Beyond Point Production: How to Evaluate Players Beyond 'Elite Prospects'

When discussing the success or potential of a hockey player, it’s all too common for the conversation to revolve around goals, assists, and plus-minus ratings. After all, point production is a convenient and easily measured statistic. Believe it or not, there are some coaches and team executives that use points as their lone evaluation tool of prospective players.

However, if you’ve spent any significant amount of time around the game—whether as a coach, player, or parent—you know there’s far more to hockey than just piling up points. The true value of a player often lies in subtle contributions that may not appear on the scoresheet, including defensive acumen, leadership qualities, grit, competitiveness, and the ability to elevate teammates’ performance.

Yet, these qualities are frequently overshadowed when assessing potential talent, especially among young players hoping to make it to the elite ranks of junior hockey or beyond. In this article, we explore how players, coaches, and parents can look past the goal-scoring headlines and highlights, and dive into the deeper nuances of player evaluation. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the myriad factors that truly matter when determining a hockey player’s trajectory and impact on the ice.

The Limitations of Point Production

1. Scoreboard vs. Complete Game

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of a player who racks up points on a regular basis. These individuals often gain the most attention—especially in youth hockey, where high-scoring players dominate headlines and become the “talk of the league.” While offensive output is certainly important and a strong indicator of certain skills (like creativity, timing, puck-handling, and shooting ability), it doesn’t necessarily paint the entire picture.

In many cases, players can “produce points” without developing equally important defensive awareness or understanding how to manage the game in different situations. A high-scoring forward on a powerhouse team might not be tested in the same manner as a forward on a weaker team. If a player’s defense, skating, positioning, and hockey IQ remain underdeveloped, it can significantly impact their ability to succeed at higher levels—where time and space become scarce and competition intensifies.

2. Context Matters

Points don’t exist in a vacuum. How a player racks up those points can be more instructive than the raw totals. Was the player deployed predominantly on the power play? Did they benefit from exceptional linemates or a coach’s system designed to maximize offense? Were they matched primarily against opponents’ weaker lines? Were their point earned on game-tying or go-ahead goals? And are they contributing in other crucial moments—like penalty killing or defensive zone face-offs?

A high point-per-game average doesn’t always equate to being the best or most complete player on the ice. Coaches at more advanced levels will examine a prospect’s overall impact on team success, including their tendency to step up when the game is on the line. Statistics like secondary assists (where the pass doesn’t necessarily create the scoring chance but still yields a point), points earned against lower quality teams or when there is a big goal differential either way, can inflate point totals but might not fully capture a player’s ability to directly influence an offensive opportunity.

What Truly Sets Players Apart

1. Hockey IQ

Hockey IQ refers to a player’s ability to read the game, anticipate opponents’ moves, and react quickly. At higher levels of play, time and space shrink considerably, and a player’s decision-making under pressure becomes paramount. A player with high hockey IQ consistently makes the right plays—whether that’s a timely pass through traffic, a backcheck at the right moment, or a quick release shot when the goalie is off-balance.

How to Spot High Hockey IQ:

Positional Awareness: Watch for a player who consistently positions themselves well in defensive and offensive zones.
Adaptability: Players with high hockey IQ can quickly adjust to new situations, systems, or even different linemates without their performance dipping significantly.
Reading the Ice: The ability to see lanes, anticipate turnovers, and understand spacing often stands out at crucial moments—like odd-man rushes or during penalty kills.

2. Defensive Responsibility

Forward or defenseman, every player on the ice shares the responsibility of team defense. While defensive defensemen are often overlooked due to low point production, they are critical to success. A forward’s backchecking consistency can be a difference-maker, especially in close games.

Evaluating Defensive Responsibility:

Stick Positioning: Consistent use of the stick to take away passing lanes and disrupt plays.
Gap Control (for defencemen): Holding the right distance between the puck carrier and themselves, preventing easy zone entries.
Transition Support (for forwards): Watching how often a forward hustles back to help out, especially if they lose the puck in the offensive zone.
Face-off Support: This involves wingers tying up opponents or blocking shooting lanes off the draw, and centers focusing on technique and timing to win clean face-offs.

3. Consistency

It’s often said that success in hockey isn’t just about performing exceptionally once; it’s about doing it every shift, every game. Some young players dominate periodically—perhaps riding a wave of confidence or facing weaker opponents—but falter in tough matchups or under playoff pressure.

Key Consistency Indicators:

Shift-to-Shift Effort: Does the player maintain intensity across all shifts, or do they only shine sporadically?
Game-to-Game Attitude: Is the player engaged even when the team is down by multiple goals, or do they shut down mentally?
Seasonal Peaks and Valleys: While all players have ups and downs, top performers maintain a relatively even performance and bounce back quickly from slumps.

