Hockey Trivia Quiz

12 – 39 Questions 12 min

This hockey trivia quiz concentrates on NHL history, rules, legendary players, and major international tournaments so you can assess how strong your hockey knowledge really is. Use it to sharpen recall of records, franchise milestones, and in-game situations that come up constantly in serious hockey discussions.

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Part 1 — Questions

Answer each question on paper. Do not turn the page until you are ready to check your work.

Which trophy is awarded each year to the NHL team that wins the playoffs?

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
Presidents' Trophy
Prince of Wales Trophy
Stanley Cup

The NHL's "Original Six" era featured exactly six franchises for the entire period between the early 1940s and the league's first major expansion.

True
False

In an NHL regular-season game, which situation results in an icing call against Team A?

A Team A skater shoots the puck from the neutral zone and it goes over the glass without touching anything
A Team A skater shoots the puck from behind their own red line, it crosses the opposing goal line untouched, and Team B could have played it
A Team A skater clears the puck the length of the ice while their team is shorthanded
A Team A skater dumps the puck in from center ice and it is immediately played by the opposing goaltender

A classic NHL trivia question asks who holds the record for the most regular-season goals in league history. Who is it?

Gordie Howe
Jaromir Jagr
Wayne Gretzky
Alex Ovechkin

The standard NHL rink is wider than the international rink size used in most IIHF competitions.

True
False

A youth coach tells players that one position usually takes most of the faceoffs in NHL games. Which position is the coach referring to?

Right wing
Center
Left wing
Defenseman

When a team is killing a minor penalty in an NHL game, icing is still enforced against them just as at full strength.

True
False

Which organization runs the annual men's Ice Hockey World Championship that many NHL players join after their club seasons end?

International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Canadian Hockey League (CHL)
National Hockey League (NHL)
European professional leagues association

In a tied NHL regular-season game, regulation ends with the score 3–3. Which sequence correctly describes what happens next under current standard rules?

A 5-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime is played, then a shootout is used if still tied
Teams go directly to a best-of-five shootout with no overtime period
A full 20-minute 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime is played until someone scores
A 10-minute 4-on-4 sudden-death overtime is played, then the game ends in a tie if still tied

10.

During an NHL trivia night, a friend incorrectly claims that the current Winnipeg Jets are the same franchise that moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. In reality, which NHL team did the original Winnipeg Jets franchise become after relocating?

Colorado Avalanche
Arizona Coyotes
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild

11.

Select all that apply. In NHL play, which of the following situations can result in a penalty shot being awarded?

A.An attacking player is fouled from behind on a clear breakaway with no defender between them and the goaltender
B.A team is caught with too many men on the ice during a line change
C.A defending skater deliberately covers the puck with a hand in their own goal crease
D.A goaltender deliberately dislodges the net to stop an obvious scoring chance
E.An attacking player plays the puck with a high stick in the neutral zone

12.

In an NHL game, a goaltender who loses the stick may legally continue to play without immediately retrieving or replacing it, as long as no other rule is broken.

True
False

13.

While watching men's Olympic hockey, a fan notices different rink dimensions and overtime rules compared with the NHL. Which organization's rulebook is being used for that tournament?

International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
National Hockey League (NHL)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Canadian Hockey League (CHL)

14.

Select all that apply. A fan is sorting major NHL trophies into those awarded to individual players versus those awarded to teams. Which of the following are given to individual players?

A.Hart Memorial Trophy
B.Art Ross Trophy
C.Presidents' Trophy
D.Conn Smythe Trophy
E.Stanley Cup

15.

Team A is on a delayed penalty against Team B. Team B pulls its goaltender for an extra attacker, then scores before the referee whistles play dead. What happens next under NHL rules?

The goal is disallowed, but the delayed penalty is assessed
The goal counts, and the delayed penalty is canceled
Play is whistled dead as soon as the sixth attacker jumps on, nullifying the goal
The goal counts, and the delayed penalty is still assessed fully

16.

A fan studying women's hockey trivia wonders which country won the first women's Olympic gold medal in ice hockey. Which national team earned that historic title?

Sweden
Canada
Finland
United States

17.

