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What determines if a kid will be a better center or winger? I assume professional coaches can spot the differences in kids but for the rest of us we are constantly trying to figure out who fits best in that role.

On most teams that I've been a part of, centers are expected to be the "3rd defenseman" in the defensive zone and play both sides of the ice in the offensive zone. Contrary to the belief of some, center is not as much of a "goal scoring" position as right or left wing but they do have to be some of the best skaters.

In most boys youth systems I agree. Usually last of the forwards out of the D zone because they are down low helping the D. Remember Jacque wouldn't allow his centers below the dots in the offensive zone as they have to be first back in most systems. Winning faceoffs is important but even youth teams are switching players taking faceoffs based on right hand, left hand, and how they pull the puck to the D. Fitness is a factor because they need to hustle to catch the wings moving out of the zone and also hustle back to help the D in the D zone. A difficult position played correctly.

What are opinions on the value/importance of fore-checking center vs. wing?

sinbin wrote:What are opinions on the value/importance of fore-checking center vs. wing?

Depends on what kind of a forecheck the team is doing. Most I think would just have F1 F2 F3 and it doesn't matter who is center and who is wing.

ahastars03 wrote:

sinbin wrote:What are opinions on the value/importance of fore-checking center vs. wing?

Depends on what kind of a forecheck the team is doing. Most I think would just have F1 F2 F3 and it doesn't matter who is center and who is wing.

I think we always, in the past, moved our top guys into that center spot and then balanced the wings with "decent" players. But what we found is the top end guy has little to work with So his scoring and production tends to dry up. Maybe we have to think about it from either an offensive or defensive point of view and play to our strengths? Hold scoring to a minimum or set it up to out score the other team..

Aimforthefivehole wrote:

ahastars03 wrote:

sinbin wrote:What are opinions on the value/importance of fore-checking center vs. wing?

Depends on what kind of a forecheck the team is doing. Most I think would just have F1 F2 F3 and it doesn't matter who is center and who is wing.

I think we always, in the past, moved our top guys into that center spot and then balanced the wings with "decent" players. But what we found is the top end guy has little to work with So his scoring and production tends to dry up. Maybe we have to think about it from either an offensive or defensive point of view and play to our strengths? Hold scoring to a minimum or set it up to out score the other team..

I know what you mean, we used to try and "balance" things out. Then we changed things up and went more to a deal where we had a top line and a 2nd line etc.... the "hope" being that the top line would be able to put up points and the 2nd lines main hope was just not to give up many if any. We didn't "coach" them that way, everyone was coached to do the same thing and given the same opportunities but the reality was one line was much stronger and it worked out pretty well. The other part is players play to the level of those around them, it's tough for a top line center to play with guys who aren't as fast or as skilled as he is, he needs players who play at or close to the same speed. In turn the same goes for teh second line guys, they actually play better, pass better and look better when the guys around them play at the same speed they do. They actually do look and play better than when you pair them with a top end guy, it's somewhat counterintuitive if you ask me but after seeing it and listening to a coach explain things it made total sense. Just my personal take on it....

Wow Aim/JSR, have you been watching my son's team play!?

It's nice to read these comments. I've said many times that we aren't alone in the challenge we face.

Kids that move better horizontally seem to make better centers. I wouldnt put a north/south guy at center, they usually make better wings.