4. Leadership and Character

This goes beyond the statistics entirely. Players who elevate the team by being vocal leaders, demonstrating resilience during adversity, and mentoring younger or less experienced teammates are invaluable. In many cases, a “glue guy” or “glue girl” in the locker room can be the difference between a championship team and a dysfunctional one.

Observing Leadership & Character:

On-Ice Communication: An effective leader calls out strategies, warns teammates of forecheckers, and stays positive, even when things aren’t going well.
Accountability: Leaders take responsibility for mistakes and rarely blame teammates. They encourage better play by example.
Team First Mentality: A selfless player looks to set teammates up for success, stands up for them in scrums, and sacrifices personal glory for the team.

5. Physicality and Compete Level

Hockey is a physical sport that demands high levels of endurance, strength, and willingness to battle along the boards or in front of the net. Not every player needs to be the biggest hitter, but a strong compete level—getting to loose pucks, finishing checks responsibly, and refusing to give up on a play—is essential.

Assessing Physical Play & Compete:

Board Battles: Does the player shy away from contact or compete fearlessly for the puck?
Net-Front Presence: In the offensive zone, does the player position themselves to screen the goalie or collect rebounds?
Durability & Conditioning: A strong indication is how a player performs in the final minutes of a tight game or after several grueling back-to-back shifts.

6. Coachability

A skillful player who refuses to follow instructions or struggles to adapt to systems can be just as detrimental as an unskilled player. Hockey is a team game that hinges on working within a collective strategy. Players who quickly soak up advice, ask intelligent questions, and actively seek to improve are more likely to thrive at higher levels.

Measuring Coachability:

Practice Habits: Does the player show consistent effort in practice drills, or do they coast?
Reaction to Feedback: A coachable athlete listens, demonstrates understanding, and actively tries to improve the skill or tactic in question.
Team Systems Comprehension: How quickly does the player understand and effectively apply new systems or set plays?

The Role of Advanced Analytics

The push in professional hockey toward advanced analytics has filtered down into junior levels and even youth hockey, to some degree. While statistics like Corsi (shot attempts for vs. shot attempts against) and Fenwick (unblocked shot attempts) are more commonly tracked in higher-level leagues, there’s a broader shift toward capturing data that helps assess a player’s overall impact on the ice. By focusing on puck possession, zone exits/entries, and quality of scoring chances, teams gain a more nuanced perspective of player value.

1. Possession Metrics

A major theme in advanced analytics is identifying which players tilt the ice in their team’s favor. A player with a strong Corsi rating is effectively keeping the puck in the offensive zone, reducing the risk for the defensive zone, and creating more opportunities. Players who excel at forcing turnovers and making quick, accurate passes to launch counterattacks typically exhibit strong possession metrics.

2. Zone Entry/Exit Statistics

Gaining the offensive zone with possession significantly increases the chance of generating quality scoring opportunities. Similarly, a controlled breakout from the defensive zone reduces turnovers and rushes from the opposition. Tracking how often a player completes these maneuvers—and how effectively they do so—can shine a light on a player’s creativity, puck-handling skills, and confidence in reading play options.

3. Quality of Shots and Scoring Chances

Rather than focusing purely on total shots, advanced analytics often look at the quality of each shot. Are attempts coming from prime scoring areas, like the slot or high-danger zones, or are they low-percentage perimeter shots that rarely challenge the goaltender? Players who consistently generate high-danger scoring opportunities indicate better hockey sense, positioning, and execution—traits that become more valuable at higher levels of the game.

Strategies for Coaches and Parents

1. Reinforce Good Habits from a Young Age

Parents and coaches alike can encourage young athletes to focus on the details. Praising a forward for excellent backchecking, or highlighting a defenseman’s smart first pass, can be more impactful than glorifying flashy plays alone. By celebrating these intangibles, you foster well-rounded development rather than one-dimensional goal-scoring.

2. Encourage Well-Rounded Skill Development

A versatile player is more likely to earn opportunities up the ladder. Coaches can offer players the chance to experience different positions, responsibilities, and special teams roles. By exposing them to penalty killing, for instance, you allow them to develop their defensive acumen and an appreciation for the game that goes beyond scoring.

3. Promote Leadership and Communication

Encourage players to be vocal and confident on the ice. Holding short discussions after games and practices, where players reflect on both positives and negatives, helps build accountability and camaraderie. Emphasizing respect and open communication ensures that leadership traits develop alongside skill.

