Taking One for the Team

Taking one for the team
By Fred Pletsch
Oct 31, 2001, 16:46

There are no statistics kept and no trophies awarded for it, but a coach always has a special place reserved in his lineup—and his heart—for the player who unselfishly “takes the hit to make the play.”

George Gwodzecky says the fundamentals of taking and receiving a check should be taught to youngsters at an early age, soon after skating basics are mastered, and be presented in a fun-filled atmosphere.

“The first thing you have to make them realize is that (the hit) is not going to hurt,” says Gwodzecky, who was a hit at Denver University, where he turned around the hockey program in his first year.

“We get (kids) to fall on the ice and make contact with the boards to show that they’re protected by their equipment. We play games where they learn not only to give a check, but to take a hit—and they learn very, very quickly that even though the hit may look spectacular, they get up smiling because it doesn’t hurt them.”

Spread ‘em

A wide base is the first brick laid in the creation of a bodychecking wall.

“Make sure they spread their skates and bend their knees when contact is imminent,” says Gwodzecky, the 1993 Coach of the Year when he was at Miami University. “They have got to develop a wider base so they don’t get knocked off balance or they have a harder time getting knocked off balance.”

The knees serve as the body’s shock absorbers.

“They’ve got to bend their knees at the same time to cushion the blow. And they don’t want to avoid getting hit into the boards; they want to learn to use the boards as their ally, because the boards, for the most part, have a lot of give and take to them. If you are slammed up against the boards, you can use the recoil action of the boards to push off, and hopefully knock your opponent off balance.”

An excellent introductory bodychecking drill, says Gwodzecky, is called “Bull in the Ring.”

Set a group of seven or eight kids in a good-sized circle on the ice. Then put one of them—the “bull”—in the middle. The bull’s job is to try and get out of the “ring” by skating around inside the circle, building up speed, and trying to find a “hole” where he can throw a check and break out.

The kids forming the circle have to protect their turf, and prepare for contact by bracing themselves. They’ve got to lower their center of gravity, spread their skates and bend their knees because they know the bull may be coming their way.

It is estimated that 80% of hockey is played within five-to-10 feet of the boards, so players must develop good puck protection habits.

“If you can maintain puck possession while taking a check, there’s a strong likelihood you’re going to create more scoring chances,” theorizes Gwodzecky. “It sounds very simple but it’s a difficult skill to handle properly, and one has to practice it an awful lot.”

Use the angles

Defensemen retreating to retrieve a puck under forechecking pressure should attempt to skate in at an angle in order to avoid the full force of an opponent’s impact.

“A defenseman should glance over his shoulder to see where the pressure is coming from,” says Gwodzecky, “and pick up the puck at an angle, so if he does get checked he’s not going to go banging head first into the glass. (Defenders) also need to work on their quick turns, which is an ideal way to shake that initial forechecking pressure.”

There are situations when, with all passing lanes closed, you cannot avoid being checked but still want to maintain possession of the puck. In that case, says Gwodzecky, “you have to make sure the puck is at an area where it’s protected by your body—more specifically, your skates. When you’re being checked along the boards the puck should be firmly placed between your skates so that when you do absorb the check, the puck is still there.

“The opposition player may take you out of the play, but he still has not separated you from the puck—the puck is still there. So he really hasn’t done his job, because he hasn’t created a loose puck yet.”

Enjoy the ride

Taking the hit to make the play can make the difference between winning and losing. There are times when you are going to be off-balance, and know you are going to take a big hit, but you need to hold onto the puck a little longer before one of your teammates opens up. In this situation, says Gwodzecky, you have to learn to relax your body and enjoy the ride.

“There’s no use worrying about (the coming contact). Just try and make sure you’re not too tight when you get hit. Keep in mind that you’re protected from head to toe, and the only way you can get hurt is by tensing up and trying to avoid injury. That’s when most injuries occur.”

