International Hockey Centre of Excellence Centre d'excellence en hockey international

Hockey Canada, Olympic Saddledome, Box 1060, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2K8 Hockey Canada, Saddledome Olympigue. C.P. 1060, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2K8 Tel. (403) 261-0460 Fax: (403) 261-0332

DEVELOPING OFFENSIVE TEAM PLAY by

Leif Boork

Calgary, 1992 1

Developing offensive team play with a historical perspective.

Foreword

My presentation will be made from a historical background. It will be made from a Swedish standpoint. I think that we many times, not to say every time, handle modem icehockey without taking care of the history. The fact is that history very often points out the future, or is sometimes determining the future.

Every coach should in his work be ware of the historical aspects to avoid loosing track in setting up new goals. However, we are most of the time so occupied with the daily work that we have to less time to drill deeper into facts thar actually are available. 2

Introduction - Looking back.

Bandy was the greatest team sport in Sweden in the beginning of the century. Bandy is and was played with a shorter hooked stick than in icehockey and on a large surface 60 x 110 meters. Icehockey was in the beginning played by bandyplayers and some proffessional Swedes who were in the big clubs in Central Europe. The first appearence by a Swedish National team was at the Olympics in Antwerpen 1920. The introduction of icehockey in Sweden was made by Raoul Le Mat, an American businessman and a Swedish-american Ernst Wiberg. Le Mat was also coaching the Swedish team. The Winnipeg Falcons beat the Swedish team in the final with 124. The first Canadien team to play icehockey in Sweden was Victoria HC from Montreal. They came to Sweden in 1927 and beat the Swedish National team with 17-1. 6000 people were watching in Stockholm. After Victoria Hockeyclubs visit here a lot of Northamerican teams have played in Sweden since then.

The Swedish icehockey Federation was founded in 1922. Before that time the Swedish soccer Federation with their department for bandy was administrating icehockey. The Swedish heritage in icehockey comes from bandy. That heritage has influated Swedish icehockey into our days, and has also influated our offensive tradition in the game of icehockey.

In 1949 when Sweden held the World Championships in Stockholm, icehockey took over as our national team sport in wintertime. Icehockey has since then been ahead of bandy in popularity in Sweden.

After the time when the Swedish icehockey federation started, the sport of icehockey was spread all over Scandinavia. Finlands federation was founded in 1929, the Norwegian federation was founded in 1934 and even the Danish clubs were early with their icehockey when a club in Copenhagen played their first games in 1929. 3

The rinks surfaces were kept large because Swedish icehockey played an outdoor game into the mid-sixties even though we had our first indoor arena in Stockholm 1931. In Canada, in Stanley cup and NHL, you played very early all your top games in arenas. Even in central Europe like Berlin, Prague and London they early played indoor icehockey. The game was played indoor in Europe in London England for the first time 1898.

One of the reasons the game of icehockey became popular from the masses in Sweden was because it was much easier to take away the snow from a smaller icehockeysurface than from a large bandysurface. Today all games in Swedish Elite- and 1st Division leagues have to be played in any of our 248 arenas.

The rules

The rules have changed dramatically throughout the years. That has of course also influated the game. We have already talked about the surface. In the beginning the surface could be as large as 40 x 80 meters even indoors. In the canadien rules which were very much determined by the Onyario icehockey rules which decided our rules in Europe and Sweden was 1939 stated that the rink should be at least 18 x 50 meters and maximum 33,5 x 76 meters.

The boards should be 25 centimeters and up to 107 centimeters. It was in Stockholm 1949 the International Committee did not allow us to have 25 centimeter high board. In Antwerpen 1920 were seven players playing. Only two players were allowed as substitudes up to the year of 1931. After Antwerpen we played with five players and a goalie. A tenth player came 1942 and around 1955 we played with three whole lines and two pairs of defensemen. Two defensemen played non-stop games far in to the mid- forties. 4

At first there were no lines in the rink more than goallines. You were than not allowed to play the puck forward. 1936 the rink was devided into three zones. You were than allowed to play the puck forward but only in one zone at the time. 1946 came the red line which devided the rink into two similar halls. The offside rules we have today came at that time.

You were allowed to bodycheck an opponent only in your own end in the beginning.Than after 1946 you were allowed to bodycheck only on your own side of the red line, and in 1969 it was decided that you within the rules could bodycheck all over the rink. The suggestion was put by Sweden to the International federation.

The tactics.

