The Hockey GuysWe're a group of passionate hockey players and fans.2026-02-05T14:43:43Zhttps://thehockeyguys.net/feed/atom/WordPresshttps://thehockeyguys.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-The-Hockey-Guys-Favicon-2-32x32.jpgCoach Patrick<![CDATA[What Gear Do Hockey Players Need?]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=19142026-02-04T20:17:36Z2026-02-04T20:16:15ZWhat Gear Do Hockey Players Need? Compared to goalies, hockey players wear less equipment, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important. Every piece of player gear is designed to protect against high-speed pucks, sticks, collisions, and falls while still allowing you to skate, shoot, and move freely. If you’re a new hockey parent or […]
Compared to goalies, hockey players wear less equipment, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important. Every piece of player gear is designed to protect against high-speed pucks, sticks, collisions, and falls while still allowing you to skate, shoot, and move freely.
If you’re a new hockey parent or a player just getting started, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Hockey equipment looks intimidating at first, but once you understand what each piece does and how it should fit, the process becomes much simpler.
Hockey is a fast, physical game, but modern equipment is built to keep players safe at every level. When sized and worn correctly, player gear provides excellent protection and lets players focus on developing skills and enjoying the game.
Quick Overview: What Do Hockey Players Wear?
Here’s a complete list of standard hockey player equipment:
Helmet
Face protection (cage, shield, or visor)
Mouthguard
Shoulder pads
Elbow pads
Gloves
Hockey pants
Jock or Jill
Shin guards
Skates
Stick
Additional under-layer protection may include padded compression shirts or shorts, neck guards, and moisture-wicking base layers.
Understanding Stock vs Custom Hockey Gear
Unlike goalie equipment, most hockey player gear is stock only, meaning it’s made in standard sizes and specifications. Custom options are usually limited to skates, gloves, and sticks at higher levels.
For beginners and youth players, stock gear is more than sufficient. Manufacturers design stock equipment to fit the majority of players comfortably and safely.
As players grow and move into higher levels of competition, fit and comfort become more important. At that point, investing in better-quality gear or semi-custom options can improve performance and durability, but it’s not required when starting out.
Where to Buy Hockey Player Equipment
The two most popular retailers for hockey player gear are Pure Hockey and Hockey Monkey, largely due to their wide selection, knowledgeable staff, and flexible return policies.
Buying from a specialty hockey retailer also gives you access to proper fitting, which is one of the most important parts of staying safe and comfortable on the ice.
Complete Hockey Player Equipment Breakdown
1. Hockey Helmet
Your helmet is the most important piece of equipment you’ll wear. Protecting your head should always be the top priority.
What to Look For:
HECC-certified helmet (required for USA Hockey and Hockey Canada)
Snug fit with no movement when shaking your head
Proper adjustment at the temples and back
Compatible with cage or visor
Pro Tip: Always buy helmets new. You never know how many impacts a used helmet has taken, and compromised protection isn’t worth the risk.
Cost Range: $60–$300+
2. Face Protection (Cage, Shield, or Visor)
Most youth and amateur players wear a full cage, which provides the best protection. Visors and half-shields are typically only allowed at higher levels.
Options:
Full cage: Maximum protection (recommended for youth)
Hybrid shield: Cage bottom, visor top
Visor: Allowed only in certain leagues
Cost Range: $30–$100
3. Mouthguard
A mouthguard helps protect your teeth and reduces the risk of jaw injuries and concussions.
Many leagues require mouthguards, especially at youth levels.
Options:
Boil-and-bite
Custom molded
Cost Range: $10–$50
4. Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads protect your chest, shoulders, collarbone, and upper spine.
What to Look For:
Proper chest coverage without restricting movement
Shoulder caps that sit comfortably
Adjustable straps for a secure fit
Cost Range: $50–$200
5. Elbow Pads
Elbow pads protect your elbows and forearms from falls, slashes, and blocked shots.
Fit Tip: Elbow pads should fully cover the elbow joint and stay in place when you move your arms.
Cost Range: $30–$120
6. Hockey Gloves
Gloves protect your hands, wrists, and fingers while allowing you to grip the stick comfortably.
What to Look For:
Proper length to cover wrists
Comfortable palm material
Adequate finger protection
Sizing: Gloves are sized by length in inches (10”–15”).
Cost Range: $60–$250+
7. Hockey Pants
Hockey pants protect your hips, thighs, tailbone, and lower spine.
Fit Matters:
Pants should sit at the waist
Thigh pads should extend to just above the knee
Should not restrict skating stride
Cost Range: $60–$200+
8. Jock or Jill
This protects the pelvic area and is mandatory in most leagues.
Options:
Integrated compression shorts
Standalone jock or jill
Cost Range: $15–$60
9. Shin Guards
Shin guards protect the lower leg and knee from pucks, sticks, and falls.
Fit Tip: When standing, shin guards should cover from just below the kneecap to the top of the skate tongue.
Cost Range: $40–$150
10. Hockey Skates
Skates are the most performance-driven piece of player equipment. A proper fit makes learning and improving much easier.
What to Look For:
Snug heel lock
Proper width (regular, wide, or narrow)
Stiffness appropriate for skill level
Beginner Tip: Don’t overspend early. Entry-level skates are more forgiving and comfortable while learning.
Getting started in hockey doesn’t require buying the most expensive gear on the shelf. Fit, comfort, and safety matter far more than brand or price.
Take your time, ask questions at the rink, and don’t be afraid to buy used gear for growing players. Hockey equipment is an investment, but with the right choices, it can last multiple seasons and keep players safe while they learn and improve.
]]>Coach Patrick<![CDATA[How to Clean Hockey Gear [2026 Guide]]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=18922026-02-05T14:43:43Z2026-02-04T17:10:57ZOne of the most common questions hockey parents and players ask is simple: how do I clean hockey gear without ruining it? How to clean hockey gear without ruining it comes down to using the right methods for the right pieces of equipment. Hockey gear absorbs sweat, bacteria, and odor fast, but throwing everything in […]
One of the most common questions hockey parents and players ask is simple: how do I clean hockey gear without ruining it?
How to clean hockey gear without ruining it comes down to using the right methods for the right pieces of equipment. Hockey gear absorbs sweat, bacteria, and odor fast, but throwing everything in the washing machine can permanently damage pads, gloves, and helmets. In this guide, we’ll break down the safest way to clean hockey gear at home, what you should and shouldn’t wash, and how to get rid of odor without shortening the life of your equipment.
Dirty hockey gear smells bad, spreads bacteria, and can even cause skin issues if it’s ignored long enough. On top of that, tossing everything into the washing machine usually makes things worse, not better.
The good news is that cleaning hockey gear doesn’t have to be complicated. It is a little time-consuming and not exactly fun, but if you follow the steps below, you can get your gear clean, fresh, and ready for the next skate.
Why Cleaning Hockey Gear Matters
Hockey equipment traps sweat, moisture, and bacteria. If it’s left untreated, that buildup can lead to:
• Strong, lingering odors • Skin irritation or infections • Faster breakdown of padding and materials • A gear bag that smells up your car
Cleaning your gear regularly helps it last longer and keeps players healthier.
Can You Wash Hockey Gear at Home?
