What to work on when jumping up a level

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Hey guys I was just wondering what you think some of the biggest differences are when jumping from midgets to any level college hockey. The school I'm gonna go to has a Developmental, D3, and D2 teams. Apparantly, they're relatively good as they have won or done some good stuff nationally for club hockey, so I dont even nkow if I can make the team or not. However, I wanna try, so what do you think the thing to focus on most is. Is skating gonna be the biggest thing, or being able to stickhandle, or just think faster and make plays smarter and faster, stuff like that. I'd say I'm a good skater, I can stickhandle decent and shoot/pass decent, so I dunno what to focus on the most this summer when I choose camps to go to and stuff to do when I go to dead ice.

[mnitishin 0]

defianetly the speed. not just of your skating but of everything you do, shooting, passing, decision making. its the same game at every level, just faster.

[gavin 0]

Faster and bigger and stronger. Crazy skills might not get you on the roster, unless you have more moves than the Seniors on the #1 line. Not likely. But if you can get in good condition and bulk up, you can contribute on any line.

[HotBacon 0]

I agree w/ minitishin and gavin...the speed of your game will have to be elevated right away. Everything happens faster and you don't have that extra second to think about what to do.

And be ready for some big boys that can skate. As soon as I jumped over the boards on my first collegiate shift I had my clock cleaned. I was laid pretty good two more times that shift, which was the only lesson I needed to keep my head up from that point on.

If you want to work on things over the summer try to increase the quickness of everything you do (releasing shots, reading and sending passes, getting yourself open to receive a pass, skating, etc.). It would be good to start a workout routine, focusing on your legs (maybe 2x/week) to pick up some size. And brush up on systems...a coach would prefer to play a younger guy that knows where he's supposed to be and what to do in front of an experienced guy that chases the puck.

[BK 0]

One of the biggest things that I noticed when I changed to collegate is the fact that others will capitalize on every mistake you make. Its a whole new level, so even if you were really good in midgets, you're going to be just another joe-blow here. I played with 2 guys who played Junior A in canada and IMO took a step down to play college... I went from thinking I was the shit to just thinking I was shit. I also had a hard time because I had to shift from being really good right wing to an OK d-man. I have a good slapshot, but its mostly used to get the wingers rebounds off the pads. Speed was an issue for me, but I made up for it by playing the goon role. Anyways, you have to really minimize your mistakes.. there are now a lot of players who are waiting for that flopped pass or a missed catch.. And they will take full advantage of it.

I never saw stars either before college.. I got my lights knocked out a few times last season alone.. Broken bones? Yup, my first ones were last season with 2 fractured ribs and a broken thumb.

Things that I AM working on for next season are speed, speed, speed. IMO, if you cant skate backwards as fast as the guy in front of you is skating forward, then you are kind of useless as a dman. Hit the weights too.. It helps prevent injury.