Assume the Position

Ok, Clever Girls- let’s pick up hockey where we left off. There are 200 players on an NHL teams- 18 skaters and two goaltenders. Of the 200 players- there are six different positions and at most times (except in short-handed/power play situations- or when the goalie is pulled) there are six different positions on the ice at a time.

The Goaltender

The goaltender’s job is to- you guessed it- tend the goal. His only responsibility is to keep the puck from going into the net. He’s allowed to leave the goal to stop a puck or retrieve a puck and is able to bat or close his glove around the puck to stop play. Goalie equipment is designed to help protect the head and face from the incredibly fast and potentially lethal puck. If the goaltender behaves in such a way he is assessed a penalty, another player from the team will serve it for him- but he will still accrue penalty minutes. The goaltender is well protected by his teammates and the rules. Any contact with the goalie that is not deemed incidental will result in a penalty and- at times- even incidental contact can be ruled as a penalty.

Goalie Names You Might Recognize

Terry Sawchuck

Patrick Roy

Marty Turco

Martin Brodeur

Chris Osgood

Dominik Hasek

Grant Fuhr

Jacques Plante

The Defenseman

There are two defensemen on the ice at a time. Their primary job is to break up plays and try to maneuver the puck to their forwards. During offensive play, they linger at the blue line and help keep the puck in the attacking zone. Highly skilled offensive defensemen will shoot well from the blue line and are adept at scoring. During defensive play, they linger near the net and help the goaltender keep the puck out of the net, break up offensive scoring chances and feed the puck to the forwards.

Defensemen You Might Recognize

Chris Chelios

Sergei Zubov

Derian Hatcher

Kevin Hatcher

Uwe Krupp

Bobby Orr

Phillippe Boucher

The Center (Forward)

The center is a forward- this is the dude who manages the center of the ice. He is a highly skilled puck handler, skater and scorer. As primary scorers, these guys get a lot of attention- similar to a quarterback. If they are good looking like Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman or Mike Modano- oh boy. This is the last guy on whom you should develop a crush- too obvious. Don’t worry- there are so many to choose from and as you get more interested in hockey, which I hope you do- you will find a crush has nothing to do with the way a player looks but rather their style of play.

Centers You Might Recognize

Mario Lemieux

Wayne Gretzky

Steve Yzerman

Mark Messier

Peter Forsberg

Eric Lindros

Mike Modano

The Wingman (Different From in the Bar Scenario)

The wingers (right and left) play at either side of the center and concentrate of playing the corners- wrestling possession of the puck and engaging in extreme physical play. These guys are full contact sportsmen and are relied upon heavily. During offensive play, they are responsible for fighting for the puck, positioning themselves near the net to wait for a pass or to make passes to open team members. In defensive play, they are skilled in intercepting passes and attacking opposing defensemen when they have the puck. These players are fearless and fierce.

Wingers You Might Recognize

Brenden Morrow (L)

Cam Neely (R)

Jarome Iginla (R)

Luc Robitaille (L)

Bobby Hull (L)

Gordie Howe (R)

Bob Probert (R)

There are two ways to describe forwards- power and finesse. This is easy- a power forward will go through you or over you and a finesse forward will go around you so gracefully you might not even see him. Famous power forwards you might recognize are Keith Primeau, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier and famous finesse forwards include Wayne Gretzky and Mike Modano (though he is still grittier than Wayne). The finesse guys are awesome in their balletic maneuvering of the puck, stick handling and skating. I personally prefer the power forwards- I like a guy who isn’t afraid to make an UGLY goal.

The enforcer is a fading role- these guys were purposefully used to intimidate others, to defend their teammates with their physical play and fearlessness. Hot tempered and quick to fight- these guys created the old grudge matches that used to really draw a crowd. The enforcers helped give hockey its rough and tumble reputation. Names you might recognize are Joey Kocur, Bob Probert, Shane Churla, Chris Simon and Derian Hatcher. Basically, when these guys were on the ice, you didn’t want to have the puck, have been the last person who touched it or have put a nasty hit on one of their team members.

For some really intense video- check out YouTube for some Bob Probert moments. Sadly, it turns out he might have had some help dulling the pain with illegal substances- which makes it easier to punch someone until your fist crashes through their front teeth and is stopped only by the back of their throat.