With the heritage from soccer and bandy, with the large icesurfaces and the rules with very little bodychecking and the kind of offsides used in the early days, our icehockey developed to an individual, technical-skating and passing game with a type of combination in give and go icehockey. Our shooting capacity has always through the history been week. We have no history in hitting sports where you use tools like baseball or lacrosse. The history is, on the other hand, plowed deep as far as acting like a team is concerned, to get sirit of understanding in a group, to suborinate to a system or a collective thinking. The deep roots from a dominating political system as the social-democratic party has carried during the 20th century can be an answer to that question.

How did the defensive playing system develope to handle the large icesurfaces, the good individual skaters and passers coming from bandy, the give and go and ball talanted players with tradition from soccer and bandy when you as a defender was not allowed to bodycheck. The defensive system had to go back with all players and play a tight-defensive backing off style of play. 5

Ronald Pettersson with 252 International games and our most experienced player of all times told me, that during the 1950 decade the game of icehockey looked like handball where the defending team went back to their own end waiting for the other team to attack. The relatively low tempo also made that kind of defensive play successful.

Pettersson also said that there were no international exchange for a Swedish juniorplayer at that time. Therefor the national type of play, for instance the defensive system, enclosed itself to most of the Swedish clubs and players. The icehockey developed fast after the second world war. The fact that the Soviets had entered the icehockeyscene confirmed that.

The Soviets with a Swedish angle of approach.

The Soviet icehockey is like in Sweden coming from bandy. The big differences between the countries are 1) The Soviets entered international icehockey first after the second world war.(They did play some games in the 1930 decade but there were great sceptisism against this "primitive" sport.) Entering the scene late the Soviets were not badly influated of the icehockey development so far. They also decided to use an attitude to the game which the other countries did not have. If they succeded with their new approach they knew other teams would have difficulties to change their style. And they did succed.

There were three headlines in their approach: 1) physical preparation 2) an offensive tactic system before a defensive tactic system 3) collective performence like building units, forwardlines etc. a/ using defensemen in offensive play b/ playing with a halfback that band together the forwards and the de fensemen. 6

In Sweden we could not use our individual play, nor our pair play - give and go type of play - and we were poor shooters. To play well against the Soviets we had to play better in defensive play and use our patience in collective appearence. While the Soviets developed their style from 1957 under Anatolij Tarasov and Arkadij Tjemysjov we developed our style especially during the Arne Stromberg era 1961 - 1971.

Going in to modem times.

In Sweden our icehockey with Arne Stromberg was very much influated by Ed Riegle from Ontario Canada during 1957 - 1960. He organized our icehockey on many levels. He was very anxious with our basics. Especially shooting was increasing at that time with intoducing wrist-shots and slap- shots. Riegle also emphasized box-play and power-play. He wanted Sweden to play a more forechecking aggressive style. Before Riegle the national coach Folke Jansson from Sodertalje SK and the winner of the gold-medal in Moscow 1957 was beginning with tactical ideas among the players.

Ed Riegle was very popular among players, other hockeypeople and media in Sweden. But he never got the real international results. If you look back in the history of Canadien coaches in Swedish national icehockey they have never succeded as far as results are concerned although they have reached popularity and been very capeable. Vic Lindquist in 1936, Frank Trottier in 1949-1950, Ed Riegle 1957-1960 and Billy Harris in 1972 are the proof of that. 7

We met club teams from England holding Canadien players, we had Jack Simon who coached our goalies, we changed the body-checking rule in 1969, we had canadiens introducing icehockeyschools in 1970, we had a lot of canadiens as coaches in our club-teams and we had the Northamerican professional boom from 1973 with Bode Salming followed by many players, but we never let in the Northamerican way of "thinking icehockey" into our deep history of the sport.

Playing against Canada on their rinks and with their interpretation of the rules, meeting the best teams, as in Canada Cup, we never played well.

1976 Canada won beating Czechoslovakia. Sweden in fourth place. 1981 Canada second beaten by Sovietunion. Sweden in fifth place. 1987 Canada won beating Sovietunion. Sweden in third place loosing to Soviet in the semifinal. 1991 Canada won beating USA. Sweden in fourth place loosing to Canada in the semifinal.

After that last tournament the Swedish media wrote: The tournament we do not need. 1984 Sweden was in the final playing Canada. In the round robin play we beat Canada for the first time ever on Canadien ground when Sweden won with 4 - 2 in Vancouver.In the semifinal we beat USA 9 - 2. During that tournament Sweden played with a high goal set which was unusual for Sweden. Sweden also played a more offensive system 1-2-2.

