This glossary is created to help beginners and fans to understand common terms used in ice hockey. Hockey has its own vocabulary, and learning these terms can make watching and playing the game more fun to watch. I made this glossary to provide clear definitions, examples, and translations for important hockey words.
assist
noun
the first or second pass that leads to a teammate score a goal.
Example: She got an assist on the winning goal.
en: passe
Blue line
noun
The line that divides zones on the ice.
Example: He shot the puck from the blue line.
en: ligne bleu
Break away
When a player skates alone toward the goalie with no defenders.
Example: he scored on a breakaway.
en: Échappée
defenseman
noun
A player who focuses on stopping the other team from scoring.
Example: The defenseman blocked the shot.
en: défenseur
Faceoff
noun
The method used to start play where the puck is dropped between two players.
Example: The referee dropped the puck for the faceoff.
en: Mise au jeu
Forward
noun
A player whose main role is to score goals.
Example: The forward led the team in goals.
en: Attaquant
Goalie
noun
a defensive player in sports like soccer, hockey, or lacrosse responsible for protecting the team’s goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring.
Example: The goalie made an amazing save.
en: Gardien de but
Hat trick
noun
When a player scores three goals in one game.
Example: He got a hat trick in the final match and lead the team for the win.
en: Tour du chapeau
Hit
noun
Using the body or stick to stop an opponent.
Example: He gave a strong hit along the boards.
en: mise en échec
Icing
noun
When the puck is shot across the ice past the opposing goal line without being touched.
Example: The referee called icing.
en: Dégagement refuser
net
noun
The goal where players try to score.
Example: The puck went into the net.
en: filet
Offside
noun
When a player enters the attacking blue line before the puck.
Example: The play was stopped for offside.
en: Hors jeu
overtime
noun
Extra time played when the score is tied after three period.
Example: The game was decided in overtime.
en: prolongation
Penalty
noun
A punishment for breaking the rules.
Example: The player got a penalty for tripping.
en: Pénalité
Penalty box
noun
The area where players sit when they receive a penalty.
Example: He sat in the penalty box for two minutes.
en: Band de pénalité
Power play
noun
When one team has more players because the other team has a penalty.
Example: They scored during the power play.
en: Avantage numérique
Puck
noun
A puck is a small, vulcanized rubber disc used in ice hockey, or a similar flat, round object used in other games.
Example: I was fairly confident that I had been accurate with the PUCK in plotting the four corners of the rectangle, but when I looked at the screen to check my work, I found that the rectangle was not the correct shape.
en: rondelle
slapshot
noun
A powerful hockey shot where the player swings the stick back and then forward to hit the puck with great force.
Example: The player scored a goal with a fast slapshot from the blue line.
