The Ultimate Guide to Ice Hockey Positions

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Plus, learn about the players' zones & what they do in each one

Co-authored by Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: May 24, 2026 Fact Checked

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Center

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Wingers

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Defensemen

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Goalie

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Ice Hockey Zones

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FAQs

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Video

Whether you’re trying to get into watching pro hockey (any Heated Rivalry fans in the room?) or you’re an aspiring hockey player, you’ll need to know the six hockey positions. That’s what we’re here for! In this guide, we’ll explain the role and responsibilities of the center, left and right wing, left and right defensemen, and goalie. Plus, we’ll give you a few tips for success for each role and review the ice hockey zones.

Ice Hockey Positions Diagram

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A diagram depicting the 6 positions in ice hockey and their zone on the rink.

Center: forward who covers the center of the rink
Left and Right Wing: forwards who play offense and score goals
Left and Right Defensemen: prevents the other team from scoring
Goalie: defends the net from shots from the opposing team

Section 1 of 6:

Center

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The centerman is basically the quarterback of ice hockey. This position is in charge of reading plays before they happen, scoring goals, and winning faceoffs (battling for the puck at the start of play). Centermen must be excellent passers and have strong stickhandling abilities.^{[1]
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- There is one centerman on the rink per team at a time.
- The centerman and the wingers are both referred to as forwards.
They work across the offensive, defensive, and neutral zones and cover the largest amount of ice of all the positions. Generally, they are responsible for dictating gameplay in the offensive zone. This means they work to score on the other team by doing things like skating the puck into the offensive zone or by clearing the way for wingers to shoot the puck.

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Just like a quarterback in football, the center has to be aware of what’s going on around them and communicate to other players.^{[2]
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Research source} You should be able to call for passes and communicate with your wingers to let them know your plan for faceoffs. A successful center also always keeps their feet moving and supports their teammates.

Section 2 of 6:

Left and Right Wing

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The wingers play offense and score goals. The wingers and the centerman make up the forwards on the rink. They’re supposed to stop the other team’s defense from getting the puck or to block shots when the other team’s defense does get the puck.^{[3]
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- There is one left winger and one right winger for each team on the rink at a time.
They work across the defensive and offensive zones. As their names imply, the right wing plays up and down the right side of the ice, and the left wing plays up and down the left side. In the defense zone, the wingers will cover defensemen. In the offense zone, wingers are trying to score a goal.^{[4]
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You’ll be responsible for fighting other players for the puck. Since you’ll often be against the outer edges of the rink, you must have the grit to battle it out with other players and dig the puck from against the boards.^{[5]
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Research source} You’ll also need high speed and accuracy for scoring goals.

Section 3 of 6:

Left and Right Defensemen

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The defensemen prevent the opposing team from scoring. They block shots, protect the net, and maintain defensive positioning. This means they stay between the puck carrier and the net. Defensemen have to evaluate plays and make quick decisions on the ice.^{[6]
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- There is one left defenseman and one right defenseman for each team on the rink at a time.
Within their zone, there’s also the check/hit zone, the support zone, and the net zone. The check zone and support zone are in the corners of the rink, where defensemen frequently have to race for the puck to get it away from the opposing team. The net zone is the zone around the net and the most important zone for defense—there should always be a defenseman here.^{[7]
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Defensemen need to be excellent skaters, and their backward skating should be as good or better than their forward skating. You should also focus on quick transitions and escape moves. Plus, you’ll need to be a vocal communicator and know how to position your body between the puck carrier and the goalie.^{[8]
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Section 4 of 6:

Goaltender (Goalie)

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The goalie defends the net from the opposing team. This player stops the puck from entering the net when the other team shoots. When the goalie blocks a shot, it’s called a save. They wear special goaltending equipment to help block shots and protect their body from the direct impact of high-power shots.^{[9]
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- There is one goalie per team on the rink at a time.
This area is often called the goal crease, or simply the crease. The goalie can make saves by catching the puck, deflecting goals with their stick, or blocking with their leg pads by collapsing to butterfly position for low shots. If it’s possible, the goalie can catch a shot to control how it re-enters play. If they hold the puck for a second or more, they can stop play for a face-off.^{[10]
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You need to think and move quickly to block shots from the other team. Plus, you need to have the instincts to determine if and how you should catch a puck to control play. Successful goalies will also have patience, aggressiveness, and strong skating abilities.^{[11]
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Section 5 of 6:

Ice Hockey Zones

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The defensive zone is the end of the rink with your team’s net. This is where the opposing team’s forwards (centerman and wingers) will often try to score goals. Your defensemen and goalie operate in this zone.
The offensive zone is the end of the rink with the opposing team’s net. This is where your team’s forwards will try to score on the opposing team. Your centerman and wingers will operate in this zone.
The neutral zone is the third of the rink between the offensive and defensive zones. It acts as a transition space between defense to offense. Your team can set up attacks and execute defensive traps in this zone.^{[12]
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Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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How many players are on the ice at once? There are six players on the ice per team at any given time. This means there are only 12 players on the ice at once. However, there are typically 18 players on each team who swap out throughout the game.
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Which position is the hardest to play? Goaltender, or goalie, is generally considered the most difficult hockey position to play (and one of the toughest jobs in pro sports).^{[13]
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Research source} Goalies must have excellent reflexes and puck management abilities.
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How do positions get assigned to beginners? Coaches assign positions based on the player’s strengths and abilities. For instance, if a player is a strong communicator with a good understanding of gameplay strategy, they might be a good center. Beginners typically get to try out multiple positions.