Hot Wheel Info and Basics

Hot wheel info and basics
By Wayne Anderson
Oct 30, 2001, 11:57

I’m often asked questions about skate wheels, so this month I thought I’d address this ever-changing topic in detail. Our look at wheels starts with some of the important terminology that applies. A short glossary:

Size. This refers to the circumference, the actual size of the wheel. Wheel size is denoted in millimeters, and the average hockey wheel size is either 72mm or 76mm, although the full range is from a 59mm children’s size to an 82mm racing wheel.

Durometer. This refers to the hardness or softness of the wheel. Keep in mind that the lower the durometer number, the softer (grippier) the wheel, and the higher the number, the harder (slipperier) the wheel. The average durometer for hockey wheels runs from 74 to 86. Also remember that the harder the wheel, the more durable it will be.

Profile. This is the width of the wheel, the part that actually touches the surface of the rink or ground. Hockey wheels come in two types of profile, normal and “speed.” The speed profile is slightly thinner than the normal one, and is, obviously, designed to provide greater skating velocity.

Hub. The hub is the inside area of the wheel where the bearing fits and holds the wheel to the truck. In most cases, this is an 8mm hole where the bearing fits in.

Things have changed

In the past, you would buy your favorite skate and it would come with one set of wheels that you would use everywhere you skated. Today, however, with the introduction of several new surfaces to skate on, things have changed dramatically.

The good news is that the wheel manufacturers have been keeping up with the changing times. Because so many Roller Hockey International players use Hyper Wheels, I decided to go right to the source for an update on the world of wheels. Craig Forrest, a former L.A. Blade and college standout at Yale, is the director of marketing and promotion at Hyper, and he took me on a tour of their Huntington Beach (CA) plant.

Forrest spoke of the different playing surfaces available these days and agreed with me that recreational players are just now learning what the pros have known for a while; you should change your wheels according to the surface you’re playing on. Trying to skate on Sport Court (plastic tiles) with a wheel designed for outdoor play is like trying to play blindfolded.

On Sport Court you need a wheel with a lower durometer number—about 74 or 76, as with the Hyper Power Edge Court wheels. This wheel comes in two durometers and colors—a natural-colored wheel with a 76 durometer, and an orange wheel that is a little softer, a 74 durometer. Both come in two types of profile (normal and speed, as described above) and in either 72mm or 76mm sizes.

For outdoor use, a higher number durometer is necessary, usually an 80-to-86 for use on asphalt and cement. On smooth concrete (the base floor of most ice hockey rinks used to play roller hockey on) a “middle of the road” durometer is called for—from 76 to 82.

Again, all these wheel varieties come in different sizes and profiles, so you can choose the ones you prefer.

Rock me, baby

Mr. Forrest also told me something interesting: most pro players “rocker” their skates, just as an ice hockey blade gets rockered when sharpened. Most roller hockey trucks can be rockered by changing the height of the axle hole. If the truck is not rockerable, you can still achieve the same effect by using different size wheels.

Most RHI players use a 72mm wheel on each end and two 76mm wheels in the middle. This allows for a combination of speed and maneuverability, since the 76mm wheel offers more speed while the 72mm allows for quicker turns.

While the norm for RHI players is a 76mm wheel, for the recreational player the decision on which size to use will probably be based on the size of the rink he or she plays on.

What’s next in wheel design from Hyper?

“On a professional level,” says Forrest, “we are striving for player performance to be as close to an ice hockey player’s performance as possible. And for the general public, we are continually striving to produce the best product at a reasonable cost.”

A stopper’s wheel

A new goalie’s wheel was recently introduced to the marketplace. The new wheel is a 64mm model, and has a durometer of 82. The smaller size puts the goalie’s skate lower to the playing surface, allowing the stopper’s pads to emulate an ice hockey pad in height off the surface.

The new wheel also allows for a quicker turning radius, quicker outs, and—due to the harder durometer—offers an easier slide across the net. Give them a try if you’re looking to improve your performance in net.

The world of wheels is an ever-changing one, so don’t be surprised if you hear about some new compound or special wheel for the surface you’re skating on. Odds are it’s going to happen—we just don’t know when.

Wayne Anderson is managing director of Huron Hockey’s new roller hockey schools.

This first appeared in the 11/1994 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

5 Lessons Every Hockey Parent Should Follow

Thanks to Rich Taylor over at Youth Hockey Review for letting me repost this great article.