Under the NHL's current divisional playoff format, Division A finishes with Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, then Team 4 in the standings. Team 4 has more points than Team 3, but still ranks fourth in the division. Ignoring other divisions, which statement about playoff qualification is certainly true?

Both Team 3 and Team 4 are guaranteed playoff spots
Only Team 3 is guaranteed a playoff spot, while Team 4 must qualify as a wild card
Only Team 4 is guaranteed a playoff spot because it has more points
Neither team is guaranteed a playoff spot; all spots are based solely on total points

18.

At the end of the season, analysts debate which defenseman should receive the NHL award given to the league's top all-around defenseman as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Which trophy are they talking about?

James Norris Memorial Trophy
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Vezina Trophy

19.

Arrange these franchise milestones involving the Quebec Nordiques / Colorado Avalanche in chronological order, from earliest to latest.

Put these in the correct order (write 1–4 beside each):

____Joe Sakic is named captain of the Quebec Nordiques
____The Colorado Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup
____The Colorado Avalanche hold a ceremony to retire Joe Sakic's jersey number
____The Quebec Nordiques relocate to Denver and become the Colorado Avalanche

20.

In the NHL playoffs, every overtime period is played at three skaters aside (3-on-3) until a goal is scored.

True
False

21.

At an NHL trivia competition focused on expansion-era success, you are asked which of the 1967 expansion franchises was the first to win the Stanley Cup. Which team is the correct answer?

Los Angeles Kings
St. Louis Blues
Pittsburgh Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers

22.

Wayne Gretzky's career NHL point total exceeds that of the second-place player by more than 900 points.

True
False

23.

Reading about great goaltenders, you learn that one netminder holds the NHL record for most regular-season wins. Which goalie owns that record?

Patrick Roy
Dominik Hašek
Martin Brodeur
Marc-André Fleury

24.

In NHL regular-season standings, a team that loses in overtime or a shootout still earns one point.

True
False

Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

Which trophy is awarded each year to the NHL team that wins the playoffs?
Stanley Cup
The NHL's "Original Six" era featured exactly six franchises for the entire period between the early 1940s and the league's first major expansion.
True
In an NHL regular-season game, which situation results in an icing call against Team A?
A Team A skater shoots the puck from behind their own red line, it crosses the opposing goal line untouched, and Team B could have played it
A classic NHL trivia question asks who holds the record for the most regular-season goals in league history. Who is it?
Wayne Gretzky
The standard NHL rink is wider than the international rink size used in most IIHF competitions.
False
A youth coach tells players that one position usually takes most of the faceoffs in NHL games. Which position is the coach referring to?
Center
When a team is killing a minor penalty in an NHL game, icing is still enforced against them just as at full strength.
False
Which organization runs the annual men's Ice Hockey World Championship that many NHL players join after their club seasons end?
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
In a tied NHL regular-season game, regulation ends with the score 3–3. Which sequence correctly describes what happens next under current standard rules?
A 5-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime is played, then a shootout is used if still tied
During an NHL trivia night, a friend incorrectly claims that the current Winnipeg Jets are the same franchise that moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. In reality, which NHL team did the original Winnipeg Jets franchise become after relocating?
Arizona Coyotes
Select all that apply. In NHL play, which of the following situations can result in a penalty shot being awarded?
An attacking player is fouled from behind on a clear breakaway with no defender between them and the goaltender; A defending skater deliberately covers the puck with a hand in their own goal crease; A goaltender deliberately dislodges the net to stop an obvious scoring chance
In an NHL game, a goaltender who loses the stick may legally continue to play without immediately retrieving or replacing it, as long as no other rule is broken.
True
While watching men's Olympic hockey, a fan notices different rink dimensions and overtime rules compared with the NHL. Which organization's rulebook is being used for that tournament?
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Select all that apply. A fan is sorting major NHL trophies into those awarded to individual players versus those awarded to teams. Which of the following are given to individual players?
Hart Memorial Trophy; Art Ross Trophy; Conn Smythe Trophy
Team A is on a delayed penalty against Team B. Team B pulls its goaltender for an extra attacker, then scores before the referee whistles play dead. What happens next under NHL rules?
The goal counts, and the delayed penalty is canceled
A fan studying women's hockey trivia wonders which country won the first women's Olympic gold medal in ice hockey. Which national team earned that historic title?
United States
Under the NHL's current divisional playoff format, Division A finishes with Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, then Team 4 in the standings. Team 4 has more points than Team 3, but still ranks fourth in the division. Ignoring other divisions, which statement about playoff qualification is certainly true?
Only Team 3 is guaranteed a playoff spot, while Team 4 must qualify as a wild card
At the end of the season, analysts debate which defenseman should receive the NHL award given to the league's top all-around defenseman as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Which trophy are they talking about?
James Norris Memorial Trophy
Arrange these franchise milestones involving the Quebec Nordiques / Colorado Avalanche in chronological order, from earliest to latest.
Correct order: Joe Sakic is named captain of the Quebec Nordiques → The Quebec Nordiques relocate to Denver and become the Colorado Avalanche → The Colorado Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup → The Colorado Avalanche hold a ceremony to retire Joe Sakic's jersey number
In the NHL playoffs, every overtime period is played at three skaters aside (3-on-3) until a goal is scored.
False
At an NHL trivia competition focused on expansion-era success, you are asked which of the 1967 expansion franchises was the first to win the Stanley Cup. Which team is the correct answer?
Philadelphia Flyers
Wayne Gretzky's career NHL point total exceeds that of the second-place player by more than 900 points.
True
Reading about great goaltenders, you learn that one netminder holds the NHL record for most regular-season wins. Which goalie owns that record?
Martin Brodeur
In NHL regular-season standings, a team that loses in overtime or a shootout still earns one point.
True

