Try Out Information

Players that skate well, can handle the puck and shoot: can they do it with moving parts around them? Do they play with their head up? Do they have the ability to look around and know what they are going to do with the puck before they get it? Do they see the ice? Can they handle the puck under pressure? Can they keep the puck on their stick and assess where to skate or pass the puck in a pressure situation? We want our players to value the puck. Does the player understand how to protect the puck? Do they use their body to shield the opposing player(s) from the puck? Can they be evasive, creative and exhibit misdirection while possessing the puck? Do they understand how and when to move the puck? Do they have a willingness to pass the puck? Do they make the right play? Are they a one-player show, or are they unselfish with the puck? 

Can the player demonstrate basic fundamental skating proficiency? Chin up, chest up, butt down. Do they have a good push, a good stride? Is it efficient? Are they able to achieve good extension and do they bring their feet back underneath their shoulders? Can they skate backwards? Can they stride with their butt down one leg and then the other in a defined pattern to skate backwards? Can they do so without leaning on their stick? Does the player have control of their edges? Can they stop both directions? Can they do so with both feet glued to the ice? When they turn and change direction is the lead leg out in front? Are they leaning into their turn? Is their weight distributed over the balls of their feet or are they carving into the ice on the backs of their skates, on their heels? Can they pivot forward to backward and vice versa and achieve a good push with acceleration? Edge work is about balance and coordination and confidence on your edges. When we watch the player, do they look smooth and proficient, balanced and agile or is that an area that we need to continue to help them get better at?

We are evaluating the ability to handle, manage, manipulate, pass and shoot the puck. Can the player demonstrate an ability to keep the puck on their stick while stickhandling forehand to backhand? Do they cup the puck on both sides for control? When they turn with possession, are they able to keep it out in front of them and under control? Is their bottom hand mobile to adjust to passes and gathering loose pucks? Can they pass the puck on target? Do they look at their intended target? Does their pass have pace and confidence? Can they pass on their backhand and receive passes on their backhand? Can they handle the puck at speed, or under pressure? When you look at the player do you think “good with the puck, soft hands” or is this an area that the player needs to work on to gain proficiency and confidence? 

This is an extremely important area for us. Does the player work hard? Do they skate to engage quickly on both sides of the puck? Do they work hard for their teammates? In a race, when they are behind, do they continue to fight to catch up and do their very best to get there, or do they give up? What do you see in 1v1 puck battles? Does the player often find a way to be the one to come out with puck? Or is it the opposite? Does the player work to get into as many puck battles as possible or do they prefer to play on the outside away from the tough areas, away from the corners and in front of the net? Are they strong on their stick, do they have balance in traffic areas, can they get bumped and maintain body position? Are they intimidated by contact or do they have the ability or desire to initiate contact to gain position? Do they have the willingness to go to hard areas and compete to create opportunities for their teammates?

What is the player’s body language? When something doesn’t go their way, what do we see? Palms up, shaking their head, eye rolls, whacking their stick, heads in hands? This is not our culture! We are teaching, coaching and delivering a daily message that promotes positivity, good attitudes, resiliency and strong work ethic in the face of adversity and challenges. The victories for our players in this regard are not the act but how they react to a situation and move past it with a good attitude. Is the player resilient? If they get beat one on one can they shake it off and approach the next play, drill or opportunity with their best effort? Are they rooting for their teammates, tapping them on the shin pads, saying "good job"? Can they accept teammates' mistakes with a positive attitude or do they demonstrate body language that blames or shames their teammates for mistakes? Do they take responsibility? Can they lead by example by working hard in drills and encouraging all teammates no matter their skill set or ability? Are they coachable? Can they pay attention and listen? Do they care? Can the player accept constructive criticism and direction and then apply it? Can they be a leader?