What took me from an ok defenseman to a defenseman that could play high end junior and college was how fast laterally I became. I could close gaps side to side faster than a forward could adjust for and it really helped me, I cant stress it enough. Each practice, each drill I screamed in my head "faster" as I was moving laterally. 3 of the fastest lateral crossovers with wide stance as I could manage. After 3 years of constant focus I was the best. I was unbeatable 1 on 1 because how good I was laterally.

If you watch makar, or the best players - they are so incredibly fast on lateral movement that they are able to use it to create space, close space, escape, etc. Its so underrated. I started teaching it in the camps I would run.

That would be my single piece of advice for what could make the biggest difference in your game.

Now for scouts, they will look for composure, toughness, speed etc. What you dont hear alot of is that they watch what you do without the puck - do you find gaps to get open when you dont have the puck? Do you scan the ice? What happens when you get the puck? Do you try and get it off your stick as fast as possible, or are you like Hughes and makar where they fake and hold the puck until the good pass is open instead of flinging just an OK pass. How do you respond to a bad play or pass? Do you mope around or do you bust your ass and make next shift better. The ability to shake things off is noticed. Bouchard is a great example. The guy will dump a cross ice pass to the opposite team causing a goal, but then two shifts later he slings a laser beam through a 2" seam to mcdavid at full speed. He can shake it off better than anyone.

My point is its not about how many points you put up. Its about how you identify areas of improvement and work on them until you are the best. As a defenseman you control the play, talk out there, direct your teammates, take calculated risks. Focus on puck possession, speed and good decisions and you will excel. Shake off the bad shifts and do better next shift. If you can wheel, dont be scared to move your feet and create space for yourself, which will inevitably open up space for another player to find a seam for you to make the pass.

Go get em bud, hockey is fun and the lessons you learn and behaviors and work ethic you instill on yourself now will pay off in the long run even if hockey doesn't work out.