What are dirty areas in ice hockey?

Answer 1

It's a term used mostly for winning puck control battles (usually along the boards) to get possession of the puck. These players are referred to as "grinders". usually they aren't big scorers, but they are very important to the team to win. Some of the best grinders in the league are Ian Lapperiere of the Philadelphia Flyers, Rob Niedermayer of the Buffalo Sabres, and Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators and also Carrie Underwoods Husband (lucky).

Grinders who also are great scorers are referred to as "2 Way Forwards" such as Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks, Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers, Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks, Ryan Smyth and Chris Drury have always been very good as well, however they are out of their prime.

Dirty Areas also pretty much means dirty hockey. Some Players play really dirty to help them get an advantage on a play or simply to hurt another player. Spearing with the butt of your stick while checking someone, sticking you leg out to make knee to knee contact, elbowing to the head when the refs not looking (pretty much what happened to Sidney Crosby resulting in a concussion), and hitting from behind into the boards violently (referred to as Boarding). all these plays carry a Major penalty if caught and could result in a game misconduct if the ref believes you tryed to injure the other. you will be given 5 minutes for the major penalty (served by someone else), 10 minutes for the game misconduct (that does not affect your team), and ejected from the game. Further disapline could result if the NHL investigates such as suspension, and fines. However the NHL does not disipline players enough for these kind of actions, usually its only a couple games suspension and a low fine (if there is a fine at all).

Some of the dirtiest players in the league are Sean Avery of the New York Rangers, and Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Keep in mind these terms are only used for forwards seeing how defensive already have to be good at such defensive playing ability. There are Offensive Defensemen though, players who are good at taking the puck up and make plays. Kimmo Timonen (Flyers), Mike Green ( Washington Capitals), and John-Michael Liles of the Colorado Avalanche are great offensive defensemen.

To get back on the subject the dirtiest (but very good) defensemen in the league are Chris Pronger (Flyers), Brooks Orpik of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins. Obviously, there are 2 way defenders as well.

I hope this helped you alot, sorry if i overdid it, but alot of people have a misconception or misunderstanding of a "grinder".