Undersized Hockey Players: How to Compete and Thrive

Undersized Players

I have gotten so many emails about the "undersized" player. Most recently I received a message from a camper's dad named Jim. I have so much to say on this topic and decided to spend the afternoon thinking and writing about it. If you look at any NHL team's roster, there will be a plethora of players above six feet. But notice there will be one or more 5'7, 5'8, 5'9, 5'10 sized players in the mix as well. Every mix. High level prep hockey, Junior Hockey, Division One College Hockey, and the National Hockey League.

Jim's question deserves a real answer. His son is small in stature, has a lot of talent, and is a top player on his team. He hears through the grapevine that his son will never play elite hockey because of his size. That is frustrating to hear, and his goal is simple: for his son to enjoy the sport and excel. I get it. I have heard that same noise for years. My job here is to cut through it.

There Is Room at Every Level for the Right Kind of Player

The Calgary Flames GM put it plainly: "There is plenty of room for small players in our game. All these teams that are competitive have small players." He may be referencing the Flames draft pick, the super slick and skilled Boston College standout Johnny Gaudreau. After meeting him when he visited a practice at the prep school I assist in coaching, I can say that his BC stats at 5'8, 160 are generous. His nasty skill and speed are awe striking.

What separates these players is not size. It is the willingness to outwork everyone else in the building. Smaller players cannot afford off nights. They have to be sharper with the puck, quicker on their reads, and more relentless in their compete level than the big guy next to them. That is not a disadvantage. That is a blueprint.

The "Undersized and Overhearted"

Yes, with most certainty there is plenty of room for what I like to call the "undersized and overhearted." Some of the best players in the game are under six feet. Do they have to be quick? Nasty and super skilled to stand out? Yes, I think so. They have to do more to get noticed. Do they have a lot of heart? Yes. That is exactly why I call them "overhearted."

This is not just a feel-good label. It describes a real competitive trait I have watched develop in players over decades of coaching. The undersized players who make it are the ones who internalize every slight, every doubter, every scout who walked past them, and they turn it into fuel. They are not victims. They are motivated.

NHL Examples Worth Studying

Torey Krug

Enter Boston Bruins Boy Wonder, Torey Krug. Krug was called up from the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence during the hunt for the Stanley Cup. At 5'9 and generously listed at 180 lbs., Krug proved himself as a talented player. The poised defenseman was and continues to be the talk of the town. He won the hearts of Boston fans with his powerful, precise shots on net and speedy defensive surges in his own zone. His lack of size has not proven to be an issue against larger forwards because he has a good solid frame. He delivers and receives hits when necessary without backing down.

Krug is a masterclass in using skating and positioning to neutralize size. He does not try to be a physical monster. He plays smart, stays in his lane, and makes up for inches with his compete level and shot.

Brad Marchand

Boston Bruins Brad Marchand. GM Peter Chiarelli was quoted saying, "Let me be clear on Marchy. I'm not trading Marchy. He's a good player and I like the way he plays." Marchand is the ultimate battler. He is not afraid to go into the corners and get his nose dirty when battling for the puck. He is the ultimate agitator. A buzzing bee all over the ice. Quickness, speed, and his "overheart" have more than compensated for his "undersize."

One of my favorite players. He plays with an edge that you simply cannot teach. You either have that fire or you do not. And Marchand has it every single shift.

What This Means for Your Development

Some of my favorite campers, prep players, college players, and NHL players are the undersized and overhearted. So the answer to Jim's question: hell yes there is plenty of room for the undersized hockey player in elite hockey. The key is developing skill and heart, and those two things will compensate for what you lack in size.

If your son is being told he cannot make it because of his height, use it. Write it down. Put it on the locker room wall. And then go to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a small player really make it to Division One college hockey or the NHL?

Yes. It happens every single season. The rosters are there to prove it. What scouts want to see from a smaller player is elite skating, hockey sense, compete level, and skill that cannot be ignored. Size gets you a second look. Skill gets you a contract.

What skills should an undersized player focus on developing?

Speed and edges first. A smaller player who skates exceptionally well is very hard to contain. From there, work on your release, your puck protection, your defensive positioning, and your compete in battles along the boards. You have to be harder to play against than the big guy. That is the standard.

How do I handle coaches or scouts who overlook my son because of his size?

Keep showing up. Keep developing. The players who get overlooked and keep working are the ones who force people to pay attention eventually. Do not waste energy arguing with doubters. Put it into the ice time.

At what age does size start to matter less in evaluations?

By the time a player reaches Midget and Junior hockey, skill and compete level carry significantly more weight than they do at the younger ages. A lot of players fill out physically between 16 and 20. The ones who used that time to sharpen their game rather than wait around for a growth spurt are the ones who move up.