Utilize these five tips to ensure you're putting on a show when it matters the most.

I recently watched a segment on Sportsnet’s Hockey Central on what scouts look for in players at this time of the year. With playoffs in every hockey league having just ended or still going on, I thought this was an excellent topic to share with players, parents, and coaches: what do the elite team scouts look for?

In this video segment, Jason Bukala (Pro Hockey Group), points out that 39 drafted players played in the 2023 Frozen Four NCAA final. Most elite-level players that are high NHL draft picks score goals and produce offence; if they are goaltenders, they make vital saves at crucial times.

Scouts look for players that pay attention to and execute the intricate details of the game. In all leagues, there is much parity; players and teams are equal in talent. The player that can pay attention to the details will be able to get their teams over the top and win a championship.

Bukala analyzes the following three players:

1. Drew Commesso, goaltender for Boston University – 46th overall draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020. Bukala points out the critical aspects of his game: crease composure, lateral tracking, fronting shooters, and rebound control. The best goaltenders move well laterally, sit tall in the net and are efficient in their movements. They can face elite shooters and make championship saves. They are not too emotional at this time of the year.
2. Logan Cooley, forward from the University of Minnesota – drafted 3rd overall by Arizona in 2022. His essential qualities are that he passes the puck well, is an elite shooter and is exceptionally talented offensively. In Bukala’s video sequence, Cooley has excellent read and react skills; he is in his zone, reads that his team turned the puck over, sprints for the opening, receives a stretch pass from his defensemen, and goes to the net and scores a goal. This is called playing off the puck; what do you do as a player when you do not have the puck? Is your team on offence or defence?
3. Mathew Knies, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound power forward – drafted 57th overall in 2021 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is an offensive player known for playing with pace and energy. Scouts look for versatile players, who are 200-foot players that compete in all three zones. Knies can play power plays and kill penalties. In this video example, Knies steals the puck on the PK and challenges one-on-one getting a shot on the net while being checked and falling to the ice. He then gets up, not wasting a second, sprints back on the track to his zone, catches the puck carrier, and steals the puck.

Tiny details like this make players elite and help their teams win championships.

These five things will help you pay better attention to details and help you become an elite player that all the scouts will notice.

1. Do a realistic self-evaluation and determine the kind of player you are.

Are you a skilled forward or defenseman, a power forward (200-foot player) or a stay-at-home defenseman? Successful teams have a mix of players. A simple tool you can use is to do a player performance profile. With a performance profile, you pick your ideal player and identify what skills and attributes (on and off the ice) you need to be that kind of player. In step 2, you select up to 12 skills and qualities and rate the skills in order of importance. In step 3, you rate yourself (from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best) on where you are today at that skill or attribute. You then set your goals accordingly.

2. Players and coaches talk about getting better every day. That is a good intention, but how does one improve daily?

Step 1 – set an outcome goal – what do you want to achieve (this can be a long-term goal)? After determining your outcome goal, you need to focus on daily goals, including skill- or system-centred task goals.

Journalling is a highly effective tool to help you improve every day. It will allow you to write your thoughts and feelings. You will get a clear understanding of your daily progress, whether it is positive or negative. Other benefits include reducing your anxiety, clearing your mind so your thoughts do not ruminate, controlling your emotions, and encouraging awareness and focus.

The process is simple and involves four questions:

• What was successful today?
• What did I struggle with today?
• What is my strategy (goals) for tomorrow?
• What am I grateful for today?

3. Find three to five keys to your position or skill.

Here is an example with passing. We have three keys: “look – eyes up,” “push” (push the puck, do not slap it), and “point” (Roll your wrists, pointing the blade of your stick to your target). Here is another example of four keys for a defenseman going back to retrieve a puck “turn and sprint,” “shoulder check” (look for pressure and your teammates), if you have pressure, “fake” (use a stick or body fake to throw off the forechecker.), “pick up the puck,” then the passing keys can take effect.

4. Commit to being an elite learner.

An elite learner possesses a growth mindset; someone with a growth mindset understands that one can improve over time and is prepared to do the work.

That means studying the game, watching hockey and being coachable. Being coachable means taking instructions and constructive feedback from your coaches and instructors.

Elite learners are committed to being fully present and focused on practice every day. Outside influences, such as an argument with a friend or a tough day at school, are a non-factor when concentrating on practice. For the one hour, it is only the training that matters.

Elite learners are comfortable being uncomfortable. That means they give their best physical and mental effort no matter how difficult practice may seem. They have the courage to take calculated risks, try new things, make mistakes, fall, and get up again.

Elite learners are focused on the process rather than outcomes; they understand that learning and improvements are not linear. There will be times when progress plateaus, and they may not be improving. But if they maintain their grit and stick with the process, they will begin to see progress again.

5. Practise mindfulness breathing and meditation.

Mindfulness helps keep you in the present moment, reduces stress, trains your brain to focus (on your keys) and will help you get into the “zone!”

Doing these five things consistently will improve your performance, be detail-oriented and attract scouts like Jason Bukala!