Hockey is a fast, intense sport with a language all its own. From players and coaches to fans, the rink has its own vocabulary that can confuse newcomers but delights longtime fans. To help you navigate the world of hockey, we’ve compiled a detailed glossary of 100 common hockey slang terms, organized alphabetically.
A
1. Assist – A pass that directly leads to a goal. Players can earn one or two assists per goal.
2. Apple – Slang for a faceoff win. Often used as "win the apple."
3. Attacking Zone – The area of the ice where a team is trying to score.
4. Avalanche – Not just a team name; refers to a sudden overwhelming offensive push.
B
5. Backcheck – When a player skates back toward their defensive zone to help stop an opposing rush.
6. Biscuit – Another name for the puck.
7. Blue Line – The line marking the edge of the offensive zone. Crossing it triggers offside rules.
8. Breakaway – When a player gets past all defenders with only the goalie to beat.
9. Bender – A derogatory term for a player with weak skating skills.
C
10. Carrying the Water – Dominating the game or taking responsibility for winning.
11. Clapper – A hard slapshot, usually aimed at scoring.
12. Cherry-Pick – Staying near the opponent’s goal to wait for a pass rather than participating in defense.
13. Chop – A quick, downward stick movement to control or hit the puck.
14. Cleanup Man – The player responsible for finishing plays and scoring rebounds.
D
15. Dangle – A fancy stickhandling move to beat a defender.
16. Defenseman – Player primarily responsible for defending against opposing attackers.
17. Dirty Play – Actions that are aggressive, illegal, or unsportsmanlike.
18. Drop Pass – Passing the puck backward to a trailing teammate to create space.
E
19. East-West Play – Moving the puck side to side to create offensive chances.
20. Empty Net – The goal without a goalie, usually when a team pulls the goalie to gain an extra attacker.
21. Enforcer – A player whose role is to intimidate opponents and protect teammates.
22. Extra Attacker – Adding a skater in place of the goalie, usually in desperate offensive situations.
F
23. Faceoff – The method of restarting play by dropping the puck between two players.
24. Five-Hole – The space between a goalie’s legs where a puck can slip through.
25. Forecheck – Pressure applied to the opposing team in their defensive zone to regain possession.
26. Fridge – A big, bulky player who is hard to move.
27. Fubar – When a play or situation is completely messed up.
G
28. Garbage Goal – A goal scored off rebounds or scrappy plays, not finesse.
29. Gino – Slang for a goal scored.
30. Glove Save – When a goalie stops the puck using their catching glove.
31. Grinder – A hardworking player, often not flashy, who excels in effort and checking.
32. Goal Line – The line a puck must cross completely to count as a goal.
H
33. Hat Trick – When a player scores three goals in a single game.
34. Headman – Passing the puck from defensemen to forwards up ice.
35. High-Sticking – Infraction where the hockey stick is played above the shoulder, often causing penalties.
36. Hockey Fight – A physical altercation between players, often tolerated to some degree in pro hockey.
37. Holding – Penalty called for grabbing an opponent or their equipment.
I
38. Icing – Sending the puck across the opponent’s goal line from behind the center line without it being touched.
39. In the Slot – The prime scoring area between the faceoff circles and in front of the goalie.
40. Intermission – Break between periods of the game.
41. Iron – Slang for the goalpost or crossbar.
J
42. Jockstrap – Protective gear, often called a “cup.”
43. Juice – Energy or intensity shown by a player during play.
44. Jam – Quick, close-range scoring attempt.
45. Junior – A player in a junior league, often under age 20.
K
46. Knock the Puck Loose – To strip an opponent of the puck using physical or stick-based play.
47. Knee Knock – When a player falls awkwardly onto their knees during play.
48. Keeper – Another name for the goalie.
49. Kisser – Slang for the puck striking a player in the face or mouth.
L
50. Leaf – Slang for the puck in Canadian usage.
51. Lid – Goalie mask, sometimes called “lid” or “cage.”
52. Line Change – Substituting one group of players for another during play.
53. Loose Puck – A puck not controlled by any player.
