Pucks are important parts of ice hockey games as without them, there is nothing to aim for or to try and hit.
Without a puck, an ice hockey game cannot commence, so not having a puck means that you will not be able to play.
As pucks are so important, people are very curious about how big they are and what they are made out of.
As they are the target to hit in an ice hockey game, how big are pucks, and why are they used in hockey games?
This article will explain more about how big an ice hockey puck is and why they are used in games as they are not very big at all.
You can find out more about ice hockey pucks below to see why they are the chosen item to be targeted in hockey games!
What Is An Ice Hockey Puck Made Out Of?
Ice hockey pucks are made out of vulcanized rubber, which means that they are made from rubber that has been hardened to make the pucks stronger and harder.
If the pucks were made from weak materials, they would not be able to last throughout an entire hockey game as the temperature of the ice and the hard hits would damage them.
If the rubber that the puck was made out of wasn’t vulcanized, then the puck would bounce all over the ice and be impossible to hit.
Most pucks are frozen before they are used in a hockey match to make sure that they glide smoothly across the ice. If the pucks are not frozen, they will be more difficult to move across the ice.
How Big Is An Ice Hockey Puck?
When a puck is used in an NHL game, they need to be 3 inches wide and an inch thick. They also need to weigh between 5 and a half ounces and 6 ounces.
They are required to meet these measurements for consistency, but there is some leniency in terms of the weight of the puck. The thickness and width of the puck make them the perfect size to hit.
If the pucks were not this wide or thick, they wouldn’t be easy to aim for, and if the pucks were impossible to hit, the games would be very difficult.
The weight is important as if the puck is too heavy, it will not glide as smoothly across the ice, and if the puck is too light, the players will struggle to gain control of it.
There are lots of different types of pucks that are used for training sessions. For junior hockey players, the pucks are often lighter to help them learn to aim for the pucks.
They can also come in different colors, sizes, and shapes. Some practice pucks are even made out of foam to help players to improve their aim.
Does It Hurt To Get Hit By A Puck?
Despite their small size, pucks can leave a mark if players are hit by pucks on the ice.
Although players wear protective gear on the ice, if a puck catches you somewhere where you are not padded, it can leave a deep bruise.
Pucks may be small, but if they are hit with a strong force, they can cause an injury.
Hockey fans need to be careful of pucks flying off the ice during a game.
This can be very dangerous as fans do not wear protective gear like hockey players, so if a puck comes off the ice, you need to be very careful and avoid it.
Extra netting is placed around the ice to protect fans from pucks, but you still need to try your best to avoid the pucks.
If you are hit with a puck, it can cause a serious injury. Netting around a rink is important for catching pucks so they do not hit fans, but if there is no net, pucks can cause serious harm.
It is important to stay protected from pucks to avoid getting hit by one.
Have Pucks Always Been Made Out Of Rubber?
Pucks have been used to play hockey for years, but they haven’t always been made out of tough materials like vulcanized rubber.
Wood and stone have been used to make pucks, but they were not able to achieve the same smoothness as vulcanized rubber does across the ice.
It took a while for pucks to become consistent with their size and shape as they used to be square. Eventually, pucks were made to be round, which helps them to glide across the surface and to be hit well.
They were discovered to be the best choice due to their size, weight, and shape as players could control the pucks and aim well using them.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, an ice hockey puck is not very big as they are required to be 3 inches wide, 1 inch thick, and weigh between 5 and a half and 6 ounces.
NHL pucks are required to meet these sizes as it provides players with consistency and doesn’t give any teams advantages over others by playing with a larger or wider puck.
Although pucks are small, they can cause serious harm if they hit people. Pucks are made from strong vulcanized rubber, so when they are hit with a strong force, they can cause severe damage.
It is important to keep protected and avoid flying pucks during games.