The video from long time Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Head Coach Mike Tomlin is worth a listen. 

The best teams are exceptional at managing the puck and getting the puck back when they lose possession of the puck. They use the Forecheck Game to shut down the middle of the ice with a strong Offensive Zone {OZ} and Neutral Zone {NZ} Forecheck to hunt pucks. 

 Hockey is a puck possession game {PPG} and the team that wins the PPG generally wins the hockey game. The Forecheck Game requires speed, strong technical hockey skills and a champion's mindset to hunt pucks, win races to loose pucks, force puck battles and to win the majority of the one on one and group puck battles. The Forecheck Game isn't complicated, but it certainly takes a willingness on the part of players to do the things coach needs them to do to win back the puck. 

Why We Forecheck 

#1. Protect {defend} the guts of the ice on a 200' x 85' ice surface.

#2. Get the puck back.

#3. Win the time of possession game {TOPG}. 

#4. Create offence by getting to the guts of the ice off puck wins. 

#5. Set the pace of play to tilt the ice in your favour.

#6. Defend up ice in the offensive zone {OZ} and neutral zone {NZ} to spend less time in our DZ. 

#7. Wear down the opponent physically and mentally by imposing your will on them. 

#8. Force the opponent to manage the puck by taking away their ice {time and space}.  

#9. Neutralize the opponent's speed & skill by taking away their attack rush game through the NZ to force turnovers and dump-ins. 

#10. Teach players how to demonstrate they want the puck by teaching them how to hunt pucks and how to win back the puck. 

Video Examples: Evidence of The Why We Forecheck 

#1 - A NZ Forecheck clip from the 4 Nations Cup. USA apply puck pressure, gap up on players without the puck and force a puck management decision that results in a turnover and quick counter attack with numbers the other way resulting in a goal. An excellent example of the NZ Forecheck that forced a turnover and quick counter attack that exposed the middle {guts} of the ice. 

#2 - 4 Nations Cup OZ Forecheck that applied puck pressure strong side and shut down the strong side exit. FIN's forced the puck strong side that was blocked off, turned the puck over and USA quickly counter attacked in the guts of ice that was exposed as a result of the FIN's getting caught in transtion - not in position to defend middle ice. 

#3 - LAKs strong OZ Forecheck against the VGKs results in a turnover and quick transtion to offence to attack the guts of the ice. Lots of ways to attack the guts of the ice offensively but the Forecheck Game when executed properly provides  opportunities to attack the guts of the ice. 

It's Not About What You're Capable Of Doing, It's About What You're Willing To Do!

The best teams are exceptional at protecting the puck and protecting the guts of the ice. The best players are exceptional at executing the Forecheck because they're willing to do what it takes to be exceptional Forecheckers. The best teams win the TOPG by managing the puck and by being exceptional on the Forecheck. The same skills and tactics used to shut down the middle of the ice on the OZ and NZ Forecheck are necessary in the DZ to win back the puck. Lots of players are capable of being a good Forechecker but fewer are willing to do what it takes to be a good Forecher.