We have been one step after the Sovietunion since the StrOmberg era.After the rule change in 1969 the Soviets started to build up an even greater physical strength with emphasis on quickness, offensive forechecking with 1- 2-2 and 2-1-2 system and a much tougher man-to-man play all over the rink. 8

To show you the Soviets ability of playing in a high speed I have some statistics from the World Championship in Finland 1974. In their game against the hosts from Finland they played the game with 63 direct passes. Three of those passes went to the wrong adress.

When Sweden played Finland we had 28 directpasses and 10 of those went to the wrong adress.

The Soviets knew, as Tarasov stated, that they sooner or later were to meet the Northamerican top proffessionals. When they met in 1972 they showed that they again had looked far behind the horizon.

After the failiure with Billy Harris in 1972, we had two Swedish National team coaches, Svensson 73-74 and Pettersson 75-76. Pettersson had also coached the Junior National team 69-74. They both tried to copy the Soviet 2-1-2 system and they gave order to Swedish icehockey players to better physical prepered. But as Tarasov said: the copy will never be as good as the original. At the same time Tommy Sandlin was the great young coach coming up among Swedish club coaches. He coached Brynas very successfully during the mid-seventies and his 1-3-1 system came already in 1975. Sandlin was influated from basketball and a national team coach from Sweden in that sport namely the american Ed Klimkovski.

The tempo in our sport increased a lot during this time. I have already showed you the directpassing statistics and here is another proof of icehockey beeing faster. In two different World Championships in Stockholm 1969 and in Gothenburg/Stockholm 1981 they measured how fast different team played through the middle-zone. The average time 1969 was 2,9 seconds and in 1981 1,5 seconds. 9

When we did not really reach any longer with the 2-1-2 system, we went back to our roots of tight defensive play, the 1-3-1 system signed Sandlin. Sandlins influence in Swedish icehockey has been very strong. Sandlin is a very dedicated and knowledgeable person. His club teams have been very successful; Brynas, MoDo were champions and Bjarkloven was a top team. The following national coaches, such as, Bengt Olsson, Anders Parmstrom, Hans Lindberg and Conny Evensson are all products of the icehockey from the 1970 decade. Their roots goes back as players to the Stromberg era.

Djurgarden has been a very dominating team in the late 80-ies. Together with Farjestad coached earlier by Evensson they have been the best teams in Sweden lately. Djurgarden stressed from 1987 an even tighter defensive way of playing the 1-3-1 system. Djurgarden has very hard principles in the defensive way of playing. The team has won three gold medals in five years. This year they were beaten by Malmo with 3-2 in games. Djurgarden also won the Euroupe cup two years in a row beating Dynamo Moscow twice.

This fact among club teams together with the last years gold medals in the World Championships have further cemented our" talanted, patient, non- panicing tight-checking defensive style of play". (Quatation from Dave King in MacLeans The games of winter, February 1988).

Leif Boork Head Coach Vastra Frolunda Hockey Club June 23, 1992 1

The key concepts of offensive icehockey today.

1) The quick transition from defensive to offensive play.

2) Extreme quick change of speed into free icesurface.

3) Highest tempo in practicing game drills. Stress the play with extra players.

4) Individual skills to handle tight body attendance.

5) Put greater emphasis at: a) power-play b) pressure on the opponent goal c) offensive individual body checks. d) the play along and at the boards. e) face-offs. f) goalies ability to start the offensive play. /. SvoeciriC SictLoncrnS When /4e oponemis Eh/ P3-/ sAm.

bilerierence okkncernon

overtiaxs nr: 44.

Cr pøsscs pock Id lefiL delentemon.

Ornpass 46e/ween delense man and cemlot-Aeworej

Ais/ o'er eons óo thiz win5 4CAVCC/7 07p1oonen 716 n1:3 one/ ne.1

3.

Deep to ope toss eshic wit siv.40 cross over

4‘.

