A Dictionary of Hockey Terms
Player Positions
Goalie (Goaltender)- The player with the most padding and plays closest to the net. The Goalie’s main job is to keep the opposing team from getting the puck into his net. He will pass the puck to other players on his team, but never leaves the area around the net to help them pursue the opposing team’s goal.
Defenseman- Two members of the team that play between the forwards and the goalie. Their main job is to keep the puck from going into their goal and to block shots and block the opposing offensive forwards. When they are on the offense, the defensemen work to get the puck up to the front line and then follow them toward the opposing goal, providing backup if the puck comes back their way.
Wings- The two players on the front line that are on each side of the player in the middle. Mainly an offensive position, the wings work with the center player to set up shots and ultimately attempt to score a goal. When on the Defense, the wings try to disrupt the opposing wings’ plays and gain control of the puck.
Center- The center also resides on the front line, located between the two wings. Center usually carries the puck down toward the opposing goal, leading the attack, and passing off the puck to his wingmen as they try to score a goal. When on defense, the center tries to stop a play and gain control of the puck as the offense heads down the ice to the center’s goal.
Hockey Plays
Offside- A ref calls offside whenever a member of the attacking team crosses the opposition’s blue line before the puck. This stops the play, and a face-off is held in the neutral area.
Offside Pass- A ref calls offside pass (or two-line offside) when the attacking team member passes the puck over his blue line and the red center line to a teammate. The ref stops play, and a face-off is held at the site where the pass began.
Icing- A ref calls icing when a player shoots the puck up the ice from his side of the center line and over the opposing teams goal line, then the puck is touched by a player of the opposite team. A face-off is then held in one of the circles at the offending side.
Penalties
Major- Fighting and any major rough penalties. Sends player to the penalty box for five minutes.
Minor- Most penalties fall under this category. Sends player to the penalty box for two minutes.
Double Minor- Exactly as it sounds – ref calls this when two penalties happen to the same player at the same time. Sends player to the penalty box for four minutes.
Boarding- Body-checking opposing player into the boards.
Charging- Running at a player on the opposing team using more than three steps to build up speed.
Cross Checking- Called when a player checks someone on the opposing team using their stick, with both hands on the stick, and the stick not touching the ice.
Elbowing- Exactly what it sounds like – when a player uses his elbows to block, or otherwise impede an opponent.
High Sticking- Injuring an opponent using the stick carried above the shoulders.
Holding- Clutching or hugging an opponent in order to impede their play.
Hooking- Using the stick to trip an opponent.
Interference- When a player impedes the progress of a player on the opposing team who doesn’t have the puck.
Slashing- Hitting an opposing team member with the stick.
Spearing- Poking at an opposing player; using the stick as a spear.
Tripping- Upsetting an opposing player through use of stick or foot.
Hockey Lingo
Assist- Point awarded to a player for helping to make the goal, but not actually making the shot that ended in a goal. Usually given to the last two men to touch the puck.
Backhand- The puck is brought behind the body and shot from the opposite side that the player normally shoots from. Usually uses a sweeping motion, and is usually used when there’s no time to get the puck to the normal shooting side.
Body-check- Slowing or stopping a player using the body (hip or shoulder). This is legal, and will not result in a penalty, unless the player is checked into the boards.
Crease- The half-circle in front of the goal. Only the goalie may stand here, no players may enter the crease, unless they have control of the puck.
Drop Pass- A player carrying the puck down the ice, drops it back for another teammate to pick up.
Face-off- To start a play, the puck is dropped between two players facing each other. The winner of the face-off gains control of the puck.
Hat Trick- When one player scores three goals in one game.
Texas Hat Trick- When a player scores four or more goals in one game.
Penalty Box- A box located near the red line, but off the ice, where the penalized players spend their penalty time.
Power Play- When a team has more players on the ice than the other team due to a penalty.
Slapshot- A shot where the player brings the stick quickly back, then strikes quickly forward, hitting both the ice and the puck at the same time.
Stick Handling- Carrying the puck along the ice using the stick.
Wrist Shot- Using a flicking motion to shoot the puck.
Hockey Facts
-The puck is made of vulcanized rubber and is frozen for several hours before each game.
-Some slapshooter can get the puck going about 90-100 mph. Some of the hardest slapshooters can get the puck up to speeds of 120 mph.
-Hockey sticks are generally made of wood, with a laminated blade attached. Some players are now using sticks made of graphite or aluminum.
-The ice is only 3/4 of an inch thick, and is kept at a temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit.
