Maple Leafs put body movement analytics to the test with prospects

As the Maple Leafs look to open a new era of Toronto hockey, the organization will take a novel approach toward player development. To that end, the Leafs hired Darryl Belfry as a consultant in December. His responsibilities center around evaluating players' skills from an analytics perspective during the year, then using the analytics of body movement to help players improve in their weaker areas during the offseason. 

"What I do is I analyze players’ game habits and then problem solve from a skill development prospective to open up new pathways for them to perform," Belfry told the Leafs' website. 

According to the Maple Leafs' website, Belfry first used the approach personally, as he taught himself to skate by analyzing the body movement of players on Hockey Night In Canada. The approach caught on, and the Maple Leafs' website claims NHL players including Patrick Kane swear by the analytics approach employed by Belfry. 

It will take time to determine whether Belfry's methods are successful, but for a team who needs change in every aspect of the game, the Leafs will welcome any approach to creating that change. 

(h/t Toronto Maple Leafs)

Photo by Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports