Assists are a critical component of hockey, often going hand-in-hand with a player’s overall point total. But how much is an assist worth in hockey, exactly?
When it comes to scoring in hockey, there’s no question that goals are the most coveted statistic. But without assists, many goals would never happen, making them an essential part of the game.
So, how many points is an assist worth in hockey? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about hockey assists, from the different types to how they’re scored in various leagues.
Ready to unlock the mystery of how many points an assist is worth in hockey? Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What is an Assist in Hockey?
In hockey, an assist is a credited statistic given to a player who helps set up a goal. The player who scores the goal is awarded a point, and the player who provided the assist is also awarded a point.
There are two types of assists in hockey: primary and secondary. A primary assist is given to the player who made the pass that immediately led to the goal. A secondary assist is given to the player who made the pass that indirectly led to the goal.
How are Assists Scored?
Assists are scored differently depending on the league. In the National Hockey League (NHL), a player is awarded an assist when they touch the puck prior to a goal being scored and no other player from the scoring team has touched the puck in between.
In other leagues, such as international play or college hockey, assists may be awarded differently. For example, in international play, an assist is given to the player who last touched the puck before the goal scorer.
Why are Assists Important?
- Assists help to indicate a player’s overall contribution to the game. A player may not score as many goals as their teammate, but if they have a high number of assists, it shows that they are still contributing to the team’s success.
- Assists can also help a player gain confidence and momentum. Knowing that they helped to set up a goal can boost a player’s morale and motivate them to continue making plays.
- Finally, assists can be crucial in tie-breaking situations, such as in playoff games or determining end-of-season standings.
If you want to learn more about hockey assists, keep reading our blog for a deeper dive into this important statistic.
Why are assists important in hockey?
Assists are an essential part of hockey as they contribute to a player’s overall performance and success in the game. They are a measure of a player’s ability to create opportunities for their teammates to score. Not only do assists help the team in scoring goals, but they also give the player a sense of accomplishment and recognition for their hard work.
Assists are also an indicator of a player’s overall understanding of the game and their ability to make quick decisions on the ice. A player who consistently makes good passes and sets up their teammates for scoring opportunities is highly valued in the sport.
Team Play
Assists encourage team play in hockey. Players who focus solely on scoring goals often miss out on opportunities to create scoring chances for their teammates. By making unselfish passes and setting up their teammates for goals, players can strengthen the team’s performance as a whole.
Strategy and Tactics
Assists are also an essential part of a team’s strategy and tactics. Teams will often have specific plays and formations designed to create scoring opportunities, and assists are a critical component of executing these plays successfully.
- Assists help teams to break down the opposition’s defense and create openings for attacking players.
- They also allow teams to control the pace of the game and keep possession of the puck.
Individual Performance
Assists can greatly contribute to a player’s individual performance and recognition in the sport. Players who consistently make good passes and set up their teammates for goals are often recognized as key contributors to the team’s success. This recognition can lead to individual awards and accolades, such as being named to an all-star team or winning the league’s scoring title.
- Assists are also important for a player’s overall statistics and record-keeping in the sport.
- They can also be a determining factor in a player’s value and contract negotiations in the professional leagues.
Overall, assists are a critical aspect of hockey and play a significant role in a team’s success. They encourage team play, contribute to strategic planning, and recognize individual player’s contributions to the game. Whether you are a player or a fan, understanding the importance of assists in hockey is essential to fully appreciate the sport.
The difference between a primary and a secondary assist
In hockey, an assist is awarded to the player who helps set up a goal. However, not all assists are created equal. There are two types of assists: primary and secondary assists. Understanding the difference between these two types of assists is crucial to understanding a player’s impact on the game.
Primary Assist: A primary assist is awarded to the player who made the last pass to the goal scorer before the goal was scored. This is considered the most important type of assist because it directly led to the goal being scored.
Secondary Assist: A secondary assist is awarded to the player who made the pass to the player who made the last pass to the goal scorer. This type of assist is still important because it helped set up the play that led to the goal being scored.