1Which trophy is awarded each year to the NHL team that wins the playoffs?

2The NHL's "Original Six" era featured exactly six franchises for the entire period between the early 1940s and the league's first major expansion.

True / False

3In an NHL regular-season game, which situation results in an icing call against Team A?

4A classic NHL trivia question asks who holds the record for the most regular-season goals in league history. Who is it?

5The standard NHL rink is wider than the international rink size used in most IIHF competitions.

True / False

6A youth coach tells players that one position usually takes most of the faceoffs in NHL games. Which position is the coach referring to?

7When a team is killing a minor penalty in an NHL game, icing is still enforced against them just as at full strength.

True / False

8Which organization runs the annual men's Ice Hockey World Championship that many NHL players join after their club seasons end?

9In a tied NHL regular-season game, regulation ends with the score 3–3. Which sequence correctly describes what happens next under current standard rules?

10During an NHL trivia night, a friend incorrectly claims that the current Winnipeg Jets are the same franchise that moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche. In reality, which NHL team did the original Winnipeg Jets franchise become after relocating?

11Select all that apply. In NHL play, which of the following situations can result in a penalty shot being awarded?

Select all that apply

12In an NHL game, a goaltender who loses the stick may legally continue to play without immediately retrieving or replacing it, as long as no other rule is broken.

True / False

13While watching men's Olympic hockey, a fan notices different rink dimensions and overtime rules compared with the NHL. Which organization's rulebook is being used for that tournament?

14Select all that apply. A fan is sorting major NHL trophies into those awarded to individual players versus those awarded to teams. Which of the following are given to individual players?

Select all that apply

15Team A is on a delayed penalty against Team B. Team B pulls its goaltender for an extra attacker, then scores before the referee whistles play dead. What happens next under NHL rules?

16A fan studying women's hockey trivia wonders which country won the first women's Olympic gold medal in ice hockey. Which national team earned that historic title?

17Under the NHL's current divisional playoff format, Division A finishes with Team 1, Team 2, Team 3, then Team 4 in the standings. Team 4 has more points than Team 3, but still ranks fourth in the division. Ignoring other divisions, which statement about playoff qualification is certainly true?

18At the end of the season, analysts debate which defenseman should receive the NHL award given to the league's top all-around defenseman as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Which trophy are they talking about?

19Arrange these franchise milestones involving the Quebec Nordiques / Colorado Avalanche in chronological order, from earliest to latest.

Put in order

1Joe Sakic is named captain of the Quebec Nordiques

2The Colorado Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup

3The Colorado Avalanche hold a ceremony to retire Joe Sakic's jersey number

4The Quebec Nordiques relocate to Denver and become the Colorado Avalanche

20In the NHL playoffs, every overtime period is played at three skaters aside (3-on-3) until a goal is scored.

