Hockey is one of the most popular sports in North America and around the world. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and full of tradition. Hockey fans love to talk about and debate all aspects of the game. Riddles and brainteasers are a fun way to engage other hockey enthusiasts. Test your hockey knowledge with these 57 riddles about various hockey topics.
Riddles about hockey rules and gameplay
Riddle 1
What has two blades but isn’t allowed to shave?
Answer: A hockey skate.
Riddle 2
What has a flat surface, is made of rubber, and isn’t allowed to bounce?
Answer: A hockey puck.
Riddle 3
What is circular, weighs between 5.5 and 6 ounces, and is hit with sticks?
Answer: A hockey puck.
Riddle 4
What is given for rule infractions like tripping, elbowing and high sticking?
Answer: Penalties or penalty minutes.
Riddle 5
What is awarded when an attacking player scores a goal?
Answer: A point.
Riddle 6
Which player sits in a 4×6 netted area and tries to prevent goals?
Answer: The goalie or goaltender.
Riddle 7
What is the only position allowed to catch the puck with their hands?
Answer: The goalie.
Riddle 8
Which player directs teammates on defending and passing strategies?
Answer: The captain.
Riddle 9
What are the nine red lines on a hockey rink called?
Answer: Goal lines.
Riddle 10
What are the two rest periods called in a hockey game?
Answer: Periods.
Riddles about hockey equipment
Riddle 11
What protective gear covers the legs from the toes to above the knee?
Answer: Hockey skates.
Riddle 12
What equipment protects a player’s shoulders and chest?
Answer: Shoulder pads.
Riddle 13
What gear protects the hands and wrists?
Answer: Hockey gloves.
Riddle 14
What required equipment shields the entire face except for the eyes?
Answer: A hockey helmet with cage or visor.
Riddle 15
What padded shorts offer protection to the tailbone and hips?
Answer: Hockey pants.
Riddle 16
What gear protects the neck and throat area?
Answer: A neck guard.
Riddle 17
What piece of safety equipment is worn underneath the uniform to protect the chest, back, and shoulders?
Answer: Shoulder pads.
Riddle 18
What is worn on the hands for protection and grip?
Answer: Hockey gloves.
Riddle 19
What gear protects the shins and knees?
Answer: Shin guards.
Riddle 20
What is the most important piece of equipment worn by goalies?
Answer: The goalie mask.
Riddles about hockey players
Riddle 21
Who was known as “The Great One” and scored over 800 career goals?
Answer: Wayne Gretzky.
Riddle 22
Nicknamed “The Rocket,” who was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in one season?
Answer: Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Riddle 23
Who holds the record for most points in a single NHL season with 215?
Answer: Wayne Gretzky.
Riddle 24
Who was the first NHL player to score over 1000 career points?
Answer: Gordie Howe.
Riddle 25
Known for his toughness, who had the nickname “Mr. Hockey”?
Answer: Gordie Howe.
Riddle 26
Who was the first NHL player to score 500 career goals?
Answer: Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Riddle 27
Who holds the record for most career goals by a defenseman with 189?
Answer: Paul Coffey.
Riddle 28
Who was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in 50 games?
Answer: Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Riddle 29
Known as “Mr. Goalie,” which player won the Vezina Trophy for best goalie seven times?
Answer: Glenn Hall.
Riddle 30
Which famous left winger was nicknamed “The Flower”?
Answer: Guy LaFleur.
Riddles about hockey history
Riddle 31
Where was the first organized indoor ice hockey game played in 1875?
Answer: Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Riddle 32
What was the original name of the NHL when it was formed in 1917?
Answer: National Hockey League of Canada.
Riddle 33
How many teams originally made up the NHL in 1917?
Answer: Five – Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs and Toronto Arenas.
Riddle 34
What was the first American team to join the NHL in 1924?
Answer: The Boston Bruins.
Riddle 35
When was the first NHL All-Star game played?
Answer: 1947.
Riddle 36
When were helmets made mandatory in the NHL?
Answer: 1979.
Riddle 37
Who scored the Stanley Cup winning overtime goal for the New York Rangers in 1994 known as “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!”?
Answer: Stephane Matteau.
Riddle 38
Which NHL team won the most consecutive Stanley Cups with five from 1956 to 1960?
Answer: The Montreal Canadiens.
Riddle 39
When did the NHL start awarding points for losses and overtime losses?
Answer: The 1999-2000 season.
Riddle 40
Which team was the first based in the United States to win the Stanley Cup in 1927?
Answer: The Boston Bruins.
Riddles about hockey statistics and records
Riddle 41
Who holds the record for the fastest hat trick from the start of a period at 21 seconds?
Answer: Bill Mosienko in 1952.
Riddle 42
Who has scored the most career hat tricks with 50?
Answer: Wayne Gretzky.
Riddle 43
Who holds the record for most goals by a rookie with 76?
Answer: Teemu Selanne in 1992-93.
Riddle 44
Who has the most career regular season overtime goals with 24?
Answer: Jaromir Jagr.
Riddle 45
Who holds the record for most points by a rookie with 132?
Answer: Teemu Selanne in 1992-93.
Riddle 46
Who holds the record for most assists in one game with 7?
Answer: Wayne Gretzky and Billy Taylor.
Riddle 47
Who scored the fastest overtime goal at 6 seconds in 1997?
Answer: David Legwand.
Riddle 48
With 125 points, whose record for most points by an American-born player still stands?
Answer: Pat LaFontaine in 1992-93.
Riddle 49
Who set a record for most assists in one season with 109 in 1985–86?
Answer: Wayne Gretzky.
Riddle 50
Who was the first NHL defenseman to score 100 points in a season?
Answer: Bobby Orr.
Riddles about hockey strategy
Riddle 51
What strategic formation involves three forwards – one center and two wings?
Answer: A line.
Riddle 52
What is it called when a team pulls their goalie for an extra attacker?
Answer: Pulling the goalie.
Riddle 53
What strategic play involves passing the puck back and forth quickly to confuse the other team?
Answer: Cycling.
Riddle 54
What is it called when you pass the puck across the slot looking for a tip-in from a player in front of the net?
Answer: Cross-ice pass.
Riddle 55
What is a common breakout strategy where one defenseman passes to a winger along the boards who can then skate it out of the defensive zone?
Answer: Rim around or rimming the puck.
Riddle 56
What maneuver takes advantage of the curvature of the rink to avoid defenders?
Answer: Buttonhook turn.
Riddle 57
What play involves faking a shot then quickly passing to create an opening?
Answer: A give-and-go.
Conclusion
How did you do with these hockey riddles? Hockey has a rich history and culture full of iconic players, memorable moments, and fascinating stats. These brainteasers cover a wide range of hockey topics from rules and equipment to strategy and records. Let us know if we missed any good hockey riddles, and test your friends to see how much they really know about the sport of hockey.
