The Playmaker Report 🚨
Welcome back, {{firstname | Playmaker}}.
Every rep in practice is a decision waiting to happen. This week's featured drill puts that on full display — forcing players to read and react, not just skate and shoot. Plus, a right wing out of Rink Kelowna who put together one of the more complete highlight reels we've seen in a while.
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📈 Player Development
From: Jonathan Larsson (@JLskillz) Head Coach | Rogle BK J16
Most players skate the same route every time. This drill breaks that habit.
The shooter fires twice, reading a dummy defender each time to find their lane to the net — forcing real-time decisions under pressure. It trains read and react instincts, skating variety (pivots, laterals, transitions), and stick skills in one rep. Works for both forwards and D.
This week’s development feature was selected directly from drills and breakdowns shared inside the HPC Community.
More from HPC coaches this week:
The Elite Defensive Mindset — Dustin Donathan: What separates elite NHL defenders isn't skating — it's gap control and mindset.
D Man Retrievals — Jeremy Szczurek: Simple drill using a pad to build balance and quicker turns on puck retrievals.
🏆 Playmaker of the Week
Who: Gabe Abdallah — RW | Rink Kelowna U15 AAA
A game isn't just one skill — Gabe showed the full toolkit.
The 2011 right wing put together a highlight reel that covers the board: a snipe off the rush, a rebound, deflection, and two apples — including a sharp play to hold possession and find his teammate in the soft spot.
More plays posted inside the Hockey Players Club this week:
OT league championship goal — a big moment, big stage finish
Day in the life: chasing the PWHL — what it looks like to chase the highest level
First ever goal — every journey starts somewhere
💬 Community Discussion
When you're rushing at a defender, do you already have your move picked?
When you're leading the rush or driving the net and a defender is reading you, the decision window is tiny.
Rush read: do you decide before you get the puck, or does the defender tell you in real time?
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