Novice, 2014-2015, A (Newmarket Minor Hockey)

With about a month of time together as a team, the coaches are very pleased with the advances our players are making. This past weekend they asked the boys to focus on five aspects that they have been working on in practice.

1. Battle for the puck
2. Play their positions
3. Backcheck and forecheck
4. Use their angling skills
5. Keep skating for the entire game

As we progressed through the tournament you could see the improvement as they began to click as a team, executing on the five tasks assigned by the coaches. 

 

After each game the coaches were provided an opportunity to recognize an MVP for each game. The first game MVP was awarded to #7 Kyle R. for working hard to win every battle and provide the team with real opportunities. The second game MVP was awarded to #94 Adrian B. for his strong skating and back checking. On several occasions his hard skating helped to assist our defensemen. By the third game it was very difficult to find a single MVP. From a coaching prespective all the boys had done what they had asked. The final MVP was awarded to #87 Gianluca V. for his determination on the boards to win the battles with strong skating and great positioning.

 

While the team has not found a win on the scoreboard, Coach Sean Mabley has told the boys that they are winning the battle to build the strength of the team. As they continue to execute on the skills they are learning, they will also see the wins on the scoreboard. For now they need to keep working to build the arsenal of skills and strategies they are learning each week, both on and off the ice.