Practice Like a PRO 5.3

World Junior Skills Drills: NHL-Level Practice Techniques for Every Position

We've reached the final instalment of the Practice Like A Pro – Hockey Canada Edition series, featuring efficient and simple drills that bridge the gap between amateur and professional hockey.

What stands out isn't complexity, it's clarity. These are the same NHL-level practice techniques that elite players learn, adapted for every coaching level. The fundamentals separating elite programs are actually quite simple. They're just executed with intent and repetition.

This installment features world-class visuals and clear explanations from junior players showing exactly how these drills translate to real games. Let's dive in.

 

Each drill below has a video attached - click on the drill graphic to see the video! 

 

1: PSD 3 Puck Retrieval Coach (Defenseman Focus)

 

 

Drill Type: Breakout under pressure | Time: 5-8 minutes | Players: D, Forwards, Coach

Most puck retrieval drills focus on executing breakouts under pressure—the opposite of practice environments where D get free time with the puck.

Key Detail: Stick-on-Puck Start

Have the defenseman start with stick-on puck against the coach who spotlights the puck. This simulates real game habits where defensemen react immediately to pressure.

Why it matters: In games, you don't think through your breakout. You react. This drill trains that instinct.

On the third rep, vary the pressure—the coach forces middle ice or attacks the wall—forcing D to read and react. This directly ties to defensive positioning fundamentals that top defensemen practice daily.

Coaching Tip: Watch for stick placement and body positioning. Elite defensemen protect the puck while maintaining a low, athletic stance.

 

2: PSF Hands-Free Slips (Forward Focus)

 

 

Drill Type: Forecheck pressure retrieval | Time: 6-10 minutes | Players: F, D, Coach

Success requires three elements: good body positioning, rolling with the boards, and attacking with purpose.

Flipping the Script

Coaches teach forwards how to pressure D on the forecheck. This drill flips it: What if you get there first? Now the defenseman adjusts while the forward dictates play. Rim retrievals under pressure become game-ready.

When you execute hands-free slips against pressure, you're creating separation and maintaining possession while the D figures out where you went. This connects directly to 1v1 battle drills that elite programs use.

Coaching Focus: Practice the "roll and attack" motion until automatic. That body control separates NHL-ready forwards from good junior players.

 

3: PSF Power Play Shooting Options (Forward Focus)

 

 

Drill Type: Power play shooting technique | Time: 4-6 minutes | Players: F, D, Coach

Excellent drill for forwards working on PP scoring touch—and it can be done without a coach.

The Two Critical Elements

1. Coming downhill at the right angle – Many forwards miss because they approach from the wrong position. You need the shooting lane.
2. Soft catch on the forehand – This is the game-changer. A shooting-ready puck position is the difference between hitting shin pads and finding the back of the net.

Watching players like Jett Luchanko demonstrate this adds tremendous impact. Professional hockey isn't complicated—it's precise. A perfect technique builds muscle memory that translates to game performance.

 

4: PSF Lift, Protect & Fire (Forward Focus)

 

 

Drill Type: Small-area battle | Time: 5-8 minutes | Players: F, D, Coach

This drill emphasizes small-area battles, puck protection, and quick attack mentality. Imagine stealing a puck off a turnover, protecting it against immediate pressure, then creating offense before D establishes positioning.

This is exactly what happens in loose puck battles—the team that wins the puck and creates space fastest scores.

The Three-Step Sequence

1. Lift: Separate the puck from the defender's stick
2. Protect: Shield the puck while maintaining possession
3. Fire: Attack immediately before defensive structure forms

This connects directly to small-area games that elite programs emphasize. Hockey is played in tight, competitive spaces where puck control and positioning determine outcomes.

Coaching Insight: Watch your forwards' confidence after 10-15 reps. They'll start trusting their ability to create space and attack.

 

5: PSF Back Door One-Timers (Forward Focus)

 

 

Drill Type: Finish technique | Time: 5-7 minutes | Players: F, D, Coach

A staple drill, but valuable here for learning to finish from different angles—behind the goal line, hash marks, slot, and deep circle.

Watching elite junior players like Jett Luchanko adjust their approach based on puck position and angle has a significant impact. Professional hockey is about location specificity. You know exactly where you are, what angle the puck comes from, and how to adjust your body.

For Your Practice: Vary the pass position each rep. Make it random. Force forwards to read the puck and adjust in real-time.

 

6: PSF Wall Fakes – Board Game Mastery (Forward Focus)

 

 

Drill Type: Board possession | Time: 6-10 minutes | Players: F, D, Coach

The "board game"—using boards to create separation and maintain possession—is crucial. Watch any NHL game: teams that control the boards control possession.

Why This Matters for Pros

As Ethan Gauthier emphasized, every pro works on board skills daily. This isn't a specialty skill—it's a fundamental separating elite players from everyone else.

Board fakes elevate your game everywhere on the ice. In your own end, create separation from forecheck pressure. In the neutral zone, break pressure and transition to offence. In the offensive zone, create scoring opportunities.

Coaching Action: Spend 10 minutes on board fakes next practice. Have a forward battle one-on-one. Watch how quickly board awareness improves their game.

 

Key Takeaways: Simplicity, Efficiency, and Intent

 

What stands out across this series is the overlap between professional and junior elite habits. The concepts are simple. The execution is efficient. The drills are repeatable.

 

 

This is exactly how professional players develop at every level—from World Juniors through the NHL.

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November 20, 2025

Written by the CoachThem Team in collaboration with our Teammate, Mitch Giguere 

 

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