Half shield: A half shield is a hockey face mask that only covers the upper half of the face - from the nose up. It is usually made of Plexiglas.
Hand pass: If the puck is in the air and a player hits it toward another player on their team it is known as a hand pass and the referee will stop play for a face-off.
Hard Around: A hard shot from an offensive player taken into the offensive zone that follows the boards across the blue line, into the corner, behind the net and into to opposite corner. The hard around is used set up offensive plays (particularly power plays) or to give a team extra time on a line change.
Hash marks: Hash marks are small lines, which are perpendicular to the edge of the face off circles. Players cannot encroach on the hash mark areas during face-offs.
Hat trick: When a player scores three goals in a game it is known as a hat trick. Three goals in a row is a "pure" hat trick.
It may surprise some people to learn that the term "hat trick" actually originated in British cricket. A bowler who retired three batsmen with three consecutive balls in cricket was entitled to a new hat at the expense of the club to commemorate this feat. Eventually, the phrase was applied to the same player scoring three goals in any goal sport, and baseball announcers now occasionally refer to a batter who gets three hits in three turns at bat as having managed a hat trick as well. The phrase finally broadened to include any string of three important successes or achievements, in any field.
Headman the puck: When a player passes to a teammate that is ahead of them on the attack, passing to a player ahead of the puck carrier who is in a btter offensive position. Also called Headman pass.
Head on a Swivel: A technique utilized to observe and to read the entire ice surface, by quickly rotating the head and glancing over both shoulders.
High in the zone: The area between the blue line and the hash marks on the face off circle is known as high in the zone.
High sticking: If a player’s stick is raised over their waist when they contact another player it is known as high sticking and the player will incur a minor penalty.
Hitting the pipe: When a shot strikes the metal frame of the goal it is known as hitting the pipe.
Hockey stop: One method of stopping in both ice skating and in-line is to quickly plant the skates perpendicular to the direction of travel. This can be done on one foot or both feet and is known as a hockey stop.
Hockey tree: A hockey tree is constructed of wood, has a number of arms and is approximately 5 feet tall. Is used to dry a player’s equipment after playing.
Holding: If a player holds an opponent with their hands or stick or in any other way a two minute minor penalty for holding will be assessed. (As of 2006 this penalty is now more aggressively enforced in the NHL and USA Hockey.)
Hooking: A two minute minor penalty will be called on a player who uses their stick to impede the progress of an opponent by hooking their stick around them. (As of 2006 this penalty is now more aggressively enforced in the NHL and USA Hockey.)
Hot Dog: A player who is good and frequently shows off to let people know it.