What Traits Does A Hockey Player Need?

Accelerating down the ice, the puck carrier has to make a decision. He must continue to drive forward and shoot it or pass it quickly to set up a shot for his teammate. This takes an instinct to know what play is most likely to result in a goal and this is a trait that all hockey players must possess.

Athleticism

Hockey players need to have the trait of athleticism. A hockey player must be athletic enough to skate with ease. Skating must be second nature to a player so he can think about shooting, passing and stickhandling. Without athletic ability, this would not be possible. The thought process needs to focus on the next pass, shot, stickhandling maneuver or defensive play. If the player is thinking about the skating portion of his game, than the other areas will suffer.

Hand-Eye Coordination

Hand-eye coordination is a trait that hockey players need to pass, accept a pass, shoot and deflect a shot on net. Many goals are scored when a player takes a shot from the blue line. This shot is often taken by defensemen. A forward will often try to position himself in the path of the shot so he can deflect it with his stick as it flies toward the goal. The puck may be traveling at speeds exceeding 95 mph and deflecting the puck in a manner that alters its journey toward the goal takes vision and a deft touch. "You have to know who's shooting, and when you do, that makes it easier," said San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton. "It takes a lot of practice but it's like hitting a baseball. You need hand-eye coordination."

Character

Some coaches call it character and others refer to an indomitable spirit. The trait of playing with every bit of your ability no matter what the circumstances are in a game or a season speaks of a player's character. For example, if a team finds itself trailing by two goals with eight minutes to go in the third period and continues to play at full speed despite the tough circumstances and unlikelihood that it will come from behind, a coach credits his team's character if it can come back and get the win. When Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith lost seven teeth after getting hit in the mouth with a puck in a 2010 playoff game against San Jose and came back to play and help lead his team to a victory, it spoke of his character.

Toughness

The toughness factor cannot be overstated in hockey. This has nothing to do with the game's propensity for fighting and violence. A player has to contend with hard checking from the opponent. This means a player is constantly at risk to getting hit when he has possession of the puck or has just passed the puck. Former NHL player Ryan Walter says mental and physical toughness go hand in hand because players not only have to take the physical hit, but also know the hit is coming and will cause pain. The opponent can legally drive his shoulder into your chest or shoulder to separate you from the puck. You can't let the idea of physical contact intimidate you or prevent you from doing your job. Players must deliver and absorb hits throughout the game and remain focused on moving the puck and creating scoring opportunities.