So here we are in late November. In the OJHL, this is commonly the time of year when organizations are supposed to be beginning to understand where they stand in the grand mosaic of the league. Yet, the interesting part is that for most teams, especially those outside the East (with the exception of perhaps the Wellington Dukes), that is still a mystery.
I could go into where we stand in the league today, but to be honest it could change by the end of the weekend. It's the wild west out there!
So I thought I'd write about a few things that I've picked up from the coaching staffs of the respective teams that I work for, with a specific view on what they seem to wish their players would figure out.
1) Stop in front of the net.
It sounds so simple right? How many times do commentators talk about "going to the dirty areas of the ice to score goals" and "getting the greasy goal"? Take the Patriots game vs. Trenton last Saturday. Toronto forward Nico Gonzalez had two breakaways and both times he had a guy right behind him that stopped in front of the net. On one of the occasions, Marco Bozzo did the absolute right thing, stopped in a dangerous area, got a rebound as a result and scored. On the other, Gonzalez's backhand trickled past the line, but had it settled there, Marcus Rose was right there (though Rosy is almost always in the right spot).
Let's be honest here folks, the D in the OJ this year aren't exactly heavy laden with Zdeno Chara-esque monsters. One of my favourites in the year, and one of the under-the-radar guys, Nick Geiser, has 11 goals! He's like Phil Esposito circa 1975! He stops in front of the net. When he shoots the puck, he follows his own shot. Goalies love it when guys shoot and just circle the net, shaking their heads that they put it right on the logo. What they don't want is anyone right there in their face.
2) Finish your checks.
Look, I know you're probably 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, and maybe even have that bizarre and 100% false notion that if you're busy hitting, you can't get busy scoring. But if you finish your checks, at least three things happen.
One, you get physically engaged in the game. You get a jolt of adrenaline and a skip in your step, and some confidence, and maybe next time that puck comes to you in tight, you are mentally able to pull it to the forehand and jam that thing in! It's the psychology of doing something positive that you have full control of.
Two, the other guy probably won't like it. If you hit him, he has to deal with your check instead of heading up ice and helping with the offence. The guys on their team have to remember, and take into account, that you're going to come looking for a hit the next time you're on the forecheck, or in the corner. It's about being tough to play against, and giving the other guys more to think about.
Three, the people that are watching freaking love it. You want a college scholarship? I've heard many scouts say "he might not have the greatest hands, but he finishes his checks!" Showing an edge is a major feather in your cap to scouts, and to coaches. It gives your bench energy, so in a way you're doing a bit of a job for the coaches in that the coaches don't have to keep harping on "let's get going!" "let's get some energy here boys!", etc.
I'm not saying hitting is easy, but whether you're a first or fourth liner and you want to be a good teammate, get to the next level, and/or win when it counts (playoffs, Dudley, RBC Cup, etc.), start hitting today!
3) That line between appearing to care too little, and getting too rattled.
It's a fine line, no doubt about it. I've found that most players seem to have a hard time picking which direction they go after a tough game, or being scratched. I get it, you're a human teenager with strong emotions.
But here's a tip, chose to be a good teammate regardless, and when in doubt, air on the side of caring. It goes a long way in so many areas; trades, future scratches, how hard your teammates will battle for you. And, just as importantly, when a college scout is sitting in the coach's office after a game, one of the first questions they ask is "what's he like off the ice? is he a good teammate?". So we all have initial feelings, everyone hates being scratched or sat or having a bad game or screwing up. But choosing to be a good teammate, and choosing to have good body language even when you don't want to, can be serious money in your pocket later on.
4) Treat coaches, equipment managers, athletic therapists, and rink employees like gold.
This may seem obvious, but I'm serious. All these people can mean the world of difference for you on and off the ice, and beyond that, it's just as important to work at being a good person now as it is to being a good hockey player. A good general manager/head coach cares how their players treat the rest of the organization, and winning clubs almost always have that professionalism and respect from top to bottom. Look at him/her in the eye and say thank you to the person getting you your stick, or sharpening your skates or taping your ankles or even flooding the ice.
5) When in doubt, go north.
This is especially true on special teams. One of the biggest differences between Junior 'A' and the next level is that hunger to get pucks toward the net as quick as possible. I'm not saying lobbing wristers from Timbuktu, or disrupting a system, but guys hold the puck on their stick so long that it gives it time to bounce, or the other team time to close. And I mean it, this is an epidemic in the OJHL. Giver a blast! As Coach Fortier once said: "if he blocks you once, that's too bad. If he blocks you twice, then give him a freaking medal...he's a hero." Shoot the puck on the power play, and move your feet over blue lines. That's simple stuff, but it's next level.
6) Ask.
Coaches work hard at making systems and set plays for their teams, so work hard at understanding them. If you aren't sure, stay after practice and meet with a coach. This is all part of communicating that you care, that you are committed and that you want to win. It's also part of being a good teammate, because if your linemate knows and you don't, then you are making both of you look bad and you probably aren't going to be successful on that play.
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