When it comes to the National Hockey League, Player of the Game honours (or getting one of the three stars) may not make a big difference to the players. After all, these are guys that earn thousands of dollars a minute whether they are on the ice or not. In minor leagues and particularly for kids, though, being selected as Player of the Game can mean a big confidence boost and something that they can feel really good about. Here are some ideas when it comes to choosing your player of the game.

Points Contributed. Obviously if a player has made an extra effort and bagged handfuls of goals and assists in a game, they are a major contender for the honour.

Great defensive play. On the other hand, there are a lot of times when it’s great defensive play that make the difference in the game you just played. It’s easy to see when a goalie has made a huge difference in a game, but keep a sharp eye on your defence and take note when they are doing all the little things right; a Player of the Game selection will go a long way to reinforcing great defensive skills.

Leadership on the ice. Every team has a tough game once in a while, and there are individuals on each team who can either turn the game around, or set a good example as to how to behave even in tough circumstances. Never overlook your leaders!

Avoid rewarding bad behaviour. Even in the National Hockey League, a player who displays poor behaviour will get overlooked for accolades, even if he can rack up the points. A player who scores a lot but who totally neglects his or her defensive duties or those who bring the rest of the team down because of their attitude, should be passed over as the choice; remember, hockey is a team game!

A nice thing about the Player of the Game award is that you will get a chance to bestow it on most of the players on your team (if not all) over the course of the season. Make sure to watch all the players on your team closely; even if their contribution is not as much as the other players allow them a time to shine when they play above their regular skill level.