What is Hockey? - Colorado Avalanche

COLORADO AVALANCHE
HOCKEY 101
PLAYBOOK
Table of Contents
What is Hockey?…………………………………………………… 1
Positions……………………………………………………………… 2
Equipment…………………………………………………………… 4
Division of Playing Surface……………………………………… 6
Time to Play………………………………………………………… 7
Rules…………………………………………………………………… 8
Penalties…………………………………………………………… 10
Referee’s Signals………………………………………………… 13
NHL Divisional Breakdown…………………………………… 14
Colorado Avalanche History…………………………………… 16
What is Hockey?
Hockey is an exciting team sport that requires skill, strength and teamwork.
Versions of hockey include: ice hockey, street hockey and inline hockey.
Ice Hockey
Object of the Game
Street Hockey
Teams and Players
Ice hockey requires players to wear
ice skates and pads and is played
on an ice rink with a frozen rubber
puck.
Street hockey can be played on
almost any indoor or outdoor
surface. Empty parking lots,
net-less tennis courts, blacktop
playgrounds, basketball courts and
indoor gyms can all become street
hockey “rinks.”
Inline Hockey
Inline hockey is very similar to
street hockey except players wear
inline skates on their feet. Inline
hockey is often referred to as “roller
hockey” and can be played indoors
or outdoors.
The object of the game is to score
more goals than the other team by
shooting the puck or ball into your
opponent’s net.
To play hockey you must have 12
players in the game at any given
time (six per team). The positions
are three forwards, two defensemen
and one goalie. Three forwards
comprise one line consisting of a
center (C), right wing (RW) and left
wing (LW).
Game Format
A regulation NHL ice hockey
game consists of three 20-minute
periods, including two 17-minute
intermissions. If the score is tied
after all three periods, an extra five
minute period called overtime, is
played. If the score is still tied after
the overtime period, a shootout
takes place. The shootout consists
of a single player from each team
taking turns in a one-on-one
breakaway against the goalie with
no other players involved.
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1
Positions
C
Center
The center is typically the team’s
quarterback. The center usually
directs play in both the offensive
and defensive zones. The center
also sets up plays for his/her
teammates to score goals in the
opposing zone and takes most of
the faceoffs.
RW LW Right/Left Wing
The wings or wingers play on the
right or left side of the center. They
cover their areas as the forward line
enters and plays in the opposing
zone.
D
Defenders
The defenders usually play behind
the forward line. This allows them
to keep the puck in play in the
opposing zone and keeps them in
position to more easily defend their
own goal when the play returns to
their zone. There are two defensive
positions, right defense and left
defense.
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D Right/Left Defense
Like wingers, right and left
defenders mainly cover their areas
both in their opposing zone and
their own zone. In their own zone,
they stay close to the goal so that
they can help defend the goal from
the opposing team.
G
Goalie
The goalie’s job is to stay in or
near his/her goal area, which can
be called the crease, and stop the
other team from scoring. A goalie’s
responsibility is to prevent the puck
from entering the goal. He or she
can kick it, catch it, grab it or bat it
out of the way - just do not let it go
past the goal line. The goalie usually
plays the entire game and rarely
moves away from his/her crease.
Ice Hockey Positions
D
G
LW
C
D
RW
D
C
G
RW
LW
D
LW
RW
D
Street Hockey Positions
D
G
C
D
RW
C
LW
G
D
Legend
C Center
RW Right Wing
LW Left Wing
Defense
D
Goalie
G
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Equipment
Street Hockey Equipment
Street hockey is played with street
hockey sticks (usually a wooden
shaft with a plastic blade) and
either a plastic puck or no-bounce
ball. This equipment is specially
designed for street hockey and
works best on playgrounds and gym
floors. It’s only slightly different
from the equipment used to play
ice hockey. Your best bet is to wear
comfortable sports clothes or jeans
and a T-shirt with your equipment.
You should wear athletic shoes
that are good for the gym or the
playground.
Forward & Defenseman
Gear
In regulation street hockey forwards
and defensemen should wear elbow,
knee and shin pads, a mouthguard
and an approved protective helmet.
However in physical education class
or a pick-up game with your friends,
equipment is not required but it is
recommended.
Goalie Gear
Goalies are required to wear a
helmet with a face mask, chest
protector, blocking glove, catching
glove and goalie leg pads. Goalie
sticks are specially designed with a
wider blade. For physical education
class and pick-up games with your
friends a minimum of a helmet
with a mask, stick and gloves is
required.
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Ice Hockey Equipment
Due to the physical nature of the
sport and speed of the game, ice
hockey requires more pads. Most of
the padding is worn underneath the
player’s uniform and not seen. The
most important piece of equipment
is ice hockey skates. Ice hockey
players use sticks that are usually
made of a composite material and
have a custom curve on the blade.
