Playing hockey requires speed, aggressiveness, play-making talent and the ability to skate with speed and balance. Playing the right wing position demands that a player have the ability to put the puck in the net and score with frequency. A team counts on its right wing and left wing to find scoring chances and deliver a high percentage of the time.
Offensive Play
When a team gains possession of the puck, the defensemen or the center will typically carry the puck up ice. They will look for openings to create a breakout play, many of which will involve an outlet pass to the right or left wing. Those players have to try to get open so they can receive a pass and then make a play in the offensive zone. Typically, the right wing will skate with speed through the neutral zone and find an opening so his teammates can find him and he can take the puck into the offensive zone and shoot. On other occasions, the offensive team will dump the puck into the offensive zone and the right wing's job is to cross the endline, dig the puck out and create an offensive scoring chance or pass to a teammate.
Shooting Ability
A right wing typically has outstanding shooting ability. A right wing needs to have a strong slap shot that he can take when he is in full stride and has crossed into the offensive zone. He needs a wrist shot that he can get away quickly within 25 to 30 feet of the goal. A snap shot will also help him score from that distance. Additionally, the right wing needs to be competent at handling the puck on his backhand, deflecting shots that come in from the point and chasing down rebounds to keep offensive opportunities alive for his team.
Defensive Responsibilities
Right wings are not just offensive players. The right wing has to check opponents, meaning he must use his body to prevent opponents from making plays. The right wing will try to stay with the opponent's left wing as the play is developing, but once the play is fully in the defensive zone, a right wing will also have to prevent the opposing left defenseman from taking an open shot from the point. This can require a right wing to attempt to block shots by putting his lower body in the path of a hard slap shot. This requires courage and timing.
Great Right Wings
The game has featured many brilliant players who have played the right wing position. Gordie Howe is a Hall of Famer and was perhaps the best right wing in the history of the game. He played primarily with the Detroit Red Wings. Maurice "The Rocket" Richard was a dominant player for the Montreal Canadiens and was noted for his ability to score big goals in key games. Jari Kurri played right wing alongside Wayne Gretzky with both the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. Brett Hull became one of the highest scorers in the history of the game and he scored the Stanley Cup winning goal for the Dallas Stars in 1999.
References
- Legends of Hockey: Gordie Howe
- "Hockey Drills for Scoring"; Newell Brown and Vern Stenlund; 1997
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