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FAQ's

 

Hockey — The Game

Ice hockey is played on a rink, a sheet of ice, which is approximately two-thirds the size of a football field.

The game is played in three periods of equal length; 20 minutes for each period at most levels, but often 12 or 15 minutes in youth classifications.

Physical size is not an important factor in becoming a skilled and successful hockey player. Every player has an opportunity to be a part of the action given the speed of the game, the number of players on a team and the size of the surface upon which the game is played.

 

The Four Basic Skills of Hockey

 

Skating is the skill that makes hockey unique and it is something that players of all levels of the sport continually strive to improve. Without adequate skating ability, players are less able to perform the other essential skills of the sport.

Stickhandling allows a skilled player to maneuver around opponents and create better offensive opportunities.

Passing is what makes hockey a true team sport. Passing gets everyone on the ice involved in the action. Helping teammates experience success is what the game is all about, and passing allows the thrill of scoring to be shared.

Shooting is the end result of an offensive team play and is the action that produces a goal.

 

The Team

 

A team is comprised of a maximum of six players on the ice at any one time (see "penalties").

The goaltender is responsible for guarding the team's goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring.

The primary responsibility of the two defensemen two is to prevent the opposing team from having a good shot at the goal. The defensemen also attempt to gain possession of the puck and pass to teammates to initiate an offensive scoring opportunity.

The primary responsibility of the forwards (three: right wing, center and left wing) is to score. However, forwards also assist the defensemen by back-checking after their team has yielded control of the puck to the opposition.



 

The Officials

 

At higher levels of ice hockey competition, three officials — one referee (identified by an orange arm band) and two linesmen — are utilized. At the youth level, two officials — both of whom are referees — are common. The referee is the ultimate authority during the game and is primarily responsible for calling penalties and determining if goals have been legally scored.

The primary responsibilities of the linesmen include conducting face-offs and determining violations of offside and icing while assisting the referee in enforcing the rules of the game.

 

The Rules

 

The playing rules of hockey are divided into three basic categories:

  • Violations that result in a face-off
  • Violations that result in a player being awarded a penalty shot
  • Violations that result in a player being sent to the penalty box for a specified period of time.


The following is a brief explanation of each type of violation. Naturally, there are technical aspects of each rule that will, at various times, determine whether or not the violation is being called.

 

Face-Offs

 

Offside - An offensive player may not precede the puck across the blue line into the offensive zone.

Icing - Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from within his or her own offensive zone across the opponent's goal line. Icing is nullified if: (1) the team shooting the puck is shorthanded; (2) a player from the defending team could have played the puck before it crossed the goal line; or (3) a player from the icing team plays the puck before it crosses the goal line.

 

Penalty Shot

 

A penalty shot is most commonly awarded if:

  1. A player, while in a scoring position, is fouled from behind and deprived of a scoring opportunity, or
  2. A defensive player grabs or falls on the puck when it is in the goal crease.


To take a penalty shot, an offensive player takes control of the puck at center ice and tries to score against the opposing goaltender. All other players are removed from the action.

WHY HOCKEY?

 

 

"Hockey can be the draw that brings kids in, and we can help them with skills, but in reality we are teaching them life skills...helping create self esteem, teamwork, problem solving and communication skills...along with a form of exercise to help them live healthier lives. {C}"
— Former New York Ranger and Stanley Cup Champion Steve Larmer
 

Hockey Inspires:

  • Pride
  • Focus
  • Strength
  • Responsibility
  • Adventure
  • Confidence
  • Friends
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Laughter

 More Than A Game

Strong Foundations

Hockey develops skills on the ice that build a foundation for a lifetime. In addition to athletic prowess, hockey promotes confidence, pride, focus and responsibility. With an emphasis on fun, hockey is a game to be played and enjoyed for life.

Life-long Friendships

Starting with the bonds created in the locker room to the relationships formed on ice, hockey creates life-long friendships. This camaraderie shared on and off the ice encourages teamwork and the natural development of leadership skills.

Set Up for Success

From learning to balance school, responsibilities at home, time at the rink and playing with friends, hockey encourages kids to learn time management skills that will later serve them in all facets of life. Hockey is a unique source of physical fitness promotes healthy living.

Hockey is Fun

The thrill of carrying the puck up the ice on a breakaway, the exhilaration of scoring your first goal or making that amazing save is possible due to the encouraging environment hockey provides to try new things and grow as a hockey player and person.