As another youth hockey season begins I’d like to provide parents with a brief guide to help make this a great year.
These suggestions are intended to help us keep one key point in mind – youth hockey should be fun.
In our love for our kids, and desire to see them develop, many of us (myself included at times) forget that there are more important lessons at stake here than simply learning how to skate, pass and shoot.
Hockey is a fun game for many reasons. But the fun can quickly be lost when parents loose perspective, and common sense, about what the game is really about – teamwork.
So here are 5 common sense lessons that every hockey parent should keep in mind to make this, and every, hockey season more rewarding.
1.    Hockey is a team game. Every team will have some players who are better than others, but team success depends on everyone learning to work together – in practices and in games. No individual, no matter how skilled, has lasting success in a team sport without learning to work as part of a team.
As parents, you’re part of the team too. It’s your role and responsibility to work together – with the coaches, the other parents and the club. If you focus your attention solely on your child and his or her individual needs, you won’t be setting a good example – and your child probably won’t learn the full value of teamwork.
2.   Let the Coach – Coach. Stop yelling instructions down from the stands or boards. Most of the time the kids can’t hear you anyway. You may not always agree with the coach, but you should respect their responsibility for leading the team. Sometimes their decisions will seem hard to understand – or in fact could be a mistake. Coaches make mistakes too. But when your child is always looking to you to make sure they’re doing the things you want them too – they’re not listening to the coach.
If you don’t feel comfortable with your coach’s approach to practices and games, sit down and talk. Most coaches will welcome suggestions and input at the right time. But when you teach your child that he or she should focus and do what you say – because you’re the parent – you’re teaching him or her to disrespect the coach and that individual needs are more important than teamwork.
3.   Be an example. Teamwork starts by being on time. Yes we’re all busy. You have other kids to care for and other places to be. But the time before your child steps on the ice is important. It provides valuable time to bond with other players, and the coaching staff.
When your child is consistently the last one to practice, or gets to games just in time – but misses the coaches talk or warm ups – you’re sending the message that you and your family’s individual issues matter more than the team. That’s simply not fair to everyone else. Life happens, so when you can’t be on time, for whatever reason, at least shoot the coaches an email, phone call or text. By being a good example, and demonstrating you value your commitments to others, your son or daughter will learn to keep in mind how his or her actions affect others.
4.   Kill the negativity. Your child may not always get equal ice time. Sometimes shifts run long. Young players don’t always listen to the coaches when they call for a change. Other times the coach may mix of lines or short-shift a line to try and capitalize on an opportunity. Maybe your child is playing a great game, when all of the sudden the coach sits him or her down to play another player who isn’t as skilled. The team might lose a game it should have won.
As soon as you begin creating your list of “that’s not fair” you’re poisoning the water and showing disrespect for the coach, the team, and ultimately yourself. If you have a fair and good point about something you’ve seen that concerns you – raise it at the appropriate time and take it up directly with the coach. But don’t expect him to agree with you or your point of view (or else).
It’s not constructive, or fun, to have a negative voice constantly raising concerns or frustrations. While most parent intentions are to help, many times their actions are in fact unhelpful. So the next time something hockey related gets you upset, think before you act. Try reframing the conversation and taking a more positive approach. You’ll be a better role model for teaching your child how to deal with challenges and adversity when they see you acting in a more positive manner.
5.   Create a success journal. Talk to your child about the season to understand his or her goals. What’s really important to him or her from their perspective? Write it down. Then add a few key points and lessons that you as a parent feel are important. When finished, discuss your goals and expectations with the coach.
Watch the action in games and practices – not just your child, but the overall teamwork and development as a group. In school your child follows a lesson plan, gets homework, and is periodically reviewed. A hockey journal is a terrific and simple way to apply the same kind of practical, systematic and constructive feedback to help you, your child and even the coaches make the season as fun as possible while developing and improving every step of the way.
Travel hockey is a big commitment – we invest a lot of time, money, energy and resources in the belief that it’s good for your kids. So let’s make sure it is good for our kids. Let’s remember our responsibility as parents to teach them the lesson of teamwork – whether we’re on the ice or off it. It’s a critically important factor for success in hockey – and in life.

Related Posts:
Letter to parents

Skating on Thin Ice

Skating on thin ice
By Sam Laskaris
Oct 30, 2001, 11:54

Arnott: No place like home. ©BBS

The name Forbes Mitchell doesn’t appear on any Toronto Maple Leafs scoring summaries. Yet Mitchell believes he’s played an integral role in the club’s recent successes.

Mitchell is the chief engineer at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto’s home rink. His duties include overseeing the operation and maintenance of the arena’s ice.

“The most exciting part has been the last couple of years,” says Mitchell, who is in his 17th season of working at the rink, which is frequently referred to as the Mecca of hockey. “The Leafs have done well. They made it to the final four (in the Stanley Cup playoffs) both times. You feel you’ve done something towards it.

“Some players might think differently. But if you have million dollar players out there, they can’t do it all themselves. They’ve got to have good ice to skate on.”

Mitchell, 65, is also an avid hockey fan. He’s traveled to several other National Hockey League rinks, and like numerous pro players, he considers Edmon-ton’s Northlands Coli-seum to have the best ice, with Calgary’s Saddle-dome a close second.

NHL arenas with reputations for less-than-ideal ice conditions include Madison Square Garden in New York, the Boston Garden, as well as the California (Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose) and Florida (Tampa Bay and Miami) rinks.

Give the man air

“Air conditioning is the key,” says Mitchell, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and emigrated to Canada in 1956. “I’d say my ice would be at least 25% better if we had (air conditioning) here. If we had it here, I’d say we’d be on par with Edmonton and Calgary.”

Making ice for an NHL rink is no simple process. At Maple Leaf Gardens, the action begins in the engine room, located on the building’s west side. The word “room” is used loosely here as most houses would fit into it; it’s about 90 feet long and 50 feet wide.

The room includes mammoth ammonia and brine (a salt solution) compressors. A concoction of the two is carried via plastic pipes from the engine room to the playing surface where the ice is formed.

Mitchell says the ideal temperature of the ice for an NHL game at the Gardens is 17 degrees. Before a game starts, however, he’ll try and have it a few degrees below that. His reasoning?

“When you turn on the TV lights and the crowds start coming in, it gets up to 18 or 19 degrees in no time,” he says.

