6 Positions In Ice Hockey (The Ultimate Guide)

When talking about team sports, the players rarely have the same responsibilities and positions rather than each one being responsible for one position so they can be together as a complete team. This is the same for ice hockey, and in this article, I’m going to reveal the six hockey positions within the three main positions, how to choose a position for yourself, and more!

There are six hockey positions within the three main category positions; forwards, defense, and goaltender. Three positions are forwards, including left-wing, center, and right-wing. Two positions are defense, including left and right defenseman. The remaining position is the goalkeeper.

With this line-up, you will get a full hockey team ready to take the ice against the same line-up on the other side. However, the whole hockey roster is included with more players than the six, as there need to be more hockey lines, backup players, and more to strategize and give the players some rest. However, that’s a story for another day.

Your today’s subject is to stick with me, and I’ll explain everything there is to know about the six hockey positions, responsibilities, requirements, and optimal attributes. Without further due, let’s get started!

All 6 Positions In Ice Hocket

As I said, hockey positions aren’t exclusive to NHL or any other league. All hockey teams are built the same. Below you can find hockey positions explained in-depth.

1. Left Wing

The left-wing is the first player in the three offensive players with the right wing and center. It’s arguably the easiest hockey position to play because it’s easier than the right winger, is the second easiest position, and the rest are much harder.

To play the left-wing role, you need to be a fast skater, have excellent puck handling skills, have a synchronized playstyle with the center and right-wing, have a powerful, accurate shot, and more. The set of skills isn’t easy, yet it’s the least demanding on the hockey team. The main objective for the left winger is to score goals to win the game.

Generally, lefties play left wing and righties right wing; however, modern playstyle has noticed that you’ll have more possible angles to score when reversing the positions, meaning lefties play right wing and vice versa. This depends on specific teams, so both are used.

Requirements & Attributes

• Fast skating speed
• Excellent puck handling skills
• Accurate and powerful shot
• Good passing ability
• Synchgorized playstyle with other forwards
• Controlling the left side of the ice
• Preferably a left-handed stick

2. Center

Center is considered the second most difficult position in ice hockey and by far the most difficult among the forwards. The responsibilities are mainly related to the offense and making goals, yet they need to be smarter than the wingers and play well with the defensive players, sometimes well on defense.

In addition, the centers are responsible for winning the face-offs, meaning when the puck is dropped down by the referee, they want to pass it to their teammates to increase the chances of scoring.

Centers are usually the team’s leaders as well, such as Sidney Crosby from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the captain of the team. With that comes great responsibility where your teammates count on you, and you need to be a great playmaker too.

Requirements & Attributes

• Smart game IQ
• Playmaking skills
• Strong skating dexterity
• Excellent stick handling, especially on face-offs
• Ability to take the role of a leader
• Good defensive skills
• Accurate and powerful shot
• Great passing ability

3. Right Wing

The right wing is very similar to the left wing, but its position is on the right side of the hockey line. They are responsible for making goals, playing well amongst the other forwards, controlling the right side of the ice, and much more.

The right wing is more difficult to play than the left because more pucks are played on the right side, only 30 to 40% of hockey players are righties, and the right side is often stronger on the opposing team’s side.

Depending on the team’s playstyle, it’s often better than the right wing is also a righty. However, that style has seen challenges, especially in recent years, so that a leftie can play right wing the same.

Requirements & Attributes

• Fast skating speed
• Excellent puck handling skills
• Accurate and powerful shot
• Good passing ability
• Synchgorized playstyle with other forwards
• Controlling the right side of the ice
• Preferably a right-handed stick

4. Left Defenseman

After the three forwards come to the two defensemen, one on the left and one on the right, these positions are extremely similar, but they have their responsible areas to cover.

The duties and skills of a defense vary because they need to block the opposing team’s attacks. This involves much backward skating, strong edgework, anticipation, and good stick handling skills.

When the defenseman gets the puck, strong game IQ and powerful and accurate passes are necessary. If they get to a full-scale offense, strong and accurate shots from the blue line are always a great addition on the offense side of things.

