Hockey Evaluation Form

A forward scores three goals and everyone notices. The defenseman who skated 20 minutes, closed gaps all night, and never got caught flat-footed—nobody talks about him. But your evaluation form should. Skating is the foundation of every hockey skill, yet most coaches focus on flashier stats.

These forms are built around the six areas that define hockey players: skating, puck control, passing, shooting, hockey IQ, and coachability. Each rubric describes what you actually see on the ice at every rating level, so your evaluators stay calibrated whether they're watching an 8-year-old or a high school prospect. Position-specific forms break down the unique demands of forwards, defensemen, and goalies—because what makes an elite two-way center looks nothing like what makes a dominant shutdown defenseman.

Free Printable Hockey Evaluation Form

Each skill gets a 1-5 rating based on what you observe during tryouts and games. The definitions below focus on hockey-specific actions rather than generic athleticism, so you're measuring skating stride and puck protection, not just who's fastest in a straight line. A player who "maintains control under heavy pressure" earns higher marks than one who "loses puck on contact."

Skill Evaluation Table

Skill Category	1	2	3	4	5
Skating	○	○	○	○	○
Puck Control	○	○	○	○	○
Passing	○	○	○	○	○
Shooting	○	○	○	○	○
Hockey IQ	○	○	○	○	○
Attitude/Coachability	○	○	○	○	○
Notes
Total Score	_______ / 30

Rating Scale Definitions

Watch for these specific behaviors when scoring. The gap between a "3" and a "5" often comes down to execution under pressure and consistency across shifts.

Skill	1 (Needs Work)	2 (Below Avg)	3 (Average)	4 (Above Avg)	5 (Excellent)
Skating	Struggles with balance, short choppy strides	Limited crossovers, slow pivots	Solid stride, can turn both ways	Quick acceleration, smooth edges	Explosive first steps, pivots effortlessly, maintains speed through turns
Puck Control	Fights the puck, head down constantly	Basic handling, loses puck under pressure	Handles puck at skating speed	Protects puck, makes moves in traffic	Head up in traffic, dekes effectively, maintains control under heavy pressure
Passing	Inconsistent accuracy, telegraphs passes	Hits stationary targets, misses moving ones	Hits target at moderate distance	Accurate on forehand and backhand	Tape-to-tape under pressure, sees passing lanes before they open
Shooting	Slow release, misses target often	On target but predictable	Accurate on stationary shots	Changes shot selection, picks corners	Quick release, accurate while moving, disguises shot type
Hockey IQ	Reacts late, often out of position	Knows own assignment, confused by changes	Reads basic plays, anticipates simple situations	Creates space, supports teammates	Anticipates play development, makes others better, sees the whole ice
Attitude/Coachability	Doesn't respond to coaching	Listens but doesn't apply	Takes instruction, makes adjustments	Asks questions, helps teammates	Applies feedback immediately, leads by example, stays positive under pressure

Hockey Evaluation Criteria

Hockey evaluation requires watching the whole player across multiple situations. Hockey Canada's player development resources(opens in new tab) emphasize six key areas for player evaluation: skating, puck control, passing, shooting, checking/body contact, and positional play. Understanding what to watch for in each area helps you score consistently.

Skating: The Foundation of Everything

Watch stride length and recovery—good skaters use long strides with complete leg recovery before pushing off again. Their movement looks smooth and efficient rather than labored. Evaluate crossovers in both directions, pivots from forward to backward, and acceleration out of turns. A player who struggles to turn left will get exposed at higher levels.

Edge work separates players who control the ice from those who just cover it. Can they stop and start quickly on either edge? Do they maintain balance through contact? The best skaters look like they're gliding while others appear to be fighting the ice.

Puck Control: Beyond Stickhandling

Head position tells you more than hands alone. Players who look down while handling the puck can't read the play developing around them. Watch whether they can maintain possession while scanning for options. Can they execute moves while skating at full speed, or do they slow down to handle the puck?

Puck protection is equally important. Does the player use their body to shield the puck from defenders? Can they absorb a check and maintain control? Players who get bumped off the puck easily will struggle as competition increases.

Passing and Receiving

Accuracy matters, but so does timing and weight. A pass that arrives tape-to-tape but too hard to handle isn't helpful. Watch if players can hit moving targets and lead teammates into space. Can they execute both forehand and backhand passes with control?

Receiving is half the equation. Players should present a target with their stick blade, receive the puck in stride, and protect it immediately. Soft hands that cushion the pass are easier to coach than hard hands that let pucks bounce away.

Shooting and Scoring

Release speed often matters more than shot power at youth levels. A quick, accurate wrist shot beats a slow slap shot that the goalie reads. Watch shot selection—do they pick their spots or just fire at the net? Can they change the angle or release point to create scoring chances?