Primary assist
A primary assist is an important stat for a player because it directly shows their ability to create scoring opportunities. Players who excel at making primary assists are often referred to as playmakers. These players have a keen sense of where their teammates are on the ice and can make a quick pass to set up a goal-scoring opportunity. For example, in the NHL, Wayne Gretzky is the all-time leader in primary assists with 1,963.
Secondary assist
While not as important as a primary assist, a secondary assist still contributes to a player’s overall point total and shows their ability to help set up a play. Players who excel at making secondary assists are often strong on the puck and can create space for their teammates to make a play. For example, in the NHL, Ray Bourque is the all-time leader in secondary assists with 748.
Combined assists
- Some leagues, like the NHL, also track total assists, which includes both primary and secondary assists. This stat provides a more comprehensive look at a player’s overall impact on the game.
- A player with a high number of combined assists is typically a well-rounded player who is capable of both creating scoring opportunities and contributing to the play leading up to the goal.
How many points is an assist worth in different hockey leagues?
Assists are a crucial part of hockey, and they play a big role in a player’s overall point total. In most professional leagues, an assist is worth one point. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
In the National Hockey League (NHL), an assist is worth one point. This is the same for most other North American professional leagues, such as the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL. In European leagues such as the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), an assist is also worth one point.
International Leagues
- In the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), an assist is also worth one point.
- In the Olympics, an assist is also worth one point.
Junior Leagues
In most junior hockey leagues, such as the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the United States Hockey League (USHL), an assist is also worth one point.
Conclusion
Overall, an assist is worth one point in the majority of hockey leagues around the world. While there are a few exceptions, this is the standard scoring system for most professional, international, and junior leagues. Players who are skilled at setting up their teammates for goals can accumulate a significant number of points over the course of a season, making assists an important statistic to track in hockey.
The most assists by a player in a single NHL season
Assists are an important statistic in hockey, measuring the number of times a player helped a teammate score a goal. While goalscorers often receive the most attention, it’s the playmakers who are responsible for setting them up. The NHL has seen some incredible seasons by players racking up assists.
Wayne Gretzky holds the record for the most assists in a single NHL season, with an incredible 163 assists in the 1985-86 season. That year, Gretzky also broke the record for most points in a season, with a total of 21He had an incredible supporting cast in the Edmonton Oilers, including Mark Messier and Jari Kurri, who helped him reach those heights.
Other players with the most assists in a single NHL season:
- Mario Lemieux – 114 assists (1988-89)
- Bobby Orr – 102 assists (1970-71)
- Peter Stastny – 102 assists (1981-82)
Mario Lemieux is considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time and he showcased his playmaking abilities in the 1988-89 season when he recorded 114 assists. Bobby Orr is one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, and his 102 assists in the 1970-71 season is still the record for most assists by a defenseman in a single season. Peter Stastny had an impressive season in 1981-82 with 102 assists, helping the Quebec Nordiques reach the playoffs for the first time.
The importance of playmakers in hockey
While goalscorers often receive the most attention, it’s the playmakers who are responsible for setting them up. The ability to make precise passes and set up teammates in scoring positions is an art form, and the players who can do it well are often invaluable to their teams. Players like Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr, and Stastny were able to make their teammates better by setting them up for scoring opportunities, and their playmaking abilities helped them become some of the most successful players in NHL history.
The players with the most career assists in NHL history
Assists are a critical component of a player’s success in the National Hockey League (NHL). The ability to make a pass that leads to a goal can often be the difference between winning and losing a game. Some players have been particularly adept at amassing assists throughout their careers, and here are the five players who have recorded the most assists in NHL history.
First on the list with an incredible 1,963 assists is Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as the greatest player in NHL history. Gretzky was a master playmaker, setting up countless goals for his teammates with his exceptional vision and passing ability. Second on the list is another NHL legend, Jaromir Jagr, with 1,155 assists. Jagr’s longevity in the league, combined with his incredible skill, allowed him to accumulate a large number of assists throughout his career.