Yes, most hockey gear can be cleaned at home, but not everything should be treated the same way.
Some items can safely soak in water. Others should never be fully submerged. The key is knowing what goes where.
The Odor Crusher Dry-Clean Sports Closet is designed to be used to dry gear and remove odor all while your gear is conveniently stored. Simply place your gear in the closet with the Ozone Generator to dry and eliminates moisture in shoes, clothes, and equipment.
Dry Gear and Removes Odors
Convenient Storage
Elimantes Moisture
Neutralize body odor, stinky pads, gloves and shoes
Fill your tub with enough hot water to fully cover the gear you plan to clean. Hot water helps loosen oils and bacteria trapped in padding.
Step 2: Add OxiClean or Odor-Fighting Cleaner
Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of OxiClean or a similar odor-removing cleaner. Mix the water well so the cleaner dissolves completely.
Avoid using regular laundry detergent. It often leaves residue behind.
Step 3: Submerge the Gear
Place your gear into the tub and make sure everything is fully underwater. Heavier items may need to be weighed down.
Again, do not include skates, helmets, or gloves.
Step 4: Let It Soak
Let the gear soak for 10–15 minutes. You’ll probably notice the water turning dark pretty quickly. That’s normal.
Step 5: Drain and Rinse
Remove the gear, drain the tub, and rinse everything thoroughly with clean water.
If the water was extremely dirty, repeat the process until the rinse water is mostly clear.
Step 6: Dry Completely
Drying is just as important as cleaning.
• Air dry gear in a well-ventilated space • Use fans if possible • Avoid dryers or direct heat
Gear should be completely dry before going back into a bag.
How to Clean Hockey Gloves
Hockey gloves are tricky because soaking them can break down palm materials.
Best approach:
• Wipe the inside with a damp cloth and mild cleaner • Use disinfectant spray designed for sports gear • Let gloves air dry with palms open
Never throw gloves in the washing machine.
How to Clean a Hockey Helmet
Helmets should not be submerged.
Instead:
• Remove removable padding if possible • Wipe shell and padding with warm water and mild soap • Let everything air dry fully before reassembly
How Often Should You Clean Hockey Gear?
At a minimum:
• Full clean at the end of the season • Spot cleaning throughout the season
If a player skates multiple times per week, a mid-season deep clean is a good idea.
How to Keep Hockey Gear from Smelling Between Washes
Cleaning helps, but daily habits matter too.
• Take gear out of the bag immediately • Hang equipment after every skate • Use a fan or drying rack • Never store wet gear in a closed bag
These steps alone can dramatically reduce odor.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning hockey gear isn’t glamorous, but it’s part of the game. With the right process, you can safely clean most equipment at home, extend the life of your gear, and keep everyone healthier.
If you stay on top of drying and occasional deep cleans, you’ll avoid the worst smells and the biggest headaches.
]]>Tyler @ The Hockey Guys<![CDATA[What Do Scouts Look For In Hockey Players]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=17032023-02-24T14:17:54Z2023-02-24T14:17:54ZThe post What Do Scouts Look For In Hockey Players appeared first on The Hockey Guys.
]]>The post What Do Scouts Look For In Hockey Players appeared first on The Hockey Guys.
]]>Tyler @ The Hockey Guys<![CDATA[How To Score More Goals in Hockey]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=16632023-04-19T15:07:01Z2023-02-22T19:47:49ZLike most things in life, there is an art to it. Scoring more goals isn’t simply about being in the right place at the right time. In fact, sometimes, it’s not even about having the best shot on the ice. Gone are the days of simply shooting 10,000 pucks every summer and returning to double […]
]]>Like most things in life, there is an art to it. Scoring more goals isn’t simply about being in the right place at the right time. In fact, sometimes, it’s not even about having the best shot on the ice.
Gone are the days of simply shooting 10,000 pucks every summer and returning to double your production the next season. For those who have already achieved some level of success, training at an advanced level beyond that of your peers is what is necessary to help you score more goals. Now with all that being said, if your only option is to shoot a high volume of pucks during the off season, do it.
But rest assured, the best NHL players are not stopping there, and you shouldn’t either.
Training Drills You Can Do To Score More In Hockey
The best NHL goal scorers do a number of things extremely well. They do the obvious, picking their corners, “sniping” if you will. Have an extremely quick release, a booming slap shot or a wicked wrist shot. Beyond that, they also know how to maximize opportunity for themselves, for their teammates, and how to score in situations all over the ice. It’s not simply enough to have a great shot.
If you’re serious about scoring more goals next season, these are the top things you should work on right now.
The biggest thing to consider is changing the shot release.
Improve Your Release
Improving your release as a hockey player is not simply learning to release the puck quicker. Actually, it’s three things.
Quick release
Delayed release
Release point
Quick Release
If you want to score more goals next season, the most important release you can work on is a quick one. The element of surprise results in more goals during a hockey season than any other situation on the ice. This is why passing the puck across the slot area for a one timer works so well, as the goalie is trailing the play.
If a player has a slow release, it gives the goalie time to get set prior to the shot. A quick release will result in more goals because goalies have less time to be standing still for the shot.
Delayed Release
Mastering the art of delaying your release can and often will wreak havoc on the opposing goalies angles and squareness to the puck. Think of a delayed release as a two part sequence. A delayed release works well when you have time to do something other than immediately shooting the puck. Utilizing a delayed release during the middle of a slap shot isn’t the best time for it, as slap shots benefit from the art of speed rather than forcing the goalies hand.
When executing a delayed release shot in hockey, the entire point is for the goalie to take themselves out of position.
The delayed release is no better illustrated than in this goal by Patrick Kane.
When Kane initially catches the puck, he has the opportunity to shoot immediately. As we can see in the images below, had he done this, Toronto Maple Leafs goalie
The awareness to have patience demonstrated by Kane on this shot is something elite goal scorers possess, making situations like this end up in goals more often than not. I mean, look at this. As a result of simple patience on his delayed release, Kane has forced Leafs netminder Ilya Samsonov to his knees. Additionally, Kane chooses to have Samsonov beat himself by moving his stick out of the five hole position.
Drills For Delayed Release
One of the most simple drills a player can do to improved their delayed release shooting is by starting to take a simple wrist shot.
The player should pull the puck towards their body and without stopping the puck, slow it down slightly. From this point, the player should work on shooting to either side of the net.
One mistake we see often at younger levels is pulling the puck towards the body, releasing it into the same spot every time. If you want to score more on the ice, learn to change where you shoot that puck during the middle of your release. Pausing for even a half second can mean the difference in a standing goalie, or one who goes to his knees.
Release Point
Changing the release point of the puck is one of the single most effective things hockey players can do to score more goals. If you learn what the puck actually sees, simply shifting it 6-12″ prior to taking a shot, the puck may very well be staring at wide open net behind it.
In the photo below, let’s look at how changing the release point can increase scoring opportunity without moving the shooters body position.
As we can see in Image A on the left hand side, legendary goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is positioned perfectly to make the save. Shooting from this release point is unlikely to result in a goal. However, as we can see in Image B on the right side, if we move the puck slightly before shooting, there is an open space of net on the glove hand side.
