Winger (ice Hockey) - Offensive Zone Play

Offensive Zone Play

A winger's responsibilities in the offensive zone include:

• fighting for the puck in their zone
• positioning themselves in front of the net
• making plays to open teammates

Wingers should typically not:

• fight for the puck in the same corner as their fellow winger
• chase the puck down low in their own zone

Aggression is key to being a winger; games often hinge on the grit and determination behind players who relentlessly fight for the puck and harass opponents. This is not always how a winger plays. A winger might only play for assists and goals. This sort of play holds the immediate goal of keeping the puck deep in the offensive zone, and the longer term goal of exhausting the defense and scoring a goal. This is usually referred to as hemming the opposition, as in "the opposition is hemmed in their own end". Wingers who play very physically are known as grinders for their ability to literally grind opposition against the boards until the puck squeezes out.

Wingers tend to "plant" themselves in front of the net, usually to distract or screen a goaltender, attempt a deflection, throw the defense into disarray, or draw a penalty. It is a common tactic for teams on the power play to plant a winger in front of the net and attempt to deflect a slapshot past the goalie.