When you watch a hockey game, you notice there are 20 minutes between each period. What do the players do between those periods?
Hockey players rest, refuel, and adjust their pads between periods. Because hockey is a heavy contact sport, hockey players’ gear is constantly being altered from its original form and position. Hockey players also take off their skates and cool down between periods.
What do Hockey Players Eat Between Periods?
Playing hockey burns many calories because of the high intensity over short periods of time plus the extra weight in gear players are carrying on the ice. Because the pads and jersey trap body heat close to the body, the player’s internal temperature will rise quickly as well. All these factors play into burning calories quickly and often.
Players eat light snacks between periods, not a heavy recovery meal like they do post-game. They will eat snacks like natural fruit, energy bars, or a small sandwich. There are many options here as the ‘quick energy bar’ market has exploded with many products. Be careful which products you choose, and stick close to natural sugar for some quick boosts.
Players also need to hydrate- no brainier here with the amount of sweat streaming off their bodies. You might think because the rink is cold, players will sweat a little less than other athletes playing outside, but just ask anyone who has played hockey before. It’s hot. Goalies can sweat off 5 pounds or more of water during a game. Hydration is not an option- that is why you see a water bottle on top of the goal. The goalie can grab it at any time and take a drink.
Players always get a little extra jolt when they score a “water bottle goal,” This is where the puck hits the bottle, sending water flying in the air. Here are a few goals with water bottle explosions.
Some helpful ways to stay hydrated are water, a sports drink with a little sugar or these Gatorade Chews that can be found on Amazon. Some people have gone so far as to create a business around hockey snacks. Check out this company in Canada, Hockey Snacks. They will even deliver them to your game!
Do NHL players Change Jerseys Between Periods?
Yes, some NHL players change jerseys between periods. As part of the cooling down process during intermission, players will take skates, jerseys, and pads off to try their best in dry out before having to put everything back on 3 – 4 minutes before the next period starts. Players will hang their jerseys up to dry in their locker. If there is a tear or defect in the jersey, the equipment manager will replace it with a new one. Since the jersey is not touching the skin directly, players are less concerned about it than other equipment.
Since hockey players wear around 20 pieces of equipment, every motion or hit from another player can jar their equipment loose. During the intermission, players are readjusting their equipment to the correct position. As you can imagine, the gear can get pretty uncomfortable if it slips into the wrong position while playing.
The goal for players going back on the ice for the next period is to be as comfortable as possible. At the NHL level, equipment managers will be running around during intermission like crazy trying to help the players out. Although teams carry industrial dryers with them, staff can be seen using a blow dryer for a quick fix during the break.
Do Hockey Players Sharpen Their Skates Between Periods?
The most particular pieces of equipment hockey players care about are their skates and sticks. There is a close tie for first on which piece receives more superstitious rituals. Most players do not get their skates sharpened every period. In the NHL, players will have freshly sharpened skates for every game, but not in between periods.
The closer you get to the best player in the league, the more demands you can make (and rightly so). Sydney Crosby, for example, gets his skates sharpened between every period. Pretty high maintenance if you ask me, but if it puts goals in the back of the net, you bend over backward for one of the most prolific goal scores of our time.
Players know their skates. Having thousands of hours on them over their life, they can feel every edge, every tiny thing that might be slightly off. Goalies are a whole other story, with helping them put on their own equipment, to helping them stretch, to keeping their water bottles full. All their equipment combined encroaches on 50 pounds. That is a ton of weight to wear for an entire game.
How Often do Players Retape Their Sticks?
The beloved hockey stick. If there is any piece of equipment that is shown more love in any sport, please let me know. Just ask any player how often they retape their stick, and they will tell you “not enough.”
Hockey players retape their hockey sticks during intermission. Rarely will a player going an entire period without something happening to their stick. They might not tear all the tape off and start over, but they will do a touch-up job. Every player has a unique way of taping their stick and is very particular about how it is done.
Most people think of the blade of the stick as the only spot with tape on it. The handle (or the very top few inches of the stick), also gets some love from the roll of tape.
Here is a video on how some of the pros tape their sticks.
Baseball players are known for their superstitious activities before and during a game, and hockey players follow quickly behind them with their sticks. There is such a style and identity with players and what their stick looks like.
Everyone in hockey knows there is such a stigma around stick tape jobs, they poked fun at it during an all-star game one year. The NHL went around and interviewed players asking them one simple question about tape jobs.