Finally, remember this: the pain of having let your teammates down by shying away from a hit is always going to be much worse than a couple bumps and bruises that will fade away in a few days.

Fred Pletsch is a veteran OHL and AHL broadcaster who currently covers the Cornwall Aces for CJFS radio.

This first appeared in the 09/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

At Forward with Claude Lemieux

At forward with Claude Lemieux
By Stan Fischler
Oct 31, 2001, 16:44

©BBS

In winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as 1995 playoff MVP, Claude Lemieux, the New Jersey Devils winger, underwent the most dramatic metamorphosis since Hall of Famer Stan Mikita converted himself from troublemaker to Lady Byng Trophy winner for Chicago in the 1960s.

When New Jersey launched its playoff drive in round one against Boston, Lemieux was expected to do nothing but doggedly shadow Bruins ace Cam Neely. But rather than simply play defender, Claude left the slow-footed Neely in his wake and pursued offensive openings whenever they became apparent. He did so in the opening game, which he personally signed as his very own, and continued to excel throughout the playoffs.

When it was all over, no one was surprised that Lemieux was named the Conn Smythe winner. The man who until a few months earlier was known primarily for irritating other players certainly appreciated winning the award.

“The Stanley Cup is what we were playing for, and to win the Conn Smythe Trophy—with all the names on it—it’s just incredible my name will be on it. To be the most hated guy in hockey and have your name on this trophy is special.”

A major transformation

So how did a player everyone thought was a one-dimensional pest turn himself into an MVP?

“I was never born to be a star, but I know I’m a hard guy to play against—a player who will disturb not just by using my body or speed, but my scoring, too. I don’t try to hurt people. I just try to hit them as hard as I can.

When I first started, I was more of a role player. As I got older, I wanted to be more complete. What I’ve tried to do is take a bit of one player, like a Cam Neely, and a bit of another, like a Mark Messier.”

Something people have always noticed about Lemieux is his intensity.

“I am not the type of player who drives himself crazy thinking about the game. I’m a reaction-type person. When I go to the rink in the morning, I’m not the type of guy who could go out for a business lunch on the day of the game. (Devils broadcaster) Peter McNab says he can tell in the morning if I’m going to have a good game. He says, ‘If Claude is an ass in the morning, he will have a great game.’”

On-ice, that intensity used to get Lemieux into quite a few scraps. But he has learned to redirect his energy.

“I used to like to fight, but I found it interfered with my love of playing. I’d rather be on the ice. It drives me nuts sitting in the penalty box for five minutes when I could be out there scoring. I can hurt people a lot more with my shoulders and goals than I can with my fists.”

Lemieux urges all hockey players to focus on what’s important, and not get carried away with the moment.

“I play disciplined hockey. You’ve got to save your energy. Energy might he the difference at the end of the game.”

Which isn’t to say you should coast, or shy away from the physical stuff.

“You get physical, but that doesn’t mean sitting in the penalty box. There’s a big difference. You can be an agitator, but if you are going to be a big playoff performer you’ve got to be very disciplined. Watch how many shots (hits) I take in a series; I take them for the team.”

He prefers pressure

And as we all learned this year, Lemieux has an extra speed for post-season play. He says it’s the pressure that psyches him up.

“Every game in the regular season means a lot, but not as much as the playoffs. It’s a do-or-die situation every night, and I love to play under pressure. I grew up watching some of the clutch players like Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom. Everybody remembers what they did in the playoffs. Who’s remembering what they did in the regular season?”

As for shadowing—that activity which was supposed to be the 13-goal scorer’s primary playoff task—Lemieux says it’s not a solo effort, nor is it a limiting activity.

“Shadowing someone is not a one-on-one thing. The rest of the players are involved, and we (move) the puck out of our end. Once we get the puck, I have the option to be free to go.

“When I was young, my goal was to become as complete a player as possible. I wanted to kill penalties, be on the power play; be a guy who could play center at times, left at times, (and) right wing. I wanted to do a little of everything.”