The Puck
The puck is five ounces of solid
vulcanized rubber, three inches in
diameter and one inch thick. The
puck is frozen before games to
make it bounce resistant.
Forward & Defenseman
Gear
In regulation ice hockey forwards
and defensemen are required to
wear helmets, shoulder pads, elbow
pads, gloves, shin guards and
hockey pants. Many players elect to
wear a protective shield attached to
their helmet and a mouthguard.
Goalie Gear
Goalies are required to wear a
helmet with a full facemask, a
neck guard (to protect from skate
blades), shoulder pads, arm pads
and a chest protector. The signature
pieces of goalie equipment are the
blocker, catching glove and leg
pads.
Skater’s Equipment
Helmet
Shoulder pads
Elbow pads
Gloves
Hockey pants
(padded, reinforced)
(with built in pads for
thighs, hips and kidneys)
Blade
(made of carbon fiber and/or
composite materials)
Shin guards
Stick
(made of carbon fiber and/or
composite materials)
Skates
Goaltender’s Equipment
Mask
Neck guard
Shoulder pads
Arm pads
Catching glove
Stick
Blocker
Chest protector
Leg pads
Skates
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Division of Playing Surface
The ice hockey playing surface is divided into three distinct sections or zones.
These areas are referred to as the offensive zone (area the team attacks from the
blue line to the end of the boards), the neutral zone (area between the blue lines,
divided by the red line) and the defensive zone (area the team defends from the
end boards to the blue line). The zones are determined by lines that are painted in
the ice and extend up the side boards. There are five primary lines on the playing
surface–two red goal lines, two blue lines and a center red line.
GOAL LINE
GOAL LINE
DEFENSIVE ZONE
NEUTRAL ZONE
OFFENSIVE ZONE
OFFENSIVE ZONE
GOALIE CREASE
Ice Hockey
GOALIE CREASE
FACE OFF CIRCLE
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FACE OFF CIRCLE
OFFENSIVE ZONE
GOALIE CREASE
OFFENSIVE ZONE
CENTER/FACE OFF
GOALIE CREASE
Street hockey can be played on almost
any indoor or outdoor surface. An
official street hockey rink, however,
is divided into two sections or zones.
These areas are referred to as the
offensive zone and the defensive zone.
NEUTRAL ZONE
BLUE LINE
DEFENSIVE ZONE
BLUE LINE
CENTER (RED) LINE CENTER (RED) LINE
Street Hockey
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GOAL LINE
DEFENSIVE ZONE
DEFENSIVE ZONE
CENTER/FACE OFF
CENTER (RED) LINE CENTER (RED) LINE
GOAL LINE
An official NHL rink is 200 feet long
and 85 feet wide with rounded
corners. Walls surround the ice to
keep the puck in play. These walls,
called boards, are three feet high
with shatterproof glass extending
from the top to protect fans from
flying pucks.
Time to Play
Street Hockey
Time to face off! Basically, there are
three types of faceoffs:
1. Standard Faceoff: Opposing
centers face each other with
their sticks one foot apart on the
ground. Be ready because the
referee is going to drop the puck,
and then it’s hockey time!
2. Stick-To-Stick Faceoff:
Opposing centers face each other
with their sticks on the ground
and the puck in between them.
Then you tap the ground and
then your opponent’s stick three
times (ground-stick, ground-stick,
ground-stick) and go for the puck.
3. In-Bounding Faceoff: When the
puck goes out of play, the last
team to touch it loses possession.
Players on the defending team
must stand at least 10 feet from
the spot where the puck went out
of bounds, then the inbounding
team puts the puck back into play.
The inbounding player must make
a pass before a shot on goal can
be taken.
Stopping Play
During a game, play is stopped
either after a goal, when the puck
leaves the playing surface, when
the referee calls a penalty or when
a rules infraction occurs. When
the referee blows the whistle that
means to stop playing and listen for
the call.
Scoring A Goal
A player is credited with scoring a
goal when he/she is the last person
to touch the puck before it enters
the opponent’s net, usually the
player who shoots the puck at the
net.
Getting An Assist
An assist is awarded to the
players who take part in the play
immediately preceding the goal. For
example, often times when a player
scores a goal they receive help from
their teammates in the form of a
pass. As many as two players can
get credit with an assist of a goal.
Ice Hockey
Anytime there is a stoppage in play
in ice hockey there is a faceoff. The
only faceoff used in ice hockey is
the standard faceoff, where the
referee drops the puck between two
centers.