Requirements & Attributes

• Excellent skating ability, even backward
• Amazing passing ability
• Powerful & accurate shots
• Great playmaking ability
• Strong game IQ
• Anticipation ability
• Defending the left side of the ice

5. Right Defenseman

The right defenseman is the same as the left, and only the works on the right side of the field. One difference is that it’s generally easier to play than left defense because right offensive players are usually slightly more skilled than the left.

That said, when the opposite team’s left winger comes in, he will meet the right defenseman first. That’s why on average, the left defenseman is slightly more skilled than the right. However, this widely depends on the team’s line-up and style of play.

Requirements & Attributes

• Excellent skating ability, even backward
• Amazing passing ability
• Powerful & accurate shots
• Great playmaking ability
• Strong game IQ
• Anticipation ability
• Defending the right side of the ice

6. Goalkeeper

The goaltender is the most difficult position in the ice hockey team and arguably one of the most difficult positions overall in any sport.

The goalie is the final element before a puck reaches the goal, so it’s by far the most crucial. A great goaltender can be the savior of the whole team and lead them to victory, and a bad one can be the road to ruin.

The required skills needed to play one aren’t a short list either. Game intelligence, playmaking ability, stress tolerance, and smart positioning is the minimum required. Positioning can be difficult; however, the blue hockey crease is shown in the goalies’ box for both goalie and other players.

In addition, quick reaction times, amazing flexibility, and powerful knees are needed to hold the stance for a long time.

Requirements & Attributes

• Strong game IQ
• Excellent flexibility
• Quick reaction time
• High-stress tolerance
• Playmaking ability
• Smart position selection
• Great stance
• Confident edgework ability

When I play hockey, I like to be left-wing as I’m a leftie and love being on the offense. However, the goalie and the center have always fascinated me. The defenseman position hasn’t ever been my calling, but it definitely can be yours. So, which of the six positions do you find the most interesting?

Below you can find the general objectives of each position but refer to the above bullet point lists and descriptions about a specific position because there’s much more each player needs to do other than score goals or defend.

Position	Role	Requirements
Left-wing	Forward	Score goals
Right-wing	Forward	Score goals
Center	Forward	Score goals
Left defenseman	Defense	Defend the goalkeeper
Right defenseman	Defense	Defend the goalkeeper
Goalie	Goaltender	Defend the goal

How to Choose a Hockey Position?

Out of the six fascinating hockey positions, it can be difficult to choose one close to your heart, even when all of them seem good enough to play. I know the struggle, so next, I’m going to give you some guidelines to think about, so you can make the best decision you’ll enjoy.

Choose a hockey position by reviewing your skills and the required attributes needed for each position. Choose a wing or a center if you’re a middle-sized to small, a fast skater, and have great puck handling skills. Choose defense if you’re a bigger, strong skater and have a good game IQ.

Then there’s the goalie left. If you want something special, love to get hit by pucks and save, have a high-stress tolerance, and like the goalie equipment (the helmets can be incredible), choose goalie.

However, the position you should play will only reveal itself by actually playing and trying. As the wizard doesen’t choose its wand, but the wand chooses its wizard in Harry Potter, the player will ultimately be chosen by the position. Try them out, and you will know which position calls you.

I like to be a forward, specifically a wing, as you get to score and are on the offense. I’m not that big and am a decent skater with some stick skills, so that’s where if feel at home.

Popular Hockey Players and Their Positions

Imagine being so good at something that your name is forever carved in the hall of fame of something. This is the case for many hockey players that have fought and trained their way to the company among the greatest. Below you’ll find some of the most notable hockey players and their positions.

Player	Left Wing	Center	Right Wing	Left Defense	Right Defense	Goaltender
Alex Ovechkin	X
Ilya Kovalchuk	X
Wayne Gretzky		X
Sidney Crosby		X
Jaromir Jagr			X
Teemu Selanne			X
Nicklas Lidstrom				X
Miro Heiskanen				X
Bobby Orr					X
Eddie Shore					X
Dominik Hasek						X
Patrick Roy						X

There are many more players to list there, but those are some of my personal favorites that are amongst the greatest. My favorite players are probably Gretzky, Selanne, and Hasek! Let me know who you think should be on that list in the comment section below!