Which explains why shadowing is merely a point of departure for Lemieux.

As a rookie with Montreal, Lemieux was quickly indoctrinated into a Stanley Cup-winning organization. But with the Devils, he says, it wasn’t so easy.

“In Montreal, we were part of a tradition…it was very special. Here with the Devils, we’re building a tradition. We’re the first ones to win the Stanley cup for the New Jersey Devils.

“When I came here five years ago, this was my goal. This was my dream. And to be one of the players that made it come true is just incredible.”

— Stan Fischler

This first appeared in the 09/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

In Stripes: Defining Consistency

In Stripes: Defining consistency
By Ken Brody
Oct 31, 2001, 16:42

Consistency and skating ability are the two most important ingredients a referee can bring to officiating a hockey game. Skating ability can be measured immediately, while consistency must be evaluated over a long period of time.

But if a referee is to be respected—and survive a long period of time—consistency must be demonstrated from period to period, game to game, and year to year.

So what is consistency? How do you get it, and how do you keep it?

Well, the dictionary says that consistency is “conformity with previous practice.” And that’s exactly right, but its application to hockey officiating leaves much room for individual interpretation by the person in the striped shirt.

Consistency in hockey officiating is the ability to apply the rules and spirit of the game to every individual situation that occurs in a game. Beyond that, it gets more complicated.

Are you going to ref a beginners game the same way you referee the national championships? Should you? Of course not.

Are you going to ref a game between two teams known for dirty play the same way you ref a game between two traditionally clean teams? Maybe, maybe not.

And are you going to ref a game between two evenly matched teams the same as a game in which one team will dominate another? You should try to!

Where do you start?

Where do you, as an individual referee, begin to make and act on these decisions?

First, develop your skating ability and knowledge of the rules outside of the game. Game time is no time to learn the job. Experience will help you get better over time, but know your job going in.

During the game, the first thing you must consistently be is in position. Better positioning results in more correct decision making, and less getting hit by the puck—or players. Goal line positioning (for refs) and line positioning (for linesmen) are the most crucial.

The next item in which a referee can develop consistency is in understanding the level of the game that is being played, and the general mentality of the players who play at that level. Let’s look at four levels of play, all non-checking.

Beginner. The player’s knowledge of the rules is minimal, as is their skating ability. A high percentage of collisions is likely to be accidental. If two players accidentally collide with each other, no penalty is warranted. But if one player accidentally collides into another, strongly consider that it might be a penalty (and certainly if the player is injured).

Referees must constantly talk to the players about not body checking, and about staying out of the goal crease. You might want to call stick fouls more strictly than at other levels, because beginning players have a tendency to raise their sticks to ward off body contact. The referee should use his or her authority to eliminate that behavior as early as possible.

Intermediate. The most important aspect of the game the ref must be consistent in at this level is in addressing the player’s aggressive tendencies. This is the first level at which the players realize that they can intentionally hurt someone, and that—for whatever reason—they might want to. So keep a sharp eye out for boarding, charging, and roughing fouls. If you don’t, there surely will be a lot of retaliation fouls. High sticking will also occur at this level, as skating ability has risen, while stick control might not have.

Intermediate-advanced. At this level, the ref must understand a player’s emotional level and ability to harness his or her anger. These players are good, but many think they’re great, so if something doesn’t go their way they will get frustrated. Make sure you call the obvious penalty right away or both teams will jump on you for the entire game.

Talk the players out of restraining-type stick fouls as often as possible, but call them if they persist. And be wary of cheap shot fouls behind the play. They will occur at this level more than any other.

Some of these players are good skaters without much hockey experience, and some have a lot of experience but without enough ability to play at the top level. So again, while this is perhaps the toughest level at which to officiate, remember that your consistency will help keep the players’ volatile emotions in check.

Advanced. Usually these players have a lot of hockey training—professional or collegiate—and don ‘t believe the referees should interfere in the game. So don’t, unless you have to.

