For these two games, I sat up at the top of the stands with the simple goal of figuring out what these players and teams were doing that really separated them from the level of play I watch on a daily basis, which ranges from 12U or peewee all the way up to the under 19 and junior level.

So to help you get focused and get ready for your next big game, here is the list of the “7 Things That All Players Must Work On” that I created after watching these two amazing teams play.

1.  TALK!:  The first thing that struck me is how much the players communicated with each other out on the ice.  Most of the time when I watch games the players are virtually silent out on the ice.  During these college games, the players called for every pass, and the goalies helped the defense out on the in-zone.  Talking out on the ice makes everyone’s job easier and can often be intimidating to the other team.

2. Stick On The Ice:  This is another big one that I am constantly reminding my players about.  Not only did these elite players have their stick on the ice right when they knew the pass or shot was coming, they had it there even earlier.  The game was moving so fast that many of the passes would have been missed if the players were holding the stick up by their waist.

3. Follow Shots To The Net:  Quite often when I am watching girls’ games, players will take a shot and then fade off to the corner or end up below the goal-line afterwards.  These women took their shots, crashed the net with speed and stopped right in the crease.  They didn’t stand around and stare at their shot – they kept their feet moving and went to the net.

4. Feet Always Moving Along Boards:  Whether it was a winger opening up on the boards on the breakout or a defensemen battling for the puck along the wall, these elite players always kept their feet moving.  Standing still or gliding along the boards really only ever works in the power-play – most of the time you want to keep your feet moving to gain speed, avoid a check or avoid getting a penalty.

5. Lateral Movement On The Attack:  I am constantly reinforcing the concept of moving laterally in the neutral zone and offensive zone with my forwards.  While being fast in a straight line is important, it’s your ability to move laterally with speed and power that will allow you to separate yourself from your check and get more opportunities to score.  These players were constantly skating on the diagonal, looking for shorter passes and creating time and space with their lateral movement.

6. Defense Get Their Feet Moving With Puck:  This is another one that I am constantly reminding my defensemen about.  The defense in these women’s game always had their feet moving up ice when they made a pass.  Young players often over-think their decisions on defense and stop their feet moving before making a pass. This leaves them no opportunity to recover quickly if the pass is off target. Remember – it is always easier to pass to a moving target when you are moving as well.

7. Patience With The Puck:   This was the one thing that really separated these elite players from the younger players I watch everyday.  When they had the puck on their stick, they never panicked.  Even when they were under pressure, they kept their head up and their feet moving and looked for their best option.  This is a skill that all players who aspire to get to the next level much cultivate.

This things may be small and simple – but it’s the attention you give to the little details that makes the biggest difference, whether at your current level or up at the next level.

Work Hard. Dream BIG.

Your friend and coach,

Kim

PS – Feel free to pass this along to any players, parents or coaches who might be interested in this information.