Tommy, Tommy, Tommy! Oh how much you still have to learn Padwon!

You are right to a certain degree in that determination is a great asset in hockey and one that is very hard to teach people. To have the psycological edge can take you a long way. Knowing that you'll never give up or feeling that you can beat any player is a big benefit.

I know a lot of people, normally at a club level, who always panic when they come up against a certain class of player (normally international reps). When asking them about it they say "I can never beat them, they are so much better than me". I've then tried to get them to not think who the opposition players are and that they are just 6 people. They are amazed when they finally get this in their head that they take this player on a beat them once and awhile.

Unfortunately if the body can't keep up with the mind you are in trouble. If you can get mind and body to the right level you'll see the results in your game.