Hockey positions explained: centre, wingers, defencemen and the goaltender

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Ice hockey looks chaotic at first, with players flying on and off the bench every minute. Underneath it is a simple structure: each team has six players on the ice at full strength, made up of three forwards, two defencemen and a goaltender. Once you know what each position is responsible for, the game becomes much easier to follow.

The lineup and line changes

An NHL team dresses 20 players for a game: 18 skaters and two goaltenders. The skaters are usually organised into four forward lines of three and three defence pairs.

Shifts are short. Skating flat out is exhausting, so a typical shift lasts well under a minute before the line changes.
Changes happen on the fly. Players swap while the puck is in play, which is why you see bodies hopping over the boards mid-rush. A badly timed change can lead to a too-many-men penalty.
Lines have roles. The top two lines usually carry most of the scoring. The third line is often a checking line asked to shut down the opponent's best players, and the fourth line plays fewer minutes with an emphasis on energy and physical play.

Centre

The centre is the middle forward and arguably the most demanding skater position.

Faceoffs. The centre normally takes the faceoff, and winning possession at the start of a play matters most in your own zone and on the power play.
Two-way play. Centres are expected to help defensively, often dropping low in their own zone to support the defencemen and cover the slot.
Playmaking. Because they sit in the middle of the ice, centres frequently set up wingers and control the tempo of attacks through the neutral zone.

A centre who is strong at both ends of the rink is one of the most valuable players a team can have.

Wingers

The left wing and right wing play on either side of the centre.

Attacking. Wingers are often the main shooters. They drive to the net, look for rebounds and find space to shoot from the faceoff circles.
Board battles. Much of a winger's work happens along the boards, digging pucks out of corners and protecting possession.
Defensive duties. In their own zone, wingers usually cover the opposing defencemen at the blue line and try to block or deflect point shots.

Some wingers play their off side, meaning a left-handed shot on the right wing. This opens up the forehand for one-timers from the circle, which is why you see it often on power plays.

Defencemen

Two defencemen play behind the forwards, usually as a left and right pair.

Protecting the net. Their first job is to keep attackers out of the dangerous area in front of the goal, clear rebounds and win battles in the corners.
Breaking the puck out. A good first pass out of the defensive zone starts most attacks, so puck-moving defencemen are highly prized.
Joining the attack. In the offensive zone, defencemen stand at the blue line, keep the puck in the zone and take shots from the point that forwards can tip or deflect.

Fans often describe defencemen as either defensive, physical shutdown types or offensive defencemen who quarterback the power play. Most modern defencemen need some of both.

Goaltender

The goaltender is the last line of defence and the only player allowed to use the large pads, blocker and catching glove.

Positioning. Good goaltenders are square to the shooter and move efficiently across the crease rather than relying purely on reflexes.
Rebound control. Stopping the first shot is half the job; directing the puck away from danger stops the second.
Puck handling. Some goaltenders help start breakouts by stopping dump-ins behind the net. In the NHL a goaltender may only play the puck behind the goal line within the trapezoid.
The extra attacker. A team trailing late in a game will often pull its goaltender for an extra skater, and a team with a delayed penalty against its opponents does the same.

How to watch for positions

Pick one player and watch them for a whole shift, ignoring the puck.
Notice where the centre goes when the puck is in his own zone, usually low near the net.
Watch the defencemen at the offensive blue line and see how often they keep a clearing attempt in.
Count how many seconds a shift lasts before a change.

You will quickly see that positions are starting points rather than fixed spots, and that good teams rotate and cover for each other constantly. Which position did you play, or which one do you find most fun to watch? Tell us in the comments.