Joe Ribar

Bruce Cassidy broke down the Canes PP 🧠

Elaborate team systems are useless if players can't complete a tape-to-tape pass. In this #TCSLive Quick Clip from @pdxwinterhawks' Mike Johnston, he shares a O-Zone progression to improve passing and get players hustling on a regroup. FULL DRILL: hubs.la/Q04f_JLF0

After punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final, @Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour speaks! 📺: #NHLTonight on NHL Network has postgame coverage of every game of the #StanleyCup Playoffs

“The best teams are player-led.” Scotty Bowman on the importance of leadership, trust, and building a core that keeps the ship moving in the right direction. The greatest coach in hockey history sharing timeless insight on what actually builds winning teams.

Rasmus Dahlin: -Captain of the Buffalo Sabres -Number one overall NHL draft pick -6th in the NHL for defensemen points this year -Team Sweden Olympian Blocks this shot in front to help preserve the win for the boys. When your best players do this, you win.

Every coach wants a team that's relentless on the forecheck. @utahmammoth's André Tourigny explains how he structures pressure in the offensive zone. WATCH: hubs.la/Q04fLH1b0

CAR DZFO High Flip True to Carolina form, they play fast out of their zone off the faceoff win. Both wingers immediately sprint into the neutral zone, anticipating the high flip from the D It’s a difficult puck for the opposition D to control, especially with Carolina’s speed coming directly at them Similar look from Utah in Round 1

COACHES: Check out the similarities of the two players with the puck on entry on these two goals from last night. It's a kick to the outside, drive, and watch how they subtly run interference with the defender. This little pick allows for the player now with the puck to have a little more time and space in front of them to make a play and both teams capitalize. You're seeing this little habit of picking a lot on entries in today's game. Bonus points - Both players leading the rush are defensemen. "Positionless hockey."

Watch as @umichhockey coach @BrandonNaurato breaks down how to manage points of pressure when attacking off the wall in this clip from his 2022 #TCSLive presentation. FULL VIDEO: hubs.la/Q04d-ldh0

COACHES: I love faceoff plays where a defenseman comes down the strong-side wall and a forward comes up high. You're seeing this type of play a lot at the higher levels of hockey. Here are two examples from the VGK/UTA game last night. A forward up and a D down the wall creates confusion leading to a scoring chance for VGK and a goal for UTA. Great job by both teams and a tactic to add to your faceoff play arsenal!

This article from Coach @DCamWPG breaks down smart net‑drive options that create real scoring chances by forcing defenders to commit, opening up lanes, and helping players finish with confidence. DRILL: hubs.la/Q04dFF4p0

Two early practice drills that I like, particularly number two (right) Typically do without a goaltender early in practice (goaltender getting work with goalie coach) where there is a lot of breakout/rush defending focus. Tire is there to allow D first touch and forecheckers & supporting forwards to work off the puck, but can be removed Can manipulate a bunch of contraints with this: - Where does puck carrier start? - Where do the D start? - Forechecker & Offensive forward starting position/delayed release etc. - Restricted to Strong Side Breakout or either side of the ice? - Lots of retrieval reps under different pressure scenarios and also allows for screens/picks in fairly representative environment

COACHES: Are you practicing inverted rushes (1v2, 2v3, 3v4) in practice? We all love a good odd-man rush drill, but having less offensive players is great for development. It forces the player with the puck to have to protect it and buy time for teammates to get to spots of support. And it forces players without the puck to have to work hard to get to spots of support. Here are two great plays from Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier as examples. They both enter the zone with a number disadvantage around them, but do an amazing job protecting the puck, buying time and keeping possession. Eventually both teams end up getting rewarded with goals. Great job by two former NTDP teammates!!!

Backchecking isn’t effort, it’s awareness. One missed detail and it’s already broken. Defend early, writes Coach Shaun Earl. hubs.la/Q047_B2h0

50/50 corner race into a live 1v1 with layered support turns into a lesson in real defending, not just stealing pucks, but disrupting, freeing, and letting the 2nd player arrive to recover before moving it and resetting. hubs.la/Q04cz5l_0

When D steps up at the blue line, don’t force it, hit the seam with support, put the puck into space, and let speed beat the pressure. Tips & clips from Coach @MacLennan28. hubs.la/Q04c6zxN0

RT @HockeyThinkTank: KIDS: Hunter McDonald just played his first NHL game where he had an assist and was a +3. I coached Hunter as a U16 an…

A favourite practice activity of mine to work on this is the 3v4 Forecheck/Breakout game ("stolen" from a Dan Muse presentation) The puck is placed into open space for the four breakout players to retrieve, execute a breakout, and attack in transition. Meanwhile, the three forechecking players attempt to create a turnover and counter attack To emphasize the quick-strike principle and playing fast off changes of possession, the forechecking team is awarded bonus points for shots within “X” seconds of a turnover, and triple points for goals scored within that same time frame. Goals scored after the time window are worth one point. Conversely, the breakout team earns extra points for completing clean zone exits leading to chances/goals within a designated time frame There are many ways to manipulate the constraints to target specific concepts. One variation I’ve found valuable is allowing the forechecking team to place the puck themselves, instead of the coach. This makes the retrieval far less predictable for the breakout group and forces the forecheckers to work on strategic puck placement. To add even more pressure/game specificity, the breakout players round the net and pressure the puck carrier who is placing the puck

Great clip showing why Denver is so successful! They are relentless in the corners winnning loose pucks, work the puck low to high then across the slot line and net front guy stops in front and wins battle for rebound. Winning hockey on full display! #ThinkFasterPlayFaster 🥅

Checking Forward: D Man Surf - D’s ability to defend while moving forward enhances mobility, tightens gap, and improves connection with their partner - Effective tactic to steer puck carriers into less dangerous areas and kill plays early - Recognizing the opportunity to aggressively close on the puck limits time & space, passing options and establishes body position on the puck carrier and on retrievals