What It Means to Be a “Net-Front Player”

Every team needs them, but few parents understand what the term really means. A net-front player is someone who consistently battles in front of the opposing goalie, creating chaos, screens, and scoring opportunities.

Being a net-front player is about courage and smarts more than raw skill. Forwards who excel here aren’t always the fastest or flashiest, but they win loose pucks, set screens, tip shots, and force defenders into mistakes. Coaches often say “goals are scored within five feet of the crease,” and the net-front player lives in that space.

The role requires Hockey IQ as much as toughness.

A net-front player must know when to establish position, how to angle their body to screen the goalie, and when to slip into soft ice for a rebound. Players like Joe Pavelski or Zach Hyman didn’t rely on blazing speed, but built their careers on making goalies uncomfortable and giving linemates second-chance opportunities.

Being a great net-front player isn’t only about toughness, it’s about timing, positioning, and reading plays.

NHL Sense Arena includes drills that replicate traffic in front of the net, helping players practice screening the goalie, timing tips, and finding soft ice for rebounds. VR allows young players to see how defensemen react in these situations and learn to anticipate puck movement around the crease. It’s a safe way to train one of hockey’s toughest roles without the bruises, while still sharpening the instincts that make great net-front players.

For youth players, this role teaches resilience and confidence. Standing in front isn’t glamorous, but it wins games. Parents can support by reframing “dirty goals” as smart, high-value plays.

Kids who learn how to excel in this role early on build skills—like positioning, balance, and timing—that translate across the ice, regardless of future position.