Patrick Kane Understands Release Point And Screen For Easy Goal
Let’s take a real life look at one of the games best all time goal scorers, Patrick Kane. In this clip, Kane enters the zone and simply shoots the puck through a defender for what looks like an easy goal. Or was it?
As we see in the video, Kane shifts his release point ever so slightly closer to his body before releasing his shot. In this scenario, this accomplishes two things. First, his release point is completely different and the goalie must adjust to this shot as it’s happening. As a goalie, this is an incredibly hard thing to do. Second, Kane has now interuppted the goalies sight line to the puck by using one of the Toronto Maple Leafs defenders as a natural screen.
This is demonstrated in the image below.
But wait, what if the goalie has already predicted that Kane would do this? Elite goalies study opposing players. A player like Patrick Kane, who will inevitably see multiple scoring opportunities every single game, is somebody who opposing goalies study. They’re searching for any possible “tic” that a player may have, which would give away their next move. Of course, in the heat of the game, it is far easier said than done.
In this case, there are levels to this. Kane knows that when he pulls that puck in towards his body, he is still in complete control on whether he shoots it glove or blocker side. This is what is referred to as the “Secondary Release Point”.
Let’s take a look at a video and analysis of Secondary Release Point adjustment during the middle of a shot.
In the video above, Predators forward Tommy Novak does a few things notably well, but for the sake of this breakdown we’re going to take a closer look at his release point adjustment during the middle of his shot.
As we can see from the images above, Novak begins to pull the puck towards his body, forcing the goalie to pull towards his glove side. During the middle of the release, Novak pushes the puck back over the goalies blocker side.
As a result of his elite ability to adjust the release point of his shot as he is in the act of actually shooting it, Novak scores.
Shoot Off Balance
Learning to shoot off balance goes hand in hand with a quick release point. One of the games all time greats at shooting off balance is Zach Parise. Parise is the leading Minnesota born all time goal scorer in Minnesota. He built his career on learning to capitalize on loose pucks within 5-10′ of the net.
Take a look at the image below. Does this look like the ideal way in which to shoot the puck? Absolutely not. However, due to his innate ability to shoot the puck from an off balanced position, Parise scores in this situation.
Let’s take a look at the video. Parise shoots this puck from an incredibly awkward position, which results in a goal.
Learning to shoot off balance is something that is incredibly important for goal scorers at any level. Think of it this way. If you have to have the puck in a perfect position for you to get the most out of your shot, you’re sacrificing things like poor positioning from the goalie, the element of surprise, and time. When a loose puck presents itself in front of the net, you must have the ability to immediately shoot the puck at the net.
This is done through repetition and forcing yourself to shoot pucks from a variety of positions within a close radius to the players body. When you’re working on shooting pucks, do not simply shoot 1,000 pucks from the same position! Learn to change the position, which will improve your shot release and ability to shoot the puck off balance.
Off Balance Puck Shooting Drills
One of my favorite off balance shooting drills for players is done simply while standing on one leg. The next time you head out to the garage to shoot pucks, do 50-100 shots while standing on one leg. Once you’ve completed this, switch to the other leg.
When we say study goaltending, we do not simply mean study your opposing goalies. At the youth level, this is simply impossible due to the lack of video footage on opposing net minders.
What we mean is, learn to avoid easy saves for an opposing goalie. If you’re skating into the zone, a long shot at the glove or blocker of an opposing goalie is highly unlikely to result in a goal. What could result in a goal, however, is holding the puck for three additional seconds as you close in on the net. What could result in a goal is in shooting the puck at the goalies feet, forcing a rebound.
For the goal scorers reading this, goalies love it when you shoot at their glove and blocker. These are some of the easiest saves a goalie has the opportunity to make! Think about it. If you’re throwing a baseball at your friend who is wearing a glove, is it easier for them to catch the ball near their head? Or is it easier to catch the ball when it is thrown at their feet?
Learning to study the game is immensely important if you’re wanting to put more pucks in the net throughout your career. You must learn to maximize any opportunity you get with the puck and the easiest way to do this is to study natural scoring opportunities created by goalies themselves.
Understand Box Control From A Goalies Perspective
Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a goal scoring guide for hockey players? So what are we doing talking about goalies?
To help explain what the puck sees, do you ever remember a situation where you’re watching a game on TV and a player misses what appears to be a wide open net? Or the goalie makes a little shoulder movement to make what looks like a golden scoring opportunity look routine?
From a goalies perspective, this is called “Box Control“. For a player shooting the puck, it is simply understanding what the puck does and does not see. Taking a look at the graphic below, we see point A and point B. For goalies, this is called “cutting down the angle”.
As we look at the middle photo below, it appears that the top of the net is wide open for an easy goal. However, due to “box control”, or the pucks view of the net, the top portion of the net is completely invisible from the pucks position on the ice.
The video below shows Box Control being taught by Justin Goldman for Goalie Coaches.
So with that in mind, how can we improve our scoring opportunities if the opposing goalie has great positioning and is always on their angle?
Maximize Shot Power
Maximizing your shot power comes in a few different forms, but one of the biggest mistakes we see young shooters make is by focusing their release on the wrong leg! Let’s go back to the baseball analogy from above.
When a left handed pitcher throws the ball, which leg do they finish their throw on? That’s right, their right leg. This is simple momentum! The same is true in hockey.
During the 2022-23 NHL All Star Game, Elias Petterson won the hardest shot competition with a recorded shot speed of 103.2 MPH. The all time NHL hardest shot record is held by Zdeno Chara, who happens to be 7 inches taller than Petterson at 6’9″. Despite being 7 inches shorter than Chara, Petterson still managed to clock in just 5 MPH less than Chara’s hardest shot of 108.8 MPH.
A huge part of this is transferring energy from the rear of the body, to the front. As a result of this, the player can maximize their shot power. Let’s look at a graphic that demonstrates how to get more speed out of your shot, by using the same mechanics as a baseball pitcher.
How Hockey Players Can Learn To Shoot In Stride
Shooting in stride is one of the hardest things to do for many hockey players. Mastering the ability to shoot in stride will deliver more power to your shot due to simple physics. For a right handed shot, if you pull up and shoot from your right leg, you’re shooting in “glide”. From this position, you are gliding, no longer generating forward power.
If you push forward with your right leg, shooting as you push, finishing as a baseball pitcher would, on your left leg, you are now shooting in stride. This is how maximum shot velocity and speed is produced.
Maximum Shot Power
Right Handed Players: finish weight transfer on left leg
Left Handed Players: finish weight transfer on right leg
Reduced Shot Power
Right Handed Players: shoot from right leg
Left Handed Players: shoot from left leg
Of course, to score more goals, we must learn to shoot the puck effectively from both legs.
Keep Your Head Up While Shooting
Very rarely at the NHL level do we see players shooting the puck with their eyes looking at the puck. Not only does looking at the puck increase the opportunity that it may be stolen from you, it’s very hard to see where you’re going to shoot it when you cannot see where it’s going!
Look at this image of Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov shooting the puck during an NHL game. Kaprizov is looking exactly where he wants the puck to go. This is why we have the term “Hand Eye Coordination”.
If you plan on scoring more goals next season, you must learn to shoot the puck while looking at your target. One of the easiest ways to improve this skill is to start stick handling the puck without looking at it. By doing stick handling drills where you are not looking at the puck, you will dramatically improve your ability to feel the puck on your stick and as a result, be able to shoot while looking at your target better.