Evaluate shooting in game situations, not just drills. Players who score in practice but disappear in games may lack the ability to get their shot off under pressure. Digital evaluation tools help you track shooting performance across different game situations.

Hockey IQ: Reading the Ice

Physical tools get noticed. Hockey intelligence wins games. Watch what players do without the puck: do they move to support teammates? Do they anticipate where the play is going? On defense, can they read the rush and position themselves correctly?

The best players make others better. They find passing lanes, create space, and make the right play consistently. This awareness is harder to teach than any physical skill—it comes from watching hockey, thinking about the game, and processing information quickly on the ice.

Minor Hockey Evaluation (Ages 8-14)

Minor hockey evaluation requires age-appropriate expectations. What you prioritize in a Mite differs from evaluation criteria for Bantam players. Hockey Canada recommends(opens in new tab) giving every player a minimum of 2-3 evaluation sessions before making decisions, recognizing that young players perform inconsistently.

Ages 8-10 (Mite/Atom): Focus on Skating and Attitude

At this level, skating ability and love of the game matter most. Can they stop and start? Do they try hard even when they make mistakes? A player who falls down, gets up quickly, and chases the puck shows the mentality that develops into hockey ability.

Puck skills are developing, so don't overweight current handling ability. Watch if they can receive a pass and make a play, even if it's simple. Coachability is crucial—players who listen and try to apply corrections will improve faster than naturally talented kids who tune out instructions.

Ages 11-12 (PeeWee): Add Fundamental Assessment

Players at this level show more differentiation in skills. You can start evaluating skating mechanics more closely—crossovers, transitions, edges under pressure. Watch who can make plays at game speed versus who needs time and space.

Position awareness emerges. Some players naturally gravitate toward offensive or defensive roles. Let them experiment rather than locking in positions too early, but note tendencies that might indicate future roles.

Ages 13-14 (Bantam): Evaluate Position-Specific Skills

By this age, players understand their responsibilities. Evaluate forechecking decisions for forwards, gap control for defensemen, and positioning for goalies. Physical attributes matter more as body checking becomes part of the game, but hockey IQ often predicts success better than size alone.

Watch how players handle adversity. A Bantam who makes a mistake and bounces back immediately shows mental toughness. One who sulks or blames teammates reveals character issues that can hurt team chemistry.

Recommended Evaluation Weighting by Age

Age Group	Technical Skills	Skating/Fundamentals	Attitude/Coachability
8-10 (Mite/Atom)	25%	35%	40%
11-12 (PeeWee)	30%	40%	30%
13-14 (Bantam)	40%	35%	25%
15+ (Midget/High School)	45%	35%	20%

Green highlights show the highest priority category for each age group. Attitude matters most at younger ages; position-specific skills become primary as players mature and specialize.

Position-Specific Hockey Evaluation

Hockey positions demand distinct skill sets. Use position-specific evaluation after you've identified where a player projects, or when evaluating returning players who already have a role. Track position-specific development with Striveon's athlete management tools.

Forward Evaluation

Forwards need speed to create separation and puck skills to finish. Watch skating acceleration—can they beat defenders with their first three strides? Evaluate forechecking: do they pursue the puck intelligently or just chase aimlessly? The best forwards create turnovers through smart angles, not just speed.

Centers require additional assessment. Face-off technique matters at older levels. Two-way responsibility separates good centers from those who cheat for offense. Can they win puck battles in all three zones?

Defense Evaluation

Defensemen live and die by gap control. Watch how they manage distance against incoming forwards—too much space and they get walked; too close and they get beat wide. Body positioning through the neutral zone reveals who understands defensive fundamentals.

The first pass starts the breakout. Can your defensemen move the puck out of the zone under pressure? Watch decision-making: do they make the safe play when needed, and can they recognize when to take a risk? Modern defensemen need skating ability to join the rush and get back.

Goalie Evaluation

Goalies require specialized evaluation. Positioning comes first—a well-positioned goalie makes saves look easy because they've already cut down angles. Watch stance and depth: are they challenging shooters appropriately without overcommitting?

Rebound control separates goalies at every level. Where do second chances end up? The best goalies direct pucks to corners or smother them entirely. Lateral movement determines who can handle cross-crease plays. Communication with defensemen indicates leadership and awareness.

