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Positions

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 There are four different positions you can play in hockey and I'm going to explain all of them. Center: The center's job is to take the face-offs against the other team's center. They try to knock the puck back to their team so they have possession. They are usually the last forward to leave the defensive zone. The center's other job is to be the third defenseman and to cover the open forward. Wingers: There are two wingers on the ice at a time, the left winger and the right winger. Their job is to be open for an outlet pass on defense and to be in front of the net on offense. Defensemen: The defensemen's job is to keep the other team's wingers and center away from the front of the net. They also have to attack the puck when it's in the corner. In the offensive zone, their job is to keep the puck in the other team's zone or to get a shot from the point. Goalie: The goalie is probably the most important position in any sport including hockey. The job of

Hockey Gear

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Helmets:  Old: At first NHL players didn't wear helmets, but as they became popular in other sports the NHL began using them too. The first NHL helmets were made from leather and looked like the image below. New:  Now helmets are made from a plastic-like material with foam padding on the inside to protect players from head injuries. Helmets are required at all levels of hockey. Most players wear a cage or visor for extra protection. Skates: Old:  In the beginning players would just wear shoes with metal spikes on the bottom, making it difficult to move on the ice. Some skates were used in the early days of hockey, but these were made out of leather and looked like a pair of boots attached to a blade. New:  Today hockey skates are made from many different materials including nylon, molded plastic, and steel. These skates have ankle support to lessen the risk of injury. The skates allow players to move faster with more precise cuts, pivots, and movements. Sticks: Old:  The first hoc

Injuries

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  A major part of the NHL is the injuries. In hockey, there are many types of injuries players can get. Here are some of the most common. Concussions:      A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth. A player with one or two minor concussions can usually resume playing after a while, but any more than that can be career-ending. Fractures and Breaks:      Players may experience broken bones, usually in the hands, fingers, or wrists, as a result of impacts with sticks or the puck. Depending on how bad the break is a player can take 6-8 weeks to get back to healthy. Shoulder Injuries:      Dislocations, separations, or rotator cuff injuries can result from falls, collisions, or impacts along the boards. The most common shoulder injuries are Clavicle fractures and shoulder dislocations. These can take 10-12 weeks to heal. Achilles Tendon Injuries:      These injuries can result from sudden accelerations