Skill Pillar

Offense

Offense is about creating high-quality chances—beating defenders with pace, deception, and connection so the puck ends up in the net or on a teammate’s tape.

Forward attacking the slot with the puck on their stick
Threaten all options: shoot, pass, and delay. Elite scorers read the defender’s feet and attack space before it closes.

Snapshot

Definition

Offensive impact comes from combining puck protection, shooting mechanics, and creativity. Great offensive players manipulate defenders with their feet, hands, and eyes to create multiple threats at once.

Key Behaviors

  • Scans for second-layer options
  • Protects puck with hips
  • Changes shooting angle
  • Attacks middle ice
  • Supports give-and-go plays
  • Finishes rebounds hard

Shot Quality Rule

Track your last five games: how many shots came from the slot or off the rush? Aim for 65% of attempts inside the dots with traffic.

Training Blueprint

Shooting Progressions

  • Home sessions: 25 one-touch shots, 25 catch-and-release, 25 pull-and-release from two angles.
  • On-ice: add shot fakes—pull puck laterally at least 12 inches before releasing.
  • Finish every drill by crashing for rebounds and jamming second chances.

Creativity & Deception

Build deception into skill work.

  • Use mirror drills with a partner to practice selling backhand vs. forehand moves.
  • Run 3-cone attacks focusing on weight shifts and head fakes.
  • Film yourself—did your eyes look where the puck went?

Playmaking Habits

  • Call for pucks early and present your stick as a target.
  • Use delay routes to let support arrive—count “one-one-thousand” before cutting back.
  • Track shot assists: passes that immediately lead to shots tell you if you’re finding teammates on time.

Peer Review Checklist

Ask your center or wingers to rate each item after a game (1-5).

  • Attacked middle ice off the rush at least twice.
  • Released a shot within 1.2 seconds of receiving inside the slot.
  • Recovered to net-front or high support after shooting.
  • Made at least two touch passes to keep plays alive.
  • Communicated set plays on special teams (PP breakouts, faceoffs).

Video Study

Focus on shot preparation, deception, and support positioning.

15 Hockey Shooting Drills. At-home plan covering release mechanics and quick feet. Open on YouTube

Being an Offensive Defenseman. Explains how defenders join the rush and create odd-man looks. Open on YouTube

Shoot Like Connor Bedard. Breakdown of loading your legs and hands for quicker, heavier shots. Open on YouTube

Cutting Edge Ice Academy

Sharpen Your Scoring Threat

Cutting Edge coaches build pace, deception, and finishing habits so your offensive reads translate under pressure.

View the Full Schedule

Masters of Offense Camp

Multi-day progressions on manipulating defenders, layering attack routes, and finishing through contact.

Elite Stick Handling Skills Camp

Fast-touch sequences that add deception and puck-protection skills so you can beat the first defender clean.

All Pro Skills Camp

Small-area scoring games that reinforce shot selection and playmaking timing with pro-level guidance.

Additional Resources

Drill Book

Hockey Canada Skill Progressions

Age-specific offensive drills organized by skill and intensity.

Explore drills
Article

NHL Coaches on Creating Offense

Insights on pace, layering, and puck protection from NHL bench bosses.

Read on NHL.com
Tracker

Shot Map Template

Plot your attempts to see where you’re dangerous and where to improve.

Download Excel
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