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Talk hockey like the pro’s or just sound like one! From A to Z you’ll find this to be a great resource for all youth players, hockey moms and dads and fans of the great game of hockey! Dazzle your coaches and friends with your hockey knowledge or understand what the announcer is really saying when you’re watching your next Bruins game. Game On!
“A” – Abbreviation for assist. One point is awarded to the last man to handle the puck immediately preceding the goals. There is a maximum of two assists per goal
Assist - A pass or the last two passes which immediately precede a goal
Attacking Zone - When you are on the attack, your attacking zone is between your opponent's blue line and the goal line
Back check - This is when a player attempts to check or harass a person of the opposite team as they are reentering their defensive zone. Forwards in their offensive zone skate back quickly to their own defensive zone to protect their goal and keep the opponent from shooting
Bench Penalty – The removal of a player from the game for two minutes following a breach of the rules. Any player of the team may serve the penalty (except a goaltender).
Blind Pass - A pass made without first looking up to see to whom the puck is going to be passed.
Blue Line - There are 2 thick solid blue lines that are located between the centerline and the goal lines. These lines are used for offside calls.
Blueliner - Another name for a defenseman. It's derived from defensemen lining up on the blue line to start a game, playing near the blue line in the offensive zone and protecting the defensive blue line against opposing forwards.
Blocker - A goalie's glove that goes on the hand that holds the stick
Board Checking -The body checking, crosschecking, elbowing, charging, or tripping of an opponent in such a way that he is thrown violently into the boards. This is also known as boarding. It can incur a penalty if done illegally. Also known as Boarding
Boards - These are the wooden boards, which completely surround the ice surface.
Body Check - It is a legal type of hit where one player hits another player on the opposite team with either his shoulder or hip (no elbows or forearms) with the intent on knocking him down to cause a turnover.
Box - A defensive alignment often used by a team defending against a power play
Breakaway - An offensive rush in which the player carrying the puck moves past all of the other teams defenseman and has a clear shot on the goaltender.
Breakout - The play used by the attacking team to move the puck out of it's own zone and up the ice toward the opponent's goal.
Center - The middle of the three attacking players, who are "forwards".
Center Red Line -The line that divides the ice in half. The circle on the red line is referred to as center ice.
Center Line - It is the thick broken red line that divides the ice surface completely in half and is used for icings and the 2 line offside.
Charging - Taking more than three strides before deliberately checking an opponent.
Changing on the Fly - When players from the bench substitute for players on the ice, while the clock is running.
Checking - It order to get the puck legally away from an opposition player you can either poke the puck off his stick (Poke Check), skate up beside him and lift his stick up and take the puck away with your stick or body check him off the puck.
Circle - There are 5 circles on the ice surface with 1 in the neutral zone and the other 4 located at both ends. All these circles have a dot in the middle (puck drops on) and places where players have to put their skates.
Clearing the Puck - When the puck is passed, knocked, or shot away from the front of the goal net or other areas.
Covering - Sticking close to an attacker thus preventing him from breaking away.
Crosschecking - Holding a stick with both hands to check an opponent by using the shaft of the stick with no part of the stick on the ice. It incurs a penalty.
Crease - This area is shaded in blue and is located on the goal lines just in front of the hockey nets. Opposition players are not supposed to go through this area.
Curve - This usually refers to a player’s blade on their stick. Hockey sticks can either have a straight or curved blade.
Defending Zone - Area inside blue line when opponents attack.
Defensemen - Two defensemen usually try to stop the opponent’s play at his or her own blue line. The defensemen block shots and also clear the puck from in front of their goal. Offensively, defensemen take the puck up the ice or pass the puck ahead to the forwards; they then follow the play into the attacking zone and help keep it there.
Deke - A deke is a fake by a player in possession of the puck in order to get around the opponent or to make a goalie move out of position. To deke, you move the puck or a part of your body to one side and then in the opposite direction. ("Deke" is taken from "decoy")
Delayed off-side - In this situation, an attacking player has preceded the puck into the offensive zone (normally a case for off-side), but the defending team has gained possession of the puck and can bring it out of their defensive zone without any delay or contact with an opposing player.
Dig - To attempt to win possession of the puck in the corners of the rink.
Dive - When a player exaggerates being hooked or tripped in an attempt to draw a penalty.
Draw - The act of successfully getting the puck to a teammate at a face-off.
Dump & Chase - A style of hockey where a team shoots the puck into one of the corners of the offensive zone and then pursues it. This is opposed to carrying the puck into the zone.
Elbowing... Using the elbow to impede or disrupt the opponent.
Empty Net Goal... A goal scored against an opponent that has pulled the goalie from the crease to add an extra attacker.
Face-Off - The dropping of the puck between two players, one from each team. It marks the start of play. Initial face-offs take place at center ice, and a referee always drops the puck.
Five Hole - The area where a shooter would attempt to score between a goalie's pads.
Flip Pass - A pass in which the puck is lifted so that it goes over an opponent or his stick.
Flat pass - A pass where the puck remains on the surface of the ice.