Identify Low Opportunity Shots
The final piece of advice we have on how to score more goals as a hockey player is something that has nothing to do with shooting the puck at all. This is, rather, increasing opportunity by not shooting.
How many times have you watched a hockey game where one team starts the opposing teams breakout by taking a low percentage shot that misses high and wide, hits the glass, and rings around the boards?
Elite goal scorers simply do not take low percentage, low opportunity shots. This is pretty simple. By studying the game, by learning when to shoot and when not to shoot, you will increase your offensive zone time and the amount of opportunities you have to score.
Improving Your Game
Getting better at hockey is a process, but through hard work, determination, and learning how to become a better player overall you will start to see improvement in your goal scoring abilities!
]]>Tyler @ The Hockey Guys<![CDATA[How To Become A Better Hockey Player]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=16612023-02-23T01:14:20Z2023-02-22T17:47:48ZSo you want to become a better hockey player? Welcome to the club. There are hundreds of thousands of hockey players around the world, with many of them wanting to become better on the ice. Whether it’s a defenseman looking to get noticed, a goalie wanting to beat out their goalie partner, or a forward […]
]]>So you want to become a better hockey player? Welcome to the club. There are hundreds of thousands of hockey players around the world, with many of them wanting to become better on the ice. Whether it’s a defenseman looking to get noticed, a goalie wanting to beat out their goalie partner, or a forward looking to score more goals, improvement is of top priority for the majority of hockey players around the world.
While the task may seem daunting, creating separation amongst your peers, no matter the level, is very achievable.
Shoot More Pucks
Put simply, shooting more pucks will help you score more goals. The game of hockey is measured in more goals than the other team, so it’s fairly obvious that improving your shot will help your team win more games. With the obvious stated, shooting more pucks isn’t simply enough. You must learn to shoot pucks from a variety of different angles, from many different positions, off balance, from the rush, one timers, and so much more.
Shooting more pucks is one of the easiest, best things you can do to become a better hockey player. But simply shooting pucks is not enough to get you from where you’re at right now to the next level.
]]>Darby@TheHockeyGuys<![CDATA[True HZRDUS PX Hockey Stick Review]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=16532023-02-21T22:11:21Z2023-02-21T22:10:33ZThe True HZRDUS PX Composite hockey stick is the latest, and greatest True stick. This stick features a low kick point similar to Bauer’s Vapor line, and CCM’s Ribcor line. It is designed for a quick and effortless release when shooting the puck. The shaft of this stick is double concave and has corners slightly […]
]]>The True HZRDUS PX Composite hockey stick is the latest, and greatest True stick. This stick features a low kick point similar to Bauer’s Vapor line, and CCM’s Ribcor line. It is designed for a quick and effortless release when shooting the puck.
The shaft of this stick is double concave and has corners slightly more rounded than your standard rectangle shaft. True claims the HZRDUS PX to have 25 layers of carbon fiber for optimal durability while also only weighing 345 grams.
As a brand, True has burst onto the scene in the last couple years and they are creating products that compete with the top brands such as Bauer and CCM. This is a review of this stick providing information on what I liked, and disliked about this product and whether you should buy it for yourself.
True HZDUS PX Stick Overview
The True HZRDUS PX Stick was released in July of 2022 and is still considered one of the best sticks on the market. You can find it online, or in stores and it is being used at all levels of hockey including the NHL.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
What I Like About This Stick:
This stick has a lot of amazing features such as its weight, shaft design, release, durability, and its looks.
Lightweight:
At the time of release, the HZRDUS stick was the lightest stick on the market weighing only 345 grams. The weight of this stick makes shooting, stickhandling, and passing more effectuve. I was personally able to notice an increase in stickhandling speed, and the speed of my release when shooting.
Since the release of the HZRDUS, Bauer has come out with a lighter stick weighing 335 grams. As someone who has used both of these sticks I will say that the difference isn’t noticeable at all.
Shaft Design:
The shaft design of the HZRDUS is slightly different then your usual rectangle shaft.
It features a square corner double concave shaft. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what the purpose of the concave shaft is but after getting used to it after a couple uses I liked the feel of it. It provides a comfortable grip on the stick throughout all aspects of the game, stickhandling, shooting, passing, etc.
I don’t know this for sure, but in my experience using this stick I feel like the concave shaft has been more durable than regular shaft sticks that I have used in the past as well.
Powerful, Quick Release:
Shooting with this stick feels amazing no matter where you are on the ice or what type of shot you are taking. As I mentioned before this stick has a low kick point which is ideal for taking quick shots. This stick is very efficient at taking any shot you need and it is also very accurate.
Usually low kick point sticks are best for taking snap and wrist shots but surprisingly this stick also takes slap shots very well.
The most impressive thing about this stick is how accurate it is. I was able to effortlessly pick corners using this stick. The release on the HZRDUS is very quick and efficient. When using this stick in a game there were multiple times where I would take a regular shot but it seemed to catch the goalie off guard because of the release time.
This stick is in my top three sticks I’ve ever used when it comes to shooting.
I have been using this stick for 3 months and it has held up extremely well. As I mentioned before, I feel like the concave shaft improves the durability of this stick significantly. In games, I have been slashed directly on top of this stick and I haven’t noticed any significant damages aside from a few small paint chips.
I’ve taken many slapshots, one timers, and wrist shots and haven’t noticed any durability concerns. It is one thing for a stick to just be durable but it is another thing to have a stick like this one that performs at such a high level and is also this durable.
Flashy Design:
The design of this stick is a preference rather than a fact but in my opinion the design on this stick is definitely a positive. The HZRDUS Stick has a unique and flashy black, orange, and silver color palette.
The stick is black from the toe of the stick to about halfway up the shaft where a burst of orange covers the rest of the stick. To make the True logo pop off of this stick, it is is a chrome silver color at the bottom of the shaft and the very top of the stick.
All of the lettering on this stick is bold, and pops out but yet is so simple at the same time. As I said before this is all opinion, but in my opinion the design on this stick is a thing of beauty.
What I Don’t Like About This Stick:
It was honestly hard to come up with many negatives about this stick. It has so many amazing features and doesn’t come up short on much.
Price:
It’s a sad reality to realize that nothing this good comes with a good price tag. The technology and performance of hockey sticks, and hockey gear in general continuously improves over time and so do the prices. I think that this stick is worth every penny of its price tag but it’s still painful to pay this much for one stick.
We’re seeing price increases in all of the top hockey stick brands including sticks like the CCM AS-V.
The only positive is that you are definitely getting what you pay for. There is a reason this stick costs as much as it does. It is at the very top of the market performance-wise, and has many features to increase your efficiency as a hockey player.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Conclusion
The True HZRDUS is an elite stick that can be used by any player. It does everything that you want a stick to do proficiently well, and on top of that it is built to last. This stick is currently at the very top of the market.
In my mind the only thing that might hold you back from purchasing this stick is the price but performance wise it is all that. I hope this review has given you insight on this stick and provided a helpful opinion.
