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M H J O N L I N E . C O M | J A N / F E B 2 0 2 1 10 by Tyler Mason Secret Weapon Tips effective shot is its deceptiveness. Even at the younger levels, goaltenders have an easier time picking up on forehanders and slap shots. There's less possibility for trickeration in those shots than there is with a backhander. Mastering the backhand shot, or even adding an adequate backhander to round out a skill set, can mean keeping goalies guessing. "I think if you talk to goalies, it's hard to read coming off your stick," Hendrickson said. "Obviously there's good shooters who change the angle when they shoot the puck on their fore- hand. But the goalies I've talked to over DURING HIS TIME AS A PLAYER IN THE NHL, DARBY HENDRICKSON learned how important a good backhand shot can be. The current Minnesota Wild assistant coach is far from the only former player to sing the praises of that shot as one that young hockey players should develop. "Wayne Gretzky, he always preached the backhand of how he worked on it and how it helped add to his arsenal," Hendrickson said. "I'm a huge believer in it. I think it's not worked on as much as it should." OVERLOOKED & UNDERRATED Perhaps part of why backhanders aren't as prevalent among younger age groups is the worry that they might lead to an increase in turnovers. As players develop the shot, turnovers might be a byproduct. In reality, though, it's a skill that should not be overlooked—even if it doesn't always seem like the most glamorous shot to work on. "Guys want the big huge curves on their stick for the big shot where it looks good when they go bardown, but the backhand is a totally underrated shot," Hendrickson said. "And not only shooting, but picking up passes on your backhand, picking up rims on either zone, offensively or defensively, on your backhand." TOOL OF DECEPTION Part of what makes the backhander an Photo / Jim Rosvold; Minnesota Wild Darby Hendrickson's tips to developing a dangerous backhand Former Mr. Hockey and current Buffalo Sabre Casey Mittelstadt roofs a backhander past the goaltender during the 2016 MSHSL State Tournament.