not sure if thread is beaten-to-death meme (CONDRA STAMINA LOLZ) but in the event it is serious, my experience in a few years of playing drop in hockey has had me meet two guys who had an NHL try-out. One was an ECHLer, the other had just started playing in the AHL. Needless to say both were miles better than any other player on the ice. In any event, both said effectively the same thing, that they were just as fast and had just as good shots as the NHL players, but that the difference between an NHLer and a minor leaguer is that NHLers can make snap decisions while AHLers waste that valuable second or two after taking or making a pass in order to move or shoot the puck.
not sure if thread is beaten-to-death meme (CONDRA STAMINA LOLZ) but in the event it is serious, my experience in a few years of playing drop in hockey has had me meet two guys who had an NHL try-out. One was an ECHLer, the other had just started playing in the AHL. Needless to say both were miles better than any other player on the ice. In any event, both said effectively the same thing, that they were just as fast and had just as good shots as the NHL players, but that the difference between an NHLer and a minor leaguer is that NHLers can make snap decisions while AHLers waste that valuable second or two after taking or making a pass in order to move or shoot the puck.
This is an informative post.
In the NHL though, we assume most of the vets and nearly all of the top half skaters can make quick decisions. The difference between Ovechkin and Semin though is heart.
Amongst the clear cut NHLers, heart determines the difference in results between the best players (NHL players) in the world in competition. When Ovechkin drives right to the net with multiple other NHL players draped all over and celebrates his goal on his butt, you see it.
In the NHL though, we assume most of the vets and nearly all of the top half skaters can make quick decisions. The difference between Ovechkin and Semin though is heart.
Amongst the clear cut NHLers, heart determines the difference in results between the best players (NHL players) in the world in competition. When Ovechkin drives right to the net with multiple other NHL players draped all over and celebrates his goal on his butt, you see it.
If skill and hockey smarts is equal the next is hatred to lose.Lafleur and Messier are near the top.Tiger williams is someone who despite not having the skill hated team mates who laughed after they lost a game.
No attribute in particular, NHLers separate themselves from other hockey players because they have all these attributes combined at a high level. From the attributes mentioned above, I'm going with agility. It's hard to compete at this level when you can't move your body properly.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
Also I would say Hockey IQ is one of the most important, especially for D. You don't need it to be an NHL or to be a pretty good NHLer, but you it's an absolute must to become an Elite NHLer (at least for defencemen). You can be an average skater or have an average shot or have average puck handling skills, but if you don't have elite hockey IQ you can't be an elite defenceman.
