where the puck is heading

English

Alternative forms

• where the puck is going

Etymology

An allusion to the sport of ice hockey, attributed to famed player Wayne Gretzky who reported he was taught: “Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.”

Phrase

where the puck is heading

1. (Canada) Where things are headed; to a predicted future state of things.
   • 1991, David W. Conklin, Lucie Deschênes, Canada's Information Revolution, page 45:

     But he also has the uncanny ability to sense where the puck is heading. His opponents merely follow it. If team work and foresight are national characteristics of Canadians, they will be invaluable in our pursuit of victory at the global arena.

   • 2014, Malachi O'Connor, Barry Dornfeld, The Moment You Can't Ignore: When Big Trouble Leads to a Great Future:

     New people are often hired because they bring ideas and skills needed to take a company where the puck is heading, not where it is today.

See also

• hunt where the ducks are