Be consistent in calling injury-potential penalties and penalties that create and deprive scoring opportunities—and not much else. Do your best to talk the players out of taking penalties in all those other situations, including making unnecessary contact with the goalie (watch for this during power plays and late in a close game).

Realize there will be a lot of intentional contact and determine whether it is a flat-out body check or a mere rubout. Players at this level accept the rubout, but not the full body check. They’ll also be able to handle some stick-restraining, but not during the scoring chances. If the game becomes a rough one, look for a good opportunity to call a clear-cut penalty and settle the players down.

Quest for calm

Another major consideration in your quest for consistency is the referee’s demeanor during the game. A ref must always maintain calm and poise, no matter what the situation. If you can’t control your own emotions, one might well ask, how can you expect to help the players control theirs? The referee must always strive to diffuse potential problems, but if he can’t, he must calmly and rationally penalize the players without emotion—without anger at any of the players. And certainly if an exciting game is being played, the referee can add to the positive situation; first by hustling, and second, if he wants to make any comments, make positive ones.

Remember these basic principals of consistency, and you will find that hockey players will really enjoy the game, and enjoy the fact that you are their referee. Refereeing can never be an exact science, but by becoming a consistent referee, you can raise it to an art.

Ken Brody has been a referee for ice, floor and roller hockey for 20 years. Currently he is the head referee for the California Cup and NARCH.

This first appeared in the 09/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Well…Excuse Me!

Well…Excuse me!
By Mitch Korn
Oct 31, 2001, 16:41

Goalies, like all hockey players, are accountable for their actions. It’s very easy to point the finger at, or to place the blame on, somebody else, when in reality the goalie should be responsible. It is the coach’s job to recognize that there are many circumstances that lead to a goal, and blame should not necessarily be placed on the goaltender. The goaltender, however, has to approach the game in a manner where he feels he can make a significant difference. Not just be there—not just make the routine saves—but to come up big and make a difference.

No one should point fingers in bad times. But we are all human beings, and goaltenders, like anyone else, occasionally make excuses. Generally, it is a defense mechanism for the weak. Here are some of the most commonly heard.

I was screened.

That may be the case, but never ever use or accept the excuse of a screen for a goal. The goalie’s job is to fight the screens. That does not mean punch the defenseman or the opponent, but rather it means find the puck at all costs, and read and react to what is going to happen.

I hate my pads/stick/skates…

It’s easy to blame an inanimate object for the difficulties a goaltender may be having. The stick may be too big, too small, too heavy, or too light. The pads the same. But in reality, the goaltender must overcome it all to perform.

I don’t feel well.

It’s funny, but I’ve known a lot of goaltenders who have played their best game while under the weather. It seems to bring out a greater level of concentration because the athlete knows he is not feeling well, and often he bears down and focuses even more. If you’re that sick, don’t play. Because if you do play you must accept the responsibility. If you are very sick and still play, you are hurting the entire team and being extremely selfish.

We lost because of the ref.

There will be good officials and bad officials, but it drives me crazy when any hockey player blames the referee for losing a game. A referee doesn’t set out to make what some would perceive as bad calls—they call it like they see it. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. Worry about playing, and stopping the puck.

But I got a piece of it!

One of my goaltending commandments has always been to try to prevent pucks from going in through you or off you. Getting a piece of it, while close, is just not enough. And again, accept the responsibility, and do not be content with almost.

I didn’t get a good warm-up.

I know at times, especially in cold buildings, it’s difficult without a good warm-up to go in and excel. But the great goalies are able to rise to the occasion, rise above these kinds of problems and play well regardless of the warm-up.

He was in the crease.

On some occasions, a player in the crease honestly does disrupt the goaltender, but in most situations it’s just the foot or stick that’s in the crease and that truly has no bearing on the fact the puck may have gone in the net. It’s a convenient excuse, but in most cases, the goalie is clutching at straws.

It was deflected!