Who has the Worst Tape Job in the NHL?
How Long is the NHL Intermission?
When looking at the clock after an NHL period is over, it starts at 20 minutes and counts down. In reality, the NHL intermission is 17 minutes. The extra few minutes is for the ice to dry and time for everyone to get off and then back on the ice.
Depending on your league, you may have a little less time. Most breaks are between 15 and 20 minutes long. Most leagues will run the Zamboni to clean the ice and make it safer and quicker for players as they start a new period.
During intermission, the host team will put on a short, funny event at the beginning of the break. If you have ever been to a college-level or higher sporting event, you know they throw out t-shirts or play a funny game during breaks in the action. Hockey does the same type games, but out on the ice. Think human bowling, tiny kids doing a quick shoot out, or playing hungry hippo. The ice element to these games can make it entertaining, but let’s be real- you are probably getting a beer at the concessions during the break.
What do NHL Equipment Managers do?
NHL equipment managers affect the game more than any other equipment manager in sports. Because of the number of pads and equipment every player is carrying, stuff is constantly breaking being damaged. Add the number of pads, the physical contact, and the amount of sweat dripping off these players, and have yourself a very busy staff.
If a basketball player loses a shoe he can grab it really quickly, tie it up, and be back in action. If a hockey player’s lace gets cut, it can be several minutes before the equipment staff can take off the old lace, and replace it with another one.
The job responsibilities are endless. On game days, these staff members are working from 7:00 AM until a few hours after the game is over. Just think about what a hockey bench full of players looks like- someone has to get all that gear (along with backups), on to a plane, and to the next city for another game.
Some players have 2 and 3 pairs of gloves they are constantly switching between and wanting dry every time they put the new ones on. That is one player. Teams will carry 20 to 23 players per game. Not everyone has 3 pairs of gloves in rotation, but you can imagine the amount of equipment they are constantly juggling.
Equipment staff is mostly concerned with the locker room and waiting areas. Prepping the locker room with snacks, towels, everything that goes into each locker, knowing where extra equipment is, washing clothes, and fixing broken equipment are just a few of the job details of an equipment manager.
Hockey players rest, refuel, and adjust their pads between periods. Because hockey is a heavy contact sport, hockey players' gear is constantly being altered from its original form and position. Hockey players also take off their skates and cool down between periods.
Gloves sit on the machine while a blower fan dries them out, so they'll be fresh to use by the time the next period begins. Some players even rotate through gloves during games, allowing them to keep their hands fresh and dry.
Each player also has his own preference as to how often his skates are sharpened. Some players may go a couple of games between sharpenings, while others may even request that their skates are sharpened between periods. Occasionally, a player will even change the depth of his hollow depending on ice conditions.
Each period shall start promptly at the end of the intermission with a face-off conducted at the center ice face-off spot. (b) Three minutes prior to the start of the game and each period, each team shall be notified so they can return to the ice in time to start the game promptly at the conclusion of the intermission.
There are three 20-minute periods in a game with intermissions after the first and second periods. Each intermission lasts 18 minutes during NHL games, but may be shorter in other leagues.
NHL teams have a 17-minute break between periods for televised games, which equates to approximately 15 minutes of downtime when the players are on and off the ice. During this time, players usually take off their jerseys, towel off, and use the restroom.
Some players will take a shower during the intermission to feel revitalized for the upcoming period. Other players choose to meditate, closing their eyes, staying silent and visualizing their success for the remainder of the game.
In recent years NHL teams generally give players 3-4 sets of white and dark jerseys annually, with special sets being introduced for alternate/heritage designs or special games.
They use one new one per game on average -- not every game they get a new one, but they may break a couple in one game, so it averages about 80 or so per year. There are players in the league that'll use three new sticks in a [single] game, but in general, it's about one."
This is a very personal call. Some players will sharpen very frequently, such as every 2-3 hours of ice time, while others go for an entire season without sharpening. If you're unsure of where to start, try getting them sharpened after 10 hours of ice time, and then adjust as you feel is necessary.
If the score remains tied after three periods, the game goes to overtime. Overtime is a five-minute period where the first team to score wins the game. The overtime period is played three-on-three, with each team having three skaters on the ice.
SOG. Shots on goal. This refers to the number of times a player has directed the puck directly at the goal. Also refers to the number of shots on goal faced by a goaltender.