Maple Leaf Gardens continues to get hotter as games progresses. “If I can go through a game and hold it at least at 23 degrees, I’m okay,” Mitchell says.

As for the ideal thickness for ice at Maple Leaf Gardens, it’s between three-quarters of an inch to an inch. But when there’s an ice show at the Gardens, another half inch tends to be added.

“You’ve seen how high they jump,” Mitchell says of figure skaters. “And when they come down, they jump right into the cement. We’re always patching the floor when they’re through.”

Mitchell adds there needs to be more care of ice surfaces now than there was 10 or 15 years ago. That’s because players are bigger and stronger than they used to be, and their raw mass can inflict plenty of damage to the ice.

“They’re giants now,” he says. “A lot of them are 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3, and they’re 200 pounds. And then look at somebody like (Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario) Lemieux. He’s even bigger than that. With guys this big now you have to keep a closer eye on the ice or it will give you a lot of problems.”

Practice hurts

Mitchell doesn’t mind seeing his masterpiece, the ice surface, getting worked over during NHL games. Practices, though, are a different story.

“During games you get to flood it after every period,” he says. “But for some practices they go two hours straight and they cut it up pretty good. It’s not as if I’m going to go out there halfway through the practice and say ‘Okay, everybody off the ice’.”

Training camp is not an ice-maker’s favorite time either. “You get about 60 guys trying out for the team,” Mitchell says. “And you get them all dancing around out there. They tear it up pretty good. You’re always glad to see the end of training camp.”

As for the majority of NHL players, they’re often glad to have the opportunity to skate on the above-average ice in Edmonton.

“This informal reputation is one we’ve heard of for many years,” says Kenn Bur, communications supervisor for Edmonton Northlands, which sub-leases its rink, the Coliseum, to the Oilers. “NHL players have noted for many years that they like the ice here.”

Bur says there are several reasons why the Coli-seum’s ice is so highly regarded.

“It’s not just one thing we do,” he says. “There’s an extreme attention to detail. One thing we do is use soft water. Many arenas don’t. Every detail related to the ice is controlled as much as it can be. We have some people here who take quite a lot of pride in working on the ice surface. These are the people behind the scenes, in some cases who have devoted their lives to learning about what makes excellent ice.”

It didn’t take Edmonton Oilers center Jason Arnott long to find out his home rink has the best ice in the NHL. His teammates had told him the Coliseum ice was tops in the league. He found out for himself about the midway point of last season, when he had made the tour of all the other NHL cities.

A smooth surface

What’s so great about Edmonton’s ice?

“It’s the smoothness,” says Arnott, who was a finalist for the 1994 Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s top rookie. “It’s not too hard and not too soft. And it’s not as snowy as other rinks.”

Arnott, who was selected in the first round, seventh over-all, at the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, says pro players usually reserve judgments on ice conditions until after the morning, pre-game skate.

Arnott adds that depending on which NHL rink they’re playing in, players often ask the team trainer to sharpen their skates a bit differently. For good ice surfaces, a thorough sharpening is often requested while there’s limited sharpening needed when playing on poor ice.

“On bad ice I ask for no sharpening,” Arnott says, “it makes gliding a lot easier, and so you’re not digging into the ice.”

Like most NHL players, Philadelphia Flyers star center Eric Lindros considers Edmonton and Calgary to have the best ice surfaces in the league. A pair of his other favorites include the Winni-peg Arena and Philadelphia’s home rink, the Spectrum.

Depending on which rink he’s playing in, Lindros says he has to adjust his game.

“Playing a finesse game is a lot tougher when you have bad ice,” he says. “You’re not going to have pretty plays.”

Logically, pucks are going to bounce more on bumpy surfaces than they will on smooth ones.

Safety a factor

Though both teams involved in a game have to play with the same conditions, complaints about certain NHL ice surfaces are common, Lindros says. “Certainly everybody gets (peeved) off when the ice is bad,” he says. “At times it’s not even safe, especially with games at neutral ice sites. It’s not a big priority for them. They usually have not had NHL ice in there.”

During his rookie season in 1992-93, Lindros had some bad luck with ice at the Great Western Forum, home of the Los Angeles Kings. “I was just following through on a shot in the warmup and I hit a rut in the ice,” he explains.

Lindros, who was just coming off a ligament injury to his left knee, was sidelined for nine games following this incident.

Hartford Whalers Geoff Sanderson says NHL players aren’t constantly worried about getting injured on a bad patch of ice. “Usually the linesmen do pretty well to fix them up when they see them,” he says.

Because each rink is different, however, players have to make adjustments to their game.

“On bad ice the puck bounces around a lot more and it slows down your skating time,” says Sanderson, who is the only player currently in the NHL who was born in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

No matter what the ice looks like before a game, players can expect it to be considerably worse for wear later on.

“By the third period it gets really chewed up,” Sanderson says. “In the last few years we’ve really noticed it in our rink. We’ve played a lot of time in our own end.”

During Sanderson’s first three seasons with the Whalers, Hartford’s cumulative record of 79-141-28 was nothing to brag about. But at least he’s learned a lot about ice.

This first appeared in the 11/1994 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

From the Hockey Library

From the hockey library
By Don Laner
Oct 30, 2001, 11:51

Every fall, as a new ice hockey season begins, we look forward to checking out the new hockey books and videos that are offered. This fall promises not to disappoint, especially for those picking up the in-line version of the game. There’s a great selection of material for in–line players and coaches, goaltenders, youth coaches and fans.