Flex - Hockey sticks come in different degrees of flex - medium, stiff, and extra stiff. A stronger player, who hits more powerful shots, usually wants a stiffer stick.
Fore Checking - Forwards fore check by hurrying into the opponent's defensive zone to either keep the puck there or take it away.
Freeze the Puck - To hold the puck against the boards with either your stick or your skate in order to stop play.
"G" - An abbreviation for "goals"
"GP" - An abbreviation for "games played"
Game suspension - When a player, coach, or manager receives a game suspension, that person can't participate in the next scheduled game.
Goal - A goal is called when the puck completely crosses over the goal line.
Goal Line(s) - There are 2 thin red goal lines located at both ends of the rink and are used for icings and goals. The hockey nets sit right on this line in the middle.
Glass - It is the Plexiglas that sits on top of the boards and which completely surrounds the ice surface. Most new arenas use seamless glass, which don't need metal dividers.
Glove - Goaltender wears this on non-stick hand.
Goal Cage - Usually referred to as the net, it's 6 ft wide and 4ft high.
Goal Judge - Official who signals when goal is scored by turning on goal - or red - light
Goaltender - This player’s job is to keep the puck out of his team's net. He can use any part of his body or any piece of his equipment to do so and is allowed to catch or smother the puck.
Hat Trick - Three goals by one player in a single game is called a hat trick. This is usually followed by fans throwing their hats on the ice (not mandatory).
Heel of the Stick - The part of the stick between the straight part of the shaft and the flat part of the bottom of the blade.
High-sticking - Carrying the stick above the shoulder to use against the opponent.
Hip Check - It is a legal type of hit where one player will hit an opposition player carrying the puck by sticking out his hip (bum) and connecting with his opponents hip.
Holding - Using your hands on an opponent or the opponent's equipment to impede your opponent's progress.
Hooking - Applying the blade of the stick to any part of an opponent's body or stick and pulling or tugging with the stick in order to disrupt that opponent.
Icings - It is when the puck leaves the attacking players stick before it touches the centerline and after it crosses over the other teams goal line. Some icings are waved off because the defending player could have stopped the puck because it was moving slowly.
Icing the Puck - Intentionally shooting the puck down the length of the ice, from behind the centerline to over the opponent's goal line. It usually causes a stoppage in play unless the team icing the puck is on a power play.
Injury potential penalties - Injury potential penalties include checking from behind, head butting, spearing, boarding, charging, cross checking, elbowing, kneeing, high-sticking, hold the face mask, slashing and roughing. A linesman may report these infractions occurring behind the play to the referee (following the next stoppage of play) if the referee did not see them.
Interference - Making body contact with an opponent who does not have possession of the puck. Interference is also called when a player is standing in the crease or otherwise making contact with the goaltender.
Kicked Goal - A goal kicked into the opponent's net intentionally. It is disallowed, unless it is ruled that the puck bounced off of the skate and was not intentionally directed into the goal.
Kneeing - Using the knee in an effort to impede or foul an opponent.
Left Wing - Forward player on the left side.
Linesman - There are 2 linesmen per game. Their duties are dropping the puck at face-offs except at beginning of periods and after goals, calling off side’s, breaking up fights, etc.
Minor Penalty - These are 2-minute penalties in which a player must serve in the box
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Major Penalty - These are 5-minute penalties in which the player must serve in the box.
Match penalty - These are 5-minute penalties and a game misconduct. Another player must serve out the 5 minutes in the penalty box.
Misconduct - Players can receive a 10 or game misconduct.
Natural Hat Trick - Three or more goals scored in consecutive shots by the same player.
Neutral Zone - This is the area between the blue lines. Also called center ice.
Neutral Zone Trap - This is a type of team defense that will see 4 players on the defending team in the neutral zone and 1 player fore-checking in the opposition zone.
Obstruction Penalty - An obstruction penalty will be assessed for holding, holding the opponent's stick, hooking, interference and tripping infractions which occur away from the puck carrier. The penalty will be announced as, "two minutes for obstruction holding."
Offensive Zone - The part of the playing area, which houses your opponent's goal.
Off-ice (minor) official - These officials include the official scorer, game timekeeper, penalty timekeeper, and the two goal judges. The referee has full control of all game officials and final decision.
Offside - It is when a player from the attacking team crosses completely over the defending teams blue line just before the puck crosses over the blue line. The puck must cross over blue line first.
One Timer or One Timed It - This is when a player redirects a pass, usually a shot on goal, without stopping the puck to first shoot. It is called one timing the puck
Penalty - A penalty is awarded if a player or team official breaches any rules. The form the penalty takes varies according to the severity of the offense. . A penalty can be 2,4,5 minutes and 10 or game misconducts.
Penalty Box - This is where players have to go when serving out a penalty or misconduct.
Penalty Shot - When one player pulls down another player who was on a breakaway or when a goalie throws his stick in order to make a save will usually get called for the penalty shot.
Penalty Killing - When one team is on the power play the other team is penalty killing. There are usually special players that play on the power play and penalty kill.
