30 Must-Know Ice Hockey Terms, Phrases and Slang

Slap on your skates and prepare for a wild ride on the ice!

Hockey isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s a language all its own.

From the slick ‘deke’ to the thrilling ‘hat trick,’ mastering these 30 icy terms will make you the MVP of hockey chatter.

Lace up, it’s game time!

Must-Know Ice Hockey Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Assist
2. Body check
3. Breakaway
4. Face-off
5. Hat trick
6. Icing
7. Power play
8. Penalty box
9. Slapshot
10. Stick handling
11. Winger
12. Zamboni
13. Blue line
14. Boarding
15. Cross-check
16. Deke
17. Empty net
18. Forecheck
19. Goalie pull
20. Line change
21. Offside
22. Poke check
23. Puck handler
24. Shorthanded
25. Snap shot
26. Sudden death
27. Top shelf
28. Wrist shot
29. Checking from behind
30. Crease

#1 Assist

An assist is awarded to a player who passes the puck directly to a teammate in a way that leads to a goal. It highlights the importance of teamwork and the ability to set up scoring opportunities.

#2 Body check

A body check is a defensive play where a player uses their body to hit an opponent in possession of the puck to disrupt their play. It’s a physical aspect of hockey designed to regain control of the puck.

#3 Breakaway

A breakaway occurs when a player gains possession of the puck with no defenders between them and the opposing goalie. It’s a prime scoring opportunity that often leads to an exciting one-on-one showdown.

#4 Face-off

A face-off is used to start play at the beginning of periods and after stoppages, where two opposing players compete to gain control of the puck dropped by a referee. It’s a crucial part of the game for possession.

#5 Hat trick

A hat trick happens when a player scores three goals in a single game. It’s a significant achievement that showcases a player’s scoring ability and is often celebrated by fans throwing hats onto the ice.

#6 Icing

Icing is called when a player shoots the puck across both the red line and the opposing team’s goal line without it being touched. It leads to a stoppage of play and a face-off in the offending team’s zone.

#7 Power play

A situation in ice hockey where one team has a numerical advantage due to a penalty against the opposing team. During a power play, the team with more players on the ice has a higher chance of scoring due to less defensive pressure.

#8 Penalty Box

A designated area off the ice where players must sit to serve time for penalties. Players in the penalty box are temporarily excluded from play, creating a manpower disadvantage for their team.

#9 Slapshot

A powerful, wind-up shot where the player slams the stick against the ice just before hitting the puck to generate maximum force. It’s a crowd-pleaser known for its speed and potential to surprise goalies.

#10 Stickhandling

The skill of manipulating and controlling the puck on the ice with one’s stick, showcasing a player’s agility and finesse. Good stickhandling can evade opponents and create scoring opportunities.

#11 Winger

A forward position player located on the left or right side of the ice, responsible for scoring goals, assisting plays, and providing defense on the sides. Wingers work with center players to create offensive pressure.

#12 Zamboni

The iconic machine used to resurface ice between periods, named after its inventor Frank Zamboni. It ensures a smooth, even playing surface crucial for fair and safe play.

#13 Blue Line

The two lines that divide the ice into three zones: defensive, neutral, and offensive. The position of the puck relative to these lines determines offside plays and influences teams’ strategies.

#14 Boarding

A penalty called when a player pushes, trips, or checks an opponent violently into the boards. It’s considered a dangerous play and can lead to serious injury, resulting in a penalty.

#15 Cross-check

A penalty in ice hockey where a player uses the shaft of the stick held with both hands to hit an opponent. This action is illegal and often results in a penalty, leading to a power play for the other team.

#16 Deke

A maneuver by a puck handler to trick a defender or goalie with a fake move. Dekes can involve quick directional changes, stick handling, or body movements to evade opponents and create scoring opportunities.

#17 Empty Net

An ’empty net’ situation occurs when a team removes its goalie for an extra attacker, usually to try to score during a trail late in the game. It’s a high-risk strategy that can leave the net vulnerable to opponent scoring.

#18 Forecheck

Forechecking is an aggressive strategy where players apply pressure to the opposition in their defensive zone to regain puck control. It’s a way to create turnovers and keep the offense going by hindering the opposing team’s breakout.

#19 Goalie Pull

A goalie pull is a tactical move by a team to remove their goaltender for an extra skater, typically done during a game’s final moments when trailing. It’s a desperate measure to increase offensive manpower at the risk of leaving the net unguarded.

#20 Line Change

A line change is when a group (or line) of players on the ice is substituted for fresh players during play. It’s a crucial element of hockey strategy to maintain energy and optimize player matchups.

#21 Offside

An offside in hockey occurs when a player enters the offensive zone before the puck crosses the blue line. It’s a rule to ensure fair play and to prevent the offensive team from gaining an undue advantage by positioning players too early.

#22 Poke Check

A defensive technique where a player uses the reach of their stick to knock the puck away from an opponent. This move is used to disrupt an opponent’s control of the puck without significant physical contact.

#23 Puck Handler

A player who is currently in control of the puck, managing its movement across the ice. Effective puck handlers are skilled at maneuvering through defenders and setting up plays or shots.

#24 Shorthanded

A situation where a team has fewer players on the ice than their opponents, usually due to one or more players serving time for penalties. A critical test of defensive skill and teamwork until full strength is restored.

#25 Snap Shot

A quick and deceptive release shot where the player uses a snapping motion to combine the speed of a slapshot with the accuracy of a wrist shot. Effective in surprising goalies and scoring from mid-range.

#26 Sudden Death

An overtime format where the first team to score a goal wins the game immediately. Also known as “golden goal,” it heightens the intensity as every shot could potentially end the match.

#27 Top Shelf

Refers to scoring a goal in the upper part of the net, just below the crossbar, often deemed hard for goalies to defend. A skilled shooter’s delight to lift the puck “where mama hides the cookies.”

#28 Wrist Shot

A type of shot that is executed using a strong, sweeping motion with the wrists, emphasizing precision and control. It’s a common and effective shooting technique to outmaneuver the goaltender.

#29 Checking from Behind

A dangerous and illegal play where a player hits an opponent from behind, into the boards. This action carries a high risk of injury and is often met with significant penalties.

#30 Crease

The marked area in front of each goal, primarily to protect the goaltender. Offensive players are not allowed to enter the crease with the puck unless it has already entered that area, helping to prevent undue interference with the goalie.

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