When looking at skill development or skating development, we tend to focus our attention on weaknesses. If we don’t shoot the puck well, we need to continue working on our shot. If we need help getting off the mark quicker, we can continue to work on our quick starts. Players should not only concentrate on getting better at their weaknesses, but continue building on what they do well.  

A few weeks ago, I started skating Nino Niederreiter coming off of his high ankle sprain. When I skate guys, it’s a two-fold purpose. One is to rehab the injury by strengthening the skater’s skating as well as developing flexibility and stability within the injured area. The second purpose is to get a chance to work on skill development so eventually they can slide back into practice seamlessly. While talking to players before each session, we discuss the plan as well as some skills they would like to cover. 

I am using Nino as an example because it is such a great example of someone who knows and understands what their strengths are and what makes them such a good hockey player. There were two specific skills that we really honed in on after doing our rehab skating: puck work around the net and shooting off the pass (one-timing) around the net.  Nino knows that all of his goals come within 10 feet of the net, and being able to execute what his strengths are is what is going to help when he gets back into games. Sure enough, all of his goals are a direct result of what he practices daily – rebounds, tips, forehand to backhand, or backhand to forehand shots, and one-timing the puck off a pass. This is what he excels at, yet he spends countless reps on these skills.  

When I talk with parents, I always hear what the skater needs to work on. Yes, we should spend time on our weaknesses, but the key is to identify what each player excels in and make sure to consistently work those skills as well.  

Players like Ryan McDonagh, Jordan Schroeder and Blake Wheeler already are elite level skaters, but they continue to work on their skating summer after summer. It’s not as if once they have it down they wipe their hands of it. It’s no different than anyone who is in great shape. It’s the consistent work that keeps them in that position. Without the consistent work, things will start to deteriorate.  

The best thing about hockey is that it takes all shapes and sizes, and different types of players. When on a team, there is a way every player can contribute. Knowing and understanding areas that are strong within one’s game, as well as areas that need improvement, is the key to bringing one’s game to the next level.

Andy Ness is the head skating and skill coach for the Minnesota Wild. He has also been an assistant skating instructor for the New Jersey Devils, the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.