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MARCH 2 0 2 4 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 19 Create turnovers by taking away time and space with strong skating and smart stick positioning. "See what it looks like out on the ice," he said. "You learn when it's a good time for you to jump up; when it's better to support, coming up later in the rush; when to find seams; get back door; and how to read off your teammates. And defensively, it's about getting in shot lanes and blocking shots." SHOOTING PUCKS With offenses incorporating their blueliners on the power play and more and more in even-strength offense, defenders who can get pucks through traffic and to the net are a huge asset. They create scoring chances, if not score goals. As teams focus on blocking shots, the ability to get pucks through can be challenging. You don't necessarily have to shoot it hard, Martin says. Instead, focus on missing the first layer of defense and getting the puck 6-12 inches off the ice. Consider your options, just as a football quarterback does on a pass play. "Puck management as a defenseman is important," he said. "Not getting it blocked and finding ways to get pucks through to the net or the back wall when you have an opportunity are very critical to be able to manage the puck." SHOULDER CHECKS AND STICK WORK The modern defenseman isn't neces- sarily a big bruiser; they can be smaller and lighter and still as effective. How? Martin says by retrieving pucks and by being savvy with your stick. "Be able to get back to the puck quick and make a read, communicating with your defensive partner and the goalie," he said. "The shoulder check is critical. Going back for a puck, you're always con- stantly checking over your shoulders for guys who are coming at you." While defending against a team in pos- session of the puck, Martin suggests using your stick to break up plays and regain the puck for your team. "Sticks on the ice," he said. "I was never the biggest defenseman where I could get in and hold a big forward on the wall, so I always had to wait until they turned and get my stick on their stick, eliminate the hands and get the puck off their stick." "The very elite defenseman have really good hockey sense, really good awareness. Some players just have it, but it's definitely something that you can improve your capacity, learning time and space and body control."