Hockey Essentials vs. Elite Hockey Group

Describing Thomas Zocco can be a unique description journey because I think both the way he thrives and is held back is a little unique compared to his fellow 2006-born players. He’s a very compact and strong player who thrives off confidence and puck control. I find he really under handles the puck all the time. While others are stickhandling to their reach and trying to zig-zag all the time, Zocco doesn’t reach into his bag of skating or stick tricks until he really needs them. If you let him just keep the puck in front of him and skate a pure north-south skating path, he would. He’s got a lot of core power, great snap wrist accuracy and strength, and can attack you by himself or with space and teammates off the rush. His skating stride can certainly become lengthened and he could try to use more of his reach at times to widen shot angles but these are certainly nit-picks towards a player who always finds ways to thrive.

Hockey Essentials vs. Windy City Storm
There aren’t too many players who command the puck with a presence like Zocco does. When pushing into the zones, he doesn't expend any more energy than he needs to until he weaves back and forth and shifts laterally back and forth. Despite not having a high end reach or lankiness to him, he is always changing the angle of the puck on his attack and making sure it stays in a wheelhouse where he can shoot with power. He found himself with a few end-to-end rushes and does a great job of both pushing the pace and keeping enough distance between defenders so he can still pass or release. He is a player who is at his best in motion. If you can find ways to slow him or get him stationary, it is harder for him to explode out of that coverage to get enough space to use his creativity. A high-end moment was the first goal of the game when he found himself in front with the puck alone. He did not overreact, waited for the goaltender to compensate and then tucked it in off the backhand. Scored both goals in the win.

The imposing forward has the unique blend of both power and skill. At 5’10 and 170 pounds, Zocco uses his big body to win puck battles and create space to release his heavy shot. His compete level is through the roof and he is strong in is own end especially down low along the walls. Zocco is more than just a north/south power forward though, as he thinks the game at a high level and makes those he plays with better. His combination of size and IQ allowed him to compete and excel to the tune of nearly 2 points per game as an underage player with the U15 North Jersey Avalanche this past season.