Ice hockey

This tiny black piece of rubber can go so fast and make people crazy... the answer is the hockey puck! 
Below is an article to learn about it:

• the first hockey puck,
• the hockey puck history,
• fun hockey puck facts,
• dimensions, weight,
• speed,
• how it's made,
• and much more...

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).

Ice Hockey Puck history

If you’ve ever watched an ice hockey game then you know there’s no ball.
Ice hockey uses a strange little black object. It is called a puck (see further in the article to understand the name).
Hockey players fight for it, handle it with sticks and try to get it across the rink into the net, past the goalie.

But how did we end up playing hockey like this? 

What did hockey players use before the puck?

According to legends, the first hockey players were playing with pieces of frozen cow dung as pucks. However, there is no proof.
Other early versions were probably made out of pieces of wood and stones.

The first ice hockey puck: who invented it?

The first officially recorded pucks were lacrosse rubber balls of which the rounded edges were cut. This puck was square.
It is believed to have been first recorded in 1875 (during the first official hockey match), in 1876 or 1886 depending on the sources... One says that it was first recorded in print on 7th February 1876 in the Montreal gazette.

In the late 1800' and early 1900's, they tried improving it to make it slide on the ice. Rubber was used as a coating.
Some were 2 pieces of rubber glued together, but they did not last long.

Finally, a new method was developed in Europe to create flat balls: a flat piece of wood with a coat of vulcanized rubber.
It is believed to have been the inspiration for the modern sport. However, there are no pictures or evidences.

Evolution of the hockey puck - standardization and the Foxtrack

The modern puck design dates back to around 1940. Pucks were then made in factories. It was a mix of rubber and bonding materials as well as carbon black. The mix was shaped, cut and cured in an oven. Therefore, they were kind of standardized for consistent play and to facilitate the manufacturing.

The NHL standardised the puck to be used for the league in the early 1990's.

At the same time, television wanted to improve the visibility of the puck. 
The first trial was the Firepuck with reflective materials, but it stopped being used.

In 1995/96, the "Fox track smart puck" was developed. It contains electronics to track its position, allowing the tv to trace the path across the ice with a blue halo (or red/green when shot at different speeds). The viewer could track the movement of the puck more easily.
Fox television started using them in 1996.

Making a Hockey puck - dimensions, material...

Material - what is a hockey puck made of?

Have you ever watched a game and wondered what a hockey puck is made of? Well....

Hockey pucks are all made of vulcanized rubber (similar to tires). This material:

• can slide fast on the ice (it is very dense)
• can withstand shots without damaging
• is bouncy at normal temperature but does not bounce when cooled down

Vulcanization is a chemical treatment. Sulfur or other chemicals are used to alter the physical properties of rubber. This way you keep the positive: the resistance to rust, corrosion and elasticity, but you fix the softness and elasticity of the unmodified rubber. Learn more about vulcanization here.

Hockey puck dimensions & weight

Since the 1990s, the NHL has defined standardized dimensions for the puck (and they are listed in the USA rule book - rule 306):

• Color = black
• Thickness = 1 inch = 25,4 mm
• Diameter = 3 inches = 76,2 mm
• Weight = between 5.5 and 6 ounces (155 to 170 grams)
• Edge texture = grooves carved into the surface (for the hockey stick to have something to grab)

Other sizes and weight can be used for 

• children's hockey leagues (4 to 4,5 ounces = 113g -128 grams blue)
• for strength training (up to 10 ounces = 283 grams - sometimes red)

Practice or decorative pucks can be found with logos and in other colors.

How are regulation pucks made?

Who makes hockey pucks?

NHL games hockey puck can only be made by approved manufacturers.
So far, the major manufacturers have been approved in:  USA, Canada, Russia, China, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The famous puck brands are:

• Spalding (USA)
• Viceroy (Canada)
• Sher-Wood (Canada)
• InGlasCo (Canada) - official supplier to the NHL as of 2021

Manufacturing process

The main steps are:

1. Mixing the granular rubber with the bonding material + antioxidants + coal dust
2. Shape into a circular log that is 3 inches in diameter
3. Cut into one inch pieces
4. Place the piece of rubber into a mold 
5. Compress at room temperature
6. Silk-screen any logos or designs with rubber-based ink

Inspection

Official pucks are inspected to make sure that:

• they are compliant in size and weight. 
• There is no soft rubber
• There are no air bubbles
• They do not bounce after 10 days of freezing

Pucks that fail are recycled.

Interesting facts about the hockey puck / trivia

Average speed of the hockey puck

During a hockey game, a puck generally reaches speed of 100 miles per hours (161 km/h).

