Hockey sense.

In regards to the sport, it is a possession more valuable than gold. In conversations amongst coaches, hockey sense is treated with the hushed reverence of prospectors speculating an untapped claim. 

Some think hockey sense is a natural talent, a player kissed by the hockey gods. The reality: hockey sense can be developed like a wrist shot or a backhand saucer pass. One way for a player to increase their hockey sense at an early age is by trying different positions.

“Every kid who tries different positions is going to make them learn and understand the game better,” Rochester Lourdes High School head boys’ hockey coach Josh Spaniol said. “We want to develop kids. When they have the puck on their stick, they can make a crucial decision.”

Broadening the Game

In the early stages of a player’s development, it is important to try different positions. Experiencing multiple positions will allow a youngster to learn new aspects of the game. They will have to process concepts offensively and in the D-zone from both sides of the ice, forward and defense.

“Sometimes they can get so single minded, only seeing one perspective, that they might not be able to broaden the game in their heads,” Spaniol said. “With only one thought, they might not develop any creativity or learn they might have more than one option or way to make a play.”

Playing a new position can also help broaden the development of players’ skills.  A forward that switches to defense will be forced to utilize their skating and stick skills in different ways, which may help them become a better forward as well.  The same holds true for defensemen that spend time playing wing or center.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Spaniol, who has been the bench boss at Rochester Lourdes for seven years, petitions his own son to try different positions. Kaden Spaniol likes to play forward, but in his first year as a Peewee, his father wants him to take turns on the blue line.

“I’m begging him to play defense,” the father said. “He doesn’t want to do it because he’s been playing forward for a little bit.”

Spaniol said that having a puck-moving blueliner is a rare commodity. As a high school coach, he has seen the impact of players who can switch positions with ease.

One of Spaniol former player’s, Justin DeWitz, was a forward throughout his youth hockey career. As a senior, DeWitz moved to the blue line and flourished. After playing junior hockey, he is set to start his freshman year at Gustavus.

“He was one of the best defensemen I’ve had,” Spaniol said. “His eyes were always up and he moved the puck quicker. If he was a forward, he might not have made the jump to the next level.”

DeWitz is far from the only example either. Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner played forward through his junior year at Minnetonka before switching to defense as a senior. After only one season playing the point, he was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft and jumped directly into playing Division I hockey with Wisconsin. Three years later, Gardiner scored 30 points over 75 games in his rookie campaign for the Maple Leafs.

Improving Decision-Making

While DeWitz’s hockey smarts made him a special player for the Lourdes Eagles, it might not be as easy for a youngster to switch positions. In this case, it is important to set up the player for a successful transition. Spaniol has a child practice the new position for a week before putting him in the fire of a game. He suggests making sure the child is enthusiastic about learning a new skill.  

“After giving him some practice, maybe a scrimmage, ask if they want to try something new,” Spaniol said. “Hopefully they do. If they don’t they can always go back to their other spot.”

It’s important for coaches and parents to remember, at a young age, development and having fun are the two most important things to a child’s early hockey career.

“The more positions they learn the quicker they can learn to make decisions. Playing the game and reading situations will become natural,” Spaniol said. “The earlier we can educate these kids, the quicker they’ll develop hockey sense and think for themselves.”