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Rules
Since street hockey and ice hockey are played on different surfaces there are
variations of the same rules that apply to each sport. Each one of these rules will
result in a stoppage in play when it occurs.
Street Hockey
Icing – Sending the puck from behind
your own goal all the way past the
opponent’s goal line without being
touched by anybody on the other team.
Play begins at the spot closest to
where the puck was last touched.
If, however, the opposing goalie
touches the puck when it reaches the
other end, play continues as normal.
Ice Hockey
Icing – A player shoots the puck from
behind the center red line across the
opponent’s goal line and the puck is
not touched by an opposing player until
it crosses the goal line. If the opposing
team touches the puck first after it
crosses the goal line, icing is called
and a faceoff is held at the opposite
end. If the team that shoots the puck
touches it first after it crosses the
goal line, icing is not called and play
continues. Icing is not called when the
team that shoots the puck is shorthanded or playing with fewer players
on the ice than the other team.
Offside – There is only a center red
line in street hockey (no blue lines like
in ice hockey). You’re offside if both
your feet cross the center red line into
your opponent’s zone before the puck
crosses the line.
Offside – Both skates of a player cross
the opposing team’s blue line before
the puck crosses the line.
Offside Pass – When a player passes
the puck from his/her team’s zone
(behind the center red line) to a
teammate who has already crossed the
center red line (before the puck) and is
in the opposing team’s zone.
Offside Pass – When a player passes
the puck from behind his/her own blue
line to a teammate who has passed the
blue line and is in the opposing team’s
zone.
Out of Bounds – If the puck is knocked
outside the playing surface, it’s out of
bounds. The last team to touch it loses
possession.
Out of Bounds – If the puck is knocked
outside the playing surface, it’s out
of bounds. Generally a faceoff is held
where the puck was shot.
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Icing
A player shoots the puck from behind
the center (red) line across the
opponent’s goal line.
Offside
Both feet of a player cross the opposing
team’s blue line before the puck crosses
the line.
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Penalties
Street Hockey
Penalties are strictly forbidden. The safety of all players is the first priority. If a
penalty occurs, the player committing the penalty will be pulled from the game
and will sit out for two minutes during which time his/her team will play shorthanded.
Penalty Descriptions
High Sticking – Keep your stick down.
If you carry your stick above your waist
you will receive a penalty.
Checking – Body checks are illegal
in street hockey. Do not use your body
to make contact with another player or
force another player into a wall, barrier
or out of bounds.
Slashing – No striking or slashing
an opponent with your stick.
Fighting – If you fight, you will be
removed from the game and face
additional punishment.
Tripping – Knocking your opponent’s
feet out from under them with your
stick or feet is tripping.
Interference – You may not interfere
with another player who does not have
the puck.force another player into a
wall, barrier or out of bounds.
Holding – You may not interfere
with your opponent’s progress with
your hands.
Charging – Charging is similar to
checking. You can’t run, jump or fling
yourself into an opponent.
Hooking – You may not interfere
with your opponent’s progress with
your stick.
Elbowing – No throwing elbows.
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Ice Hockey
Ice hockey has major and minor penalties. If you break a rule, you go to the penalty box for a set amount of time while your team plays with one less player. This
is known as a power play for the team with one extra skater. The team playing
with fewer players is considered shorthanded.
Minor Penalty
A minor penalty is the most common
form of penalty. A player who receives
a minor penalty must sit in the penalty
box and remain off the ice for two
minutes. A double minor penalty requires a player to sit in the penalty box
for four minutes. If a goal is scored
against the team with fewer players
the penalty ends immediately.
Major Penalty
A major penalty is a stronger degree
of penalty for many of the same
infractions that apply to minor
penalties. A player who receives a
major penalty must sit in the penalty
box and remain off the ice for five
minutes. If a goal is scored during a
major penalty the penalty does not end.
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Penalties (continued)
Ice Hockey Penalty Descriptions
Boarding – Violently checking an
opponent into the boards.
Charging – Taking more than three
strides or jumping before checking
an opponent.
Cross-Checking – Hitting an opponent
with both hands on the stick and then
extending the arms while the check is
being delivered.
Delay of Game – Imposed when a
player or goalkeeper purposely delays
the game in any way. For example,
knocking the net off or clearing the
puck over the glass in the defensive
zone.
Elbowing – Using an elbow to strike an
opponent.
Fighting – A fistfight between players.
High-Sticking – Striking an opponent
with the stick above shoulder level.
Holding – Using your hands to grasp
an opponent or his/her equipment.
Hooking – Impeding the forward
progress of an opposing player by
hooking him/her with the blade of
the stick.
Interference – Impeding the progress
of an opponent who does not have the
puck or who is trying to gain possession of the puck.
