cfallooner

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

COACHES: If we want to develop better hockey players, we need to talk more about work AWAY FROM THE PUCK. Here are two clips to show your players on this concept.

1. GIVE-AND-GO: One of my favorite youth coaches was from Russia and Tarasov's school of hockey...and his biggest pet peeve was passing and then not moving. He would literally stop practice and make us do a somersault if we passed and stood still.

Our team won a national championship, we had half our team play college hockey, and his emphasis on this I think was a huge part of our development.

Why is a give-and-go big?

When a defender is on you and you pass it, that split second is when they're most vulnerable. They have to look at where the puck goes but also pay attention to you. By moving right away after passing, their attention shifts, even so briefly, which allows you to get open to get it back.

Check out this AMAZING give-and-go between McDavid and Draisaitl. These guys are on another level and McDavid is truly superhuman at working away from the puck.

2. WORK TO SUPPORT THE PUCK: On the second clip, watch how hard Tarasenko speeds through the neutral zone to get to a spot of support. If he doesn't, this play ends in a dump in and an easy breakout.

But he hightails it, like he's shot out of a cannon, and even though he doesn't get the puck, his speed without the puck allows him to get pressure on the forecheck.

3. WORK TO GET THE PUCK BACK: Then you have Kaprizov, one of the most skilled players in the world, working to track back on the forecheck. His effort helps create the turnover and he gets rewarded with the goal. If you want to play offense, the harder you work away from the puck defensively, the more you'll benefit offensively by getting possession back.

Even the best players in the world only have the puck on their stick for maybe one minute during a game. As coaches and in player development, the more we can emphasize play without the puck, the more we'll develop smarter and better players.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

KIDS: A gift of truly elite players is the ability to create time and space for their teammates. Showing poise and drawing multiple defenders to you opening up ice for others on your team.

Here are two clips from two of the best: Panarin and Bedard.

Entering the zone, they draw multiple defenders towards them manipulating the play and then find an open player for the goal. This is amazing stuff, great job by two great players!!!

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

Emphasizing passing is teaching hockey sense. USA Hockey’s Jason Guerriero came on to talk all about “eyes up” and creating smarter players.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

The most important conversation a kid is going to have on their journey to achieving their dreams is the conversation they have with their parents after hitting their first big adversity.

Parents who point fingers and make excuses for their kid = kid has no shot

Parents who emphasize taking responsibility and ownership of their failure = kid has a shot

As former D1 college coaches, Jason Guerriero and I talked about this on our latest podcast.

[Glass and Out Podcast @GlassandOutPod]

"The passing side of the game is gone." Ryan Huska shares his thoughts on the need for better development of passing and receiving skills in the modern player.

LISTEN: https://t.co/BWiOf5JTWi

Presented by @StateAndLiberty

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

KIDS: Every level you go up, you'll see less and less players trying to beat defenders 1on1.

It's all about puck movement because it's harder and harder to beat players by yourself. Players are too good defensively at the next levels. Here are two great examples of really good players trying to go through a defender - but they turn it over and it goes the other way in transition for a goal.

If you have a coach preaching passing when you're younger - even if you're highly skilled and can beat defenders 1on1 pretty easily - that's a coach that's helping you to succeed at the next levels.

[Luke Combs 🎤 @lukecombs]

My guy. Ordinary. What a song. @alexwaarren

[NHL @NHL]

Nothing better than scoring in your home province and having your family there watching 🫶

What a special moment for Tyson Kozak!

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

I'll say it until I'm blue in the face. Passing is the most underrated skill in hockey. Our game is the ultimate team game. If we don't teach our kids how to pass and support consistently we're not developing hockey players.

Check out these beauties from last night. Great job!

[Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak]

Parenting athletes isn’t easy.

Keith Tkachuk's 2 most important lessons for his sons growing up:

1) Compete
2) Be a good teammate

(Via @HockeyDaily365)

[Southwest Cougars @CougarsSw]

That didn’t take
Long. Congratulations Tyson! #cougs4life

[Dimitri Filipovic @DimFilipovic]

my goodness

[Southwest Cougars @CougarsSw]

Great article. Good luck! #cougs4life https://t.co/cWuan69Bs4

[Fuji @mtprohockey]

It’s official! Mikey will be playing in the MJHL with Wayway Wolverines this season!

[Pavel Barber @HeyBarber]

BEDARD’S RELEASE IS INSANE

[Barstool Sports @barstoolsports]

Enter Sandman at Virginia Tech is always perfect

[NHL @NHL]

⚔️ Undrafted out of junior
⚔️ Expansion draft selection
⚔️ Conn Smythe Trophy winner
⚔️ Stanley Cup Champion

What a journey for Jonathan Marchessault (@JMarchessault18). #StanleyCup

[Humboldt Broncos @HumboldtBroncos]

The Humboldt Broncos organization, along with the entire hockey world, will never forget April 6, 2018.

Today, and every day, we remember and pay tribute to the 2017-2018 Humboldt Broncos players, staff and families.

💚💛 https://t.co/ysO0mW2x3G

[CRASH CONDITIONING @CrashCondHockey]

👇🏼#CRASHLETE @jake_neighbours #Rolemodel

[FanDuel Sports Network Midwest @FanDuelSN_MW]

Jake Neighbours is old school and proud of it. #stlblues