When you are creating a player (not a goalie) set all of his skills to 81. When your player is picked some of his skills will exceed 90! For a good overall player, try these settings:
At the setup screen, press A + B + C + Start to access the Renegade and EA Sports teams. You'll need to enter this code every time you want to use these teams.
Choose Computer Goalie
Need some assistance? This trick lets you pick the computer's goalie. When you reach the screen before the face-off, use Controller Two to select the computer's goalie. You can even pick no goalie and leave your opponent helpless!
Easy Goals
When you are at your opponent's blue line and at the corner, shoot and hold to aim for short side.
Edit Other Team
If you are the home team, you can edit the other teams lines. All you do is use the second controller just before the game and you can edit lines as well as change the goalie.
Short Periods
Hold A + C + Start at the Team Selection screen and don't let go unto the face-off.
Signature Moves
To create a player with a signature move, find a team with a member that has the move you want. Make your player have the same number. When you are done sign him to that team and he should be one number higher or lower. He will have a signature move as long as he remains on the team.
Whistle Stop
If you need a whistle (ie. need a line change, goalie caught out of the net, one goal lead with 10 seconds left) you can get one by simply calling time out. All you do is press start, scroll down the menu screen and call time out. When you return to the game, the whistle will sound and play will stop.
Better Players...