An assist in ice hockey is a statistical credit awarded to up to two players on the scoring team whose actions immediately helped create a goal. The one counted closest to the scoring touch is the primary assist; the preceding touch, when present, is the secondary assist. An assist may be given whether the contribution was a deliberate pass, a redirection, a rebound setup, or another touch that clearly led to the goal. The allocation of assists is determined by the game's official scorers and follows league rules and established scoring practice. For more on the sport's rules and scoring conventions see the official rules.
How assists are awarded
Only two assists can be credited on a single goal: one primary and one secondary. A player who touched the puck earlier in the immediate sequence before the goal can receive the secondary assist; the last teammate to touch the puck before the scorer receives the primary assist. Intent is not strictly required — accidental touches, deflections, and passes that redirect play often qualify. However, if an opponent gains clear and prolonged possession before the goal, earlier teammates typically are not credited.
Common situations that produce assists
- Direct pass across the ice to the goal scorer (primary assist).
- Pass to a teammate who then immediately passes to the scorer (secondary assist to the earlier passer).
- Shot rebounds off the goalie or post, and a teammate scores from the rebound (assist to the player who created the rebound).
- Deflection or touch that redirects the puck into a scoring position (may be credited as an assist).
Assists are an essential part of offensive statistics because they, together with goals, produce a player's point total (points = goals + assists). Playmakers who set up scoring chances often accrue high assist totals and are valued for their vision and passing skills. Special teams statistics also track assists separately, such as power-play assists.
Historically, assists have been recorded in organized hockey for many decades and remain a primary measure of a player's offensive contribution. Unlike some other sports that credit only the final pass, ice hockey's allowance of two assists recognizes the collaborative nature of many scoring sequences.
Controversies sometimes arise when scorers must judge whether a touch materially contributed to the goal. While video review may confirm whether a goal stands, the attribution of assists largely remains a judgment call and can be amended by league statisticians after the game in some cases. Goaltender assists are rare but possible when a goalie’s long pass or play results directly in a teammate’s goal.