Willie says lots of practice makes you a better skater

by NHL | Feb. 10, 2002

Do you have a question about hockey? About skills? About the game? Meet our expert: Willie O'Ree! You can send Willie e-mail right here: nhlkids@nhl.com.

Dear Mr. O'Ree,
My son is a 14-yr old bantam defenseman. He started skating and playing hockey much later (12-year-old as a Pee Wee) than his peers. He's made wonderful progress (of course this observation includes parental bias), however, he still is very frustrated at his slow backward-skating speed.
He's very sincere and wants to work hard at improving the speed at which he skates backwards. Before he devotes the hours and effort he probably will, I'm hopeful you or someone with expertise might be willing to offer some direction on what specific drills/exercises might be most helpful to him. I think it's great that our son is motivated, but I'm concerned he might spend too much time on drills/exercises that really don't help him much, and that he will become even more frustrated. I'm hopeful that the effort might not only improve his hockey skills but might also teach him a valuable lesson - hard work when done correctly and for the right motives can pay dividends.
Thanks so much for any direction or assistance you can be.
Pat
Dickinson, ND

Hi, Pat Dickinson,
The only advice I can give your son is to practice, practice, practice. I'm sure he has spoken to his coach regarding his concern. Balance is very important when skating backwards. Knees bent like in a sitting position, and pushing with your legs. Your stick will aid in your balance. Practice turning to your right and left. Always try to steer your opponent towards the boards. Play the body and not the puck. Again-practice, practice, practice, practice. I'm sure you will improve.

Willie,
When you were little, did you sleep, eat and dream hockey? I have played hockey in Brick, New Jersey since I was 3.
NJDevill

NJDevill:
Yes, I did sleep, eat and dream hockey ever since I was five years old. I was born in Canada on the east coast. I was on the ice everyday in the winter time. I played a lot of "pond" hockey. It was the greatest.

Hi Willie,
I'm just learning how to skate and I want to know how do the pros stop like they do when they are going really fast?
Tim

Tim:
The "pros" are able to stop as they say on a "dime" and give you nickel, change. It all has to do with balance and experience.

Dear Willie,
My name is Tyler and I play roller hockey in Irvine, California. I have been told I'm a good player. I have scored 27 goals so far in my season. I wanted to know how you can figure out how good you are in hockey. Because sometimes I don't really believe that I'm good. I'm 11 year olds and I'm going on to the squirt league where everyone is older than me, most of them are 13. I'm moving up because I think I can have a challenge in a higher league, what do you think?
Sincerely,
Tyler

Hi, Tyler:
I think if you believe you are ready to move up and you have the confidence, then do it. If you feel that good about yourself that's great. Remember the only person that can defeat you is you. Always work hard and do your very best.
Good luck!

Dear Willie,
I am a girl named Maggie and I am a center for my team from Saratoga, New York. I am 11 years old and people say I'm good, but I don't have a very good shot, but I get a lot of breakaways and I can't shoot good. I'm in squirt .b. team so I need to be good so what should I do? My friends call me the Mag Myster at hockey!
gtg bye

Hi, Maggie:
Well Maggie, if people say you are good that's great. What do you think? My advice to you is practice, practice, practice on your shot. Every time you shoot the puck put your whole body into the shot. Next time you have a practice go to the boards, pick a spot on the boards and try and hit that spot. Be about seven or eight feet from the boards. Do this for me, when shooting look at the spot on the boards, DO NOT I repeat DO NOT look at the puck. Practice this every chance you can. The same applies when you are going in on goal. Don't look at the puck, look where you are shooting. Good luck, Mag Myster.

Hey Willie,
I play hockey in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My question is how do you get a good slap shot from the blueline, because I play defense?
Dewarhc

Hi, Dewarhc:
You get a good slap shot from the blue line by practicing every chance you get. Making good contact with the puck is very important. Putting your whole body into the shot. Timing your shot is important.

Hi, Willie,
I am a big Devils fan. Do you think they will come back as they have throughout the season?
Alex

Hi, Alex:
Well, if you are a big Devils fan, don't count them out yet. Stick with them. They have a good team and I'm sure all the players realize what they need to do to raise that Stanley Cup.

Hi,
My name is Justin Smith and I play hockey for my local rep hockey team for 10-11 year olds and I am 11 years old. I was wanting to know some good tips on stickhandling drills.
Thanks,
Justin Smith

Hi, Justin:
There is so much to stickhandling. Keeping both hands on your stick is so very important. Always keep your head up. Make the puck do what you want it to. Practice with your teammates. Try doing different dekes with the puck in practice.

Mr. O'Ree,
What do you think about the Coyotes?
Matt

Hi, Matt:
I like the Phoenix Coyotes. They are in fourth place in their division. They'll still win some more games.

Willie,
My name is Kyeyise and I am 9 and I play for the AA travel squirts. I play defense and I wanted to know how I could improve my game as in stealing the puck? I can keep the opponents out of the scoring range but I can never steal it right out and I want to know how to stop the discrimination from my teammates since I am a girl and they can't accept that fact.
Thanks a bunch Willie,
Kyeyise

Hi, Kyeyise:
Don't worry about stealing the puck. Just worry about taking the opponent out of the play. You will get your chances to get the puck. Don't worry about your teammates. If they cannot accept you for yourself and forget you are a girl, then it is their loss. Be proud of who you are. Remember you're on the team because you have talent. That speaks for itself. Work hard, and forget everything else.
Good luck, Kyeyise!