Per Ss 744 1..417 C same side as 0 00 714e reeCe7reVer

0 SVENSICA ISHOCKETTORBUNDET

/nandeio/ driMs-

(in/orm-et

tosi6/0-2-7 wink efc ?°- ',,7 ain?

x/7-4. lo/o ye r oft 71-Ike way

3 con -tote net-t/ eick 71-174 corner ono/5740r/ a new tzask SVENSICA ISHOCKEYFoRBUNDET

Lv/claci/ dcas Nediam Zen-7,0 / .56).-/s lev.1% yo co& aver sa-%es lArass 3 7a.e..r-and char c2::-e,c-Aap, 9 e7 is a .54.s-4 or a hoo4 while Shoo" .5- p%rcekcJ e. takes a new 'tick and Seichhana$71 dock

askin? 2 ae-tira f layer- con .51-ress a// war. SVENSKA ISHOCKETTaRBUNDET

drifis 3 or /ow derro. Hith osses -eo f who shoo/- 1. tf,‘-es new "osi1/2Crn while eacAwanis • Crve/sZei 2 eo 3

.dhe a/hi/ wil-4 7et-ans./74On zfo dellediSIVelt SVENS1CA ISHOCKEYFORBUNDET ccnio# far .1.7// I 4// Zertfroos 1-2-3 p/ays O any /e /re ot)edy04"

Ex-h-g Seress 711-fre clei// Ond arezin/to fic‘.5 • make Sfietenzi once mores. SVENSKA ISHOCKEIToRBUNDET

Snia// rev, da /V/ Zen-7tos

,/ols oriany

anc/7 0.

Ex1-7-4 56-ess 7ihed7V/ and use 71vo pvc4s. mohe diliereS /7o/once -mares SVENSKA rsuociczyrentsumn-r

Srna#e far C/P27/ 3 My% or Hed'am ileto / - 2 -3 s74a.---/ w/714 a Aree Tams 6-v0 5ika17 -o-n/ ?tit 4-5 When 14-5 -Zede 79E4 pc% ancird ov/ zo-ne_ r yoans scoted /-2-3 000A -ec e, o .2etac

c yoes in 710 delend ond flays %.-te ormse tihree -51;44.74n . SVENSKA ISHOCKETFORBUNDET

frovi dril/ 41.

or/Ow lento (Warm - tyo drift)

to/ he loath /1-fre conier and goes QA/er- /*e 9.3 -517-esses 77-,77.7 dehind

/ ziaZel oac‘ kAei -7o end 6-erni //Le L comer anctioaa delendar °Wench,- A 540 on 700/

/ and 2 in one arensi o ..9-6da 6"0 n Qyev yoQ/ ExAre? Seress .ehe y kv;14 otoonen71/0%ye of ewns A. \I/ Leat 2 yo down y074/Ler- comer and fact A. 1 shresses 2. SVENSKA ISHOCKEYFoRBUNDET Cort/eie dn.& 1 •AyAese /err°

en) e gni oin, denim j jt ono?asses 64 e pack 740 de/ender A delen der A passes 71D 8 who shoi- or A 74-res/ f lace. 370 down in :2 7i-he 0 ilar corner Al/ /layers movt au/t1/42c espec/077/ 4 and

ex.17--a Seress 14e 64.7/ otooneni tar SVENSICA ISHOCKEYTORBUNDET

6)7/e/e

RilL one re:7/ 071 744e icr a/ve/ine.

/-23 sileir, aikck- Zree on tzwo oja)ns/ A ono/ /3 k-r 2 X-Y can Aer 0 /-2-3 bu7jas7L moving' ().- jo9ss t ond sdho/ Ann. 3. he 6/oe Hoe 4. C 2. ')C0 kekny eo r r Coo,4zi -o#a cic /layers K-1 Con 41/..s/v/6- x-y butjos/ 6-on-7 Goo lie ZAe h/ue oats/de Lk.) /1/2 e Tine 7oa I ne.-1- /-2-3 ones eo scare her X-Y

/these geento 60me2 SVENSICA ISHOCKETTOREUNDET

Cony/e/e u4i/ o-1// 28

-9 A and 3 win pock. A 3 -6.-ies ler/ /y off/ eo Coco 74r con Ara -oikce .9 when 3 ',cis -/-he tuck; /-2-3 and X-Y heeo,ne de/enders .) x-V can r i% Zonezone f loyin? _ ewo af a;,s,i7 two .t.o-lva r/ /Ise gelee/i2e LAS) mg. crainet Score a 71 Atkse

-51eed

Aphes/ /ento

6-0,72e SVENSKA ISHOCKETTORBUNDET

Cornj okie uni /Zi eini/S 3.

W&Aesd Zerro Game. oiril/ *) 2. Sear/s whih shoe °Trio/ 0) X Goalie saves play 04e/vock toY. 4/-.5- Forwards take fositelor, 2-3 delenelecs y f iczys eo aer Cara- 2 2-70// ahiack /wo- o t PVC,

2 Aller s%oo/s74-ori-7 4/cie /wo Tains/ 2 6we around ne

EX-Arq C goes clown anal ?lays new puck to / de/enseinc Mew shot .