Hockey Jargon In Practice – 15 Words/Phrases To Talk Like The Pros

If you watch a lot of hockey you know the lingo is on another lever from other professional sports. Strong hockey jargon is somewhat of an unspoken requirement to the sport and the culture that comes with it, so if you’re new to the game it’s time to get you up to speed on some of the classics.

Alright, let’s break down some hockey jargon so you can be in the know. And for educational purposes, but mostly for fun, each word/phrase comes paired with an example so you can immediately put them into practice with your fellow hockey fans.

1. Chirp

• What it means: Chirping is when you talk trash to the other team, usually in a playful or taunting way. It’s a part of the mental game.
• In Practice: “I was givin’ it to the guy all game, eh? A little chirpin’ here and there—just messin’ with him. Got him rattled, and next thing you know, he took a dumb penalty. Gotta stay in their heads.”

2. Gordie Howe Hat Trick

• What it means: A Gordie Howe Hat Trick happens when a player scores a goal, gets an assist, and has a fight in the same game. It’s named after the legendary Gordie Howe, who was known for doing it all.
• In Practice: “I was feelin’ good out there—scored a goal, dropped the gloves for a scrap, and set up a buddy for the game-winner. That’s a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, buddy. Real old-school hockey. None of this fancy stuff.”

3. Celly

• What it means: Short for “celebration,” a celly is how a player celebrates after scoring a goal. It could be anything from a big fist pump to a crazy dance move.
• In Practice: “Yeah, I scored a beauty, so I had to throw a celly. Gave the crowd a little wave, eh? Gotta show the boys and the fans you’re feelin’ it.”

4. Dangle

• What it means: When you stickhandle around a defender with some slick moves, making them look like they’re skating in mud. It’s all about finesse.
• In Practice: “I got the puck at the blue line, saw the D-man comin’ at me, and just pulled a quick dangle around him. Had him on skates, buddy. He was left in the dust.”

5. Top Shelf

• What it means: You know when you absolutely rip one and it goes right under the crossbar—basically, in the top corner of the net? That’s top shelf. The spot’s so high, you might need a ladder to get it!
• In Practice: “Yeah, I just fired it top shelf, eh? Gotta aim for that sweet spot right under the bar. That’s where mom hides the cookies.”

6. Backcheck

• What it means: Backchecking is when you skate hard back to your own zone to prevent the other team from getting a good scoring chance. It’s a defensive effort after your team loses the puck.
• In Practice: “I saw the other team breaking out, so I had to get on my horse and backcheck like there was no tomorrow. Didn’t want them to get an odd-man rush on us. Skated hard and broke it up, eh.”

7. Five Hole

• What it means: The space between the goalie’s legs. If you shoot and score through there, you’ve scored through the five hole.
• In Practice: “I faked to the blocker side, then just slid it through the five hole. Goalie didn’t even see it coming. Like takin’ candy from a baby.”

8. Enforcer

• What it means: The guy on the team whose job is to protect the players and make sure no one messes with your stars. He’s usually the one who drops the gloves when things get physical.
• In Practice: “We got a good enforcer on the team, eh. If someone’s takin’ liberties with our top scorer, he’s the guy to go and settle the score. Keeps everyone in line and makes sure we don’t get pushed around.”

9. Puck Bunny

• What it means: A term used (often jokingly) to describe fans, usually female, who are more interested in the players than the actual game.
• In Practice: “Saw a couple puck bunnies in the stands last night. They were more interested in getting a selfie with the guys than watchin’ the play. But hey, we’re not complaining.”

10. Power Play

• What it means: A power play happens when one team has more players on the ice because the other team has a player in the penalty box. It’s a prime opportunity to score.
• In Practice: “We got a five-on-four power play, so I knew we had a good chance. Moved the puck quick, got the goalie outta position, and buried one. That’s how you make the most of a power play, eh?”

11. Snipe

• What it means: To score a perfect shot, especially one that’s really well-placed. Usually refers to a quick, hard shot that goes right in.
• In Practice: “I was on the break, saw the goalie over-commit, and just sniped it top corner. Didn’t even flinch when it went in. That’s a snipe, buddy!”

12. Bender

• What it means: A playful (but somewhat insulting) term for someone who isn’t very good at skating, usually because their skates seem to be too wobbly or they lack balance.
• In Practice: “Did you see Johnny out there? He’s a total bender. Couldn’t stay on his feet if his life depended on it. Can’t even skate a straight line, eh?”

13. The Puck is in Deep

• What it means: When the puck is sent into the opponent’s zone and into the corners of the rink, usually for the forwards to go chase it down.
• In Practice: “I chipped the puck in deep, then went in hard on the forecheck. Gotta keep the pressure on their D-men. No room for them to breathe.”

14. No Look Pass

• What it means: A pass made without looking at the player you’re passing to, often to surprise the opponent or to make a slick play.
• In Practice: “I made that no-look pass through the D-man’s legs to set up the goal. Totally fooled the goalie. You know, just a little finesse to keep ‘em on their toes.”

15. Biscuit

• What it means: The puck. Simple as that. It’s a light-hearted way to refer to the puck in the game.
• In Practice: “I got the biscuit on my stick, and I’m goin’ to the net. No stopping me now, eh.”

There you go, bud! If you were on the ice, you’d hear these terms all the time from the boys. Now you’re ready to talk hockey like a pro!

For a more extensive list of hockey jargon, make sure to check out 122 Hockey Slang Words.