Willie talks about getting started and skating well

by NHL | April 24, 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.

Hi Willie,
it's Tyler again. I took your advice and right now I'm in the top 5 for most goals and I'm 1st for points. I'm writing this because I wanted to thank you.
Sincerely,
Tyler

Hi Tyler,
Glad things are working out for you. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you play one day. All the best.

Dear Willie,
I am 15 years old and I want to get into playing hockey. I have always wanted to be a goalie. I can not skate as of yet. What would be some of the steps I should take to follow my dream.
Mark Merovitch

Hi Mark,
My advice to you is get on the ice and start skating as much as you can. It's going to take a lot of hard work but if a goalie is what you want to be, go for it. Be the best you can. Stay in touch-good luck.

Hi Willie,
My question is - did you ever play hockey as a kid and if so at what age did you start?
Kevin Nasse, Jr.
Age 8
New Jersey

Hi Kevin,
Yes I played as a kid. Started skating at the age of two and played organized hockey at age five. Loved it.

Dear Willie,
Hi my name is Nick. I'm from Colorado and I play hockey in the 200 A Division. I'm a goalie. Do you have any special advice for blocking one timers?

Hi Nick from Colorado,
My advice to you Nick, is always try to keep your eye on the puck. Sometimes that is difficult but one timers are tough.

Hi Willie,
I was wondering what you're favorite shot was. I was also wondering if you have a favorite team to play against.
Thanx
Kyle

Hi Kyle,
My favorite shot was the wrist or snap shot. I was not very good at slapping the puck or slap shot. When I was in the NHL the team I liked to play against most was the Montreal Canadians, because they were winning the Stanley Cup every year and they had a great team.

Hey Willie,
I'm 13 years of age and I live in Alberta so I'm playin peewee right now. I was just wondering if could give me some tips about layin some of those big guys out. I would appreciate it if u would give me some hints on checking.
cya

Hi:
Don't worry about laying some of those big guys out. Sometimes it's not how big you are. You have heard that old saying, "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." Just focus on playing hockey, good luck.

Dear Willie,
I'm Alioune a student from Health Professions H.S. We have a project which is to investigate a career that we would be interested in. Can I ask you a few questions:
1) Do you need a college degree to be an NHL player?
2) What degree do you need?
3) What education do you need?
4) What are the top colleges to go when you want to be playing in the NHL? 5) Do you need scholarships and what kind?
6) Do you need a License and which one(s)?
7) What is the salary range?
8) What advice do you have for a high school who is thinking about becoming a NHL star?

Hi Alioune,
1. No you do not need a college degree to play in the NHL, but it would be good to have later on.
3. High school would be great.
4. There are several great colleges that offer hockey scholarships ? many of which are in Massachusetts and Michigan.
6. No license needed!
7. That actually depends on your skill level and your agent's negotiating skills.
8. If your goal is playing in the NHL and that is what you want, then go for it. Here are some things you must consider, hard work, sacrifice, commitment and dedication.

Hey Willie,
What team do you think I should go for? I live in Utah and lots of my friends at school go for the Avalanche and I like the Red Wings more. Who do you think I should go for?
Adam

Hi Adam,
What team do you want to go for? If you like the Red Wings ? then be proud of that! You picked a great year to follow them! Don't worry about your friends, do what you feel is right.

Hi Willie,
I am from Stirling in Scotland. My son has just started skating at the start of the season and in a month the hockey coach approached him to see if he would like to join the team for training (he is only five). He is a very good skater for his age and a better skater then some of the older ones. What I would like to know is when these kids are having a training game all the kids seem to swamp the puck. Should I direct my son to stay out of this pile up of bodies and wait till the puck comes out or tell him to get in there and battle for the puck? I am getting him to practice his wrist shots against his room door and he is getting there but finds it hard but he will get there. Even if there are any other tips you can give me to practice with in him in the house during the week to improve his puck control. Oh and he dreams hockey as well even when he's awake.
Thanks Willie,
Billy

Hi Billy in Stirling Scotland,
Let your son enjoy the game of hockey. He is only five years old, give him the opportunity of getting in there with rest of the players digging for the puck that's the fun of the game. Positioned play will come later on. I started playing hockey at age five like your son. I was all over the ice, wherever the puck was, that's where I was. It was such great fun growing up. He needs your support everyday. They grow up so fast. Tell him to keep dreaming about hockey. My hat is off to you, good luck.

Willie,
My son is 8 years old he has been playing hockey for three years. He truly loves the game. We are in the great hockey state of Florida. He's also an African-American. Can you give me list of instructional materials that I can use to help him and me? Do you have any suggestion for father-son summer camps? We have your book also. Thanks so much for your time.

To the mother of the 8 year old son in Florida,
Actually, I'm an African Canadian. You should contact USA Hockey in Colorado Springs Colorado, they would be happy to send you some info (www.usahockey.com). The "Hockey News," publication has several listings for summer camps and they are excellent. Thank you for purchasing my book, good luck.