Hockey sense?

[Kinger1989]

Hey there,

New to hockey. My boy is an eight year old Mite. He skates well, but looks lost during the games. He likes hockey, but he is not one of these kids who eats, sleeps, and breathes it. It's frustrating to watch him look so good in the drills at the practices...and then a non-factor in the games. Is there any hope that he might get it together and become a decent player down the line? Or is hockey sense (the term I keep hearing) something that you either got it or you don't?

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

[Snowmass]

You kind of answered your own question....he's eight yrs old. Granted some squirts & peewees never develop a "hockey sense", chances are he'll have more of a "hockey sense" as the season progresses. It's only week 1 of the season for mites. He'll be just fine. Let him have fun, bring him to the park so he can rink rat it.

[O-townClown]

It's frustrating to watch him look so good in the drills at the practices...and then a non-factor in the games. Is there any hope that he might get it together and become a decent player down the line? Or is hockey sense (the term I keep hearing) something that you either got it or you don't?

First thought - is he playing full-ice or small area (cross ice or half-ice)? Some kids seem lost because the ice sheet is so big. Crossice "brings the game to them" and it helps accelerate development. If you haven't already, read the Red, White & Blue hockey brochure on the USA Hockey website.

Second - yes! Absolutely yes! If he's showing decent skills he can absolutely become a very good player down the road. Hockey sense will come with time.

Finally - there's hope! USA Hockey has partnered with a vendor to sell some software called Intelligym. It initially was used to help Israeli fighter pilots with their spatial recognition and decision making. The first sport application was for basketball. (My son's friend played Major College and it was often mentioned during TV telecasts that he was using it. He was the PG, so it was considered important for his position.) Kind of spendy, but maybe there's something to it. It's basically a video game.

[Pudda_Puck_In_Her_Ear]

I am not kidding, buy NHL 2k11.

The best guess I have is that is showed my kids a different view of the ice, but no joke ... it seemed to help their "hockey sense." I know for a fact it did teach them the value of moving the puck.

Plus it's fun seeing their name on the back of a Bruins sweater.

[Pens4]

I'm not sure that buying a USA Hockey "endorsed" video is the best route to improve your hockey IQ. Call me crazy but shouldn't playing the game have something to do with it.

[WB6162]

The most important advise I've seen here is making sure he get's a lot of unsupervised rink rat time on the outdoor rink with his friends, that is where they really get better IMO.

Don't tell the blades marketing people here, they will tell you that you have to spend at least 1K before they can give you any advise

[keepyourheadup]

I might also suggest watching on television. Some kids are visual learners and college and pro hockey are outstanding examples of how to play the game.

[StayAtHomeD]

An older guy I work with lives in South St Paul, just block away from where Phil Housley grew up. He said Housley and his brother were a pain in the butt because they would be outside all summer and winter playing street hockey so you had to wait for them to move the nets so you could drive through.

So like someone said, the Blades and MM are a joke, the great players are kids who have a passion and it comes from within, not from outside.

[observer]

the Blades and MM are a joke

They're not. They're strong organizations that help a lot of kids to improve their game. They also offer AAA teams that are fun and part of important summer training. And, if you know anything, you should know that.

But, they are not the only way to improve your players game. There are several good organizations, clubs, coaches and teams that can help players to advance their game during the off season. We've also learned that some good organizations may not have well accepted coaches at all levels. It's more about the individual leading a particular team than the organization itself.

Find a good off season program, or AAA team, when your player is a Squirt as there is less and less player movement as the boys and the teams age. Careful jumping around too. If you can find a good program/team, with good leadership and coaching, that your player enjoys, stay with it. You'd feel bad if you moved your player out of a situation he enjoyed into one he doesn't.

[InigoMontoya]

An older guy I work with lives in South St Paul, just block away from where Phil Housley grew up. He said Housley and his brother were a pain in the butt because they would be outside all summer and winter playing street hockey so you had to wait for them to move the nets so you could drive through.

So like someone said, the Blades and MM are a joke, the great players are kids who have a passion and it comes from within, not from outside.

You are correct, in that boys playing street hockey on their own time certainly is an indicator of their love for the game. However, it is a very, very long stretch to extrapolate - playing street hockey is more productive than ice time and actual game situations in developing hockey sense.

[Toomuchtoosoon]

An older guy I work with lives in South St Paul, just block away from where Phil Housley grew up. He said Housley and his brother were a pain in the butt because they would be outside all summer and winter playing street hockey so you had to wait for them to move the nets so you could drive through.

So like someone said, the Blades and MM are a joke, the great players are kids who have a passion and it comes from within, not from outside.


You are correct, in that boys playing street hockey on their own time certainly is an indicator of their love for the game. However, it is a very, very long stretch to extrapolate - playing street hockey is more productive than ice time and actual game situations in developing hockey sense.

Two boys, Same DNA and opportunity- one was a great NHLer and the other had a cup of coffee at the U. Too many unknown factors to develop a secret formula for player development. Whatever you do, have fun doing it.

[scrapiron]

Tough to teach.

[FIRE*ON*ICE]

[I think they either "GET IT" or they "DON'T", even at an early age...My son is a good example of having a great sense of the game at 10 but his skills aren't quite there yet. My daughter sees the ice very well too? Just my opinion.