Expanded Testing: The Future of Hockey Player Development is Here Today

“People think common sense is common. But it’s not.”Don Cherry, Former NHL player and coach; television commentator; essentially, all-around hockey legend.

In the “old days” of player development (which really weren’t that long ago), coaches relied primarily on the “eyeball test” – essentially, relying entirely on what they saw, perhaps backed up by a few times on a stopwatch. That guy is fast. That guy has tremendous skills. That guy seems to make the other players around him better. That guy is … well, hopeless. You get the point – it wasn’t backed by anything but observations that led to quick opinions. While it was built on a foundation of “common sense,” as Mr. Cherry said, true common sense isn’t all that common. What coaches see and measure may be very different from reality.

Taking a Scientific Approach to Testing

In 2013, HockeyTech decided it was time to quantify “common sense” and the “eyeball test” and unveiled an “On-Ice Testing” program. You can read more about it here; essentially HockeyTech created “an easy to understand and actionable format”—summarized in an aggregate index called the “HTI,” the “HockeyTech Testing Index” that combines forward skating, backward skating, puck control and reaction. Players are measured in 14 on-ice skills tests—and are timed through a series of six timing gates. This data is used to compose the HTI.

Last year, we took the “On-Ice Testing” program to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, a minor and junior-level ice hockey governing body sanctioned by Hockey Canada. Fourteen teams in six markets took part—all of their players from AAA Team Minor Bantam up to Major Midget age groups. We tested each team three times throughout the season.

Testing: Improvement, Exposure—Getting NOHA Players to the Next Level, Faster …

Given that the NOHA is a feeder to the better-known Ontario Hockey League, junior leagues and ultimately, the NCAA or NHL draft, the program centered on helping the players develop and gain exposure, as all of their results were entered into HockeyTech’s RinkNet, most widely used hockey database in the world, trusted by all 30 NHL teams, all 60 CHL teams, the USHL, NCAA teams and more.

By providing “On-Ice Testing” to these NOHA teams, coaches were able to identify areas of strength and weakness among each player, and develop specific training programs for players and teams alike. Since the information was entered into RinkNet, these players received unprecedented exposure (NOHA isn’t as well-attended as other leagues, thus many talented players can fall through the cracks) and methodologies to improve any shortcomings.

HockeyTech plans to run the tests again this coming season in the same markets. And while the “eyeball test” and “common sense” remain important elements for coaches, the ability to have actionable data to back these up helps all players—and perhaps alert GMs to potential future stars.

 

Written by, Kevin Christmas, Player Testing