when I play, I always get my Angles Attribute to like 75-95 almost, within like 3-5 seasons and into being drafted , another thing that comes in handy is goalie screens attribute and Recovery Attribute , what else is there the Puck Playing Attribute is must and passing, once u are into 2-3 season, i suggest upping the passing and recovery and screens and angles, now and make sure u skate alot and tone your body too alot, yah u will have ups and downs, but once u get to NHL its smooth ride.
now i play hybrid style (used to play butterfly)
make sure u unlock all traits too within the game, i probably spent 1-2 seasons unlocking all treats, first season is always rough its tough grind (cause no attributes traits unlocked), one more tip to do is unlock all endurance traits and durability and stuff and then skating and then for special skills put them on deflections save ability, then begin work on all traits, recovery 80-82 and glove and high stick 80-82 is must, rebounds 79-80, in-order to survive the NHL, but make sure u unlock all endurance and durability first, cause u will get injured and loose stamina in-games, so make sure u cover puck alot to heal tired team mates.
puck playing is good thing too, make sure come out and pass to teammates, help builds passing and puck handling attribute.
now for poke checking , this one is hard to level, cause game so fast paced, but when right time to poke check, i'd poke check, I always leave this one too level last.