TEN BEST: POSITIVES THAT STAND OUT IN THE PLAYER EVALUATION PROCESS Junior hockey coaches, especially at the free-to-play levels, take a lot of things into consideration when identifying and selecting prospective players.

There’s so much more to the game than skill level alone, and the sooner prospects figure that out, opportunities have a tendency to flow like water.

Today’s Ten list comes from one of the most respected coaches in the game and should be something every young player comprehends before hitting the ice.

1 Work Ethic – Does he play hard every shift?

2 Unselfishness – Sharing the punk, discipline, blocking.

3 Hockey Sense – Shots, shift length, team first guys making the correct play at the proper time.

4 Compete level – Does he win battles?

5 Leadership – Leads by example all the time?

6 Body language – How does he react to adversity? Is he coachable?

7 Discipline – Does he retaliate? Does he put his team first?

8 Hockey Skills – Skating, shooting, puck skills.

9 Extra Work – Does he show up early and stay out?

10 Athleticism – Stays late for practices, maybe working on skills? Can the athlete move, run, jump, and change direction? Is he coordinated? Is their stuff for me to work with and develop?

The interesting thing I find about this list is eight of my ten have nothing to do with ability, or athleticism.  Players are fully in control of eight on this list. If don’t have you 1-7 I don’t really care about 8-10. Players can make teams by just having 1-7.

Thanks Coach!

(PHOTO FROM ANCHORAGE WOLVERINES/SKIP HICKEY & SKIP'S PICS)