When did the NHL start freezing pucks?
Mia Smith
Updated on July 08, 2026
There was one time when a different sort of hockey puck was used in NHL games. It was called the FoxTrax puck, and it was first used during the 1995–1996 NHL season.
Are NHL game pucks frozen?
Welcome to the latest technological advancement with the National Hockey League's rubber disk. For the 2019-20 season, game pucks will come with a thermochromic coating that is purple when frozen but turns clear as the pucks thaw above freezing temperatures.
What temperature are NHL pucks?
The average NHL puck is kept at a temperature between minus-10 and minus-7 Celsius before it hits the ice in a game.
Do pucks need to be cold?
Pucks are stored ideally between 14F and 20F (-10C to -7C) to keep them from being too bouncy. Game pucks are made of vulcanized rubber and when warm they can be very bouncy! These freezers are kept at a temperature between 14F and 20F (-10C to -7C).
What was the first ice hockey puck?
The first officially recorded pucks were lacrosse rubber balls of which the rounded edges were cut. This puck was square. It is believed to have been first recorded in 1875 (during the first official hockey match), in 1876 or 1886 depending on the sources...
19 related questions foundHow old is the hockey puck?
The modern hockey puck was invented around 1875. There are two different versions of its origination. One story claims that in 1875, students at Boston University sliced a rubber ball in half to make a puck. Another version places the evolution in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Why is a hockey puck black?
The black rubber of the puck is made up of a mix of natural rubber, antioxidants, bonding materials and other chemicals to achieve a balance of hardness and resilience. This mixture is then turned in a machine with metal rollers, where workers add extra natural rubber, and ensure that the mixing is even.
Can a skater freeze the puck?
(a) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper who deliberately freezes the puck along the boards or goal frame for the purpose of delaying the game.
Why do they keep pucks cold?
They glide smoother and faster when frozen, and freezing eliminates bouncing. Since pucks are made of vulcanized rubber, they tend to bounce like tennis balls when smacked with a stick. As a result, games played with warm pucks look a lot like the game of hurling from which hockey descended.
Why are pucks frozen before a game?
“Hockey pucks are made of vulcanized rubber and glide smoother and faster when frozen,” said Dan Craig, NHL Vice President of Facilities Operations. “Freezing a puck eliminates bouncing, and game officials closely monitor the puck for temperature changes that affect performance while in play.
What does it mean to freeze the puck?
Sport: Ice Hockey. To deliberately hold the puck against the boards and cause a stoppage of play.
Why is a hockey puck shaped like it is?
It's fact. Pucks are as pure as hockey itself, they're disks of vulcanized rubber and they're fantastic. They slide on ice, they roll on every surface, they can be flipped like a coin and they'll mark up your desk if you use enough force – as I just found out.
What pucks does the NHL use?
The Inglasco NHL Team Classic Logo Ice Hockey Pucks are NHL® approved. These hockey pucks are manufactured and printed by Inglasco, the official puck supplier to the NHL®.
How often are pucks changed in NHL?
Pucks used by the NHL and other high level leagues don't get used for longer than a few minutes typically. So logo wear is less of an issue in these cases (In the NHL, pucks are replaced at every TV timeout - 4 minute intervals - and refs are instructed to replace once in between if an opportunity occurs.
Who makes the pucks for the NHL?
Inglasco Inc. is the exclusive game puck supplier to all 32 NHL teams.
How many pucks are used in an NHL game?
Because pucks are frozen and eventually thaw out, NHL Officials change pucks multiple times a game. But just how many do they use? The average NHL game will use between 40-50 pucks each game.
How much does an NHL hockey net weigh?
The typical hockey goal will normally weigh around 40-50 pounds. Heavy-duty goals made with reinforced steel posts tend to be more expensive and generally weigh around 70 pounds.
Can hockey players touch puck?
67.1 Handling Puck - A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he has deliberately directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone, in which ...
Is snowing the goalie a penalty?
Is snowing a goalie a penalty in hockey? If the referee determines that a player has intentional snowed a goalie then it will be called as an unsportsmanlike penalty, which is a 2 minute minor penalty.
Is it legal to carry the puck on your stick?
Cradling the puck on the blade of the stick (like lacrosse) above the normal height of the shoulders shall be prohibited and a stoppage of play shall result. Keep that puck below shoulder height, and you're in the clear.
What are 4 goals in hockey called?
Scoring four goals in a hockey game is much less common than a hat trick. If a player scores four goals in a single game, it is sometimes referred to as a "Texas hat trick." This term is less commonly used than a hat trick, and its origins are uncertain.
How strong is a hockey puck?
Hockey pucks are made of vulcanized rubber and are designed to be extremely durable. An experiment from the University of Alabama back in 2014 showed a standard puck could withstand 80,000 pounds of pressure before it began completely breaking apart so you can imagine just how powerful this hydraulic press is.
What is a hockey puck called?
This puck, known as the NHL regulation puck, adds to consistency throughout the game. Today, there are three types of pucks you will find on the ice: practice (or promotional) pucks, NHL regulation pucks, and the blue puck, a lighter puck for junior play.