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Buy Lioresal No Insurance ]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=16342023-02-09T20:23:47Z2023-02-09T19:58:54ZMastering the breakout is a critical element of a teams overall success throughout the season. Teams who can successfully execute a breakout spend less time in the defensive zone, burn less energy re-grouping from a defensive zone turnover, and can create more chances if they can navigate the neutral zone. Keys to a Successful Breakout […]
]]>Mastering the breakout is a critical element of a teams overall success throughout the season. Teams who can successfully execute a breakout spend less time in the defensive zone, burn less energy re-grouping from a defensive zone turnover, and can create more chances if they can navigate the neutral zone.
Keys to a Successful Breakout in Hockey
There are four major keys to a successful breakout in hockey:
Puck Possession
Wing Positioning
Center Support
Owning The Majority
Puck Possession
The first key to a successful hockey breakout is by getting possession of the puck. Without it, breaking the puck out of the defensive zone is tough. While a successful breakout can technically happen through errors at the blue line of the team, the scramble that ensues for the puck is not an organized breakout.
In the image below, we see an example of how a breakout typically begins in hockey. Most commonly, a loose puck is captured by a defenseman. In this case, the defenseman has taken control of the puck below their own goal line.
From this point, they have a few options:
Immediately pass to W1, the strong side wing / forward.
Pass the puck to “C”, the center, in this case
Hold the puck, or reverse it’s direction to his defensive partner.
A great choice here is a quick pass to W1, the supporting wing. This is a great decision because of a few factors, most notably, it’s not in a high danger scoring area. This first pass is the most likely to be intercepted off by an opposing team.
Wing Positioning
In the image above, our wingers are down by the circle hash marks. While this is good wing positioning and a very likely scenario, it’s not the best case scenario. This is because, in the graphic shown above, the opposing teams defensemen do not have to respect any chance of a quick zone exit. They are much more likely to pinch down, forcing a defensive zone turnover.
In the graphic below, we can clearly see that because of the low position inside the zone our strong side wing (W1) has, the opposing teams defenseman has the luxury of pinching down for the chance at disrupting this breakout.
Below, we demonstrate a much more favorable breakout position for the team trying to exit their defensive zone. In this scenario, our wings have started to exit the zone, without the puck. As a result, we have immediately created more space both inside the zone, as well as for our supporting center.
While our defenseman with the puck has to make a much longer pass, by gaining depth in the zone, our wings have forced pressure outside the zone. In the event of a failed pass, the odds that the puck exits the zone are greater in this situation. Should our wing fail to catch the pass and the puck exits the zone, the opposing team will have to successfully navigate the neutral zone and re-enter for a forecheck.
Gone are the days of forwards waiting to catch a breakout pass before moving. Teams that do not move prior to this pass face a much higher likelihood of failing their breakout attempt than those that move to open the ice.
One additional critical piece of advice for a successful hockey breakout is the direction in which your forwards face when breaking the puck out of the zone. If the other team has opted to change lines, forwards should be skating up the ice as hard as possible. In the more likely scenario that the opposing team has not changed and is still providing pressure, wingers who face your own teams puck carrier create a natural barrier between opposing team defensemen.
The entire point of a breakout is to leave the zone, with the puck. Below, we show a successful breakout orchestrated by the Dallas Stars, where a forward has his back to the opposing teams defenseman, who cannot make a play on the puck.
Center Support
As a center, your job is to support defensemen while in the defensive zone. Once control of the puck has been gained, your role shifts from defensive support to a critical role in the breakout process. There are two key elements to proper center support in a breakout.
Create space through gap control
Offer an outlet pass to defensemen and wing
A common error for supporting centers during the breakout is misunderstanding proper gap control. Remember, you are now facing the play. There is no reason to be within inches of your strong side winger. Centers offer the best support when they maintain a proper distance from the strong side wing, as well as keeping an option open for the defenseman with the puck.
When the center can maintain good gap control, they provide an outlet pass to their defensive player who currently holds the puck.
From here, the defenseman should complete a pass to W1. W1 now has the option to either exit the zone immediately, or to complete a pass to the center who is in a supporting position.
Owning The Majority
Owning the majority refers to the center of the ice surface. Along the boards, there is less room to navigate. Take a look at the graphic below. Once the puck crosses the pink line, the Stars now own the majority of the ice. As a result, an odd man rush is created. While there is a back checking Wild player, they’re already behind the play.
Consider the fact that the opposing teams back checking players were just aggressively forechecking, by gaining the center of the ice or owning the majority, your team has put opponents at a serious disadvantage!
Let’s take a look at this play developing in the video below.
As demonstrated above, once the majority of the ice is owned, open space is freely available. Of course, it’s now on your team to get a successful forecheck going, or to create a scoring opportunity directly off the rush. Congratulations, you’ve created an odd man rush!
Things To Teach Players For A Better Breakout
Observe surroundings by “Shoulder Checking”
Create body position barriers
Observe surroundings by “Shoulder Checking”
One of the single most important things any hockey player can learn to do is to master the shoulder check. A shoulder check is simply a quick look around, over the shoulder. Hence, the term “shoulder check”.
Using the same clip from above, take a look at the strong side forward on the ensuing play. Before his teammate has the puck, while they’re still playing defense, he has already taken a quick glance up ice. He recognizes that the nearest threat is not behind him, but rather coming right at him. As a result of this shoulder check, he is now aware that because there is space behind him, he can safely move this puck to the center of the ice if the Wild’s Joel Erikkson Ek attacks him upon receipt of the puck.
Erikkson Ek puts pressure on the player, who wisely moves it to the center of the ice. From here, the Stars now own the majority and have a 3-2 odd man rush created.
Let’s take a look at the entire play.
As you can see, by simply taking a look, a scoring situation has been created. Many forwards in this situation panic and hold the puck along the boards, move it to the corner, or worse, give it back to the opposing team. Understanding situational hockey and knowing when you are afforded the opportunity to glance around can create major advantages for your team.
Create body position barriers
The current speed of the professional game nearly dictates that forwards face their own zone, versus having their entire bodies facing up the ice. This is by design, to create a natural barrier through proper body position when breaking the puck out of their own zone.
Of course, this doesn’t mean skating backwards up the ice. The most important pass of any breakout is the first one, as this is where gaps and open ice are naturally created. If the first pass is unsuccessful, forwards supporting the breakout now must change direction and resume defensive zone play.
While there are hundreds of minute variations in any successful breakout, the concept remains the same. Utilize well informed passes to create space, forcing the opposing team to re-group by going from offense to defense. A great breakout in hockey should lead to a successful attack through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone.
]]>Tyler @ The Hockey Guys<![CDATA[Neutral Zone Strategy in Hockey]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=16222023-02-09T20:25:09Z2023-02-08T18:47:23ZIt’s often said that “battles are won in the trenches”. In the sport of hockey, battles may be fought in the corners but games are won by capitalizing on opportunities and breakdowns in the neutral zone. What is the Neutral Zone? The neutral zone is a space directly in the center of the ice hockey […]
]]>It’s often said that “battles are won in the trenches”. In the sport of hockey, battles may be fought in the corners but games are won by capitalizing on opportunities and breakdowns in the neutral zone.
What is the Neutral Zone?
The neutral zone is a space directly in the center of the ice hockey rink, between each blue line. The neutral zone encompasses the center ice red line.
