By Hayley Wickenheiser /
I have really enjoyed watching this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It always amazes me the way the teams and players increase their intensity and skill level in the playoffs, despite the pressure and the grind of chasing the cup. The Detroit Red Wings seem to be in a league of their own right now, especially in the area of puck possession.
Since the mid 90’s, the Wings have been one of the most successful teams in pro sports, making playoff appearances for the last 15 years. Under the direction of Scotty Bowman, the Wings have always had solid leadership, coaching and scouted very well.
I remember watching Valteri Filppula grow as a player in Finland when I played there. He has developed into an effective player in Detroit’s organization, but was relatively ?unheard of.
He is one of a few on that team.
Perhaps what sets Detroit apart from other teams, is their style of play. They have the perfect combination of the old European style of puck possession combined with North ?American toughness.
Watching them play Dallas in Game 2 was like watching boys against men. Collectively, they play in units of five, letting the puck do the work and staying in good positions all over the ice.
Their discipline and composure usually results in odd-man situations, where their powerplay dominates the league. It sure helps to have solid goaltending and experienced players on the back end such as Nicklas Lidstrom and ?Chris Chelios.
Up front, there is enough character and grit in Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby as well as some of the league’s premier talent in Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.
I think Detroit’s style of play is best for developing young players because it combines skill, toughness and critical ?game thinking.
This is what sets players apart.
In women’s hockey at almost every level, I find there is a tendency to run around too much. I see in many young players that the puck is a hot potato. They can’t wait to get rid of it, afraid to make a mistake. We are best served encouraging composure and thinking in the women’s game today.
Two examples that come to mind are the recent U18 Women’s World Championships in Calgary this past January.
Even though the Czech Team had inferior conditioning and skating skills, they played, collectively, the best hockey of all the countries, which resulted in a first ever bronze medal.
At this year’s World Women’s Championship in China, the Russians showed marked improvement in their puck possession game, making everyone take notice. This is rare to find in women’s hockey at any level. There is no doubt that skating is a huge part of the game, but the puck should always do most of the work.
Overall, I feel the focus from young females to the National Team should be to play with poise with the puck and focus on five-man units of play.
Coaches and players alike would be well served to take a close look at the style of play of the Detroit Red Wings and look to teach and understand the game with the principles they demonstrate so well: skill, puck movement and composure. |