Skating just got Incredibly Important for D

Defensemen struggle in the new NHL, because for their entire life they could use their stick illegally -- to a greater or lesser degree. Now they can't at all. They have to play the opposing forward as if they have no stick in their hands so they are required to mirror him perfectly. Actually, they must also learn to poke-check again, something that's been missing for thirty years.

There is no level of hockey -- not high school or youth hockey, certainly not college -- that calls this so close. In the NHL, you cannot touch the opponent with your stick, if your stick-blade is not on the ice.

To play rushes, a D must skate incredibly well, mirroring the forward, step for step. So those D who couldn't skate are now in deep trouble. Those who have the skating tools have adjusted to these changes.

So spread the word -- skating just got incredibly important for D, because eventually colleges, juniors, and youth hockey will call the game the same way the NHL is.

By Jack Blatherwick, Ph.D. / Physiologist, Washington Capitals Hockey Team.

Note: This article was written before the 2006 USA Hockey rules interpretation.