Tracking every single puck-possession event allows us to compare players not only on their ability to win puck-battles, but also on their ability to remove puck-possession from the opposition by way of stick or body check. Separating the two events provides us with the opportunity to quantify which players have the best sticks, and which are able to successfully use their body to knock players off of the puck.
Events used in this calculation took place in the defensive-zone, and at even-strength. In order for a stick or body-check to be deemed successful, the player must remove puck-possession from the opposition. It's important to note, that the player does not have to acquire the puck for the event to be considered successful, he simply has to break the other player's cycle of possession.
ATTEMPTED BODY AND STICK-CHECKS IN THE DEFENSIVE-ZONE
Among defensemen, Andrei Markov and Nathan Beaulieu have the most-active sticks in the defensive-zone. Subban has the least-active stick; along with Alexei Emelin and Francis Bouillon. Emelin is the most-active physically (body-checks) in the d-zone, with Bouillon a close second. Andrei Markov is the least-active body-checker in the d-zone.
Among centres, Tomas Plekanec has the most-active stick in the defensive-zone, followed closely by David Desharnais. Ryan White has the least-active stick. Lars Eller is the most-active body-checker in the d-zone, followed by White. Plekanec is the least-active physically.
Among wingers, Michael Bournival and Travis Moen have the most-active sticks in the defensive-zone, while Rene Bourque has the least-active stick. Bournival is also the most-active body-checker in the defensive-zone among wingers, followed closely by Brandon Prust. Brendan Gallagher, and Max Pacioretty are among the least-active body-checkers in the defensive-zone.
RED BAR=BODY-CHECKS
BLACK BAR=STICK-CHECKS
SUCCESSFUL BODY AND STICK-CHECKS IN THE DEFENSIVE-ZONE
Among defensemen, Markov has produced the most successful stick-checks in the defensive-zone, while Emelin has produced the fewest. Bouillon has produced the most successful body-checks per-minute; followed closely by Emelin and Douglas Murray.
Among centres, Plekanec has produced the most successful stick-checks per-minute, while White has produced the fewest. Eller and White have both produced the same amount of successful defensive-zone body-checks per-minute, while Plekanec has produced the fewest.
Among wingers, Alex Galchenyuk has demonstrated the most successful stick in the defensive-zone, while Bourque has produced the fewest successful stick-checks per-minute. Prust has produced the most successful body-checks among wingers; followed by Bournival. Gallagher and Brian Gionta have produced the fewest successful body-checks in the defensive-zone per-minute played.
RED BAR=BODY-CHECKS
BLACK BAR=STICK-CHECKS
SUCCESS-RATES WHEN ATTEMPTING BODY AND STICK-CHECKS IN THE DEFENSIVE-ZONE
Among defensemen, Gorges and Beaulieu have the top success-rates when attempting to remove puck-possession from the opposition by way of a body-check, while Emelin actually has the lowest success-rate. In terms of stick-checks, Bouillon has the top success-rate; followed by Markov.
Among centres, White has the top success-rate when attempting to remove possession from the opposition by way of a body-check, while Plekanec and David Desharnais have the lowest success-rate. Plekanec has the top stick-check success-rate, while White has the lowest stick-check success-rate.
Among wingers, Travis Moen has the top success-rate when attempting to remove possession by way of a body-check, while Gionta, Gallagher, and Briere have the lowest success-rates. In terms of stick-checks, Gionta, Galchenyuk, and Daniel Briere have the top success-rates, while Bourque has the lowest success-rate when attempting to remove puck-possession from the opposition in the defensive-zone by way of a stick-check.
RED BAR=BODY-CHECKS
BLACK BAR=STICK-CHECKS
All events have been tracked using my data-generated played tracking system.
These reports can be produced for any player at any level. All that's required is video. Feel free to contact me by e-mail with any questions, comments, or inquiries about the services I provide.
[email protected]