P1 is referring to the first “minor” grading period. P2 would be the second minor period, and so on. Similarly, T1 is referring to the first major grading period.
First, players may tape their stick to protect it from wear, tear, and damage. Secondly, players tape their sticks to change how the stick feels and how the player handles it. Lastly, taping a hockey stick can change the control and interaction between the stick and the puck.
-- Having hotel roommates on road trips used to be standard practice in the NHL until fairly recently. Since the 2013 revision of the collective bargaining agreement, any player not on an entry-level contract is guaranteed their own room on the road.
That's common across the NHL. Players come to the rink on the bus from the hotel, prepare their sticks and make sure their equipment is in order. They get some food and then go through pre-game meetings. For some, their remaining down time is spent kicking the soccer ball around.
WHAT DOES A HOCKEY PLAYER WEAR UNDER ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT? Long shirt and pants that are breathable, typically a moisture wicking material is preferred. The base layer should fit tight and feel comfortable. This layer improves the fit of the pads and helps control body temperature.
Whether you're playing youth hockey or you're just stepping on the ice for your first adult rec league game, you'll need a cup or women's pelvic protector (a “jill”) as part of your standard protective equipment.
Yes. Some NHL players still rip cigarettes in between periods. Allegedly. Minnesota Wild correspondent for The Athletic, Michael Russo, recently conducted a player poll about all the ranging routines NHL players have during period intermissions.
“You're sweating a lot,” said Chris Wagner. “I drink three bottles of water like, the last hour and a half before a game, then we have BioSteel, and I'll usually have a Gatorade for extra electrolytes after the second (period). On the bench, I take a sip after every shift, but don't really notice it.”
"For goalies, you've got the pads on, the chest protector, everything's tied in together. You lace everything together so you can have a good seal so you don't have any other holes. To go to the bathroom, you've got to really push down on the pants as far as you can."
"A lot of guys switch [their gloves] at the middle commercial break of each period, so at the 10-minute mark," Wilson said. "A lot of guys will run two pair and switch every commercial break. Or other guys at the halfway mark of the period." With gloves, it mostly comes down to sense, handle, and weight.
Nowadays, the shirts are only ever worn once because the club get so many requests from charities for shirts to be donated. Some players keep their shirts, some swap them with opponents and some donate them via the club.
99 is retired throughout the NHL not only because he is considered the greatest player in League history, but because the number and his name are synonymous. Though there is no debate over who the best player to wear that number is, there are 98 other numbers with more than one worthy candidate.
Today, five NHL goalies still use a wooden stick. "Once you switch, it's amazing to hold a wood stick and wonder how you played with it," Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton said. "I switched two summers ago mainly because lots of guys were, so I knew I needed to get up to date. It's a huge difference, I think."
Do Pro Hockey Players Pay For Their Equipment? No, pro hockey players do not pay for their equipment. The teams they play for cover the cost of their equipment, and the players are also given a stipend to cover the cost of their equipment.
The average NHL game employs 12 pucks. Within the penalty box area, the temperature of pucks typically ranges between 14 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The puck will become softer as it warms, increasing the likelihood that it will chip. The price of a hockey puck is $1.50 for a regulation puck and a 6 oz black puck.
A player may find he or she will cut upwards of three inches off their stick! After adjusting to a shorter stick length, a player will have improved skating and puck handling skills. As well, their overall hockey development – as a result of using a proper stick length ( i.e below the chin) – will be enhanced!
It's not a straightforward choice. Some hockey players simply wear whatever socks they wear for everything else; others buy special socks that are super thin or extra thick; still others wear no socks at all.
In the NHL, however, the most common cut is much shallower, between 5/8” and 3/4″. Players in the NHL also get their skate profiles customized 100% of the time. Obviously they are very persnickety about their skates, as this is their livelihood.
How often should you be retaping your stick really? Well, for some players, they wait until the tape is about to fall off and is in NEED of a retape. On the other hand, there are some players that use taping up their twig as part of their pregame ritual and need a fresh one before every game.
1949: The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers stage one of the best goaltending duels in NHL history when Bill Durnan of the Canadiens and Chuck Rayner of the Rangers match saves for 60 minutes in a 0-0 tie at the Forum.
1. Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins (May 4, 2000) Keith Primeau leveled their second-round series against the Pens at two games apiece after over 92 minutes of overtime action.