The official Guiness World record is at 110.3 miles per hour (177.5 km/h) by Denis Kulyash on February 2011

However, recordings that are official or not have shown speeds of 114 and even 118 mph.

They go really fast! Which is why protective equipment, including mouthguards, are essentials.

Pucks are frozen before a hockey game

For NHL games, pucks have to be stored at 14°F (-10°C) before being used in a game.
As discussed in the description before, the rubber is bouncy. By freezing it, it prevents the bounce and they become easier to control.
They are stored in a freezer. Pucks are rotated.

How many pucks are used during an NHL game?

To keep that temperature, pucks must be changed regularly with fresh ones from the freezer.
An average NHL game uses over a dozen pucks, sometimes a lot more.

New technology makes the lettering change color based on temperature. This alerts the officials that it is time to change the puck.

Fun fact

Sometimes the puck flies and ends up in strange places! This was the case of Alexander Wennberg, a Swedish player. The puck got lodged in his trousers, so he skated to the goal and squatted to make it fall (the use of hands is not allowed). The goal actually counted.

About the word puck

Why is it called a puck?

The origin of the work puck is not clear. (oxford states "unknown origin")
The various suggestions are:

• from the Scottish Gaelic puc or the Irish poc, meaning "to poke, punch or deliver a blow" 
• from the old English word "pouke" which means “devil,” “evil spirit,” - note; the “Puck” was a mischievous Satyre spirit in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream". He was constantly “poking people the wrong way.”
• From the Irish settled in Halifax, Canada who were playing hurling in which the verb to puck was used

A hockey puck is also referred to as a "biscuit". 

Hockey puck in other languages - how is it called

• in French = Palet (in France) or Rondelle (in Canada) - the name has its origin in the shape of the puck
• In German = Eishockey-Puck
• In Russian = хоккейная шайба ("khokkeynaya shayba")
• in Finnish = kiekko
• In Swedish = hockey puck

Hockey pucks gifts - personalized or NHL

Personalized hockey pucks

To play, practice or decorate a room, you can choose a hockey puck to personalize (other colors in my shop).
It makes a great gift for a hockey fan or a hockey player gift.

NHL team hockey pucks

Wondering why play hockey, apart for the fun of it?
Discover 12 of the benefits from playing ice hockey: mental, social and physical advantages to improve your own life and your kid's life.
Lessons and benefits that will last for a lifetime for you or your kid.

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Mental and social benefits specific to hockey

#1 - Learn nonverbal communication

Despite the mouth guard and the heavy protective equipment, ice hockey is very much a communication sport.
It happens via gestures and eye contacts.
You have to be able to communicate very fast and effectively with your teammate in the middle of a play.

#2 - Learn Teamwork

Ice hockey is a team sport. And with the speed of the game, the team must work as one.
Every year, the sport proves to be a great way for young kids to learn about bonding and working towards a common goal.
Skin color, looks and personality, or socioeconomic status are of no importance. Instead, every team member must be committed, talented, dedicated, and adhere to work ethics.

#3 - Learn Respect

The game teaches both, children and youth, wonderful life skills. One of them is to develop a sporting spirit. Your team may have won or lost. Regardless, both teams must line up at the center after a match. The idea is to offer congratulations to one another. In other words, the losing team appreciates the efforts of the winning team. Similarly, shaking of hands is imperative too. This shows that no one harbors hard feelings.

#4 - Learn to overcome difficulties

Ice hockey is a lively game, full of ups and downs. For example, each team has to score as many goals as possible. Team members may find themselves knocked down. Penalty shots are a norm too. Whatever is the case, you always get a chance to make up for earlier mistakes, in the next game. Thus, through teamwork, you learn to tackle challenges. You also learn to handle disappointments and successes with maturity.

#5 - Value preparation / long term thinking

This is a great life lesson from all sports.
It does not matter if you fail to achieve instant gratification. The wait for long-term gains is well worth it!
Practice games prepare your body, mind and spirit. Gradually, you achieve personal success, as well as success in life.

#6 - Develop Mental agility / Concentration

Ice hockey is a fast game. The momentum can change in seconds. This should help any player in future. You will be able to engage in quick decision-making whenever the need arises and to think on your feet too.

Similarly, you improve your concentration. Even while playing/learning, you comprehend the cause-effect events that take place on the field. In turn, you develop relevant strategies for handling any situation successfully. This should help you in your personal/professional life too.

Mental imagery is another useful talent. You are able to visualize a clear picture in your mind. This means you create a mental action plan for achieving a particular goal.

