Ice hockey –one of the highest-paid sports in the world–and its modern version have been around for a long time.
The sport has undergone certain changes since the first game was played, but the puck has always been an inevitable part of the game.
But what are they made of, what are their dimensions, what are the different types of pucks, and how much does a hockey puck weigh?
How Much Does a Hockey Puck Weigh?
Given that ice hockey is one of the hardest sports to play, it has some strict rules and regulations, including the puck’s size and weight.
The rules for a hockey puck weight are based on players’ age and purpose.
In regular games, where adults play, the puck weighs between 5.5 ounces (almost 156 grams) and 6 ounces (170 grams).
All leagues and levels, from NHL games to World Championships or Olympic games, follow standard puck weight numbers for official games and tournaments.
That said, there are different variations.
Did you know? Pucks are frozen pre-game to reduce bounce. But, because they melt quickly, they have to be replaced throughout the game and there have been matches where players have used 22 different pucks.
What Is The Size Of a Hockey Puck?
The standard ice hockey puck has a diameter of 3 inches (76mm) and is 1 inch (25 mm) thick.
Hockey puck dimensions remain the same in all types of competitions and leagues, regardless of the purpose and players’ age.
What Are Hockey Pucks Made Of?
Hockey pucks have gone through quite the journey to get where they are now.
The ones that we see in modern ice hockey games are made of vulcanised rubber.
How they’re made and who makes them depends on whether the puck is intended for official play, practice, or as a souvenir.
Regardless, pucks are made to be extremely durable.
An experiment conducted in 2014 by the University of Alabama showed that a standard puck could withstand 80,000 pounds of pressure.
The first hockey pucks, on the other hand, could barely last for one game. They were made from leather liver pads and frozen cow dung. These were later replaced by wooden pucks and pucks made of wood and rubber.
Different Types of Hockey Pucks
There are several hockey puck variations based on their purpose and the players’ age, including:
Training pucks
Typical training pucks are orange in colour and are designed for players that are at least 14 years old and have decent technical puck-handling skills. (For example, they can pass, shoot, and stickhandle).
These pucks are heavier than the standard pucks at 10 ounces (a little under 284 grams), which helps players improve the strength of their shots.
There are also white pucks that are used for goaltender practice, which are made from white rubber, and pucks that weigh 2 pounds, which are intended for wrist strength practice.
You might also be interested in: What is icing in hockey?
Youth pucks
The blue pucks are used at the 8U level (8-year-olds and younger).
These pucks are lighter than the standard pucks; They weigh only 4 ounces (a little over 130 grams) since they’re made for young children familiarising themselves with the sport and learning the basics.
Street and inline hockey pucks
Pucks made for inline and street hockey are usually made of lightweight plastic and hollow. They are usually a bright colour and feature small plastic balls inlaid that allow them to slide easily on roller hockey courts.
Bottom Line
The size of a hockey puck is 3 inches (76mm), and it usually weighs around 5.5 ounces (156 grams) – 6 ounces (170 grams).
Although the size remains the same for all ages and purposes, there are different variations of the puck that weigh more or less, depending on whether they’re used for training and the generation of the players.
FAQs:
How fast can hockey pucks be shot?
In regular games, the average speed of a hockey puck is between 80 to 90 mph, but with slap shots, it reaches speeds of 100 mph. The record for the fastest shot in the NHL is 108.8 mph.
Why are hockey pucks black?
Now that you know how much does a hockey puck weigh, we should also know that hockey pucks are black because it allows for maximum visibility – for both players and spectators– against the white ice surface.
Why are hockey pucks frozen?
Hockey pucks are frozen to eliminate bouncing. They also glide smoother on the surface when they’re frozen.