My name is Jeff Serowik and I am a retired NHL defenseman.
I own 62 hockey camps for youths called Pro Ambitions. I
started my camps eleven years ago because I wanted to simplify
and pass on my knowledge of the game, which took me twenty-five
years to figure out. My specialty and passion is obviously
DEFENSE.
To win games, and become a great team that gels, all players
must play some form of defense (including forwards).
A winning team is like a recipe,
- everyone has a specific role, - everyone has a niche. No hockey
player can play all roles. Find your specialty early and try to
be the best at that one skill. Then work on bringing your other
skills up to par.
The best teams in hockey understand that all players must
play some form of defense and play as one unit. Forwards
must back check to help defensemen. Typically on the forward
line, one forward's role is "the third man high”.
He is the first to go back and help the defensemen. This
type of forward is sometimes considered a two-way forward.
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche, is a perfect example of the
ultimate two way forward. He is an all star every year because
he tallies 80-100 points and always has a great plus/minus.
(Being a Plus player means being on the ice for more goals
for than against.) Some players are gifted goal scorers with
incredible hands. Others players don't have as much talent,
- but hard work can compensate for lack of skill and anyone
can excel at defense if the commitment is there.
Defenseman in the NHL calls themselves
mules. “You may not get all the glory but we can
grunt out the victories”. Defensive players
in the NHL are making millions of dollars, so there must
be more to hockey than just scoring goals.
Here are a few of my secrets here (you can learn the rest
at one of my camps); but I would like to talk about some
fundamental defensive rules:
BRUINS
