How to Play Right Wing in Ice Hockey

Right wing players in hockey play on the right hand side of the center in the forward position. Gordie Howe remains one of the most famous right wingers to play the game and he still holds the record for the most goals, assists and points scored by an NHL right wing.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Shoot the puck at the net. Most of a team's scoring chances come from the forward position so wingers should look for the open shot. At the same time, the right wing should keep an eye out for teammates who are in a better position to score so that the wing can set them up with a pass.

2. Forecheck in the offensive zone to create turnovers and scoring chances and to move the puck in the desired direction. When the opposite team has the puck in their defensive zone, the right wing should forecheck and impede the puck's progress up the ice whenever possible. Forechecking by the right wing is important to defensive systems like the "left wing lock," since the right wing and center must force the puck up along the left side to waiting defensive players.

3. Stay higher in the defensive zone to receive passes from teammates, create turnovers by intercepting opposing passes and pressure opposing defensemen who have the puck. Playing higher in the zone allows the right wing to break away into the offensive zone if a pass is intercepted.

4. Fight for the puck in the corners of the offensive zone. Right wing players, particularly those in a grinder role, should go after the puck when it gets into the corners of the rink. This often means challenging opposing players physically until the puck pops out.

5. Backcheck aggressively and play hard in the neutral zone. Right wing players are usually one of the last players out of the offensive zone, depending on the system and situation. A right wing should cover the last opposing player trying to join the play or the opposing defensemen as they move into the player's own zone.

6. Keep on the man assigned to you during the face off. Each opposing player should be tied up, which means that right wings should not leave their players unattended during face offs. Once the face off is won, the right wing can move to his position for a shot or for defense.

7. Know the system that your team is playing. Both the offensive and defensive systems that a team plays will determine the right wing's responsibilities.