An ice hockey team consists of six players, each of whom has a distinct role. The offense’s job is to score goals, while the defense’s objective is to keep the goal safe. Each of the hockey positions is described in the following list:
Goalie: Arguably the most difficult position in all sports, the goalie is the only player who can influence a team’s confidence. He must keep the puck out of the net, and if he does it well, he can carry his team far. Good goalkeepers win championships.
A full-strength squad features two defensemen, one on the left side and the other on the right. There are three types of defensemen in today’s world. One is a creative and offensive player who enjoys handling the puck and leading the team up ice without being overly physical. Another is a defensive-minded bruiser who prefers to stay at home and play a tough game, rarely leaving his zone with the puck. And then there are the athletes who are a mix of the two.
Right-wing: He primarily plays on the right side of the ice, and he needs to be a physical player who can play in the corners and along the boards. He is in charge of the opposition’s left defensemen in the defensive zone.
Left-wing: Traditionally a left-handed position, the NHL is increasingly seeing more right-handed players play this position, a trend that originated in Europe. When a right-handed pitcher is coming in on his wing, he has a better angle to shoot from. He, like the right-wing, must be able to dig the puck out of the corners and fight for the puck in front of the net.
Center: He is the captain of his team on both ends of the ice. He needs to be good at face-offs and passing, and a solid shot wouldn’t hurt. Coaches are looking for a lot of innovation in this area and a lot of hockey knowledge.