One of the reasons that good neutral zone strategy is so important is because of the transition from offense to defense. In the neutral zone, defensemen are often on their heels, having just left the offensive zone. Forwards that were once on the forecheck are now on the back check. A true forecheck does not begin until one team successfully brings their entire team into the offensive zone.
Possessing the puck in the neutral zone is just as dangerous as not possessing it. Poor decision making with the puck can lead to turnovers in the neutral zone, which very often result in an odd man rush the opposite direction. It is because of these critical transitions that mastering the neutral zone in hockey is so critical to a teams success.
What Are The Key Elements of Neutral Zone Strategy in Hockey?
When it comes to the neutral zone, puck possession is everything. Once the puck is captured, players should immediately re-group, preparing for an offensive zone forecheck. Unfortunately, turnovers can quickly turn ugly in this space.
Let’s look at a forecheck gone wrong for the Chicago Blackhawks.
This clip starts with a center ice face-off where the Hawks maintain possession of the puck and dump it into the Wild zone. Quickly, the Hawks develop their forecheck. The puck rings around the boards, a Wild player beats the Hawks to it and moves the puck up near the blue line where two Blackhawks stand. Our blue circle below shows the turning point of what should have been an offensive zone possession for the Blackhawks. Now, instead of an offensive zone attack, the Wild are able to begin their breakout.
As a result of a dump in gone wrong, the direction of the play has shifted from offensive to defensive for the Blackhawks, in the blink of an eye. The Hawks attempt to push this puck towards a supporting player in the neutral zone, who is currently skating backwards. In theory, this should work well. The Hawks can quickly regain possession and begin a neutral zone transition which should create a forechecking opportunity.
Unfortunately, due to the speed and direction of play in the neutral zone, the Wild collect the puck near the Hawks blue line. As we can see here, a few things are developing.
First, this poke check through the neutral zone has gone poorly. In this situation, it was the correct choice, but two critical errors (lost puck battle on the boards, overly aggressive forecheck by a defensive player without support for the Hawks) resulted in the Wild gaining puck possession. What should’ve been a quick regroup in the neutral zone has now turned into tilted ice and a forecheck for the Wild.
Caleb Jones, #25 for the Hawks, was not prepared for the puck to enter the center of the ice and the neutral zone. As a result, he’s now behind the play. Instead of attacking the Wild’s Mason Shaw, he is forced to switch positions with his defensive partner who has Shaw in front of him. Near the red line, we can see both him and Matt Boldy of the Wild moving towards the obvious open ice area of the high slot.
From the moment the puck left their offensive zone, the Hawks have been forced to chase the play. At this moment, the Wild are occupying and moving the puck from open ice area to open ice area, creating a dramatic gap in the defensive zone coverage of the Blackhawks.
Shaw stops quickly once getting the puck, putting his body between himself and the Hawks defenseman, while every available player enters the zone. This is a great offensive zone play by Mason Shaw, as he reverses the direction of the play. Because the Blackhawks are chasing, gaps form. We can see Boldy supporting Shaw near the top of the circle, blanketed by a back checking Hawks forward.
Shaw changes the direction, moves the puck to the high slot area and because of the chasing happening, Matt Boldy is left untouched.
At this point, there’s just one thing left to do. Tap the puck into the open net. Which, Boldy does.
So how is this all prevented?
Neutral zone strategy is not simply play that takes place in the neutral zone. As we see in the case above, the two critical mistakes happened just prior to the puck entering the neutral zone. The neutral zone should be won prior to an offensive zone attack taking place. Defensive strategy here should dictate the play and minimize any risk of a neutral zone turnover.
]]>Tyler @ The Hockey Guys<![CDATA[How To Become A Better Defenseman]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=16092023-02-23T01:20:54Z2023-02-08T17:14:33ZIn hockey, defensemen are highly important to a teams success. The best defensemen are exceptionally great at preventing scoring opportunities in the defensive zone, as well as creating offensive attacks through a defensive zone breakout. The games top defensive players are adept in their overall hockey IQ, minimize risk through smart decision making, and create […]
]]>In hockey, defensemen are highly important to a teams success. The best defensemen are exceptionally great at preventing scoring opportunities in the defensive zone, as well as creating offensive attacks through a defensive zone breakout.
The games top defensive players are adept in their overall hockey IQ, minimize risk through smart decision making, and create opportunities for their team through breakout and breakout prevention.
Most Important Responsibilities for Hockey Defensemen
The top priority for defensemen in hockey is to prevent scoring opportunities in the defensive zone. Hence, the position title “Defense”. These are the top priorities for the hockey defense position:
Prevent Scoring Opportunities
Maintain Proper Defensive Zone Positioning
Offensive Zone Support Positioning
Breakout Support Specialists
Quarterbacking The Ice
Disrupting Opposing Team Breakouts
Power Play Direction
Prevent Scoring Opportunities
In the defensive zone, the number one priority for a hockey d-man is to prevent scoring opportunities. As play moves throughout the defensive zone, defensemen should reduce scoring risk while immediately capitalizing on the chance for a breakout. The number one way to prevent scoring opportunities for a hockey d-man is by maintaining good defensive zone positioning.
Additionally, a great defenseman will be able to quickly take a loose puck and make a smart decision to begin a defensive zone breakout.
Maintain Proper Defensive Zone Positioning
The biggest key to preventing scoring opportunities as a defenseman in hockey is by understanding defensive zone positioning. In the defensive zone, defensemen typically move in two basic positions. These positions are the corners and front of the net.
From these two positions, defensemen are able to both prevent scoring opportunities while capitalizing on any opportunity for a breakout. Defensemen should maintain a high level of situational awareness so that they do not become out of position while in the defensive zone. Basic offensive zone strategy for most hockey teams dictates that the play will be taking place on 50% of the ice. Depending on which half of the ice the puck is on, defensemen will move from the corner to the front of the net.
Getting out of position as a d man in hockey means chasing puck carriers into the wrong corners, or “up the wall” where it would be more efficient for forwards or their defensive partner to take over. When this happens, gaps in the defensive zone are created and smart players / teams capitalize by moving the puck to unprotected areas for scoring opportunities.
Breakout Support Specialists
Once a loose puck has been captured in the defensive zone, through either a forced or unforced error on the opposing team, defensemen will begin the breakout. The games to defensive players are adept in both their puck handling and decision making.
In the graphic below, the defenseman has captured the puck below the goal line. When this happens, the three most common next steps are:
Pass to near wing
Pass to near wing supporting center
Reverse play by sending puck to net front defenseman (who moves to opposite corner).
The forth option, which is where many defensive players in hockey break down and ruin a breakout opportunity is in holding the puck. From the moment a d-man picks up the loose puck in the defensive zone, the opposing team is attacking this player with a minimum of one player. Defensemen should be able to quickly make a decision, getting the puck to an open space filled by one of their teammates.
While holding onto the puck for to long can create negative situations in the defensive zone, players with high hockey intelligence also understand patience with the puck. If option 1, 2, or 3 is not immediately available, holding the puck can create breakdowns from the forechecking zone. A breakdown by a forechecking team creates opportunities to re-create the breakout. This often happens when a defenseman moves the puck to an open space in their own zone.
