Our systems may change depending on the situation. Our identity does not.
These principles define how we want to play every shift, in every zone, and in every situation. They guide our decisions and give us a common language.
1. Play Fast
We play with pace, awareness, and purpose.
- Full speed.
- Scan early and know the next play before you get the puck.
- Make decisions quickly.
- First touch matters.
- Move the puck. It travels faster than players.
- Skate to win races and create separation.
- No standing and watching. No sloths.
2. Attacking Mindset
When we have the puck, we attack. Be HUNGRY to score.
- Attack space.
- Attack defenders.
- Attack the middle.
- Get off the walls and attack inside the dots.
- Advance the puck whenever possible.
- Make the opposition defend us.
3. Hunting Mindset
When we do not have the puck, we HUNT relentlessly to get it back.
- Hunt the puck carrier.
- Take away time and space.
- Close quickly and under control.
- Stick on puck.
- Defend inside-out. Angle opponents toward bad ice.
- Force rushed decisions and mistakes.
- No fly-bys. Stay in the battle.
- Pressure together. First player goes, second player supports.
- Make the opposition earn every second they have the puck.
4. Win Every Transition
The moment possession changes, our mindset changes.
When we gain the puck: Attack immediately with urgency.
When we lose the puck: Defend immediately with desperation.
There is virtually no mental pause between offence and defence.
5. The Puck Is Gold (Don’t give it away easily)
Possession has value. Do not give the puck away cheaply.
Our decision hierarchy:
Hockey Play → Heavy Play → Hope Play
- Hockey Play: Make a controlled play that maintains or improves possession.
- Heavy Play: Put the puck into a difficult area where we can pressure and recover it.
- Hope Play: Throw the puck away and hope something good happens.
We make hope plays only when there is no better option.
6. Relentlessly Out-Compete
TNT - Takes No Talent
Winning hockey includes things that do not depend on skill, size, or natural ability. They depend on effort, courage, discipline, awareness, and commitment to the team.
Our TNT habits:
- Work Across: Recover above the puck and through the middle with urgency.
- Desperate Defence: Backcheck all the way and do whatever is required to protect our net.
- Win Puck Battles: Be first to the puck, compete through contact, and come away with possession.
- Second Quick: When a teammate engages, arrive quickly in support.
- Win the Nets: Establish position at both ends. Hunt rebounds offensively. Own the 5-Card defensively.
- Forward Blocks: Forwards own shooting lanes too.
- Chop Tree Shifts: Change at the right time and set up the next line for success.
- Elimination: Finish plays appropriately, be physical, and make the game difficult for the opposition.
Today’s Assignment:
- Memorize the 6 principles of our On-Ice Identity. We’ll be talking about them at nearly every game and practice this season.
- Complete today’s workout on the TeamBuildr app. Be sure to mark each exercise complete as you finish it. Depending on your schedule (other sports, work, etc.) it is okay to complete the exercises on another day or even substitute an alternate workout provided that the difficultly level is similar. Please make note of any substitutions or switches as part of the daily check in item in the TeamBuildr app.