Pipe(s) - Goalposts.
"PIM" - An abbreviation for "penalties in minutes" (penalty minutes accumulated).
Poke check - Trying to knock the puck away from an opponent by stabbing at it with the blade of the stick.
Possession of the puck - The last player or goalie to make contact with the puck is the one who has possession.
Power Play - A power play occurs when one team has a one or two-man advantage, when members of the other team are serving penalties.
"Pts." - An abbreviation for "total points".
Pull the Goalie - Replacing the goaltender with an extra attacker. This is usually done when the game is nearing the end of the third period and one team is losing (usually by one goal) in the final few minutes. It is done in the hopes that the extra attacker will give them the losing team the edge they need to score the tying goal.
Period - There are three 20 minutes period and two15 intermissions in a hockey game. Times of a game (periods and intermissions) vary according to age of player.
Point(s) - Goals, first assists and sometimes second assists on a goal are worth one point each.
Power Play Goal - When a team scores a goal while there on a power play.
Puck - It is the small black circular biscuit that is made out of rubber. Players can pass, shoot and score with the puck. Pucks must be frozen before being used.
Red line. - The line that divides the rink into two equal parts. This area is center ice.
Referee - The referee supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines if goals are scored, and handles face-offs at center ice at the start of each period and after goals. The referee has the final decision over all of the officials. Most youth games have 2 referees.
Roughing - Engaging in fisticuffs (fighting) or shoving.
Rink - This usually means the ice, boards and glass. The rink dimensions are 200 ft by 85 ft.
Right Defenseman - The player who plays on the right side of the defense.
Rushing - A combined attack by some or all players of the team in possession of the puck.
Save - A shot blocked by the goalie - a shot that otherwise would have gone into the net!
Screen Shot - Occurs when players between the shooter and the goalie block the goaltender’s view.
Shadow - When a player covers an opponent one-on-one everywhere on the ice in order to limit the effectiveness of this opponent.
Shorthanded - A shorthanded team is below the numerical strength of its opponents on the ice. When a goal is scored against a shorthanded team, the penalty that caused the team scored against to be shorthanded is terminated, and both teams are again at equal strength.
Shorthanded Goal - When a team is scores a goal while killing a penalty.
Slap Shot – A shot on goal which the player takes a big back swing with his stick then follows through by slapping the puck off the ice and creating a big follow through.
Slashing - When a player swings the stick at an opponent. Slashing merits a penalty, whether contact is made or not. Tapping an opponent's stick is not slashing.
Smothering the puck - When a goalie or other players fall on the puck. Smothering is legal when done by the goalie or accidentally by another player.
Sniper - A player who is a pure goal scorer
Spearing - Poking or attempting to poke an opponent with the tip of the blade of the stick while holding the stick with one or both hands.
Splitting the defense - When a player in possession of the puck goes between two opposing defender while attacking.
Stick checking - Using the stick or its blade to poke or strike an opponent's stick or puck in an attempt get possession of the puck.
Stick handling - A term for carrying the puck along the ice with the stick.
Slot - The area immediately in front of the goal. It is the area from which the most goals are scored and where most of the action takes place.
Stick – The hockey stick is what player's use to pass and shoot the puck. This wooden stick has a long shaft and a straight or curved blade. Shafts can be wood or aluminum.
Sticks may not exceed 56 inches in length. The blade is 1 foot 2 ½ inches in length and 3 inches wide. The handle is one piece with a lamented blade attached to it. The blade of a goaltender's stick is 1 foot by 2 ½ inches in length and 3 ½ inches wide. The handle varies according to the net minder’s height and reach.
Sweater - A term used to designate a hockey jersey.
Sweep check - Using the entire length of the stick with a sweeping motion along the surface of the ice in order to dislodge the puck from an opponent. A team that is shorthanded on a power play often employs a sweep check.
Team Official - Any person involved with the operation of a team. He may be the team director, manager, trainer, coach or even kit man.
Trap - Formations designed to keep other teams from scoring.
Tripping - Using a stick, arm, or leg to cause an opponent to trip or fall.
Turnover - Just as in basketball or football, you can make a turnover in hockey by losing control of the puck to the opposing team.
Wall - See boards
Wings - The left wing and the right wing (also known as forwards) move up and down the sides of the rink. Offensively, they skate on each side of the center, exchanging passes with him, while trying themselves for a shot on goal and/or a rebound of a shot from the point. Defensively, they watch the opponent's wings.
Wraparound - When a player skates around the opposing goal and attempts to wrap the puck around the goal post under the goalie.
Wrist Shot - It is a type of shot which the player has to slide the blade of the stick on the ice usually starting behind his body with the puck than following through and snapping his wrists at the end in order to raise and get speed on the puck. Very accurate shot.
Zamboni - It is a machine that is used to resurface the ice. The front part of this machine actually scrapes away damaged ice usually 1 / 8 inch down or so than the back part of the machine releases hot water which is smoothed out using it's squeegee. Top speed around 5 mph. Generic name for this machine is an ice resurfacer.
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