Get In-line

In the span of a few short months, three new in–line hockey videos have been produced. First up is Winning In–Line Hockey featuring former Olympic and NHL coach Herb Brooks and RHI player Mike Butters. This 30-minute video covers skating techniques, stickhandling, passing, shooting and choosing the right equipment. This $19.95 video provides an excellent training source of individual skills from novice to expert players.

Also selling at $19.95 is Roller Hockey: The Pro Approach, featuring the leading scorer from the WRHL playoffs, Stephan Desjardins. Stephan has assembled some of his favorite drills and tips that will help even the most advanced player improve. As in Winning In–Line Hockey, fundamentals like skating, shooting and passing are covered. An added feature in The Pro Approach is a section devoted to team concepts for offense and defense.

The third video, Mastering the Game, covers basic in–line techniques presented in a high-energy, hard-rock format that will have special appeal to the younger player. All of the important in–line skills are covered in special segments interspersed with practice game footage. This 40-minute video sells for $12.95.

Still can’t get enough hockey? Then look for Hockey Player Magazine: The In-line Skating Show, our half-hour show airing on ESPN2, coming soon to home video.

Ice Time

Moving to the ice, a series of four 55-minute videos called One On One with the Stars! provides coaches with a unique approach to hockey instruction. Volumes One through Three are set up based on age level, starting with Beginner/ Atom, then moving to Pee-wee/Bantam and Midget/Junior. Volume Four is devoted to goaltending for all ages. These videos were filmed in Canada in the late 1980’s and have finally been made available in the U.S. NHL player/ instructors featured in the first three volumes include Paul Coffey, Larry Robinson, Mario Lemieux, Henri Richard, Steve Yzerman and others. Among those featured in the goaltending volume are Billy Smith, Gump Worsley, Bernie Parent and Patrick Roy.

Volume One covers fundamentals of skating, basic stickhandling and shooting and simple positional drills. Volume Two covers power skating and mohawk turns, shooting for accuracy, body positioning and balance. Volume Three concentrates on the finer aspects of the game, such as positional play and play–making. Also covered are advanced skating, shooting, and fitness training exercises and techniques.

Volume Four features prominent NHL goalies and coaches demonstrating the special skills required for the netminding position. Proper body balance and mobility, playing the angles, stick control, challenging the shooter and other skills are all discussed and demonstrated in a way that takes the mystery out of goaltending. These videos sell individually for $24.95, but the complete set can be purchased for $79.95.

Coach’s Corner

Also new this fall is a much needed coach’s drill book written by Dave Chambers, who has coached Team Canada and the Canadian National Junior Team. The Incredible Hockey Drill Book features over 600 drills in 20 different categories—including skating, passing, shooting, checking, power play, breakout and penalty killing. There are also drills for evaluation, conditioning and just plain fun. All drills are illustrated by clear, easy–to–follow line drawings. This 8 1/2” by 11” soft cover manual is 224 pages and sells for $22.95.

The Ultimate Handbook?

For goalies and their coaches, Lords of the Rink: The Psychology of Goaltending by Ian Young and Terry Walker could be the ultimate handbook. This book includes inside tips of goaltending psychology and a conversation with NHL goalies Kirk McLean and Peter Sidorkiewicz. They discuss many aspects of being a professional goaltender; how they got started, facing the world’s best scorers, superstitions, mental preparation, conditioning and how to customize equipment. Lords of the Rink also contains a detailed analysis of the play and technique of more than 25 modern goalies, including Roy, Fuhr, Potvin and McLean, as well as 15 great goalies from the past. This 6 1/2” x 9 1/2” soft cover book has 192 pages, with 16 black-and-white photos and 6 illustrations, and sells for $14.95.

Fan Fare

For hockey fans, there are many new exciting books available this fall. Two of the best are Rocking the Pond: The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Wayne Gretzky: The Authorized Pictorial Biography. Rocking the Pond, by Dean Chadwin, a Los Angeles–based sportswriter, chronicles the fantastic first season of Mighty Ducks hockey—from the granting of the franchise through training camp and their incredible run for a playoff berth. This book also provides an in–depth look at the Disney corporation’s first foray into professional sports. As the only written record of Anaheim’s first season, sports fans and collectors will want to own this book. This 7” x 9” soft cover book is 224 pages, and features 16 pages of black-and-white photos. It sells for $14.95.

Wayne Gretzky, by Jim Taylor, is the hockey gift book of the season. This stunning book provides a unique and original perspective on Gretzky by chronicling his amazing professional career and off–ice personality through an insightful text and a compilation of great visual material. The text is complemented by dozens of interviews with people whose lives have intertwined with Wayne’s, from his early days in the backyard rink to his modern–day position as hockey’s Great One. Wayne Gretzky showcases a fascinating collection of photographs, important artifacts, mementos and trophies assembled from the Gretzky family archives, personal friends and associates, the Hockey Hall of Fame and internationally acclaimed sports and celebrity photographers. Also included is an up–to–date statistical appendix detailing the over 60 NHL records Gretzky has collected while single–handedly redefining the game of hockey. This beautiful 9” x 12” coffee table book contains 176 pages, with over 200 predominantly color photos, and sells for $29.95. l

—Don Laner

This first appeared in the 11/1994 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Mats Sundin

Mats Sundin
By Sam Laskaris
Oct 30, 2001, 11:49

©BBS

Though he’s a National Hockey League veteran, Mats Sundin has been forced to start proving himself all over again this season. The Swedish native made international headlines when the Quebec Nordiques selected him first over-all in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Sundin became the first European ever to be chosen at the top of his draft class.

