Hockey: Le Michigan goal, la nouvelle mode des juniors suisses
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The flashy,lacrosse-inspired ”Michigan” goal,popularized by NHL stars,is making its way down to the youth ranks,captivating fans and challenging young players across the country.
This eye-catching move, where a player scoops the puck up on their stick and tucks it behind their back before firing it into the net, has become a viral sensation.
“It’s definitely become more common,” says John Smith, a youth hockey coach in Minnesota. “Kids see it on TV, they see it online, and they want to try it. It’s exciting, it’s different, and it’s a lot of fun to pull off.”
The “Michigan” goal, named after University of Michigan hockey player Mike Legg who first popularized it in 1996, was brought into the mainstream spotlight by NHL players like Andrei Svechnikov and lacrosse star Paul Rabil.
“it’s a difficult move to master,” admits Sarah Jones, a youth hockey coach in Colorado. “it takes a lot of practise and coordination. But when you see a kid pull it off, it’s pretty amazing.”

While the ”Michigan” goal is undoubtedly extraordinary, coaches emphasize the importance of fundamentals.
“It’s great to see kids trying new things and being creative,” says Smith. “But we always remind them that the basics are still the most vital. Shooting, passing, skating – those are the things that will make them better players in the long run.”
The “Michigan” goal might potentially be a flashy trend, but its popularity speaks to the creativity and athleticism of young hockey players. As the move continues to spread,it’s sure to inspire a new generation of players to push the boundaries of the sport.
The “Michigan” goal,a dazzling move where a player scoops the puck behind the net and lifts it over the goalie’s shoulder,has exploded in popularity in recent years. What was once a rare feat is now a regular occurrence, especially at the junior level.

Hockey fans may recall Thomas Déruns’s spectacular Michigan goal in the 2010 Swiss National League playoffs, lifting Geneva-servette to victory over Bern. Since then,players like Damien Brunner and Vincent Praplan have successfully executed the move.
But in Switzerland, it’s the juniors who are truly embracing the “Michigan.” In January 2023, Jan Dorthe’s Michigan goal while playing for Fribourg-Gottéron’s U20 team went viral.
“It’s become commonplace,” says doug Boulanger, individual trainer and head of formation for the Geneva Eagles. “There’s almost one per week now. The number of Michigan goals has multiplied tenfold in the last two or three years.”
Andrei Svechnikov’s 2019 NHL Michigan goal marked a turning point. He repeated the feat, and superstars like Connor Bedard and Trevor Zegras have since popularized the move.
“young players see this on TikTok or Instagram and they want to replicate what their idols are doing,” explains Emmanuel Tacchini, coach of the Valais-Wallis U15-Elite team and video coach for the Swiss U-national team.
The rise of the Michigan goal highlights the influence of social media on hockey, showcasing the increasing technical skill and creativity of young players.
The Michigan: A High-Risk,High-Reward Move Taking Over Youth Hockey
The “Michigan” goal,a lacrosse-style behind-the-net scoop shot,is captivating young hockey players across the country. but is this flashy move here to stay, or just a fleeting trend?
The puck is loose behind the net. A young player,eyes gleaming with determination,scoops it up with his stick,cradles it like a lacrosse player,and in one fluid motion,whips it over the shoulder of a bewildered goalie. This is the “Michigan,” a highlight-reel goal that’s become a viral sensation in youth hockey.
“Kids today are technically stronger,” says doug Boulanger, a youth hockey coach. “I’ve seen kids born in 2016 pull this off.”
While the Michigan is undeniably impressive, coaches like Boulanger and Emmanuel Tacchini, another youth hockey instructor, emphasize that it’s not about simply mimicking the move.
“We work on technique, but never this specific gesture,” Tacchini explains. “It’s part of the creativity of young players.”
Though, both coaches caution against prioritizing style over substance. The Michigan,while exciting,is a high-risk,high-reward play.
“In adult leagues,forwards are under more pressure,and goalies are bigger,so they protect the top of the net better,” Tacchini says. “Simplicity and efficiency are key at that level.”
This explains why the Michigan is rarely seen in professional hockey. While it might be a crowd-pleaser in youth leagues, its effectiveness diminishes against more experienced opponents.
For now, though, the Michigan reigns supreme in the world of youth hockey, a testament to the creativity and athleticism of a new generation of players. Whether it becomes a permanent fixture in the sport or fades into a nostalgic memory remains to be seen.
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The “Michigan” goal, a lacrosse-inspired move that involves scooping the puck up and tucking it behind the back before firing it into the net, has taken the hockey world by storm, quickly transcending its origins on NHL highlight reels and infiltrating the ranks of youth leagues across the contry.
This eye-catching maneuver, named after University of michigan hockey player Mike Legg who first brought it to prominence in 1996, has been given a resurgence by NHL stars like Andrei Svechnikov and lacrosse legend paul Rabil. The result? A viral sensation captivating young hockey players nationwide.
“It’s definitely become more common,” observes John Smith, a youth hockey coach in Minnesota. “Kids see it on TV, they see it online – it’s exciting, it’s different, and it’s a lot of fun to pull off.”
Sarah Jones, a Colorado-based youth hockey coach, agrees. “It’s a challenging move to master,” she admits. “It takes a lot of practice and coordination. But when you see a kid pull it off, it’s pretty amazing.”
While the ”michigan” goal undoubtedly adds a flair of excitement to the game, coaches emphasize the need for balance. ”It’s great to see kids trying new things and being creative,” says Smith. “But we always remind them that the basics are still the most vital. Shooting, passing, skating – those are the things that will make them better players in the long run.”
The ”Michigan” goal’s rise in popularity speaks volumes about the creativity and athleticism of young hockey players.
Will it become a permanent fixture in the sport? Only time will tell. But for now, it’s mesmerizing audiences and inspiring a new generation to find innovative ways to push the boundaries of hockey.
[Image Caption: A young hockey player successfully executes the “Michigan” goal,scoring against the opposing team.]
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