Forward Skills

Skill Category	1	2	3	4	5
Skating Speed	○	○	○	○	○
Puck Protection	○	○	○	○	○
Shooting Accuracy	○	○	○	○	○
Forechecking	○	○	○	○	○
Offensive Positioning	○	○	○	○	○
Notes
Forward Total	_______ / 25

Defense Skills

Skill Category	1	2	3	4	5
Gap Control	○	○	○	○	○
Body Positioning	○	○	○	○	○
First Pass	○	○	○	○	○
Stick Checking	○	○	○	○	○
Defensive Zone Coverage	○	○	○	○	○
Notes
Defense Total	_______ / 25

Goalie Skills

Skill Category	1	2	3	4	5
Stance/Positioning	○	○	○	○	○
Rebound Control	○	○	○	○	○
Lateral Movement	○	○	○	○	○
Puck Handling	○	○	○	○	○
Communication	○	○	○	○	○
Notes
Goalie Total	_______ / 25

Position-Specific Rating Definitions

Skill	1 (Needs Work)	3 (Average)	5 (Excellent)
Skating Speed	Slow first step, can't keep up	Keeps pace with play	Elite acceleration, fastest on the ice
Puck Protection	Loses puck on contact	Holds puck against average pressure	Maintains possession against multiple defenders
Shooting Accuracy	Misses net frequently	Hits target areas consistently	Scores from difficult angles, beats goalies clean
Forechecking	Passive, waits for puck to come	Applies steady forecheck pressure	Relentless, creates turnovers, reads plays
Offensive Positioning	Lost in offensive zone	Gets to the right spots	Always in the right place, elite awareness
Gap Control	Too much space, easily beaten	Maintains appropriate distance	Perfect timing, shuts down rushes
Body Positioning	Gets turned around, loses man	Good angles, contains attackers	Dominant physical presence, wins every battle
First Pass	Turnovers in own zone	Moves puck out cleanly	Elite puck mover, creates offense from defense
Stick Checking	Swings and misses	Effective poke checks	Surgical precision, rarely beaten
Defensive Zone Coverage	Loses assignment, out of position	Covers man and area appropriately	Elite awareness, organizes defensive structure

Hockey Tryout Drills and Plan

Ice time is expensive. Every minute a player stands in line is a minute you can't evaluate them—and cold muscles lead to poor performance. Structure your sessions so players stay moving and evaluators see every skill from every player.

Pre-Tryout Preparation

Calibrate your staff before players hit the ice. Review what each rating level looks like: "This is a 3 in skating—solid stride, can turn both ways but nothing special. This is a 5—explosive acceleration, smooth pivots, maintains speed through contact." When evaluators see the same examples, they apply the same standards.

Assign evaluators to specific skills or stations rather than having everyone watch everything. One coach focuses on skating, another on puck skills, a third on compete level. Each evaluator sees every player on their assigned skill, creating consistency that roaming observation cannot match. Platforms like Striveon let you digitize evaluations and compare players across multiple tryout sessions.

Sample Tryout Drills

These drills reveal hockey skills that don't always show in scrimmages. Each drill targets specific abilities you need to evaluate.

Drill	Duration	Purpose	What to Watch
Russian Circles	5 min	Skating/edges	Watch crossovers, pivots, and edge control through tight turns
Puck Relay Race	8 min	Puck control	Head position while skating, ability to handle puck at speed
Passing Triangle	8 min	Passing accuracy	Forehand/backhand accuracy, receiving on the tape while moving
Shooting Stations	10 min	Shot selection	Release speed, accuracy from different angles, one-timers
1-on-1 Battles	10 min	Compete level	Gap control, body positioning, willingness to engage physically
3-on-3 Scrimmage	15 min	Game sense	Decision-making, positioning, how players perform under pressure

Scrimmage Evaluation

End with scrimmage time to see how players perform in game conditions. Watch who competes when the score gets tight. Some players shine in drills but disappear in games; others raise their level when it matters. Mental toughness and hockey IQ show in competitive settings more than isolated skill work.

Assign specific evaluators to watch specific position groups during scrimmage. One evaluator tracks forwards, another focuses on defensemen, a third watches goalies exclusively. Each evaluator sees every rep for their assigned group.

Sample Station Schedule

Example schedule for evaluating 30-40 players in 90 minutes with 4 evaluators.

Station	Duration	Players	Skills Tested
Check-in / Warm-up	15 min	All	Attendance, free skate
Skating Drills	15 min	Groups A/B rotate	Speed, agility, edges
Puck Skills	15 min	Groups A/B rotate	Control, passing, shooting
Positional Work	15 min	By position	Position-specific skills
1-on-1 / 2-on-2	15 min	All	Compete level, hockey IQ
Scrimmage	30 min	All	Game evaluation
Goalie-Specific	45 min	Goalies only	Positioning, reactions, puck play

Post-Tryout Review

Gather your staff after the final session. Compare scores across evaluators—agreements point to clear roster decisions while disagreements highlight players worth another look. Digital tools compile scores instantly, letting you sort by position and identify standouts in minutes instead of hours.

Provide specific feedback to players who request it. "Your skating looks solid but work on your first pass under pressure" helps more than vague advice. Clear criteria give players concrete development paths whether or not they make the roster.