Offensive Zone Support Positioning
Once their team has successfully broken the puck out of their own zone and shifted the strategy to forechecking, defensemen should reduce risk of breakouts while creating scoring opportunities for their team.
One of the most common strategies for an offensive team in hockey is to move the puck to the center of the ice for a shot from the slot area. In the offensive zone, defensemen are responsible for 50% of the ice, while maintaining their position near the blue line in the event of an opposing team breakout.
In the graphic below, we’re looking at a typical offensive zone play situation. The puck is in the corner, with two supporting players from their team on the puck. Forwards, when given the opportunity, know that by moving the puck to the blue line they can create a hole in the d-zone for the other team. Hockey defensemen should be able to quickly make a decision that further exposes this open ice by moving the puck from “d to d”, or to a supporting player on the “back door”. In this situation, the defenseman also has the opportunity to take a shot his/her self.
If the opportunity is not immediately available for Option A or B, smart d-men will move the puck back to a safe zone with support, either the near or far corner of the offensive zone. Great offensive zone defensemen should posses a thorough understanding of open, yet supported spaces that reduce the risk of puck turnovers.
Quarterbacking The Ice
As a defenseman, you have the opportunity to see the ice better in the offensive zone. As a result, there are many situations where, through proper offensive zone positioning, you will be able to move yourself or another player into position for a scoring opportunity. This is achieved through great situational awareness and communication with other players. Defensemen should have the confidence and authority to direct play in the offensive zone through communication with their defensive partner and forwards.
Vice versa, in the defensive zone, d-men should communicate with their goalie (who has the best view of developing play) and supporting forwards to quickly orchestrate a successful breakout when given the opportunity.
Disrupting Opposing Team Breakouts
When an offensive zone turnover happens, defensemen must quickly make one of two decisions:
“Pinch” to create an additional turnover and continued offensive zone play
Retreat into the neutral ice area to start playing defense
Like any decision in hockey, it must be made quickly and with confidence. The best defensemen do not simply make decisions quickly, they have an understanding of the developing play around them and make judgement based off of this. Countless scoring opportunities and odd man rushes are created for opposing teams through poor decisions from defensemen in their offensive zone.
Knowing the situation around you and making the well timed choice to “pinch” can create serious problems for opposing team breakouts. A bad timed “pinch” and subsequent opposing team breakout often creates the 2-1 or 3-1 situation that goalies dread.
Power Play Direction
The power play is the single best time for a team to score in hockey, because the opposing team is less one player. This is also one of the best chances for a defenseman to score, because their offensive zone responsibilities have shifted. Instead of focus on preventing an opposing team breakout, the defenseman should switch their focus to maximizing any open ice opportunity for a scoring chance.
What Scouts Look For In Hockey Defensemen
Scouts do not simply look for the top scoring offensive defensemen when they’re looking to build their team. Some of the games most well respected and best defensive players are also the lowest scoring. Scouts look for these things in hockey defensemen:
Situational Awareness
Decisive Decision Making
Spatial Awareness
Skating Ability
Transition Knowledge
Limiting and Capitalizing on Risk
Puck Play Ability
Situational Awareness
Ever gone to a game and not noticed a defenseman on the other team throughout the game? Similar to goalies, being un-noticed is often a good thing. This means, the ability to reduce mistakes, especially those that result in an opposing teams goal. There are tens of thousands of athletically elite defensemen in the world. There are not tens of thousands of athletically elite defensemen with similar situational awareness.
This is why, at the NHL level, there is a mix of high scoring defensive players, and some that rarely score. One of the top things scouts look for in a defensive player is their risk mitigation through situational awareness.
Decisive Decision Making
In their own zone, defensemen have a minimum of one opposing team within feet of them at nearly all times. Often times, there are two or more. D-men should be able to make quick decisions that reduce the risk of opportunity for an opposing team. This is accomplished through situational awareness and attention to developing play. On any d-zone turnover, there is a fleeting opportunity to flip from defense to the breakout attack. It is this quick decision making that separates an elite defensive player from one who is simply great.
Spatial Awareness
When it comes to spatial awareness, defensemen should have an understanding of who is around them at all times. This should dictate their decision making, knowing when to force play in the corner of their own zone or while on the attack. Once instance where spatial and situational awareness is exposed from defensemen in hockey is bad pinching decisions made in the offensive zone.
Skating Ability
Skating ability, like in great goalies, is really a moot point for elite defensemen. You should be one of, if not the best, skaters on the team. Becoming an explosive skater means the difference in split seconds of opportunity all over the playing surface. Really, there are great skating defensemen everywhere. Scouts look for defensemen who possess the entire package of athleticism and awareness, which makes all the difference in wins and losses throughout the hockey season.
Transition Knowledge
The single most common point of failure for a defenseman is at their offensive zone blue line. This is where bad decision making leads to odd man rushes for the opposing team, which far too often results in a goal. Great defensemen need to know how to properly transition from offense to defense and vice versa.
Limiting and Capitalizing on Risk
A polarizing defenseman at the NHL level is Matt Dumba. Dumba is known as an offensive defenseman. This is his play style and he owns it, however as a result, there are certain times where to much focus on offense creates a turnover situation for his team.
In this clip, Dumba is seen playing very aggressively in the offensive zone. The Blackhawks get possession of the puck, which quickly leads to a breakout through the neutral zone. While Dumba does recover quickly, he has to cover for defensive partner Jon Merrill, shifting his positioning to the opposite side of the ice.. which leads to a goal. In this case, there is a slight moment of hesitation in the offensive zone before he quickly retreats to regain his position. In this moment, he is now behind the play, resulting in rushed decisions into his own defensive zone.
As you can see, what goes from the good decision to put a second player on the puck once his teammate in front of the net falls, quickly turns sour through a slight moment of hesitation after he chips the puck back behind the Hawks net.
While Dumba does catch up, from the moment he moves the puck behind the Hawks net to the pass that Andreas Athanasiou catches near center ice, he is skating backwards. At this point, the risk of an odd man rush far outweighs the advantage his offensive positioning could create. Dumba needs to recognize the developing play sooner, so he can be on top of Athanasiou should the far board puck battle be lost by the Wild.
As we can see from the clip, the battle is lost and now his defensive partner Merrill is behind the play.
This next image shows the puck battle lost and Athanasiou in position for what is now a breakaway. Had Dumba made the choice to support his offensive zone attack and transition immediately to a defensive position, he could’ve been in place to disrupt this pass or even stop the developing situation all together. Instead, he is still physically behind Athanasiou and skating backwards.
Now, due to sheer athletic ability, Dumba does catch up. He’s bottled up by Athanasiou’s puck handling skills and the Hawks score. At every level below the NHL, defensive players get away with situations just like this. In the NHL, however, it is about making sure this doesn’t happen in the first place. Dumba should’ve been looking at Athanasiou skating towards him, not trying to catch him skating into his own defensive zone.
Puck Play Ability
Notice how this isn’t the top priority for a scout on our list? This is because, like athleticism, puck play is a commodity. An elite defenseman is also elite at shooting and handling the puck.
When you enter the offensive zone as a defenseman, you had better have a great shot if you’re looking to play at the next level. You must be able to stick handle as well as anybody on the team and passes must be precisely on target.
