RINK Training Centre

🏒 Week 1/2 in West Kelowna is in the books!

This week, our Development Team was on the ice with West Kelowna Minor Hockey, working with 5 age groups from U18 through U11.

From Aug. 17–21, our RINK Player & Goalie Development Coaches and Skating Coach put the athletes through focused tryout preparation ice times designed to help them build confidence, sharpen their skills, and be ready to compete.

A great week of work, and we’re looking forward to continuing next week! 💪🏒

Mastering the 10-2 | Part 3: Tactical Application 🔥

The best players use the 10-2 to protect the puck, manipulate pressure, and create time and space when defenders think they've taken it away.

1️⃣ Build a Wall & Protect the Puck

The 10-2 is one of the most effective puck protection tools in hockey. Move the puck to your backhand, rotate your hips, and use your body to build a wall between the defender and the puck. Keep the puck between your feet, not extended outside your body, allowing you to stay protected while continuing to attack open ice.

2️⃣ Use Pressure to Create Space

When a defender leans into your hip or matches your skating lane, use the 10-2 to push off your edges, rotate through the movement, and let their momentum work against them. Instead of trying to beat defenders with speed alone, use their pressure to create separation, attack the space they've opened, and come out of the turn ready to make a play.

The defender thinks they're closing the gap but you're using their pressure to create offense.

3️⃣ Turn Technique Into a Game Skill

The 10-2 isn't just a drill—it's a skill you should recognize and use every game.

Look for opportunities to apply it:

🏒Recovering loose pucks.
🏒Collecting rimmed pucks on your backhand.
🏒Attacking with pressure on your hip.
🏒Protecting the puck off the rush.
🏒Escaping defenders below the tops of the circles.
🏒Creating passing and shooting lanes coming out of turns.
🏒Walking the blue line to create new attack angles.
🏒The more you recognize these situations, the more instinctive the movement becomes.

Mastering the 10-2 | Part 2 🔥

A great 10-2 isn't about looking flashy.

It's about using your edges to protect the puck, manipulate defenders, and create space where none exists. Now that you've built the movement, it's time to connect it to the puck and learn how to create deception and space.

1️⃣ Rotate the Back Hip

As you move up the ice, rotate your back hip while keeping your front skate connected to the ice. Stay patient over your edges and continue pushing off both feet through every weight transfer. The movement should feel smooth, connected, and controlled.

2️⃣ Find the Rhythm

Now add the puck.

Your puck movement and weight transfer should work together as one. Spot the puck on both your forehand and backhand while keeping your eyes up. Keep the puck between your feet, giving you maximum protection while eliminating unnecessary exposure.