When you think about the best hockey players in the NHL, it’s easy to pick out what they are good at. It can be as obvious as Connor McDavid’s speed or Nathan MacKinnon’s shot. When they’re the best players in the world, there aren’t many things they don’t excel at. But how do these players get to where they are? As anyone in hockey knows, it all starts at the minor hockey level with proper player development and support. A little extra seasoning at a school like Tim Turk Hockey doesn’t hurt either!
But how do we know when a player has the potential to become a Connor McDavid? What are the common attributes of elite hockey players when they are playing youth hockey? In this article, we’ll examine the 5 common attributes that most elite players exhibit from a young age.
1. Tremendous Work Ethic
It has been said that great players are born with a tremendous work ethic and it shows even as children. Elite players are elite because they have put in the work day in and day out for years. The sacrifices that are made to achieve greatness should never be questioned. Connor McDavid himself practiced every day after school for hours, building obstacle courses to stickhandle through. He shot more than 100 pucks every day and played against older, stronger competition in minor / youth hockey.
Is work ethic learned or developed? Probably a bit of both. It takes sheer determination to try and continue to improve at something each day. Establishing a strong work ethic at such a young age is a great way to cement these habits for the future. Not only will this help make them a better hockey player, but it will also help with the development of real-life skills as well.
2. Being A Team Player
When we talk about greatness we always mention the individual talent and the ability to carry their team when needed. But for every elite player, it is more important to realize that the team’s success comes before anything. Being a team player will not just help the team develop together on the ice, but it will also help elevate elite players to being leaders on and off the ice.
There is a reason why many of the best players in the NHL become the captains of their team. Yes, they are extremely talented and skilled, but they are also able to lead by example and help support their teammates as well. Hockey is the ultimate team game and team success comes when everyone is on the same page. It is not easy for young, elite players to learn to put their teammates first. If they can, then there is no doubt they will become great players and leaders in the future.
3. Be a Coach-Friendly Player
What exactly does being a coach-friendly player mean? It’s about checking your ego at the door and acknowledging that the coach is in charge of that bench even if you are the best player on the ice. There has always been an interesting dynamic between the coach and the star players in hockey. This is especially true in youth hockey when often it can be the best player’s Father or relative as the coach of the team.
The truly elite players will never think they are bigger than the team or the coach. Being a coach-friendly player helps to build team chemistry and helps establish a unified dressing room. If the best player or players do not listen to the coach at practice or in the game, the rest of the team will take notice. This also means being able to take criticism and instructions from the coach and even being called out for making mistakes.
4. Possess Natural Talent
This is probably the most obvious one: elite players have elite talent. You can argue that most skills are learned in a sport like hockey, but at a certain point, we just have to face the facts. Most of us are never going to be a Connor McDavid. The truly elite players are in the 0.01% of the best players that have ever played the game. NHL players are top-tier athletes and among the most gifted in the world!
Elite players are just born with an extra dash of talent. It can be anything from incredible speed to an accurate shot to on-ice vision. These skills can help elevate players above their peers even at a young age and for most, there likely will not be a chance to ever make up that ground. Along with being a great team player with a strong work ethic and respecting the coach, elite players also possess elite, unmatched talent. But if that talent is not paired with that strong work ethic, then unfortunately it will likely be wasted.
5. A Love for the Game
Ask any of the greatest NHL players and they will all tell you the same thing: they truly love the game of hockey. This one might also seem obvious but let’s think about it rationally. To sacrifice years of youth and dedicate hours each day is a testament to how much they love the game. You can have all the talent in the world but if you’d rather be playing video games or another sport, then you likely won’t ever elevate yourself to be an elite hockey player. This attribute might be the most commonly held one among all hockey players. But without it, there is no chance a player can ever become elite.
Conclusion: 5 Common Attributes of Elite Hockey Players
Even at a young age, it is very clear if these attributes are present or not. Over the years, there will be a lot of physical and mental development. Skills will be gained and lost as will interest in the game and dedication as well. It’s just a fact of life. But those players who can maintain their work ethic, play for their teammates, and possess elite talent will always have a chance to achieve greatness in their careers. It’s something all of the all-time greats have in common and it was there, even from a young age.
