Is there any better way to improve your mental and mechanical approach to shooting than to get tips from the greatest snipers to ever fire a puck?
We’ve compiled some of the best quotes from the greatest shooters of all time to help supplement the training that players get from Snipe Lights.
We’ve also thrown in a few quotes from legendary goalies to understand their perspective.
Inspirational Quotes
Everyone has heard Wayne Gretzky’s “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” quote. But there are plenty of other superstars who have contributed wise words that can help players at all levels.
- Mark Messier: “It’s not necessarily the amount of time you spend at practice that counts; it’s what you put into the practice.”
- Sidney Crosby: “You have to work on your shot every day. It’s about getting the muscle memory so it becomes second nature.”
- Mario Lemieux: “Every game is different. Every shot you take has to be a quality shot.”
- Jacques Plante (Goalie/Horror Movie Mask Designer): “How would you like a job where every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”
- Phil Esposito: “I found out that if I took the shot quickly, the goalie didn’t have time to get set.”
- Jaromir Jagr: “It’s not just about taking a lot of shots. It’s about taking good shots, being smart with your chances.”
- Guy Lafleur: “A good shooter has to be ready to shoot at any moment, and that means always being prepared.”
- Ed Belfour (Goalie/Philosopher/Hothead): “One minute you’re a slug and the next minute you’re a hero, so you don’t know what to think.”
- Mike Modano: “You practice and you practice, and then you get into the game and just react. That’s when your shots are the best.”
- Jarome Iginla: “A great shot comes from confidence and practice. Believe in your ability to score, and you will.”
- Alex Ovechkin: “You just have to shoot. Don’t think about it too much. If you have the opportunity, take it.”
- Evgeni Malkin: “When you shoot, shoot to score. Every time. Even if you miss, you’re creating opportunities.”
- Roberto Luongo (Goalie/Team Carrier): “Controlling rebounds is one of the most important aspects of goaltending. You don’t want to give the shooter a second chance.”
Shooting Technique Quotes
Studying the best goal scorers in history is a great supplement to good coaching. Here are some quotes from some current and future Hall of Famers that get into some of the technical aspects of a wicked shot (and save).
- Wayne Gretzky: “I learned early on that if you keep your head up and see where you want to shoot, your body will follow.”
- Mike Richter (Goalie/Silver Medalist): “Reading the shooter’s eyes can give you clues about their intentions and help you anticipate their shot.”
- Patrick Kane: “You need to be unpredictable. Change your angles, your release points, make it hard for the goalie to read you.”
- Henrik Lundqvist (Goalie/Royalty): “You have to stay square to the shooter and make sure you’re always in position.”
- Mario Lemieux: “The key to a good shot is in the wrists. You need to be quick and fluid.”
- Brett Hull: “It’s all in the release. You need to be able to shoot without telegraphing where it’s going.”
- Jonathan Quick (Goalie/Most Accurate Last Name Winner): “The one-timer is hard because it’s all about timing. The shooter gets the puck off so quickly that you have little time to react.”
- Alex Ovechkin: “The flex in your stick can add power. Know your stick and use it to your advantage.”
- Jaromir Jagr: “Good mechanics come from balance and a strong core. If your legs and core are strong, your shot will be too.”
- Phil Esposito: “Get your weight into the shot. Drive through the puck, and you’ll get more power.”
- Steve Yzerman: “The position of your hands on the stick can make a big difference in control and accuracy.”
- Dominik Hasek (Goalie/Contortionist): “The backhand shot is tricky because it’s harder to read. Players can disguise their intentions, making it tough to predict where the puck will go in.”
- Gordie Howe: “You have to shoot with your whole body, not just your arms. Your legs and torso are just as important.”
- Joe Sakic: “Your hands should be soft but firm. Grip the stick too tightly and YouI lose flexibility.”
And, out of fairness, we’ll let a goalie have the very last word.
Back in the 1996 playoffs, Jeremy Roenick and Patrick Roy were trading trash talk through the media during the Chicago Blackhawks-Colorado Avalanche series. Jeremy had some especially choice words for Patrick, who didn’t hold back in his reply:
“I can’t hear what Jeremy says because my ears are blocked with my two Stanley Cup rings.”
Mic drop.
What are your favorite hockey quotes? Share them with us on Instagram (@snipelights).
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