Stars Get Hype—Role Players Get Ice Time

In hockey, it’s easy to get caught up in the highlight reels—the toe drags, top-shelf snipes, and buzzer-beaters. But the truth is, teams don’t win championships with goal scorers alone. Every successful team is built on a foundation of role players—those who do the gritty, unglamorous work that often goes unnoticed but is absolutely essential.

The Myth of the Goal Scorer

Young players often feel pressure to be the one who scores. But not every player is built to be a sniper—and that’s not a bad thing. Hockey is a game of roles, and the players who embrace theirs—whether it’s grinding in the corners, killing penalties, or shutting down top lines—are the ones who make a lasting impact.

Why Role Players Are Essential

Not every player needs to light the lamp. Teams thrive when players embrace roles that complement each other and fill critical gaps. Here’s why these roles matter:

• Penalty Killers – Sacrifice their bodies, block shots, and keep the team alive during tough stretches.
• Agitators – Disrupt the rhythm of the opposition and draw penalties.
• Faceoff Specialists – Win possession in key moments and set the tone for each shift.
• Glue Guys – Bring leadership, energy, and consistency—on and off the ice.
• Defensive Specialists – Excel at shutting down top lines, breaking up plays, and making smart decisions under pressure. Trusted in late-game situations, they lead by example with discipline and positioning.
• Playmakers – Not every playmaker is a scorer. These players see the ice differently, create space, and set up teammates with precision. Their vision and timing drive offensive flow and make everyone around them better.

Each of these roles contributes to the team’s identity. When players embrace their role and execute it with pride, they become the kind of teammate every coach wants—and every winning team needs.

Role Players: The Glue That Holds Teams Together

Some of the most valuable players in the NHL aren’t the ones scoring 40 goals—they’re the ones who show up in the hard minutes, make systems work, and elevate the stars around them. These players are trusted in key situations, relied on in the playoffs, and respected across the league—not just by teammates, but by coaches who know exactly what they bring.

Here are a few standout role players in the NHL right now who define what it means to own your role:

• Ryan O’Reilly (C, Nashville Predators) – A master of the two-way game, known for faceoff dominance, defensive reliability, and leadership. The kind of player you build a playoff team around. O’Reilly’s leadership, faceoff dominance, and defensive reliability make him a cornerstone in any locker room.
  Head coach Andrew Brunette said it best: “He brings everything everywhere. He’s an extremely intelligent player, very cerebral—one of the smartest players in the league on both sides of the puck.” 
• Jaccob Slavin (D, Carolina Hurricanes) – One of the league’s premier shutdown defensemen. Takes on top matchups with elite discipline and consistency. Slavin’s elite shutdown ability and discipline make him one of the most respected defenders in the game.
  After being eliminated by Carolina, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said: “Slavin doesn’t get enough credit… how he’s not in the Norris Trophy conversation every single year doesn’t seem right. He’s one heck of a player.” 
• MacKenzie Weegar (D, Calgary Flames) – Quietly posted 52 points while logging tough defensive minutes. A perfect example of a player who does the dirty work and still contributes offensively. Weegar’s mix of grit, offensive contribution, and defensive awareness is a blueprint for modern two-way play.
  

  Flames head coach Ryan Huska praised Weegar’s journey: “MacKenzie… did it the hard way. All 500 games earned. He’s the kind of guy who makes your team better every night.” 

• Sam Bennett (C, Florida Panthers) – Brings grit, physicality, and clutch performances. Thrives in high-pressure moments and adds edge to every shift. Bennett’s playoff performances and physical edge make him a nightmare to play against and a dream to coach.
  Panthers coach Paul Maurice, known for his humor, joked: “He’s got a horrible attitude… bubonic plague… uncurable.” Then added seriously: “He’s so good all over the ice, but he doesn’t cheat the game for the two goals. He’s under the pucks, doing all the hard, right things. That’s just who he is.”
• Devon Toews (D, Colorado Avalanche) – Often called Cale Makar’s “sidekick,” but he’s a stabilizing force who logs heavy minutes and plays in all situations. Toews is a model of consistency and adaptability, thriving in high-pressure roles and making elite systems work.
  Former coach Barry Trotz once said: “You’re not going to make everybody the same. Coaching is about inequality—you find a way they can contribute with their skill set.” Toews echoed that mindset: “We have a plan every game… and if they throw different things at us, we’ll have different plans for each situation.” 

These quotes aren’t just praise—they’re proof. Coaches value role players because they’re the ones who execute, adapt, and lead without needing the spotlight. They’re the glue that holds championship teams together.

NHL Examples: Longevity Without the Spotlight

Some players built long, respected NHL careers without ever being elite scorers. Here are a few who proved that embracing your role can lead to lasting success:

• Craig Adams – Played over 900 NHL games and won two Stanley Cups. Known for shutdown play, physicality, and leadership.
• Chris Kelly – A key contributor to Boston’s 2011 Cup run. Reliable, clutch, and trusted in all situations.
• Steve Ott – Made a career out of grit, energy, and getting under opponents’ skin.
• Wayne Simmonds – While he could score, his real value came from physical play, net-front presence, and leadership.
• Vinny Prospal – A versatile forward who could play anywhere in the lineup. Adaptability and consistency kept him in the league for years.

These players weren’t the ones you built your fantasy team around—but they were the ones coaches trusted when the game was on the line.

Final Thoughts

Not every player needs to be the goal scorer. In fact, most shouldn’t be. The game needs grinders, leaders, disruptors, and specialists. When players embrace their role and execute it with pride, they become the kind of teammate every coach wants—and every winning team needs.

So if you’re not the one lighting the lamp every night, don’t sweat it. Be the player who does the little things right. Because in hockey, those little things win big games.