Hockey 101 - Ice Rink and Player Positions

Official NAHL rinks are 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. Some rinks have slightly different perimeters. Fiberglass walls, called boards, surround the rink from the ice to a height of about 40 inches. Attached above the boards is a nearly unbreakable Plexiglas rim to keep the pucks from flying into the stands. It is higher behind the goals since the pucks are most often shot into that area. Dimensions for everything are illustrated (see diagram right.) The net is six feet wide and four feet tall. The nets are held on the ice by a four-inch plastic tubing which is inserted into the ice and the goalposts rest around the tubing.

Goalkeeper (1) - His chief job is to keep the puck out of his goal. Offensively, he starts his team down the ice with a pass but seldom leaves the net.

Defenseman (2) - Left and right. They try to stop the incoming play at their blue line. They try to block shots, cover opposing forwards and clear the puck from in front of their goal. On offense they get the puck to their center and wings.

Center (1) - The middle of the ice from end to end is his primary territory. He leads the attack by carrying the puck. He exchanges passes with his wings to steer the play towards the goal. On defense he tries to break up a play before it gets to his team's ice and harasses the opponent in the neutral and defending zones.

Wings (2) - Moving up and down the sides of the ice with the direction of play, the wings work with the center on the attack. Defensively, they try to disrupt opposing wings.