Count the numbers, communicate and dictate - you’ll learn why those are crucial steps to take to successfully defend any rush.

A mere 36 seconds into his 30-minute Virtual Hockey Summit presentation and it was clear Nolan Pratt’s talk was going to be great.

The 46-year-old former NHL defenceman, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers and played 592 games between the Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, is currently in his sixth season as assistant coach with the Avalanche. He was a defensive-minded D-man during his playing days and he’s brought that same mentality behind the bench in Colorado.

Although a lot of people assume defending the rush means defending your zone against a team on the attack, but Pratt said it actually all begins with the defensemen being involved with the O-zone forecheck. That involves taking five hard strides out of your zone, working for position and then being active in O-zone play. He uses a lot of video to illustrate his point.

“In today’s game, it’s so fluid and everyone skates so well,” said Pratt. “If you’re standing still in hockey today, you’re going to find yourself in a lot of trouble.”

Identifying what is coming at you is another pillar of Pratt’s talk; count the numbers, communicate and dictate – you’ll learn why those are crucial steps to take to successfully defend any rush.

Pratt’s presentation ends with three practice drills you can put to use today. There’s never been a better time to improve how your team defends the rush.