Sundin demonstrated the Nordiques made a wise selection by collecting more than a point per outing (363 points in 324 games) during his first four NHL campaigns.

Sundin also dominated the headlines at this year’s draft, but for a different reason. During the proceedings, he was involved in a blockbuster trade between the Nordiques and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto gave up captain Wendel Clark, defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre and prospect Landon Wilson to obtain Sundin, defenseman Garth Butcher, left winger Todd Warriner and a draft choice. So as he entered his fifth NHL season, Sundin, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound center was forced to start from scratch in his bid to win the respect and support of teammates and fans.

Ever since the Wayne Gretzky trade, it’s become clear that nobody—not even a #1 pick—is untouchable. What were your thoughts on being traded?

When you get traded, at first it’s kind of a weird feeling knowing you’re going to lose your friends and your teammates. I got along well with everybody off the ice with the Quebec Nordiques. I was there for four years. On the other side, it feels good to come to a team like Toronto with all the history, all the tradition and the good representation the organization has. They’ve been to the Stanley Cup semi-finals two years in a row. And I’m very excited to come to a team that finally has a chance to go very far in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

I understand that you talked to former Toronto star Borje Salming over the summer. What did he tell you about playing in Toronto?

When I first heard about the trade I was kind of confused. And I didn’t know if I should be happy or sad. But I talked to Borje for about half an hour. And after talking to him I was very happy to be a Maple Leaf. He told me he had a very good experience from Toronto—with the team, the city and everything. And he said if I give 100% for everybody, they’ll like you and they’ll support you. There’s a lot of pressure on the team because there’s a lot of people following (it). But that’s fun.

A lot of pro players say they prefer to play in the United States for financial reasons. How do you feel about that?

I’m very happy to stay in Canada. I like Canada. It’s very similar to Sweden. I haven’t had any problems playing in Canada.

There were other players involved in the trade when you came to Toronto. But it’s been interpreted as a deal of Wendel Clark for you. Is that how you see it?

It was a three-for-three trade. I don’t know who was for who. I’m not here to replace Wendel Clark. I know he’s a great player and was very, very popular here in Toronto. I’m just here to play my type of game and my style and help the team as much as I can.

Some of your critics have suggested for your size you might be able to play more of a physical game. Do you see yourself changing at all, or are you happy playing your finesse game?

I’m not going to run around looking for hits or trying to kill people in the corners. I’m from Sweden and most players there play a technical and skating game. When a hit comes to me I’m going to hit, I’m not going to turn away. But at the same time, I’m don’t think I’ll be out there looking for hits.

How popular is hockey in your homeland?

It’s very popular. It’s one of the biggest sports there. Hockey and soccer are very big. Sweden has the best elite league in Europe. A lot of young talented players are coming out of there and playing in the NHL.

When did you start playing hockey?

I was probably five or six years old when I started skating. And then I was about seven when I started playing for a Pee Wee team.

When did you think you might be able to make hockey your career?

Probably when I got drafted. I was 18 and I thought I could make a living out of what at that point was my hobby.

Do you still take pride in the fact you were the first European to be selected first over-all in an NHL Entry Draft?

I’m very proud of it. It made me very, very happy. Being drafted, though, still doesn’t prove anything. It only a way of saying that you’re a part of a team now. And it’s up to you to show the people what you can do.

Even though you were the first pick, you decided to spend another year playing in Sweden before coming to the NHL. Why?

I don’t think I was ready for the NHL. I was pretty young and hadn’t played a lot in Sweden at a high level. I wanted to play with the national team in Sweden to get some international experience and to play in the Swedish Elite League for one year. I think it was a very good for me. I learned a lot that year, and it that helped me to adjust to the NHL.

What sort of adjustments did you have in your first NHL season?

First of all, it’s a smaller rink here than in Sweden and Europe. It’s a faster game here and a little bit more physical. But most of all it’s a higher intensity over here. It took a while to adjust.

Do you think the Nordiques lived up to their potential the last few years?

A few years ago we had a great year and finished fourth over-all. We had a very, very good year but got beat out in the first round against Montreal and they went on to win the Stanley Cup. I played in Quebec for four years and we only went to the playoffs once. The team has a lot more potential than it’s been showing the last four years. Hopefully, they’ll do better this year.

How would you describe your first four years in the NHL? Are you satisfied with your individual performance?

It’s been up and down. Two years ago I had my best season so far and I was very happy with that year. Then last year was a disappointment, both for the team and personally. I think on paper we had a lot better team than was shown. Myself, too, I could have had a better year than I did.

Most people know hockey is a business. I understand you were involved with some contract problems in Quebec. Does this sort of thing affect how players do on the ice?

You try to block it out. You don’t want it to be affecting your performance on the ice. You try to think about the game and leave the business side to your agent and manager. I wouldn’t blame the fact I had an up-and-down season because of the contract developments. I don’t think that was the case.

Have you set any sort of goals for this season?

If you’re talking about points or goals, I always keep that to myself. I just want to make sure I give 110% with my new team and hopefully we’ll go far in the playoffs.

Coming into your first training camp as a Toronto Maple Leaf, did you know a lot about the other players here?