True / False

21At an NHL trivia competition focused on expansion-era success, you are asked which of the 1967 expansion franchises was the first to win the Stanley Cup. Which team is the correct answer?

22Wayne Gretzky's career NHL point total exceeds that of the second-place player by more than 900 points.

True / False

23Reading about great goaltenders, you learn that one netminder holds the NHL record for most regular-season wins. Which goalie owns that record?

24In NHL regular-season standings, a team that loses in overtime or a shootout still earns one point.

True / False

Recurring Mistakes on Hockey and NHL Trivia Questions

Blurring Franchise Histories

Many fans miss questions about relocations, expansion teams, and name changes. Winnipeg, Phoenix/Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota franchises often get tangled together. Build a short timeline of key moves and expansion waves, then attach each franchise to a specific year and previous city.

Mixing Career, Season, and Playoff Records

Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and other stars dominate multiple leaderboards, which leads to confusion. People swap career points with single-season totals or regular-season with playoff records. When you study numbers, always label them explicitly as career, single-season, or playoff and note the era.

Ignoring Era and Scoring Environment

Trivia that compares scoring totals across decades punishes fans who ignore context. High totals from the 1980s mean something different than similar totals from the dead-puck era. Link each major record or standout season to its decade and typical league scoring rate.

Confusing NHL, IIHF, and Domestic Rule Sets

Questions about overtime formats, icing, offside, and rink size often hinge on which rule book applies. Many players assume NHL rules cover Olympic or World Championship play. When you practice, tag each rule with its setting, for example NHL regular season, NHL playoffs, or IIHF tournament.

Overlooking Goalie and Special Teams Details

Fans often remember skater milestones yet forget save percentage thresholds, shutout records, or power-play scoring marks. Create a separate list for goaltending and special teams achievements so they do not disappear behind goal and point totals.

Authoritative References for Hockey Rules and History

These resources provide official rules and historical context that strengthen your hockey trivia preparation. Use them to confirm details about penalties, game flow, rink dimensions, and the records that often appear in NHL trivia questions.

NHL Video Rulebook: Short official clips that illustrate penalties, offside, goalie interference, and review situations referenced in many NHL trivia questions.
NHL Official Rules: Full rulebook that clarifies overtime formats, penalty classifications, and technical details such as faceoff procedures.
IIHF Official Rules: Authoritative source for international rules, including rink dimensions, tie-breaking procedures, and tournament-specific regulations.
USA Hockey Rule Book & Resources: Useful for comparing North American amateur rules to NHL and IIHF interpretations on body checking, offsides, and equipment.
Hockey Hall of Fame: Historical information on trophies, inductees, and record-setting performances that appear in advanced hockey trivia questions.

Hockey Trivia Quiz Content and Strategy FAQ

What topics does this hockey trivia quiz emphasize?

The quiz leans heavily on NHL history, including Stanley Cup winners, legendary players, major trades, and franchise milestones. It also includes rules questions, basic statistics, and a selection of international tournament items such as Olympic upsets and World Championship gold medal runs.

How difficult are the NHL trivia questions compared with the international ones?

NHL questions sit around an intermediate level and assume you know major awards, famous records, and team locations without hints. International questions feel trickier because they rely more on specific years, medal results, and format quirks, for example shootouts deciding gold or differences in rink size.

How should I use quick, standard, and full modes to study hockey trivia?

The quick mode with 12 questions works best for a short warm-up or time-limited practice. The standard mode with 24 questions gives a balanced mix of history, rules, and player milestones. The full mode with 39 questions is ideal for a longer session that stresses depth across eras and competitions.

What is the most effective way to prepare for tough hockey trivia questions?

Scan recent NHL rule changes, review lists of major award winners, and study all-time leaderboards for scoring and goaltending. Create small themed sets, such as Original Six facts or Olympic finals, and quiz yourself until you can recall details without relying on context clues.

Does the quiz assume knowledge of only North American hockey, or also European leagues?

The quiz centers on NHL hockey and major international tournaments. Some questions touch on European or junior leagues only when they directly connect to star players, draft histories, or notable transfers, so broad awareness helps but deep league-specific knowledge is not required.