Hockey is one of the most intense and fast-paced sports out there. Whether you’re watching a game on TV or seeing it happen right in front of you, there’s constant excitement. While any game is likely to keep you interested from beginning to end, there are many things about the sport that you might not know that might surprise you.
If you want to learn something new about your favorite sport and want a fun fact to impress your friends with, here are some great hockey fun facts to know.
The First Indoor Hockey Game Happened in 1875
It’s easy to picture early hockey players playing a game on a winter day out in the cold on a frozen pound. While hockey and similar versions of the sport have been played on frozen lakes and ponds for possibly hundreds of years, indoor hockey goes back further than you might realize. The first recorded indoor hockey game dates back to 1875 at Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Quebec. However, at the time of this game, the rink was still made of naturally frozen ice, not mechanically frozen.
Hockey Pucks Are Frozen
The ice isn’t the only thing that’s frozen during NHL and AHL games. Pucks are kept frozen before games to keep them from bouncing. Warmer pucks would risk going airborne and injuring players and fans. Additionally, there are about 12 pucks used in each hockey game, as pucks get replaced as they thaw.
NHL Teams Can Use Emergency Goalies
While it’s extremely rare, you might see someone not on an NHL team step in to play. Because of the NHL’s emergency goalie rule, when a team has no goalies available from their roster, they may call in a backup goalie from a list of emergency goalies in the area. Often, these emergency goalies just get the chance to get dressed up and sit on the bench, but there have been a few occasions where emergency goalies got the chance to say they played in an NHL game.
The Montreal Canadiens Have the Most Stanley Cup Wins
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are some of the most exciting moments in sports. Of course, this time is always the most exciting when your favorite team is a strong contender. While some teams have won more than others, the team with the most Stanley Cup wins by far is the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times, with their first win occurring in 1916 before the NHL was even founded. In the AHL, the Hershey Bears hold the record for the most Calder Cup wins with 11 total.
Wayne Gretzky is the NHL’s Top Scorer
Many consider Wayne Gretzky to be the greatest hockey player in history, and for many good reasons. During his NHL career, Gretzky has scored the most points by nearly 1,000. While he achieved the first-place spot with 2,857 points, Jaromir Jagr is in second place with 1,921 points. Additionally, Gretzky set the record for the most goals and assists.
The Miracle on Ice is Considered One of the Top Sports Moments
The Olympic Games garner billions of views from around the world. During the Winter and Summer Olympic Games, you’re likely to see many exciting moments and some that may go down in history. However, one of the most famous events in any Olympics involved hockey. The game where the U.S. beat the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics, known as the Miracle on Ice, is considered one of the top sports moments of the 20th century. The International Ice Hockey Federation also named it the best international ice hockey story of the past 100 years at the organization’s centennial celebration in 2008.
Players Can Lose Up to 5 to 8 Pounds in a Game
Even the most casual fans know how much work players put into a game. Not only are hockey players constantly on the move, but they’re playing under a lot of heavy padding and equipment. Needless to say, hockey can be quite the workout, and you can heat up fast. Hockey is such an intense workout that some players can lose up to five to eight pounds in just one game. Of course, this is all water weight, which shows how important it is to stay hydrated when you’re on the ice.
Follow Along for the End of the 2022-23 AHL Season
The 2022-23 AHL season is quickly coming to an end, but there are still a few games left to follow along with. While the regular season is almost over, there are still the Calder Cup Playoffs to look forward to.
Be sure to follow along with the WBS Penguins for the end of our season!
