Joel Hofer ProRead 1
With Joel Hofer
Keys to Handedness When Reading Low-High Options
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Joel Hofer made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues in the 2021-22 season and increased his big league experience this season by playing eight more games, going 4-2-1 with a .905 save percentage, and more important for this space he banked enough saves to do some Pro Reads.
THE SAVE SEQUENCE
Hofer is facing the Washington Capitals power play in his first ever Pro Reads video session, and while Alexander Ovechkin is undoubtedly out there somewhere with his stick raised for a possible one timer, the puck is down low on the stick of Conor Sheary for now:
Looking at the play at this point (above), what is the biggest threat? What’s the most important detail you need to note about the primary passing option Sheary has at this point?
Sheary is somewhat close to the net and moving closer, so do you like that Hofer is still on his skates and not in a Reverse? Why? Or, if you would be in a Reverse by now, why not?
THE SEQUENCE
Before we get to Hofer’s detailed breakdown, watch the entire sequence and replay:
Hofer makes that save look pretty easy the way he plays it. Can you identify the keys to how?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear Hofer on his approach to this low-high one timer:
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- Joel Hofer breaks down his save on a Tom Wilson one-timer during a Washington Capitals power play, staying tight to the post while Conor Sheary controls the puck low.
- Hofer explains that at 6-foot-5, he avoids over-committing off the post because his size already covers significant net — small adjustments are enough on low-to-high passes.
- Shooter handedness directly shaped Hofer's positioning: a right-shot Wilson makes a blocker-side shot mechanically difficult, reducing the angle Hofer needs to cover compared to a left-shot option.
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