Things happen; pucks go in the net. Goalies will not get a shutout every game. When deflected goals happen, either from the opponent, or inadvertently off one of your own players, don’t assume guilt by making the excuse before you’re even blamed.

The rebound should have been cleared.

Yes, part of the job of the defense is to clear the front of the net. But part of the goalie’s job is not to leave vulnerable rebounds. That means if the goaltender makes the first save, it’s his job to direct the puck away from the front of the net—away from traffic, and away from an opponent. Sometimes rebound goals are the fault of the goaltender because he put the rebound out there for the taking. Don’t expect the defense to clear every rebound. And don’t blame the defense when a rebound goal is scored.

It was unstoppable.

That may be true, but the best goalies are extremely competitive, expect a lot from themselves, and will accept the responsibility of the score. Dismissing your responsibility to stop the puck does nothing but shield you from reality.

Finally, remember this: nobody is perfect, and everyone is human. But it is better to accept responsibility and move on to the next shot, to the next play, to the next game, instead of dwelling on whose fault it is.

Every goal, every play, every game should be used as a positive learning experience rather than a negative. Don’t make excuses, give us results!

Mitch Korn is the goaltender coach for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. In addition, he is an administrator at Miami University (Ohio) and directs the 8-week Summer Hockey School. Miami has Division I ice hockey in the CCHA.

This first appeared in the 09/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Interview with Ethan Moreau of the Los Angeles Kings

Listen as Ethan Moreau discusses joining the Los Angeles Kings and all of the familiar faces, adjusting his off-ice training to accommodate for injuries, transitioning his workouts as training camp begins, and the role nutrition plays in the National Hockey League.

To Train Like the Pros…click HockeyOT.

Puck Retrieval – Breakout setup

Drill:

1. X1 picks up puck behind net and decides which way to go with the puck
2. X3 (a defenseman) must get to the front of the net
3. X2 & X4 must read X1 and adjust their location accordingly
4. X1 moves the puck up and all players breakout of the zone

Focus:
1. Players keeping in their lanes and maintaining position
2. Head up skating to know where the puck and/or open player is
3. Moving the puck out of the zone

Notes:
You can add in a forechecker to put pressure on the puck carrier

Related Drills:
3 on 2 Breakout 
Behind the Net Breakout 

1-1 Sprints (Half Rink)

Drill:
1. On whistle, Defense starts skating backward and Offense carries the puck in the zone
2. Offense tries to beat the D down the wall
3. Defense tries to cut off O and steal the puck

Focus:
1. Defense needs to realize when to make move and push player outside
2. Offense needs to read defense and make play accordingly.
– If D goes toward the wall, cut it inside.
– If D leaves outside open, use speed to get around.

Notes:
This is a good drill to help the Defense better understand when they are going to get beat and transition from backward to forward quickly enough to not allow the player to go around them.

Related Drills:
1 on1 Sprints (Half Rink) 
1 on 1 Half Rink 

Skating Tips: Speed Kills

Skating Fast is Crucial to Your Game.
There’s nothing worse than getting beaten in a race for the puck, or having a back-checker catch you from behind on a break-away. I’m always looking for every ounce of speed I can get.

There’s no better way to improve your skating than by taking a power skating course. The feedback from a professional skate instructor in invaluable. The hockey skills class I

Skating Tips: Speed Kills

Skating Fast is Crucial to Your Game.
There’s nothing worse than getting beaten in a race for the puck, or having a back-checker catch you from behind on a break-away. I’m always looking for every ounce of speed I can get.

There’s no better way to improve your skating than by taking a power skating course. The feedback from a professional skate instructor in invaluable. The hockey skills class I

Skating Tips: Speed Kills

Skating Fast is Crucial to Your Game.
There’s nothing worse than getting beaten in a race for the puck, or having a back-checker catch you from behind on a break-away. I’m always looking for every ounce of speed I can get.

There’s no better way to improve your skating than by taking a power skating course. The feedback from a professional skate instructor in invaluable. The hockey skills class I