Willie Talks about the Rules, Trivia

by NHL | July 10, 2002

Do you have a question about hockey? About skills? About the game? Meet our expert: Willie O'Ree! You can send Willie e-mail right here: nhlkids@nhl.com.

Dear Mr. O'Ree,
I'm from England so I don't understand some rules. I know most of them but what really confuses me is the offside. I have a game called NHL 2000 and I keep getting offside. Can you please tell me what offside is?
From Danny Saunders

Hi Danny:
Offside occurs when a player or players enter the offensive zone ahead of the puck. The puck must be the first thing into the offensive zone for the play to be legal. Otherwise the play is offside.

Dear Mr. O'Ree,
What is the history of the Octopus and hockey?
Douglas Mack

Hi Douglas:
The Octopus is strictly a Detroit phenomenon. Years ago, Detroit fans began the tradition of throwing Octopi on the ice because of the eight tentacles. In those days, it took eight game wins (four in each of the two rounds) for any team to win the Stanley Cup.

Dear Willie,
I know that the Vezina trophy is for goalies but who or what is Vezina?
Your Friend Sunny!

Hi Sunny:
The Vezina Trophy is named for Georges Vezina, a great goalie for the Montreal Canadiens in the early 1900s. Vezina died in 1925, and the Canadiens presented the National Hockey League with a trophy to honor the League's best goaltender.

Dear Mr. O'Ree,
I have been a long time fan of hockey, but I never have been able to understand one thing that I hope you can help me with. What is an obstruction penalty, such as obstruction hooking or obstruction interference. I have looked in hockey glossaries but I can't find anything.
Sincerely,
P.P.

Hi PP:
"Obstruction" hooking and "obstruction" interference are called when the player who has been fouled does not have the puck.

Hey Willie,
I am a winger, and am wondering where I should cut my stick. I know some rules are like - off-ice cut the stick up to your nose and on-ice it should be up to your chin, but I hear that cutting it shorter will give better puck control. So my question is, what would be best overall for a winger? Thanks.

hi,
The length of your stick is completely up to you - it's a very individual preference. Experiment with a couple of different lengths, and then cut it wherever you are most comfortable.

Willie,
If there is a 5 on 4 powerplay and there is a delayed penalty about to be called and the team with the man advantage scores, does the man in the box come out, or delayed penalty negated?
Jason Mohr
Age 14
Maryland

Hi Jason:
The man in the penalty box comes out, and the delayed penalty is still called.

Hey Willie
I'm a centerman. I like to make plays. Who do you think was the best playmaker of all-time?
From
Joe Mac

Hi Joe:
I would say Wayne Gretzky, with Mario Lemieux close behind.

Hi Willie,
I've contacted you once before about goaltending, but I have a different question now. I was wondering what I can do to break in my goalie glove. I've tried everything I could think of that doesn't involve liquid or heat. I've been beating the heck out of it but nothing seems to work. I've had it since September of last year. Once I get it loose, it seems to tighten up after I don't use it for a while. By the way, it's a Vaughn V-Lite Pro
Kaegan
Age 13

Hi Kaegan:
Lots of use, especially in practice is the best recipe for a supple glove. As for the tightness, get a good leather conditioner and rub it into the glove periodically.

Dear Willie,
Our family watched the Wings game in which Hull had three goals against the Canucks. My boys were wondering how the term "hat trick" got started. We couldn't find it anywhere on the web. Could you help us out?
Thanks

Hi:
There are two origins for the term "hat trick." Many years ago, a haberdasher in Toronto would award a free hat to any player who scored three goals. Years later, fans started celebrating a players' three goals by throwing hats onto the ice, and that is the most commonly accepted origin of the term today.
Good luck,
Willie