I’m wondering if anyone believes they have a stat that is easily translated to youth hockey that, if emphasized, MUST create a better hockey player. My 14-year old son plays bantam hockey – so checking is permitted. I don’t play.
I’m the guy who had to explain to him, at 10, that looking at five pitches in baseball and getting a walk is not the goal in youth baseball. The goal is to take that one pitch that’s close (because you know the umpire is going to call it a strike) and hammer it. “But, the most important thing is to not make an out,” he would respond. In MLB, yes. In youth baseball, no. Then I explained “you don’t walk off the island,” and we agreed SLG was a valuable stat, because it would penalize swinging at bad pitches, yet the risk-reward encouraged trying for a big hit. (and I didn’t go into plate appearance versus at-bat).
Now, in hockey, I’ve explained to him that Patrick Roy is technically correct when he says: the part I don’t like about the Corsi is that you could shoot from the red line, or you could shoot from a terrible angle, and your Corsi will look good. It would require more than one shot, but he has a point. The problem for Roy, of course, is he didn’t seem to bother to think to himself – “if a guy keeps shooting from the red line, I’ll put him in the press box.”
But, valuing shots isn’t really advanced analytics. It’s always been around, as Steve Valiquette will attest
What else might matter? Corsi is shots, Fenwick is possession, and there’s no good way to measure it in his league (I could, I guess, but I don’t make all the games and I often am trying to work the clock and figure out how to clear a penalty on the scoreboard.)
If there’s a “stat” in youth hockey that matter for the game, at that level, and can be measured, what is it? Some hockey version of SLG?
I’m the guy who had to explain to him, at 10, that looking at five pitches in baseball and getting a walk is not the goal in youth baseball. The goal is to take that one pitch that’s close (because you know the umpire is going to call it a strike) and hammer it. “But, the most important thing is to not make an out,” he would respond. In MLB, yes. In youth baseball, no. Then I explained “you don’t walk off the island,” and we agreed SLG was a valuable stat, because it would penalize swinging at bad pitches, yet the risk-reward encouraged trying for a big hit. (and I didn’t go into plate appearance versus at-bat).
Now, in hockey, I’ve explained to him that Patrick Roy is technically correct when he says: the part I don’t like about the Corsi is that you could shoot from the red line, or you could shoot from a terrible angle, and your Corsi will look good. It would require more than one shot, but he has a point. The problem for Roy, of course, is he didn’t seem to bother to think to himself – “if a guy keeps shooting from the red line, I’ll put him in the press box.”
But, valuing shots isn’t really advanced analytics. It’s always been around, as Steve Valiquette will attest
So, with youth hockey, I’m caught between what the stats say about a good pro, and what youngsters need to develop. (Important note, he will play MLB or NHL on X-box only. This is not about a scholarship or a career.) What “advanced stats” translate into youth hockey? He’s not as skilled as some teammates, but is praised by coaches for his positioning – typically backing up when a defenseman rushes the net, planting himself in front of the net, and gaining rebounds on both ends of the ice. I see one notable trait – he knows his opponents are looking to lay a big hit on someone. Twice this season he’s waited at the side of the net for a guy to come at him, lower his shoulder, and lay it on him, as he passes across the crease for an easy goal. It’s fun to see him work his way to his knees, adjust his helmet, and point to the puck in the back of the net with a big smile. And those passes are across the “royal road.” That’s an easy concept because it’s clear why it creates a very difficult save for a goalie.
What else might matter? Corsi is shots, Fenwick is possession, and there’s no good way to measure it in his league (I could, I guess, but I don’t make all the games and I often am trying to work the clock and figure out how to clear a penalty on the scoreboard.)
If there’s a “stat” in youth hockey that matter for the game, at that level, and can be measured, what is it? Some hockey version of SLG?