Key Roles in Hockey
Whether or not you're a hardcore hockey fan, you probably know the basic roles each player has on the ice. You have the goaltender, the goal scorers, and the defensemen. But if you're ready to learn a bit more about what each position does, we're here to break it down. Here are five key roles in hockey you need to know.
1. Goalie
The goalie position in hockey is fairly straightforward: this player defends the net. They wear more padding and equipment than the other players on the ice, as this gives them extra protection and keeps them safe when stopping pucks. When they need to collect or play the puck, they have the follow the trapezoid rule, which extends behind the goal line and net.
2. Center
Players who play the center position need to be extremely versatile and skilled at both defense and offense. They're also often responsible for taking face-offs, which they must win to gain possession of the puck, and creating plays.
3. Left Wing
Left-wing players are responsible for—you guessed it—the left side of the offensive zone. Along with right wings, they're usually the main goal scorers, and help the center out with creating and orchestrating plays on the ice.
4. Right Wing
Right-wing players are almost the same as left-wing players, only that they play on the right side of the rink. They, too, are mainly goal scorers who help the centerman out with creating plays and opening scoring chances.
5. Defenseman
The defensemen are also split into left and right, and their main responsibility is to protect the defensive zone, help their goaltender out, and block shots. They also need to be able to read plays really well so that they can intercept them before they happen.
