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What makes a player choose center over wing?

Pantokrator

Pantokrator

Who's the clown?
Jan 27, 2004
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Semmes, Alabama
Jason Spezza says he is more comfortable playing center than wing. It made me wonder what makes a forward like one position over another? Is it comfort level? Desire/lack of desire to take faceoffs? I would think a wing has less responsibility than a center, but is he more likely to get drilled in the corner?

I appreciate the responses in advance. Thanks.
 
if you play wing, there's a higer chance the 4th line opposition will try to fight you, so some players want no part in that
 
Centers tend to carry the puck more, and usually pass before shooting.

Playmakers tend towards center.

Wingers tend to carry the puck less and look to get themselves into scoring position more often... they tend to be more willing to be net crashers, don't always have the vision needed to be a great passer.

Obviously there are exceptions to these rules, and many players are hybrids of the two as well, but it comes down to what players do and don't do well in the end.
 
There is a difference between centers and wingers/d starting all the way from peewee. Kids who aren't quite as confident with the puck will never play center, plus coaches tend to steer them away from it.
 
Centres are more likely to initiate a breakout. Has more defensive responsibilities which means you get the puck in different spots.
 
I think it's not so much a choice but more of a mentality. Centers aren't as obsessed about scoring goals as wingers and more conscientious of general game awareness. Not to imply that being obsessed about scoring goals is a bad thing, but centermen tend to be more aware of everything else that is going on, from the draw onward, driving team possession, making sure they help the D and being in the right place on the ice when your team doesn't have the puck. They are usually guys that like to skate and be all over the ice too. Think QB vs wide receiver, where the center is kind of like the QB trying to feed his wingers and not cause turnovers.
 
More possible points :sarcasm:. Win the FO, defenseman shoots and scores (maybe someone tips it), assist!
 
I'm no expert but I guess coaches make somewhat of a difference when the players are kids; i.e. seeing that a kid has what it needs to be a center (good passer, responsible in the defensive end, decent in faceoffs and the will to be responsible in all these things etc.) and the kids just stick with it.
 
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I'd say it's a matter of prestige to be an NHL center. It bespeaks talent. I was amazed when Red Kelly, an all-star Dman with Detroit. made the transition to center.
 
Huokaus said:
I'm no expert but I guess coaches make somewhat of a difference when the players are kids; i.e. seeing that a kid has what it needs to be a center (good passer, responsible in the defensive end, decent in faceoffs and the will to be responsible in all these things etc.) and the kids just stick with it.
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You're on the right track, but it's even more basic than that, way before coaches talk about defensive responsibility, puck distribution, and the like.

When kids first go on the ice EVERYONE wants to play C, except for that weird kid in the corner who wants to play goalie. They all fight to be the one in the circle, to be the first one to touch the puck. The other 4 skaters on the ice are simply failed Centers.
 
Leafidelity said:
Yep. It's usually as simple as that.
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Yes and no. Yes, the coach decided a player was a good center and others were not. No, the coach didn't "make" them a better center than the others, the player had the skills and desire to play the position in the first place vs his peers.
 
What makes you choose to buy a car in red? Or maybe you decide to get a motorcycle in yellow? Or maybe you decide to take the train?

It's a number of factors. Play style, preference, influences be it players / family / coaches, and of course, skillset.
 
Before I eventually settled into being a goalie, I was placed at every position as a kid, until the coaches finally put me at center to stay. I was defensive minded already, a good passer, a good stick, and had quick reactions and good decision making (for a kid) at the face-off dot. I actually preferred center as well. My shot was nothing to write home about so while I was good as a defenseman defensively, I was terrible at the point. On the wings I tended to overthink. Center just fit my play style, as someone who is naturally defensive in sports and likes to be mentally engaged. On top of that, I always felt like I was a part of the play, even when I didn't have the puck, which was not something I felt at wing. I enjoyed playing center so much that sometimes I regret switching to goalie, but the pads were so expensive my mother wouldn't let me switch back. :laugh:

While that all is totally anecdotal, it's been my experience that coaches tend to put kids where they play best, and where they play best is usually the position their style and mentality best compliment.
 
centers are more fundamentally sound players, players who like to play with the "game in front of them"...a good all around center will have no choice but to surrender some offense for a 200 ft game, thats about it though
 
Pantokrator said:
Jason Spezza says he is more comfortable playing center than wing. It made me wonder what makes a forward like one position over another? Is it comfort level? Desire/lack of desire to take faceoffs? I would think a wing has less responsibility than a center, but is he more likely to get drilled in the corner?

I appreciate the responses in advance. Thanks.
Click to expand...

You answered your question.

In most cases they play that position almost the entirety of their lives.

I grew up as a C but can play wings as well. However I find Playing C comes a lot more natural to me, it just "feels right" since i've played it so many times.
 
I prefer wing because center is too hard ;)

also its easier to crash the net as a W and you don't need to be the puck carrier or playmaker a lot
 
I prefer center when I play forward (I usually play D though) since I prefer being in the middle of the ice for some reason. I feel way too limited in my options if I'm rushing down the wing.
 
Centre is the smarter position. You need to locate your wingers, win faceoffs, have more defensive responsbility and generally are the team's top pivot and offence-driver, exceptions aside.

Winger? Just grab a beer, scratch yourself, go up and down the ice like a rabid mongoose and get your ginos and apples. It's the easy, simple life. Only goaltenders have it easier, anywhere from 87% to 91% grading gets you a lifetime job.
 
Freedom to play where you want to play?

You can go left or right without being stuck either on right or left as a winger.

More responsibilities, but more options as well.
 
For me it was speed, if you're a fast skater you want to be on the wing if you have a good center of defenseman who can hit you with the puck properly you're going to create a ton of breakouts and odd-man rushes, it's just better to utilize your skillset there.
 
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