Assist (ice hockey) facts for kids
An assist in ice hockey is a special play where a player helps a teammate score a goal. Think of it like setting up a friend for a perfect shot in a game.
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What is an Assist in Ice Hockey?
An assist happens when a player on the scoring team makes a pass, shoots the puck, or touches it in a way that directly leads to a teammate scoring a goal. It's like they "assisted" or helped make the goal happen.
How Many Assists Can There Be?
For every goal scored in ice hockey, there can be a maximum of two assists. This means that up to two players, besides the goal-scorer, can get credit for helping to create the scoring play.
Examples of Assists
- Passing the puck: A player passes the puck to a teammate who then immediately shoots and scores. The player who made the pass gets an assist.
- Shooting for a rebound: A player shoots the puck, and the goalie blocks it, but the puck bounces off the goalie right to a teammate who then scores. The player who took the first shot gets an assist.
- Deflecting the puck: A player shoots the puck towards the net, and another teammate slightly touches or deflects it, changing its direction, before it goes into the net. The player who deflected it gets an assist.
Why Are Assists Important?
Assists are important because they show how well players work together as a team. They highlight playmaking skills, good passing, and smart decisions that lead to scoring chances. Players who get many assists are often called "playmakers" because they are great at setting up their teammates.
How Assists Are Recorded
During a game, officials called "scorers" keep track of every goal and assist. If a player helps create a goal, they get credit for an assist in the official game statistics. These statistics are used to track player performance throughout the season.
Famous Playmakers in Hockey History
Many legendary hockey players are known for their incredible ability to get assists. Some of the all-time leaders in assists include:
- Wayne Gretzky: Often called "The Great One," he holds many scoring records, including the most assists in NHL history. He was famous for his vision and passing.
- Ron Francis: Another player known for his long career and consistent ability to set up goals for his teammates.
- Jaromir Jagr: A powerful forward who played for many years and was excellent at both scoring and assisting.
These players showed that helping your teammates score is just as valuable as scoring goals yourself!
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