The Modern Hockey Glossary

Time to understand all this hockey lingo.

Let’s be honest...there’s a lot of hockey terms, slang, and jargon out there!

Whether you're a seasoned player, a fan, or just a parent trying to figure out what the heck "celly" means, our modern hockey glossary is here to fill in the gaps.

We’ve broken down the sports unique language so you can confidently understand it. Get ready to go from rookie smelt to grizzled veteran in no time...

ice hockey player raising arm in air

All Hockey Terms

Barn Burner

An extremely exciting ice hockey game, generally with a high score (hence the "burner" part- red goal lights on fire from all it's use).

Billet Family

A host family that provides housing accommodation for players (often younger junior hockey players) who move away from home to play for a team. Much more than providing a living situation in season, many billet families have a love for the game of hockey and form deep bonds and friendships with players during these formative years of their career.

Dangle

A slang term for a flashy or skilled deke around an opponent on the ice.

Ferda

Ferda is short for "for the boys. It's often used in hockey culture to describe doing something for the benefit of the team (or the boys) in both on and off the ice situations. It refers to acting in a way that supports the betterment of the team whether it's making a key play in a game or doing something solid for a teammate(s) off the ice.

Gordie Howe Hat Trick

A Gordie Howe Hat Trick is when a hockey player scores a goal, an assist, and gets into a fight all in a single game. The name derives from the legendary hockey player, Gordie Howe, who was known in the hockey world for his combination of elite skill and toughness (scoring + fighting).

Hockey Mom

A supportive mom of a hockey player who is deeply involved in all facets of their child's hockey life, from weekly practices and team events to games.

Hoser

A derogatory term in hockey that implies someone (player or team) is not talented or tough. Getting called a hoser is an insult that derives from Canada. Way back in the day before Zamboni's were commonplace at every rink, the losing team would "hose down" the ice after the game.

Man Rocket

This term is slang for an attractive, good looking male hockey player on the team.

Natural Hat Trick

When a hockey player scores three consecutive goals in a game without any other player on the ice scoring in between.

Puck Bunny

A term that's used to describe a person (often a female hockey fan) who is more interested in the players themselves than the game on the ice.

Sin Bin

It's a slang term for the penalty box in hockey where players serve penalties during a game.

Slew Foot

A dangerous play in which a player intentionally uses their leg or foot to trip an opponent from behind, causing them to fall backward.

Soft Hands

A hockey player with elite puck handling skills and playmaking ability has soft hands- making crisp and efficient passes, plays, and dekes with ease.
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