Kneeing – Using your knee to impede
an opponent.
Misconduct/Unsportsmanlike
Conduct – Using abusive language
or gestures or failing to follow a
referee’s orders.
Roughing – Shoving or being involved
in a minor altercation or scuffle, a less
severe form of fighting.
Slashing – Swinging your stick and
striking an opponent, thus impeding
his/her forward progress.
Spearing – Using your stick in a stablike motion toward an opponent.
Tripping – Tripping an opponent with
your stick or any part of your body.
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Referee’s Signals
Boarding
Charging
Cross-Checking
Pounding the closed fist
of one hand into the open
palm of the other hand
Rotating clenched fists
around one another in
front of the chest
A forward & backward
motion with both fists
clenched extending from
the chest
Delayed Calling
of Penalty
Referee extends arm and
points to penalized player
Elbowing
Tapping the elbow of the
“whistle hand” with the
opposite hand
High-Sticking
Holding
Hooking
Interference
Kneeing
Holding both fists
clenched, one above
the other at the side of
the head
Clasping the wrist of the
“whistle hand” well in
front of the chest
A tugging motion with
both arms, as if pulling
something toward the
stomach
Crossed arms stationary in
front of the chest with
fists closed
Slapping the knee with
palm of hand while keeping both skates on the ice
Misconduct
Roughing
Slashing
Spearing
Tripping
Place both hands on hips
A thrusting motion with
the arm extended from
the side
A chopping motion with
the edge of one hand
across the opposite
forearm
A jabbing motion with
both hands thrust out in
front of the body
Strike the right leg with
the right hand below the
knee keeping both skates
on the ice
Linesman’s Signals
Wash-out
Both arms swung laterally
across the body with palms
down… When used by
the referee it means goal
disallowed
Unsportsmanlike
Conduct
Use both hands to form a
“T” in front of the chest
Icing
Slow Whistle
Wash-out
Linesman’s arms folded
across the upper chest
Arm in which the whistle is
not being held extended above
head. If play returns to neutral
zone without stoppage of play,
arm is drawn down the instant
the puck crosses the line
Both arms swung laterally
across the body with palms
down… When used by the
linesman it means no icing or
no offside
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NHL Divisional Breakdown
Eastern Conference
Metropolitan Division
®
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Carolina Hurricanes
Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs
Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Detroit Red Wings
Atlantic Division
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Western Conference
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
Los Angeles Kings
Arizona Coyotes
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucks
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
St. Louis Blues
Minnesota Wild
Winnipeg Jets
San Jose Sharks
Central Division
Nashville Predators
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Colorado Avalanche History
The Colorado Avalanche are proud members of the National Hockey League (NHL)
and play their home games at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The NHL was
formed in 1917 and has become one of the most successful professional sports
leagues in the world. It started with four teams, and through a series of expansions, the league is now composed of 30 active franchises. The league draws
many skilled players from all over the world and currently has players from nearly
20 countries. The NHL is comprised of 23 teams from the United States and seven
teams from Canada. During the regular season, each team plays 82 games; 41
games at home and 41 games on the road. At the end of the regular season, the
team that finishes with the most points in each division is crowned the division
champion. The team with the most points at the end of the season is awarded the
Presidents’ Trophy. Sixteen of the NHL’s 30 teams qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, where teams battle to win the best-of-seven series in order to advance to the
next round. The winning team is awarded the Stanley Cup, the oldest professional
sports trophy in North America and the most recognizable trophy in all of sports.
The Avalanche were founded in 1972 as the Quebec Nordiques within the
NHL’s rival league, the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Nordiques became
members of the NHL in 1979 as a result of the NHL-WHA merger. Following the
1994-95 season, the Nordiques were sold to the COMSAT Entertainment Group of
Denver, which relocated the club there and renamed it as the Avalanche. In the
club’s first season in Denver, the Avalanche won the Pacific Division and went on
to sweep the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals, becoming the first NHL
team to win the Stanley Cup in the season following a relocation. Among teams
in the five major North American professional sports leagues, only the National
Football League (NFL)’s Washington Redskins have also accomplished the feat.
This was the first major professional sports championship a Denver-based team
would bring to the city. In the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals, the Avalanche defeated
the New Jersey Devils 4-3 to win their second and most recent championship. As a
result, they are the only active NHL team that has won all of its Stanley Cup Final
appearances. Coincidentally, the Devils had preceded the Avalanche in Denver;
they were called the Colorado Rockies.
The Avalanche have won nine division titles (including their first eight in a row in
Denver, the longest such streak in NHL history) and qualified for the playoffs in
each of their first ten seasons in Denver; this streak ended in 2007.
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Mike Haynes
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