Zionsville Hockey Club: Coaches Corner

    As the tryout dates get closer, it is important as a player to properly prepare both physically and mentally. As a coach I am looking at players for their basic skills (skating, passing, shooting, stickhandling, etc.), how well they handle different game scenarios, and how they function as part of the team. It is imperative that each player comes to tryouts in shape, and will be fairly obvious to us coaches if you are not. It does play a significant role in how you are evaluated as a player. If possible, get some ice time through stick and pick, a pick up game, or our 3 preseason skates that are available. Also, do some skill work, it is much easier to get your timing back of shooting and passing on the ice, if you are working on it off the ice. Our tryouts will be simple, I want to see the players in game situations, and therefore there will be a lot of controlled scrimmaging. Meaning, different scenarios will be presented to the players (powerplay, penalty kill, extra attacker, etc). I want to get a judgment of the players “hockey sense”. Yes skills are important, but I want to see if you are ready to play when the puck drops, whether or not you know where to be on the ice at different times. Last but most definitely not least, you need to enjoy yourself out on the ice during tryouts. Don’t try to do things you wouldn’t normally do, I want to see the type of player you are, not trying to be something you are not. This is a fun time for everyone involved. I look forward to seeing everyone out there, having fun and working their hardest.

Aaron Wallace

Head Hockey Coach Zionsville Hockey Club