4. Track Progress Holistically

Keep a simple record of not just goals and assists, but also factors like face-off percentages, puck battles won, shot attempts allowed or generated, and special teams performance. While you may not have the resources of an NHL franchise to track advanced analytics, even a basic scoring chance count or plus-minus based on even-strength time can illuminate patterns.

5. Focus on Long-Term Growth

Young players often hit plateaus or growth spurts that can radically change their on-ice performance in a short timeframe. Parents and coaches should adopt a patient approach, recognizing that a dip in scoring could be temporary and may happen at the same time a player is refining their defensive game or adjusting to a new position.

Advice for Players

1. Develop a Complete Game

No matter your role on the team, improving your defensive awareness and general hockey IQ will only benefit you down the line. Scout out opportunities to backcheck more effectively or ask your coach for penalty-killing reps. The more reliable and multi-dimensional you become, the more indispensable you’ll be to your coaches.

2. Embrace Feedback

Your coach’s advice, your teammates’ tips, or even a parent’s observations can all help you become a better player. Instead of brushing off criticism, treat it as a roadmap to your next level of performance. The best pros are the ones who never stop learning and improving.

3. Cultivate Mental Toughness

High-level hockey is mentally demanding. Pressure can come from an intense playoff atmosphere, a fight for a roster spot, or an adversarial locker room dynamic. Learning to handle adversity with composure and focus—rather than letting it derail your game—separates top-tier players from the rest.

4. Be a Team Player

Scouts and coaches look for individuals who make their teammates better. Even if you’re a star goal-scorer, showing that you can adapt to different lines, accept multiple roles, and encourage your peers indicates maturity that goes beyond individual point totals.

5. Take Care of Your Body

At any level, physical readiness is crucial. This goes beyond lifting weights and doing sprints. Proper nutrition, rest, hydration, and mobility work are essential. A dedicated off-ice regimen will help prevent injuries and keep you sharp over a long season.

The Big Picture

The conversation around hockey performance is evolving. While point totals will always matter—after all, you can’t win if you don’t score—coaches and scouts at higher levels increasingly prioritize a player’s overall game. They look for those who can be slotted into different situations—power play, penalty kill, late-game defense of a lead—and who understand how to contribute beyond the highlight reel.

Players who excel might not always dominate the scoresheet. They may not lead the league in goals or assists, but they often show up in key moments, winning crucial puck battles, or making the decisive play that flips momentum. These are the athletes who earn trust from their coaches and respect from their teammates, regardless of any hype or lack thereof.

For parents, it’s important to keep in mind that development is not linear. A 14-year-old prodigy who racks up points at will might stagnate later if they haven’t honed other dimensions of their game. Conversely, a seemingly average player who struggles to score might later blossom into a two-way stalwart after a growth spurt and refined skills. Emphasizing patience and well-rounded growth is vital in nurturing potential.

For coaches, the challenge is to identify, encourage, and reward complete play. That might mean spending extra time watching for defensive effectiveness or leadership traits in practice. It could entail balancing your lines to give promising players the chance to improve in new roles. Communication is also paramount—when players understand the value of the “little things,” they’re more apt to do them consistently.

Finally, players must recognize that while lighting the lamp is electrifying, it’s only one part of the journey. The path to elite hockey—or even a collegiate or pro opportunity—is paved with effort, consistency, selflessness, and the desire to learn. By focusing on how to improve every aspect of your game, you not only become a more complete hockey player, but you’ll also position yourself as a valuable teammate and a promising prospect in the eyes of coaches and scouts.

In the end, scoring goals will always be a crucial part of hockey, but the sport demands a diverse array of skills, both tangible and intangible. True success often lies in mastering the finer points—awareness, leadership, character, consistency, and resilience—and elevating the play of everyone around you. By looking beyond point production and embracing the full spectrum of what makes a great hockey player, you’ll not only enhance your individual game but also help build winning teams that stand the test of time.

Ed Garinger is a seasoned hockey coach, mentor, and educator with over two decades of experience. A native of the Bruce Peninsula, he played minor and junior hockey before earning his BA and BEd from Nipissing University, where he also competed in varsity volleyball and extramural hockey.

Coaching since age 14, Ed has balanced his teaching career with an extensive coaching and development portfolio, working with players at all levels. He has coached in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, led youth and high school teams, and served as a learning facilitator for the OMHA. His experience includes elite programs like the OHL/OHF U15 and U16 camps, U17 Regional Camps, and Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy.

A Hockey Canada HP1-certified coach, USA Hockey-certified coach, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), Ed is committed to ongoing professional development and continually seeks to expand his knowledge to better serve players and coaches. Now based in Orillia, he enjoys passing on his passion for hockey to the next generation.