Find more hockey quotes in this article

The overall ice skating benefits

Hockey is an ice skating sport. Therefore, all the physical benefits of ice skating are gained as well when playing hockey, whatever the position in the team. You can learn more in this article, but here is a summary: 

#7 - Hockey improves Motor Coordination

Ice skating is all about balance. Balance requires your whole body and your brain. Everything has to move as one:  your feet and legs of course, but also the position of your arms, torso, neck, head and where you are looking. It engages every part of your body to control the movement.
This activity develops pathways in your brain, creating connections. And those remain open after practice.

#8 - Hockey increases Joints Flexibility

Your joints will become more flexible, thanks to playing hockey on the ice. The re-awakening of several important muscles will help you move more. Even the impact on the muscles and joints is low. Therefore, ice hockey can prove more beneficial than running and cycling.

The game ensures continual movement. However, there is no excessive stress on the joints or muscles. Instead, the connective tissues around the joints become strong. So do the ligaments. Regular flow of synovial fluid helps in keeping the joints well lubricated. Just make sure that you do not jump around.

#9 - Hockey builds muscles & improves posture

It does not matter if you are moving leisurely or speedily. The muscles in your abdomen, hips, thighs (quadriceps), knees (hamstrings), legs, calves and buttocks (gluteus maximus) gain a great workout from ice skating. They become strong and well-toned. The muscles increase in mass too.

Skating is all about balancing on a slim, metal blade. Therefore, the muscles of your abdomen and legs contract and relax continuously. These core muscles gain in strength. Furthermore, the constant balancing results in a good posture.

#10 - Hockey increases Cardio Health and Endurance

As you skate, you use your arms to balance better. There is also consistency in stroking the puck. Hence, your heart begins to pump more vigorously. The heart rate increases. The blood circulation improves. It follows, therefore, that your cardiovascular health improves.

Now, you are moving around the rink continuously. Your muscles are contracting constantly. Your heart rate remains high. Therefore, you are building up endurance. 

When practicing ice skating, ice hockey skating is akin to light jogging or moving up a hill.

Off ice hockey workout routines should complete the on-ice training. Learn more on off-ice training.

Physical Benefits of playing hockey - specific

#11 - Ice hockey develops hand-eye coordination

Because you have to master the puck as it is sliding on the ice, the game is great for enhancing hand-eye coordination. For instance, your hand-eye reflexes work faster.
Practice will increase your agility and coordination during play to handle your skates and hockey stick splendidly. Thus, the puck goes soaring into the goal post all that much faster!

All these abilities come into play in your day-to-day life too. You are comfortable with parking a car, playing outdoor games, reacting to sudden dangers etc.

#12 - Ice hockey improves Reflexes and Reaction time

As I have written many times, ice hockey is a fast game. Therefore, it improves the spontaneous reactions of players.
Any kind of stimulus gets an immediate response. In other words, your reaction time improves. In turn, you will be able to make correct decisions during play.

For example, a goalie has to quickly notice the puck being shot and move accordingly to stop it.  
And players have to react when the puck is thrown to catch it while avoiding body checks.

#13 - Ice hockey is fantastic for visual perception

Visual perception is the brain's ability to make sense of what the eyes see. It is different from the acuity which is how clearly you see.
The quantity of information to manage during a game of ice hockey is huge: the position of the players, the position of the puck, the speed of the puck, the state of the ice... Therefore, by playing hockey, your brain will learn to:

• Process information faster
• Discriminate information faster (keeping only relevant information to take a decision)
• Pay more attention to the essential information
• Understand spatial relationships 
• Assimilate form constancy to understand where the puck is going to be

Those are some of the building blocks of visual perception which are essential in the development of any child.

Dangers - are the benefits worth it? Should you or your kid play hockey?

All those benefits are great, but, as a hockey mom, you might still be worried for your kid.
Should he/she play hockey? Are the dangers too important?
Let's have a look.

First know that injuries have decreased significantly. Rules have changed and protective equipment has improved.
Today most injuries are minor.

Why is it dangerous?

Well, the skaters are skating fast, the puck is gliding fast, the sticks are moving in all directions and the skates have blades... let's face it, there is potential for injury.

The dangers of ice hockey

The main types of injury from hockey area:

• cuts
• bruises
• muscle strains
• ligament tears
• teeth damages - make sure to wear a mouthguard (my tips to choose the best one here)

Which can happen in any sport and just playing at home.

The most serious injuries such as:

• concussion
• broken bones
• spinal 

do occur but not frequently and almost only with grown-ups playing dirty.

Ice hockey protective gear to wear

• Helmet
• Shoulder pads, knee pads, elbow pads, shin pads, 
• Gloves
• Hockey pants with padding and shell
• Athletic supporter and cup for boys
• Neck protector
• Mouth Guard 
• Good skates with proper fit

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