Of course. There’s a lot of guys that have been playing very well the last few years like (Doug) Gilmour, (Felix) Potvin and (Dave) Andreychuk. I’ve seen them on the ice before and I’ve played against them. They’re a very good group of players.

How much do you think your countryman Kenny Johnson is going to contribute to the Leafs this season? Is he ready for the NHL?

It’s tough to say. He’s got all the tools and all the talent. It’s all up to him whether he wants to play or not.

Wendel Clark was a very popular player in Toronto and there were a lot of angry people here when he was traded. Did you purposely stay in Sweden this summer to avoid all the Wendel-hype in Toronto?

I was here at the beginning of August for a week. I met some people in the organization. I just wanted to stay with my family some more. You’re over here for nine or 10 months of the year. I wanted to spend some time with my parents and girlfriend in Sweden.

Do you think this year’s Leafs team is capable of going back to the Stanley Cup semi-finals, or a step further?

I’m sure we all have the motivation. And I think the potential to go very far is there. But it’s tough to say. It’s a long point from now until the playoffs. Hopefully, we’ll do well when they do come around.

Are you going to be satisfied with second-line status in Toronto?

Yeah. Playing behind Doug Gilmour is nothing to be ashamed about. I’m just 23 years old and I still have a lot to learn. I’m very happy just to get out there and get some ice time and try to help the team win.

You’ve already played four seasons in the NHL. What sort of things do you still have to learn?

You’re learning all the time. You’re getting more experience learning about the game and developing as a person on the ice and off the ice. The way I see it, I’m still young and looking at other players, trying to pick up something new all the time.

Sam Laskaris is a freelance sportswriter in Toronto

This first appeared in the 11/1994 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Using Your Head

Using your head
By Bob Cunningham
Oct 30, 2001, 11:46

Federov: Always have a plan. ©BBS

Sergei Federov of the Detroit Red Wings said it this way during an April interview on ESPN: “I play as I think. You can have all the skill in the world, but if you don’t have a plan for everything you do out there—a kind of goal you could say—then you’re just another player.”

Simple words, yet very telling. Federov has evolved into one of the game’s top scorers, apparently for reasons beyond just his ability to skate circles around opposing defensemen or his uncanny puck-handling. He goes into every situation with a plan, and executes it.

Of course, the game of hockey is rarely that easy to choreograph. More than a game of action, some say, hockey is a game of action and reaction. But even players who are not often associated with the mental aspects of the game will surprise with their desire to think before acting.

Marty McSorley of the Los Angeles Kings and Stu Grimson of the Mighty Ducks are two prime examples. Both are revered for their physical contributions to the game. They are regarded as intimidators, protectors of their more skilled teammates. But each takes an unexpectedly cranial approach to his duties.

Cranial appraoch

McSorley admits his primary task, other than to play sound, aggressive defense, is to mix it up when the case arises. But he tries to be selective in the wars he wages. Contrary to the belief of some, there’s a specific strategy that goes with every bone-crunching check.

“You’re not going to see me throw my body at someone who doesn’t pose a threat to our team,” McSorley said shortly after being reacquired by the Kings from the Pittsburgh Penguins last March. “I go into a game knowing exactly what I should do out there, who I should focus my attention on and when I should be more of a force, as opposed to being more or less a complementary player. Every guy on the team has his role, and that includes me. The key is to know your role beforehand, and prepare for it.”

Grimson, whose nickname is The Grim Reaper, also puts a heavy priority on pre-game preparation.

“Not just with specific opponents, but with the mental side of the game in general,” he says. “Mental toughness is not just a phrase. It means being ready for whatever’s thrown at you.”

Coach Kevin Constantine, whose San Jose Sharks shocked the hockey world by reaching the Western Conference finals in ‘93-’94, believes that superior mental preparation and execution can more often than not overcome inferior physical ability.

Think about the little things

“It goes toward believing that you must do the little things to be successful,” says Constantine. “It’s the realization that the talent level throughout the league is pretty close. Execution is more a mental thing than physical, and the teams that execute the most consistently are the ones that play the longest.”

For every perennial all-star, there’s a player in the National Hockey League that has earned a reputation for excellence in his intellectual contributions to winning. Take Montreal goaltender Patrick Roy for example. In terms of his anticipation skills, his coverage of territory around the net and his reaction time, Roy is comparable with most NHL goalies.

What sets Roy apart, according to head coach Jacques Demers, is raw smarts.

“He’s a student of the game, and that’s a big reason he’s had the success he’s had,” says Demers of the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals Most Valuable Player. “He studies diligently—hours of film on different players’ scoring techniques (and) tendencies. If anyone will vouch for the (importance of the) mental aspect, it’s Patrick Roy.”

Roy does. “I honestly feel it’s the difference between the best players, or goaltenders, and the rest,” he says.

Buoyed by a talented roster, the New York Rangers followed up Roy and Montreal’s 1993 championship with their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. So, other than pure talent and a winning attitude, what do Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter and the rest of the Rangers have in common?

“They’re a thinking man’s team,” said Coach Pat Quinn, whose Canucks were felled by New York in the finals. “There’s not one aspect of the game that they don’t do well. And it’s not just because they’ve got good players. They have smart players. Mike (Keenan) had that team ready to play, which is not only a credit to him but to their whole team, because they were under a lot of pressure. They were supposed to win, and they did.”

In assessing a team’s mental “health” intangibles such as fan expectations are usually a factor. Despite being heavily favored, the Rangers title is even more impressive considering the pressure put upon them by the rowdiest and most demanding fans south of Montreal.

