🏒 The Art of Pass Reception: How to Control Every Puck Like a Pro

Passing is a fundamental part of hockey.

But one of the most overlooked skills is pass receiving.

If you can’t cleanly control a pass, you’re losing valuable seconds, missing scoring chances, and giving opponents easy turnovers.

At Pro Performance Hockey, we break down pass receiving into one key principle:

Your stick blade must be perfectly squared to the puck’s path.

If your blade is in the right position, you’ll receive passes effortlessly.

If your blade is off by just a few degrees, you’ll fumble pucks, lose control, and miss opportunities.

Here’s how to fix that and become a master at receiving passes.

(If you prefer to watch instead of read, check out the video newsletter above)

Pass Receiving – The Details That Make the Difference

Stick Blade Positioning: The Foundation of Pass Control

A flat, square blade =  clean, effortless receptions.

A tilted blade = Deflections, bobbles, and turnovers.

The biggest mistake is players pulling their top hand too close to their body, which changes the blade angle.

The fix? 

Push your top hand away from your body to keep your blade flush and squared to the puck’s path.

Soft Hands: Absorbing the Pass Like a Pro

If a puck is traveling 50 mph, your stick needs to move back at 50 mph to absorb the impact.

If the puck comes in at 30 mph, your blade moves back at 30 mph—soft, controlled, and effortless.

This reduces rebounds and gives you instant puck control.

Full Stick Blade Control: Not Just the Toe

Many players treat their blade like a door hinge, only moving the toe of the stick. 

This leads to unstable receptions.

Instead, pull the entire stick blade back in a smooth motion, this keeps the puck in control and prevents unnecessary movement.

The Small Details That Make a Big Impact

Receiving a pass is about more than just stopping the puck, it’s about controlling it and transitioning into your next move instantly.

• A clean reception gives you time and space to make a play.

• A bad reception slows you down and leads to turnovers.

The best players don’t waste time controlling the puck, they’re already making their next move.

Master this skill, and you’ll take your game to another level.

The Bottom Line

Crisp passing is key but elite players know that pass reception is just as important.

By squaring your blade, keeping soft hands, and moving your stick with the puck’s speed, you’ll never fumble a pass again.

And always remember:

"Do the common thing uncommonly well."

When you’re ready to elevate your game, here’s how I can help you:

1. Elite private training to provide the 1 on 1 attention you deserve.

2. Spring 2025 clinics for offseason skill development.

3. Summer Camp 2025 to prepare for the upcoming season.

See you on the ice,

Coach Scott Rutherford
(716) 912-4465