(a) Any player or team official incurring a Match penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately, for the balance of the game, and will not be permitted to take part in any further games until his case has been dealt with by the President.
A player may apply tape anywhere on his stick for reinforcement or to enhance control of the puck. He may use any color tape that he prefers. Goalies must use a knob of white tape or some other protective material approved by the league on the top of the stick that is a minimum of ½” thick.
A jock protects the important parts (female hockey players use Jills). There are a number of different jock styles available, the old style garter belt jock, and the newer style velcro shorts. The velcro helps hold the hockey socks into place.
Will you use the heel to toe or toe to heel pattern? Heel to toe is the most commonly used, especially by professional players. It allows the tape to grip the puck more effectively for better control while stick handling and shooting.
The players depend on this crucial recovery meal to meet their macronutrient needs, which includes healthy fats like avocados, powerful proteins like wild Alaskan salmon, high fiber and complex carbohydrates like beans, brown rice or quinoa. In addition, this meal must be brimming with micronutrients as well.
Contrary to what fans might think, NHL players do not get an unlimited amount of free tickets to games. As per the rules in the collective-bargaining agreement, a player gets two free tickets to home games and must buy from the 50 allotted (100 during the playoffs) to each team for road games.
The most common main course is pasta with meat or fish. In fact, in an article about hockey player diet plans by LAKings.com staff writer Deborah Lew, 15 of the 20 NHL players she surveyed said their pre-game meal consisted of pasta plus protein (chicken, fish, or beef).
An ideal hockey pre-game meal would be high in carbohydrates and protein and low in fats. For example, 6oz chicken breast, 1-2 cups of brown rice, and ½ – 1 cup of green vegetables. How Many Hours Should You Eat Before A Hockey Game? 1-3 hours before your game is the best time to consume your pre-game meal.
A single player will usually have the exact same meal from one game to the next, but for some guys that's steak and potatoes, for others it's chicken and pasta, and for others it's fish and rice. It takes a pretty impressive spread to make each of these options (and many more) available.
These rules state that at the initiation of a fight, both players must definitely drop their sticks so as not to use them as a weapon. Players must also "drop" or shake off their protective gloves to fight bare-knuckled, as the hard leather and plastic of hockey gloves would increase the effect of landed blows.
WHAT DOES A HOCKEY PLAYER WEAR UNDER ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT? Long shirt and pants that are breathable, typically a moisture wicking material is preferred. The base layer should fit tight and feel comfortable. This layer improves the fit of the pads and helps control body temperature.
According to Rule 46, “A fight shall be deemed to have occurred when at least one player punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly or when two players wrestle in such a manner as to make it difficult for the Linesmen to intervene and separate the combatants.”
However, anyone with any aspirations of winning it themselves won't take this opportunity. Many believe that touching the Stanley Cup before you've won it is bad luck and will keep you from doing so.
Puttin' on the foil: It's great that a line from a movie about hockey has been added to the hockey vernacular. When the Hanson Brothers were getting ready for a game in "Slap Shot," they were seen putting foil under their gloves to help them cut their opponents during fights.
Finally, many hockey players prefer pants because they are more traditional. Hockey pants were around long before girdles became popular and for that reason alone, many players stick with them. But the popularity of girdles is growing, and more and more professional hockey and elite players are making the switch.
The hockey skate is usually made of a thick layer of leather or nylon to protect the feet and lower legs of the player from injury. Its blade is rounded on both ends to allow for easy maneuvering.
Hockey players wear cups, but when they slide, so does their protection, exposing their scrotums to a six-ounce piece of frozen rubber traveling at 100 mph.
They use one new one per game on average -- not every game they get a new one, but they may break a couple in one game, so it averages about 80 or so per year. There are players in the league that'll use three new sticks in a [single] game, but in general, it's about one."
CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Having hotel roommates on road trips used to be standard practice in the NHL until fairly recently. Since the 2013 revision of the collective bargaining agreement, any player not on an entry-level contract is guaranteed their own room on the road.
"A lot of guys switch [their gloves] at the middle commercial break of each period, so at the 10-minute mark," Wilson said. "A lot of guys will run two pair and switch every commercial break. Or other guys at the halfway mark of the period." With gloves, it mostly comes down to sense, handle, and weight.
All of the pads on an NHL player add up to about $1,200, and with replacements it costs a team about $21,000 per year to outfit a skater. Goalies are even pricier, with teams paying $36,000 per season to keep them suited up.
Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