54. Low Block – Defensive position low to the ice to block shots.
M
55. Mitts – Gloves. “Pick up your mitts” can mean to fight.
56. Minor Penalty – A penalty lasting two minutes for minor infractions.
57. Misplay – Mistake with the puck.
58. Mid-Ice – The central area of the ice rink, often for transitions.
N
59. Neutral Zone Trap – Defensive system designed to clog the neutral zone and slow attacks.
60. No-Goal – Call by referees when a goal is disallowed.
61. Nugget – Rookie or young player with potential.
O
62. Odd-Man Rush – Offensive situation where a team has more attackers than the defending team has defenders.
63. Offside – When a player enters the offensive zone ahead of the puck.
64. One-Timer – Shooting the puck directly off a pass without stopping it.
65. Overhead Pass – Pass lifted above other players’ sticks to reach a teammate.
P
66. Penalty Kill – Team play used to defend while short-handed.
67. Pick – Screen set to obstruct an opponent.
68. Poke Check – Using the stick to knock the puck away from an opponent.
69. Power Play – Team advantage with more skaters due to opponent penalties.
70. Primary Assist – The first assist leading to a goal.
71. Playmaker – Player skilled in creating scoring chances.
Q
72. Quick Release – A fast shot taken immediately after receiving the puck.
73. Quarters – Periods of a game, sometimes used in informal talk.
74. Quicksilver – Player noted for extreme speed or agility.
R
75. Rebound – Puck left loose after a save, providing scoring chance.
76. Roof It – Shoot the puck high into the top of the net.
77. Rink Rash – Bruises or scrapes from contact with boards or ice.
78. Rush – Advancing the puck quickly into the offensive zone.
79. Roughing – Penalty for unnecessary aggressive contact.
S
80. Saucer Pass / Sauce – Pass lifted slightly above the ice to avoid sticks or skates.
81. Scramble – Chaos around the net with players fighting for the puck.
82. Short-Handed – Playing with fewer skaters due to penalty.
83. Six-Pack – Strong core muscles, also referred to when a player’s physical condition is noted.
84. Slapper – Hard shot taken with full stick swing.
85. Slot – Prime area in front of the net for scoring chances.
86. Stickhandling – Skill of controlling the puck while skating.
87. Stiffy – A puck that rebounds sharply off the goalie or boards.
88. Sticks Up – Encouragement to keep sticks ready for a play.
T
89. Tape-to-Tape – Pass delivered accurately from one player to another.
90. Tie-Up – When two players fight for puck control, often along the boards.
91. Top Shelf – Upper part of the net, a common target area.
92. Twine – Slang for the net; “found the twine” = scored a goal.
U
93. Unleash – Take a powerful shot or offensive push.
94. Underhander – A soft, controlled shot, often deceptive.
V
95. Vezina Watch – Referring to elite goalie performance for Vezina Trophy consideration.
96. Victory Lap – Celebratory skate after scoring or winning.
97. Vertical Pass – Passing along the boards or in a straight line up the ice.
W
98. Wrist Shot – Shot released quickly using mainly the wrists.
99. Wing – Forward positioned on the left or right side.
100. Wraparound – Attempting to score by skating behind the net and shooting around the goalie.
BONUS: Y and Z
101. Yips – When a player struggles to execute a skill they normally do well, like shooting or passing.
102. Zamboni Time – Slang fans sometimes use to signal the end of a period when the ice is being resurfaced.
Understanding hockey slang is more than just fun—it’s essential for anyone who wants to fully enjoy the fast-paced, action-packed world of ice hockey. From terms like “dangle” and “saucer pass” to “five-hole” and “hat trick”, each piece of hockey jargon tells a story about the skill, strategy, and culture of the game. Whether you’re a new fan learning the ropes, a player aiming to communicate better on the ice, or a seasoned enthusiast looking to impress friends with insider knowledge, mastering hockey terminology enhances your experience and connection to the sport.
Keep this guide handy as your ultimate hockey slang dictionary, and you’ll be ready to understand commentary, follow games, and even chat with players like a true insider. Dive into the world of hockey lingo, jargon, and terminology, and elevate your hockey IQ today!
