Question for coaches regarding player selection

[WB6162]

When grading a defenseman, could you give your percent of importance for the following attributes of a player?

-Skating (backward, cross overs, transitions ect)

-Passing (accuracy, velocity)

-speed and decision making

-Physical presence

-attitude and coachability

Thanks.

[ranger]

I would also add their ability to see the entire ice. Often times a D can miss a pass or play that was open because they have their head down focusing on the puck. Being comfortable with the puck can make all the difference at the high school level.

[muckandgrind]

I would say the most important attributes for a defenseman (in no particular order) are: vision, skating, understanding of where they should be on the ice, ability to maintain gap control, and passing/stickhandling.

[Lucia4President]

When grading a defenseman, could you give your percent of importance for the following attributes of a player?

-Skating (backward, cross overs, transitions ect)

-Passing (accuracy, velocity)

-speed and decision making

-Physical presence

-attitude and coachability

Thanks.

What level are you coaching?

[midwesthockeyscout]

When you are talking 15-18 year olds, these are the criteria a coach wishes he can have, but believe me, there are only a handful of players that can fill all of these.

Let's also not forget about attitude/character, work ethic in PRACTICE, and academic smarts. There are some coaches that won't take players if he knows he will have a battle with grades. Coaches don't like having to babysit.

EVERY program will have atleast its fifth and sixth defensemen that will have maybe 3 of the 5 assets, and only he knows which ones he needs to fill the roster.

[WB6162]

When grading a defenseman, could you give your percent of importance for the following attributes of a player?

-Skating (backward, cross overs, transitions ect)

-Passing (accuracy, velocity)

-speed and decision making

-Physical presence

-attitude and coachability

Thanks.

What level are you coaching?

Sorry if I was not clear, I am not a coach. I was just looking for some answers for my son because he didn't make the HS team.

We of course think he should have (totally unbiased Dad right?).

He has been struggling with grades, maybe I have my answer then. It's sad because he had a D- in Advanced English up to a B- now and he had an F in Art but has that up to a C+ now. HS can be a grind for these kids with jobs and sports. Bad timing with the report card is my guess.

Thanks guys.

[Lucia4President]

When grading a defenseman, could you give your percent of importance for the following attributes of a player?

-Skating (backward, cross overs, transitions ect)

-Passing (accuracy, velocity)

-speed and decision making

-Physical presence

-attitude and coachability

Thanks.

What level are you coaching?

Sorry if I was not clear, I am not a coach. I was just looking for some answers for my son because he didn't make the HS team.

We of course think he should have (totally unbiased Dad right?).

He has been struggling with grades, maybe I have my answer then. It's sad because he had a D- in Advanced English up to a B- now and he had an F in Art but has that up to a C+ now. HS can be a grind for these kids with jobs and sports. Bad timing with the report card is my guess.

Thanks guys.

I think the biggest thing for a high school kid to do if he is cut from a team is to stay positive. There are other options this season, like Jr. Gold. Get him on a team if possible.

The most successful players at any level are the ones that play controlled, composed hockey. The only way to play like that is to have confidence in yourself, and that comes from possessing the basic skills of the game. Work and work and work on those skills, and the vision and creativity will follow. If he is really dedicated, have him watch high school, college, and pro games to see what the D do well so he can emulate them.

But, like I said earlier, have him work on the basic skills, and the finer points of the game will become easier to learn and execute.

[puckscout]

When grading a defenseman, could you give your percent of importance for the following attributes of a player?

-Skating (backward, cross overs, transitions ect)

-Passing (accuracy, velocity)

-speed and decision making

-Physical presence

-attitude and coachability

Thanks.

What level are you coaching?

Sorry if I was not clear, I am not a coach. I was just looking for some answers for my son because he didn't make the HS team.

We of course think he should have (totally unbiased Dad right?).

He has been struggling with grades, maybe I have my answer then. It's sad because he had a D- in Advanced English up to a B- now and he had an F in Art but has that up to a C+ now. HS can be a grind for these kids with jobs and sports. Bad timing with the report card is my guess.

Thanks guys.

If you and I were coaching we would have two different teams. That goes with every coach. What I saw in a kid when i coached, others didn't. The very hard to coach kids or that can't pay attention are quite often tossed out with the bath water. I however, preferred some of them if they had some skills, were aggressive skaters, saw the ice well. I know a couple coaches that spent an hour debating two kids, which one should be B and which C??? (seriously) that came after an hour of debating the two on the bubble before that. One coach sees as positive and another sees weakness.

But it all depends on what the coach wants to work with, has to work with, and the style of game/player they prefer and which ones they think fit. They might even admit they were wrong about a kid down the road, no one is perfect.

You might see some really good skaters that can't play "hockey" they don't see the ice they won't chase the puck, etc... but put the puck on their stick and they look great, just can't do much with the other four skaters.

The parents wonder why little johnny awesome cone skater didn't make the team??? because they aren't playing against cones!

PS of the two that were being debated, their were several much better that didn't even make the debate and the season proved it.

[midwesthockeyscout]

Lucia hit on many points, but we also have to factor in, there ARE politics to ANY sport. It may be one player, it may be a series of players - it could be parent related - good or bad - could be booster related, could be family history.

I can tell you that my son has been a victim and benefactor on many points, and it wasn't a happy ending for him, and, some believe politics had come into play.

I stressed to my son that although his dream of playing varsity high school hockey was not meant to be, that he needs to understand that its about the love of playing hockey that's important - and it doesn't matter for what team.

If my son wanted to quit playing hockey, because he didn't make varsity, then I told him he was playing hockey for the wrong reason. Although it's sad and humbling to not be good enough to play with his peers, it's still about the love of the game.

Maybe he becomes the best JR gold player on his team or in the league?

The reality is that, for every 50 very good HS players, one goes D3 hockey, maybe one in a hundred goes D1.....

As long as your son can look himself in the mirror and accept that he gave his best effort, that's all you can ask as he grows into being a man.