Top 5 players with the most career assists in NHL history:
- Wayne Gretzky – 1,963 assists
- Jaromir Jagr – 1,155 assists
- Mark Messier – 1,193 assists
The art of assisting in the NHL
Assists are not just about making a pass, but also about anticipating the movement of your teammates and making sure you are in the right place at the right time. It takes a great deal of skill and vision to be an effective playmaker in the NHL. Additionally, a player’s ability to rack up assists can often depend on the talent of their linemates, as well as the style of play employed by their team.
Continuing with the list, fourth on the list with 1,135 assists is Ron Francis, who was known for his smooth skating and playmaking abilities. Finally, fifth on the list with 1,063 assists is Mark Recchi, who was a versatile forward with excellent passing skills throughout his career.
The importance of assists in team success
While goals may receive more attention, assists are a critical part of a team’s success. They can often be the result of a player’s unselfishness and willingness to make a pass rather than take a shot themselves. Additionally, players who are adept at creating scoring opportunities for their teammates can help to create a more dynamic and unpredictable offense, which can be difficult for opposing teams to defend against.
- Ron Francis – 1,135 assists
- Mark Recchi – 1,063 assists
Can an assist be awarded on a power play or shorthanded goal?
Assists are one of the most important statistics in hockey. They are awarded to a player who makes a pass or provides a screen that leads to a goal. But what happens when a goal is scored on a power play or shorthanded situation? Can an assist be awarded?
The answer is yes, an assist can be awarded on a power play or shorthanded goal. In fact, a player can receive up to two assists on a single goal, which is known as a “primary” and “secondary” assist. The NHL rules state that a player who makes a pass that directly leads to a power play or shorthanded goal will be awarded an assist, just like any other goal.
Assists on a Power Play Goal
When a team is on a power play, it means that the opposing team has a player in the penalty box. If a goal is scored during this time, the player who made the last pass before the goal will be credited with an assist. This is true even if the power play only lasted for a few seconds before the goal was scored.
Assists on a Shorthanded Goal
When a team is shorthanded, it means that they have a player in the penalty box and the opposing team has a power play. If the shorthanded team scores a goal during this time, the player who made the last pass before the goal will also be credited with an assist. However, it’s important to note that shorthanded goals are much less common than power play goals.
Final Thoughts
Assists are an important statistic in hockey and can be awarded on any type of goal, including power play and shorthanded goals. Players can receive up to two assists on a single goal, and the NHL rules clearly state what constitutes an assist. So the next time you see a power play or shorthanded goal, remember that the player who made the last pass before the goal will likely be credited with an assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an assist in hockey?
An assist is a stat given to the player who directly contributed to a goal scored by their teammate. The player who gets the assist passes the puck to the goal scorer or makes a play that leads to the goal. Assists help recognize the importance of teamwork in hockey and often contribute to a player’s overall point total for the season.
How many points is an assist worth in hockey?
An assist is worth 1 point in hockey. If a player gets an assist on a goal, they will receive 1 point added to their overall point total for the season. This is the same number of points awarded to a player who scores a goal.
Can multiple assists be awarded on one goal?
Yes, it is possible for multiple players to receive assists on one goal. If two players contributed to a goal, they will each receive an assist. If three players contributed, then the player who passed the puck to the player who made the final pass leading to the goal will be credited with the primary assist and the other two players will receive secondary assists.
Can an assist be awarded on a power play goal?
Yes, an assist can be awarded on a power play goal. The same rules apply for power play goals as they do for even-strength goals. If a player makes a pass that leads to a power play goal, they will receive an assist on the goal.
Can an assist be awarded on a shorthanded goal?
Yes, an assist can be awarded on a shorthanded goal. If a player makes a pass that leads to a shorthanded goal, they will receive an assist on the goal.
What is the record for most assists in a single season?
The record for most assists in a single NHL season is held by Wayne Gretzky, who had 163 assists during the 1985-1986 season. Gretzky is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history and his record-breaking season is a testament to his incredible skill and vision on the ice.