The backbone of ice hockey, skating, is definitely the most important skill any player can focus on mastering. You will see professionals on television and you will hear them classified in different ways; Power forwards, playmakers, natural scorers, defender-defenders and more. One thing that all elite players have in common is that they are on top when it comes to skating.
Skating is the fundamental skill of hockey, the base of the pyramid. Without a solid foundation, the rest of the skills cannot be effective. Skating is often what makes the difference between a good player and a great player, and there are many players with great shots, perfect passes, or crushing blows who will never make it because their skating is inadequate.
When you practice, it is important to balance your time and work on all the skills necessary to be a great hockey player. However, if there is one area that you need to actively focus on, it is definitely skating. You may not be the best shooter, the best passer or the best inspector, but if you are the best skater, you will always be a dominant force on the ice. This is something that too many players ignore from their youth hockey days. Not enough attention is paid to sheer skating ability, and if more players were to dedicate themselves to mastering the fundamental movement that powers their sport, they would see vast improvements in their overall game.
Remember, you may have a booming shot or laser accurate pass, but if you can’t skate as well as the competition, you can’t be effective. Master skating and you’ll master hockey.