Dan Replies:
Dear F.H.C.: This is tough problem if you wish to remain true to the concept of house hockey in particular and youth sports in general. You have a player for whom this is a social thing; others for whom it's a contest.
I'd begin by trying to eliminate throwing the puck out blindly because that's obviously a potentially damaging play. I'd take him aside at a practice and explain why a lot of good backchecking and hard work by his teammates can be wasted by a thoughtless play like carelessly throwing the puck to the center, unless there is a centerman breaking and calling for the puck. Then teach him how to chip the puck past the defenseman and out of the zone. Tell him that although this sounds simple, it's my job every game in the NHL.
I see you get my newsletter and there are two discussions in the November issue about the importance of "getting it out" and "getting it deep" at every level including the NHL. While we discussed it in terms of a lesser skilled player, it applies to a tentative player as well. Then break the game down for him showing him that his job is just to get the puck out (or approaching the opposing blue line with the puck - to get it deep). If he can be successful at chipping the puck out, opposing defensemen will learn that and will be less likely to pinch in on him (check him) so he gets a twofold benefit - better play and less hits. When it happens successfully, act like you just witnessed the game-winning goal in the state championships. And building his confidence when there is a good play will help his confidence and he will also get a sense of contributing.
The second part of this drama is to have this boy's centerman realize that he has to support this winger if he sees the puck is going to come around to him. Either get close enough (10 - 15 feet) so that if the winger can't chip it, the center can call for a pass up the middle. Have his centerman be vocally supportive as well ("I'm here, I'm here" or "get it out, get it out"). I'd then hold a drill for his line whereby he carries the puck over the red line and dumps it deep to allow his linemates to anticipate that play and he can see that it helps him avoid contact and does make a contribution that his linemates can build on.
My father has long held the belief that teams don't win with their players' good plays, they lose with their players' bad plays. In this case, you don't have to convert this player into a superstar, but if you can eliminate his bad plays by having him focus on the little things he can do that will make a big difference, you will go a long way to helping him overcome his tentativeness, make it easier and more fun for his linemates to play with him, and also be true to what coaching is all about - at any level.
I hope this helps...
