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. 

Hustle

Skate through every puck, challenge every play you possibly can, never stand still, never give up on a puck. If you're not gassed after your shift you're not hustling enough.

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. Man in front of the net.

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”.

Always a Player in Front of the Net

Defenseman need to learn how to look for one another and recognize when you have to cover the front. Work as a pair and understand where your partner is at all times.

Communicate

Talk with everyone, help keep people in place on the ice. Learn to tell your partner to cover, or pressure, when to clear to the boards. Help them out if they have pressure “One On, Two On”.  Tell them where to pass “Boards, D to D, etc.”

Never Pass Up the Middle

Never pass up the middle of our ice when pressured. The boards are your friends. If you're pressured, it's a better play to clear to the boards than risk a turnover in the slot.

Wheel When You Have the Speed and Space

When handling the puck in the defensive zone, if you have some space, take it, and then look to make a pass. Don’t get rid of the puck too quickly and if you have speed, use it.

Do Not Exit the Offensive Zone Too Early

We want to make sure that someone is the safety valve, but do not give the other team a huge chunk of ice to gain speed. Be mindful of when to pinch and when to play conservatively. Hold the blue line boards.

Be Part of the Offense

Learn to expect passes at the blue line, and make quick decisions to help your team keep possession of the puck. Dump into the corner, slide to partner, step up and shoot the puck, never stand still, look, move, and make a choice. A shot into a forward's pads high in the zone can result in a turnover and a breakaway, so take smart shots or dump it.

Stick on Stick, Body on Body

Take the opposing player’s stick away and anticipate their move by getting your body on theirs. Even if a player gets around, they will be slowed down. Don't be afraid to pin a player with the puck to the boards to slow down the play and wait for help.

Use the "Goalie's Best Friend"

It is never a bad play to take the puck behind our own net and assess the defensive zone. The net can serve as a barrier between you and a defender. Taking the puck behind our own net also allows for our players to get into position to initiate the breakout. 

Protect Your Goalie

In and around the crease defenseman should be looking to stick lift and take the stick away, especially on rebound opportunities. If an opposing player if taking liberties – "whacks" and/or "snow plowing" our goalie – enforce our crease and stand up for our goalie.

Panic Mode

If you are stuck in the defensive zone in a long shift, hit the puck high off the boards or ice the puck. It’ll give you time for a line change or hopefully a transition. Don’t stick handle and try to skate through players in the defensive zone.