Learning from the pros: 3 things beer-leaguers should copy from NHLers

Scouting for Future Considerations changed the way I watch hockey. Gone are the days of pure excitement about goals and fancy plays. In fact, I miss a lot of goals because I have my eyes on someone far away from the play. Like the defenceman on the bench, who is still visibly mad about that turnover he created. Or the winger who's filling in for his defenceman at the blue line, while said defenceman sets up the goal from behind the net.

But as much as it's changed the way I watch hockey, it's also changed the way I play hockey.

Beer-league players will know this feeling: With every deke, every spin move, and every between-the-legs pass we see on TV, there's a little bit of sadness because we…