Exploring Different Hockey Positions and Roles (2024)

How well do you know what’s going on when you’re watching a hockey game? With the 2022-23 AHL season coming up quickly, you want to ensure that you know as much as you can before the season starts. If you’re a new fan looking to get tickets to a Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins game this season, one thing you might have questions about are the different positions in hockey. Knowing who’s who and what each player’s responsibilities are on the ice can help you follow along and enjoy the game more.

Let us help you learn a little bit more about the different hockey positions.

How Many Players Are on the Ice?

There are six positions in hockey, so each team will have six players on the ice. This means there will be no more than 12 players total playing on the ice at one time. The six positions in hockey are the goalie, right winger, left winger, center, right defenseman and left defenseman.

Hockey Positions

Goalie

Goalies are likely the position you’re most familiar with, and it’s easy to understand what their role on the ice is. Of course, goalies aim to block the puck from entering the net. As the goalie’s job is to defend the net, you’ll rarely see them leave their position during a game. It’s also easy to identify a goalie, as they have additional gear to protect them from the puck.

Right and Left Wingers

There are two wingers on each team, one responsible for the right side of the rink and one for the left side. Wingers are considered forwards and are responsible for scoring most of the goals, along with centers. However, wingers are also required to play defense when needed, so you can often see them traveling up and down the ice to either defend their goal or score against the other team. Right-wingers tend to be right-handed, while left-wingers are often left-handed, although this isn’t always necessary.

Center

Another forward, centers have similar responsibilities to wingers. As the name states, centers take the center position on the rink. Like wingers, centers are responsible for scoring many of the goals and can play in the offensive and defensive zones. Centers are also typically responsible for faceoffs.

Right and Left Defensem*n

Like wingers, there are two defensem*n on each team who are each responsible for their own side of the rink. However, unlike wingers, defensem*n don’t travel as much up and down the rink. Their main responsibility is to help defend their goal, along with the goalie, which requires them to typically stay in the defensive zone. Defensem*n could help play offense, although they don’t often go too far into the offensive zone.

Get Tickets for October 15th Today!

Now that you know a little bit more about what to expect from a hockey game, you don’t want to miss your chance to get tickets for the first AHL game of the 2022-23 season. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins are having our first game of the season on October 15th against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Tickets are available for the first game and the rest of the season, get yours today!

Exploring Different Hockey Positions and Roles (2024)

FAQs

How to know what position to play in hockey? ›

If the puck just seems to find you a lot, consider being a wing or center. If you can instantly recognize when you have an offensive advantage; if you have the drive to out-hustle and out-think the other team—and let's not forget: if you love to put the puck in the net—wing may be your position.

Where do you put your weakest player in hockey? ›

Hockey CoachCoach

There are many answers and possibilities, from my experiences here are some ideas. - Weaker defense or midfielders on the right side (forehand techniques). - Weaker attack player on the left side, more attacks go over the right side and as attacker it is easier to score from the left side.

What does f mean in hockey? ›

F. Forward. Any centers, left wingers, or right wingers. D. Defenseman.

How many roles are there in hockey? ›

This means there will be no more than 12 players total playing on the ice at one time. The six positions in hockey are the goalie, right winger, left winger, center, right defenseman and left defenseman.

What do you call an attacker in hockey? ›

Wingers are attackers in hockey, but also know how to defend the puck. The forwards playing on the left or right side of the ice and are referred to as the left winger and right winger. This means that the right wing forward plays primarily on the right side of the field, the left wing forward on the left.

Does it matter where you sit at a hockey game? ›

Where are the best seats at a hockey game? The best seats at a hockey game are located in the lower bowl in the middle of the ice. This location offers the perfect vantage point for seeing the whole game play out.

What player is considered to have the most difficult job on the team floor hockey? ›

The Goalkeeper has the most difficult job on a hockey floor team. The goalie uses his hands, feet or stick to stop shots from going in the net. Goaltending requires alertness, quickness and courage.

Where should a winger play in hockey? ›

Winger, in the game of ice hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is along the outer playing areas. They typically flank the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink.

Where should your dominant hand be in hockey? ›

Right handed hockey players should use a left hockey stick and left handed players should use a right hockey stick. The hand situated at the top of the hockey stick exerts a greater degree of control and accuracy, making the dominant hand the logical choice; therefore, most Americans are using the wrong handed stick.

Why is 99 not allowed in hockey? ›

99 – The Great One

There is not much to say there, it is a sacred hockey number. Unless you are the Great One, this number is completely off limits to any hockey player anywhere in the known universe.

What does 99 mean in hockey? ›

Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired league-wide in 2000; Gretzky's former teams the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings also separately retired his number. As of April 2024, only the Winnipeg Jets have no retired numbers.

What does "gf" mean in hockey? ›

GF – Goals for – Number of goals the team has scored. GA – Goals against – Number of goals scored against the team. OTW – Overtime Win. SOW – Shoot Out Win. ROW – Regulation plus Overtime Wins, not including shootouts.

What is a hockey player called? ›

The six players on each team are typically divided into three forwards, two defencemen, and one goaltender. The term skaters typically applies to all players except goaltenders. The forward positions consist of a centre and two wingers: a left wing and a right wing.

What is a goalkeeper called in ice hockey? ›

In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring.

What does the term "bully" mean in hockey? ›

The term “bully” refers to a method used. by two opposing players to restart play. Once the ball is in play, it must be hit or touched by an attacking player's stick. within the striking circle of the goal cage so that the attacking team can score a goal or one point.

How do you know if you are left or right handed in hockey? ›

Typically, a hockey stick is held with two hands like a shovel. The hockey stick gets its right or left hand designation from which hand is closest to the blade of the stick. The hand on the top end of the stick should be your stronger, or dominant hand.

Where does a winger play in hockey? ›

A wing in hockey will usually stay on one side of the ice. It may seem obvious, but a right winger will play the right side of the ice sheet and the left winger will play the left side. The wingers will remain on their respective side of the rink whether they're playing offense or defense.

How to play forward in hockey for beginners? ›

Here are some tips to help hockey players work on their forward stride and be a more efficient forward skater.
  1. Tip #1 - Keep your head square.
  2. Tip #2 - Arms should not swing across your body. ...
  3. Tip #3 - Keep hips square when you extend.
  4. Tip #4 - Straight line skating.

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