Option 2

As a defenseman in ice hockey, I understand the critical role we play in suuporting our goalie to keep his net clean.

While we are also encouraged to assist the forwards in their attacking duties (attacking well is a great form of defense) our primary responsibility is to protect our own net,

One of our first tasks after a turnover, which will greatly enhance our defensive efforts is backchecking diligently. When opponents initiate an attack, we need to quickly transition from offense to defense, applying pressure on the opposing forwards and disrupting their offensive flow. This reduces the burden on our goalie, allowing him to keep more pucks out of the net.

Additionally, we need to go hard in the defensive zone, especially along the boards. When the puck is battled for in the corners or along the walls, we need to engage and regain possession. If we do that well, we can comfortably keep forcing the opponents away from the middle.

Lastly, responsible defensive play extends to shot-blocking, limiting the number of attempts on our goaltender. Our dedication to these aspects of the game eases the pressure on our goalie and strengthens the overall team defense.