Mental battles outside the game

Vancouver, by contrast, entered the Finals in a more relaxed setting, even if a few Canucks fans did get out hand following their team’s defeat.

“We felt we could use the pressure that was on (the Rangers) to our advantage, especially in their building,” said Quinn. “It was one of those mental battles that really doesn’t have anything to do with the game itself.”

Individually, players have an assortment of methods for bringing themselves to a mental peak in time for the opening faceoff. Everything from self-hypnosis and meditation to table tennis and Monopoly. But the one thing all these players have in common is that they are creatures of habit. Whatever works once, they’ll superstitiously repeat—indefinitely.

“There are some guys that are not to be bothered, before or during a game, and there are others that crave attention to take their minds off the task at hand,” explains Colin Campbell, who replaced Keenan as Rangers coach. “It’s a good idea to know which ones are which.”

An increasingly common pre-game occurrence in NHL locker rooms is the practice of visualization. Some teams—Los Angeles, Calgary and Chicago to name three—have even gone so far as to invite psychiatrists to give brief lectures on the art of visualizing an event before it happens. Consistent practice of this technique, they say, can have dramatic effects.

Said a member of the Red Wings, who preferred not to be mentioned: “I’ll even do it when I’m out on the ice during a game. We’ll get a break in the action, and I’ll visualize the next faceoff. But I don’t want opponents to know what I’m doing, because I probably look like I’m daydreaming sometimes.”

Plan and execute

In a nutshell, the mentality of successful plays goes to making a plan and then carrying it out physically as it was perceived in the mind. Sounds simple enough, but…

‘You can’t go solely on instinct, and you can’t solely rely on a game plan,” says Shawn McEachern of the Pittsburgh Penguins. “You have to go with the flow, I guess. But if you can anticipate a situation before it comes up, you’re that much better prepared for it.”

The constant improvement in the technological aspects of the game has held hands with improved mental preparation. Miles of film have been reduced to brief edits that can be sped up, slowed down and reversed. And the information network spanning North America in the form of modems and fax machines better allows players and coaches alike to get even the most minute statistics instantly, allowing for more time to dissect and decipher the facts.

All of the above goes into mental preparation. But the most basic form of this necessary commodity is labeled “concentration”—an individual player’s responsibility and necessity to focus his mind on what needs to be done in that instant.

“Sounds simple enough, huh?” says Kings defenseman Rob Blake. “But there are so many things to think about out there that your mind can get tied in knots.

“The key is to remain confident in whatever you’re attempting to do.”

It’s amazing how important self-confidence is. Like a wounded seal fluttering in the Pacific among great white sharks, a player lacking confidence can be sniffed out by even the most mediocre of adversaries. On an individual as well as a team level, as the saying goes, never let ‘em see you sweat.

“Regardless of how things go, I always have it in mind that the next time will be better,” says Mark Messier. “For all the success you may have, one failure can be a real blow. The key is to not harp on it. Harp on the good things, because that’s the best way to make more good things happen.’

Messier, a winner of six Stanley Cups in his career, should know.

This first appeared in the 11/1994 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

The World’s First Hockey Game?

The worlds first hockey game?
By Matt Busch
Oct 30, 2001, 11:17

This first appeared in the 08/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Summer Training Tips

Summer training tips
By Robby Glantz
Oct 30, 2001, 11:16

Summer training is a vital element in improving on-ice performance. I’m a firm believer in the benefits of dry land activities, such as plyometrics, sprints, slideboards, bungee cords and inline skating. When combined, these elements will allow you to immediately strengthen the most important elements for being a better skater, your lower body and legs.

Of these off-ice elements, inline skating is not only the best method for cross-training for ice hockey but it’s now, of course, a sport unto its own. With that in mind, we will concentrate this article on techniques and drills to improve your Forward Stride while on inline skates; drills that, if applied and practiced, will give you a great start towards reaching your potential and becoming the best inline skater and hockey player you can be.

The Forward Stride

Techniques. The great thing about inline skating is that the techniques used to skate properly are virtually the same as they are on the ice. Below is a checklist of techniques that you should embrace when skating on inline or ice skates in order to improve your skating posture, balance and speed:

• First of all, skating is one foot at a time with 100% of your body weight centered directly over the pushing foot (one foot pushes while the other glides).

• To get into the proper posture, lower your body so that your knees bend to a 90° angle, which means that the knee is about two inches out over the toe of the skate.

• Keep your back straight (with the chest “equal” to the front knee) and turn the knees outward (bowlegged) to form the tip of an arrow (like a “V”) with your skates (heels together). Turning the knees outward will immediately get your skates into the right position to push directly against the inside edge.

• Roll the ankle of the pushing foot inward to an inside edge about halfway to the ground/ice (45°) this creates the strong grip from which to push. Thrust against that inside edge to the side, using 100% of your body weight until the leg reaches full extension and then snap the toe part of the skate (the last wheel of the inline skate) down-and-out to get the last burst of speed. Rapidly return the pushing leg to the center (“Arrow Tip” position), keeping the skate very low to the ground/ice and go again.

Drills. One of the best drills for the Forward Stride is called “Scrape the Toe and Slam the Heels,” and is a drill that should be constantly performed both on inline and ice skates. To execute the drill follow the techniques outlined above, being sure to slow the tempo while exaggerating each maneuver.