Tips For Improving Your Play As A Hockey Defenseman
If you are immediately looking to become a better defenseman in hockey, these are some of the top things you can do to improve your game:
Situational Puck Shooting Drills
Improve Stick-handling In Tight Spaces
Improve Your Hockey IQ Through Shoulder Checks
Achieve Higher Levels of Physical Strength
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Situational Puck Shooting Drills
There are so many elite puck shooting defensemen in the world that developing a hard shot is simply not enough. Often times, a shooting opportunity is created as a result of a successful pinch by a d-man. In this case, the window to shoot is limited. It is also a highly pressurized situation with opposing team members attacking the defensemen. At this point, separation can be created by knowing how to shoot from an off-balanced position.
Defensemen should be adept at changing their release, shooting without looking at the puck, and at shooting with a purpose. There are countless drills a player can do to improve their release and ability to shoot from any situation.
Improve Stick-handling In Tight Spaces
There is a stark difference in puck control with no pressure, versus puck control with pressure. The best defensemen are elite at controlling the puck in very tight situations. This skill is developed through countless hours of stick handing from a balanced and unbalanced position.
Improve Your Hockey IQ Through Shoulder Checks
In goaltending, the shoulder check is one of the single best things that can be done to observe developing play. Defensemen should practice approaching the puck, while also taking time to look around them. Now, there are many situations where there simply is not time. In that case, you should have saw the play developing and known what you wanted to do with the puck ahead of time. If you don’t have time, welcome to the club.
In practice, force yourself to look around when approaching a puck. Force yourself to look away from the puck and quickly back to better understand the situation happening in front of you in practice and it will carry over to games.
Achieve Higher Levels of Physical Strength
Off ice training transfers directly to success on the ice. If you want to improve as a hockey defenseman, you should train off the ice. There are countless strength training apps, coaches, and videos that will help you become a better athlete. If you cannot dedicate time to improving your game off the ice, how can you expect to become better on it?
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
If you want to be a great defenseman, you should be a great communicator. You should communicate all the time, in every situation. This will help those around you be better prepared, giving you more time to make smart choices with the puck once it lands on your stick. Communication is critical to success on the ice and unfortunately, there are far too many players who refuse to do it.
]]>Darby@TheHockeyGuys<![CDATA[CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Hockey Stick Review]]>https://thehockeyguys.net/?p=15962023-02-02T18:38:17Z2023-02-02T18:36:00ZCCM recently came out with their newest stick from their Tacks line, the CCM Tacks AS-V Pro. This stick was constructed with an all new shaft geometry, and uses their Sigmatex ST Carbon Weave. The biggest change that CCM made from the AS-V Pro stick from their AS4 stick is their new “V Shaped” Shaft. […]
]]>CCM recently came out with their newest stick from their Tacks line, the CCM Tacks AS-V Pro. This stick was constructed with an all new shaft geometry, and uses their Sigmatex ST Carbon Weave. The biggest change that CCM made from the AS-V Pro stick from their AS4 stick is their new “V Shaped” Shaft.
This shaft is supposed to provide more comfort when gripping the stick and allow for a more natural feel when handling the puck. This review will be going over my thoughts on this stick, including the pros, cons, and if it is something I think is worth the price.
CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Senior Hockey Stick Overview
The Tacks line is one of CCM’s 3 major product lines (Tacks, Ribcore, Jetspeed). All Tacks sticks feature a mid kick point, similar to Bauers mid-kick point stick line Nexus. CCM Tacks sticks are meant to be balanced sticks with an equal amount of power and quickness.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
What I Liked About This Stick
You know what you’re getting when you buy a CCM Tacks Stick. It is a very balanced, and reliable stick that can do anything you would want from a stick in an efficient way.
Durable
The best feature about all the Tacks sticks I have used in the past is how durable they are. I have used many sticks from the Tacks sticks over the years and I’ve personally never had any issues with them breaking within the first year of use.
More importantly, I haven’t heard any complaints from the hockey community regarding the durability of this stick, and Tacks sticks in general. With that being said, writing a review about durability is difficult because there are many variables that go into durability such as how you use the stick, what level of hockey you play, and even the manufacturing of each stick.
I use my sticks in a competitive men’s league and for coaching, but if you are using this stick at a high school level or a higher, more intense level of hockey a stick will be more prone to breaking.
What I have always said about the CCM Tacks line of sticks is that they do everything well and nothing exceptionally well. If you are a forward player who takes a lot of shots in close on the net and needs to have a quick release, I would recommend the CCM Ribcor line. If you are a defenceman who takes more slap shots, and needs to take shots from farther away then I would recommend the CCM Jetspeed line.
If you are a player who is in between those two descriptions then I would recommend a stick from the Tacks line. What makes the Tacks line balanced is its mid kick point. The higher the kick point is on a stick the more power it can generate, but the slower the release is and vice versa.
The mid kick point allows for a good amount of power and a quick release time. Stickhandling with this stick is very smooth as well. This stick is equipped with CCM’s Accufeel 2 blade, which gives a soft touch when handling and shooting the puck.
Good Option for Defencemen and Forwards
The CCM AS-V Pro, and the Tack line in general is a good option for both offensive and defensive players. This stick generates enough power to have a prominent shot from the point as a defensive man, while also having the capability to get in close and shoot the puck quickly.
The two types of players that I would recommend this stick to is a forward who finds themselves taking one-timers or even slapshots occasionally, and offensive defenseman who like to carry the puck and take snap or wrist shots. The AS-V can efficiently take any kind of shot you need it to with a good amount of power and accuracy.
What I Didn’t Like About This Stick
This stick does everything well and it’s still a good stick but there is nothing about it that blew me away. To me, this stick feels very similar to the previous top of the line Tacks sticks.
Similar to Previous CCM Tacks Sticks:
The only main difference I noticed from this stick compared to older models of Tacks sticks is the V-Shaped shaft. Call me old school, but honestly, I prefer the standard rectangle shaft over the V-Shape. It is one of those things where If I used it enough I would eventually get used to it.
Aside from the shaft, this stick was very comparable to last year’s model. A possible option to save money would be to buy last the previous year’s Tacks model the AS4 (if you are able to find it in stock somewhere).
I compared this stick to both of those sticks side by side and they all felt very similar to me.
Pricey Hockey Stick
Look, this hockey stick isn’t going to be super cheap. Particularly if you go with the Pro version. That being said, you can save a bit of cash if you opt to go with the standard version of the stick. And CCM sticks are known for their durability which is a big relief when it comes to dropping a lot of dough on a new twig.
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Conclusion:
The CCM AS-V Composite Stick has many positives to it like the durability and the balance, but to me this stick was too much like previous models for me to recommend it to anyone. As I stated previously, I would recommend saving the money on this stick and instead buying an older model as they are virtually the same. The only factor that would make me recommend this stick to someone is if they loved the V-Shaped shaft.
To me this new shaft model wasn’t anything worth the upgrade, as I actually preferred the standard rectangle shaft. To me, that is the biggest noticeable difference from this stick and the previous model of the Tack’s lineup the AS4 (no longer in stock).
If you’re on the fence and aren’t sure if you’re super into CCM and the Tack’s lineup, we also would recommend checking out the Bauer AG5NT hockey stick (click the link to read our review on it).
Odor Crusher Dry-Clean Closet
