I think two attributes that would be key to any hockey simulator are forechecking and backchecking. Neither of these attributes are in the current format of the STHS. While the defense attribute can help with positioning on the ice, it doesn’t necessarily commit to how hard one works to get in certain positioning. Forecheckig and backchecking are two of the biggest parts in any team’s or player’s game. The reason I would have them as separate attributes is because we know that some players are strictly offensive minded and like to forecheck, but don’t like to backcheck, and vice versa.

Forechecking is vital in creating turnovers, especially in the opposing team’s defensive zone. Making the other team turn the puck over in their own zone will usually net the forechecking a great scoring opportunity. Forechecking, however, does not just apply to a player’s offensive zone, it can be applied to the neutral and to a certain extent defensive zones as well. It would determine how aggressively a player may be pursue the player with the puck in their own zone, where overcommitment can happen. So, discipline can be tied into this attribute, instead of just keeping overly physical players out of the box. Discipline would allow the player to pursue the puck, but not overcommiting to where they run themselves out of position.

Backchecking is a vital part of any team’s success to defense. A strong backcheck minimizes odd man breaks, and allows the defense to be more aggressive to the puck carrier, possibly creating a turnover or takeaway. Backchecking can be tied into the defense or discipline attribute, in that it determines the positioning of the player backchecking as to which opposing player they need to cover. Some players are strong at coming back to the defensive zone, but don’t necessarily take the player they are suppose to, thus still leaving an open player. A strong defensive or discipline attribute would have them find the player they are suppose to take, thereby limiting the possiblity of an open opponent.

I believe that forechecking and backchecking, with tie ins to either or both of defense and discipline, would be key attributes to providing a more realistic, and perhaps more fun in term stats not looked at as closely (takeaways, giveaways, turnovers, etc) to the league. I am sure other attributes that we do not currently have can provide more realism and more fun as well, but these two I think would be key in those directions.