| Ice hockey is a Canadian sport in tradition | | | | carry a maximum of 20 players and two |
| and leadership which began in the early 19th | | | | goaltenders on their roster. During normal |
| century, and is now played seriously in 20 | | | | play, the hockey rink consists of six players |
| countries. Some of those countries include: | | | | per side on the ice at any given time. The |
| Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, | | | | five players other than the goaltender are |
| Slovakia, and many other nations. Today, it | | | | typically divided into three forwards and two |
| is an Olympic sport and the most popular team | | | | defence man. |
| sport played on ice. Traditionally, it's most | | | | |
| popular found in areas that are cold for | | | | Hockey players control the puck using a long |
| natural, reliable seasonal ice cover, though | | | | stick with a blade that is commonly curved at |
| with the increase of indoor artificial ice | | | | one end, also known as a "hockey stick." |
| rinks, it has become a year-round pastime at | | | | These "hockey sticks" are used to pass, stick |
| the amateur level in major metropolitan areas | | | | handle and shoot the puck, and to propel |
| such as cities that host an NHL or other | | | | their sledges. Players are also well padded |
| professional-league team. | | | | with hockey equipment. These mainly consist |
| | | | of: knee, hip, shin, shoulder and elbow pads, |
| It is played on a rectangular rink that | | | | thick gauntlet type gloves, long stockings |
| consists of curved corners whose length may | | | | that fit over the knee pads, padded shorts |
| vary from approximately 184 to 200 ft, and | | | | that lace up at the front, and sweaters in |
| its width from approximately 85 to 98 ft, | | | | team colours over everything. |
| plenty of room to have some fun. It consists | | | | |
| of three periods of equal length. Typically, | | | | In all, there are many articles, and |
| each period runs for 20 minutes at most | | | | information in general, that you can find on |
| levels, but often 12 or 15 minutes in youth | | | | the Internet about the sport of ice hockey. |
| classifications. In soccer, a "soccer ball" | | | | Hopefully, the information you read here, |
| is used. In basketball, a "basketball" is | | | | will help spark some interest in this great |
| used. In the case of hockey, it is a puck | | | | game we call "Hockey." It is a game that |
| that is used, which is made of vulcanized | | | | consists of relatively simple rules, yet at |
| rubber in round shape. When all is said and | | | | the same time is every bit as fun to play |
| done, and the facts have been looked at, it | | | | today as it was when it was first released |
| is clear that ice hockey is superior to field | | | | nearly a century ago. |
| hockey. | | | | |
| | | | It's a fast paced, exciting, family friendly |
| The main difference between men's and women's | | | | spectator sport with fans that range from |
| ice hockey is that for women, body checking | | | | ages 5 all the way to 95. Let's face it, once |
| is not allowed. Even today, hockey is one of | | | | that puck drops, it instantly becomes a blast |
| the fastest growing sports in the world for | | | | to play. In reverse, it also becomes a very |
| women, with the number of participants | | | | enjoyable game to watch. The game's been |
| increasing more than a whopping 400 percent | | | | around for a very long time, and quite |
| in the last decade. | | | | frankly, it's going to be here for a very |
| | | | long time. If your one that really enjoys |
| A Few known Facts About Hockey Players | | | | sports in general, but have yet to try a game |
| | | | of ice hockey, what are you waiting for? Put |
| In today's hockey game, about roughly thirty | | | | on those skates, and hit the ice! I promise, |
| percent of the games players are not North | | | | you won't regret it. Good luck! |
| American. Under IIHF rules, each team may | | | | |