Hustle Any Time You Are On the Ice

Effort is controllable and doesn't take skill.  It’s all on the player to put in the effort they want.  Effort should be put into every practice and every game.

Ready to Learn Attitude

Players should come to practices with a ready to learn attitude. Coaches expect attention to be given when asked, and attention given on the ice when Coaches talk. Players need to behave as if they were in a classroom when Coaches are coaching. Coaches are trying to TEACH the game of hockey, the players are STUDENTS of the game.

Be Coachable

When coaches provide feedback players should be open to listening and applying the feedback given. Players who remain closed off to feedback or challenge feedback often hinder their own development.

Respect

This goes for your teammates, do not talk down to or bully one another, seek to build each other up. If someone is falling short, help pick them up. Respect your opponent. Do not antagonize or act in a manner that hurts your team.Respect your coaches. Listen to them,when they ask you a question answer “yes coach” or “no coach”. Respect the officials on ice. Do not talk back to them, let your coaches manage any issues. Respect the organization. You wear the Icedogs jersey and should behave in a manner that makes everyone proud that you are an Icedog.

Ownership

Be responsible for yourself. This means your behavior on and off the ice, how you treat others, whether or not you are playing as well as you want. Make yourself accountable for yourself.

 Inclusion

Hockey is for everyone. Some of us start earlier than others, and some of us find the game later in life. If you started early, act like an older sibling and help newer to the game players learn. Never ostracize a teammate for lack of skill.

 Attendance

Players that attend practice have a higher rate of development.   With only one on-ice practice scheduled per week, it is crucial players do everything possible to make every practice to get the most out of the program. 

Positional Play Forwards - The Basics

Hustle- Skate through every puck, challenge every play you possibly can, never stand still, never give up on a puc

Know your job, and do your job- Teach what is required of forwards in each zone of play and how Center differs from wing. Teach trust in teammates and gain their trust by doing your job. Do not over pursue. Position is king

Play both ways- Teach what defensive responsibilities you have as a center and as a wing. Understand how your role affects the transition of play from defense into offense

Man in front of the net- From day 1, teach we have a man in front of the net always. In defensive zone and in offensive zone. Forwards need to work together and learn to always have a guy in front in offensive zone

Attack with Speed- When on offense, especially in transition, we attack with speed, even if you do not have the puck. Too often players skate slowly waiting to see what the other will do, attack the other team with your speed, and take the initiative to be the “lead man” to push the pace through the Neutral Zone.  In addition The faster you attack, the less time the other team has to prepare and defend.

Forecheck aggressively- Meet the defenseman behind the goal line as a wing, disrupt their breakout, make them rush. Center should be taught to be the second man in to help clean up or add additional pressure.

Cross-ice passing in the neutral zone- Learn to look across the ice to see opposite side wing or a center streaking. Ties into point #5, the puck is faster than any player.

Form Triangles in the Offensive zone- be creative with your positioning away from the puck and always be in range to be in the play and “support the puck”.  Do not take yourself out of the play. Ties into point #4.

Use your Defenseman in the offensive zone- Pass to the Point and get the defense involved to spread out the other team’s defense and make the other team chase the puck around.   

Value the puck-  You worked so hard to get the puck into the offensive zone, don’t force passes or shots and risk a turnover.   If you get stuck, use your points / defenseman to keep the puck in play and attack from a different part of the ice. Don’t be afraid to put the puck back into the corner and keep the puck DEEP.

Communicate - tell your teammates where you are on the ice.  “Slot”, “Corner”, “Dot”, “Trail”, “Head/Lead”  or where to go with the puck if they don’t see the passing opportunity “Point”, “Boards”, “Across”.