The drill requires that you drag the inside part of the front two wheels of the inline skate, or toe part of the ice skate, with the foot facing outward (scraping the ice, for example) as it is returning under your body from its full extension point. Then hit the heels together under your body (while on one foot) forming the “Arrow Tip” position, and go again. Remember to keep your hips facing directly in the line you are traveling by making your pushes more to the side and not to the back.

This exercise will allow you to feel your mistakes more clearly. For example, if you are unable to bring your heels together while on one foot then you will know that you are having trouble centering all of your weight over every push. And, if you are turning your knee downward rather than outward when attempting to drag the toe, that tells you you’re having a problem finishing the push in the proper manner—and therefore are losing valuable speed and power on each subsequent stride.

Finally, mastering all of the techniques of the Forward Stride takes much time and practice. Do not get discouraged if it doesn’t become perfect overnight.

The most important tip for you to remember is to keep bending the knees lower than what feels comfortable, and to put all of your energy into every single push. That alone will get you going faster and give you more confidence, no matter what kind of skates you’re on. l

Robby Glantz, power skating coach for the Los Angeles Kings, Swedish champions Malmö, and the German National Teams, conducts skating programs throughout North America and Europe.

This first appeared in the 08/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Defensive Strategies: Part 2

Defensive strategies: Part 2
By Wayne Anderson
Oct 30, 2001, 11:14

Hockey is a game of motion, and where the puck or ball goes determines what a player must do on the floor. Once the opposition crosses the red line, a system of defensive zone coverage must take effect. The same concepts of containment, support, pressure, outnumbering, and the transition game that we use in the offensive zone then become critical in the defensive zone.

One of the keys to a good defense is players who come back and back check when the opposition is breaking down the surface. Always try and force the attack of the opposition away from the prime scoring areas—the slot and any place inside of the defensive zone faceoff circles. The closer the play gets to the net the more tenacious the defensive attitude should become.

One of the keys to any success—offensive or defensive—in hockey is communication.

One-on-One

The one-on-one should be thought of as an individual battle—him against you. Containment, forcing the player to the outside and taking away the skating space, is the key to the one-on-one. As the defender, you must keep your body between the puck or ball and the net, and learn to use your stick effectively. In roller hockey the stick check is your most effective weapon.

Some do’s and don’ts when defending the one-on-one:

Do watch the player’s chest or stomach. Don’t watch the puck.

Do force the puck/ball carrier to the outside. Don’t allow the player to cut back inside on you, or give up the inside lane.

Do size up your opponent and be patient. Don’t keep backing up deep into the zone.

Try and surprise the offensive player with sudden, quick moves, but don’t over extend to poke check. In other words, stay balanced.

Two-on-One

The biggest thing that one must remember when faced with an outnumbered attack is to force the puck/ball carrier wide and stay in between as many players as possible. Usually we can only be effective staying between two players, although sometimes the opposition makes our job easier by staggering straight across the rink. In that situation we can cover all of their players.

We must also talk with our goalkeepers and understand during a two-on-one, or other numerical inequality, who will take the shooter and who will cover the pass.

A normal two-on-one should unfold something like this: Puck/ball carrier comes down one side and the defense forces him/her wide. A second offensive player joins the rush and the defender stays in between the two players—trying to cut off the passing lane. The goaltenders are usually responsible for the shooter, and the defenseman is responsible for forcing the player wide and cutting off the pass.

The main objective when we are faced with numerical inequality is to try and delay the opposition as long as possible, with the hope and expectation that the rest of your team will come back (quickly) and help out.

Even when defensive strategy is executed properly, the opposition still has a very good chance of scoring. Obviously, the best way to defend a two-on-one is not to allow it to happen.

In the defensive zone

Some keys when playing defense in your own zone while skating four-on-four or five-on-five:

Pressure the puck/ball carrier at all times. The space and time available to the puck carrier must be kept to a minimum.

The offense must be contained, and not allowed to move the puck/ball into the prime scoring area. All defensive players must be on the defensive side of their opposition, and force them to the outside.

Don’t back in too deep. This causes nightmares for the goaltender. Let the goalie see the play. Position the defense to prevent rebound shots and to gain possession of the puck.

If you adhere to these simple principles, you should experience good defensive zone coverage regardless of the system your team uses. l

Wayne Anderson is Managing Director of Huron Hockey’s roller hockey schools.

This first appeared in the 08/1995 issue of Hockey Player Magazine®
© Copyright 1991-2001 Hockey Player® and Hockey Player Magazine®

Behind the Net Breakout

Drill:

1. Players work together as a team to bring the puck out of the zone
2. 1 Defensemen gets the puck behind the net to start the play
3. The other Defenseman has to hold his ground in front of the net
4. The 2 Forward will come down along the boards to the tops of the circles and cut back up.
5. Forward takes pass and they move it out
6. D in front of net joins the rush and the other is the last guy in the zone

Focus:
1. If they have time, the D can stop and set up the play
2. If they don’t they have to skate with the puck and make a good outlet pass
3. Forwards have to focus on where they need to be. If they do not get the pass, they should move toward the middle of the rink to cut the next pass length down

Notes:
This drill really focuses on getting the puck out of their own end. Players learn to make decisions on whether to carry the puck or pass.
Add a coach in as a fore-checker after they get used to it.
You could also start to add your own forwards into the play as well to work on their fore-checking skills.

Related Drills:
3 on 2 breakout
2 on 0 breakout