What is an assist in hockey?

In hockey, an assist is awarded to a player who helps set up a goal by directly contributing to the play leading up to the goal being scored. Assists are typically given to players who pass the puck to the goal scorer, make a key play that sets up the goal, or otherwise contribute to the play in a significant way.

Assists can be primary assists, meaning the player directly set up the goal, or secondary assists, meaning the player contributed to the play but did not directly set up the goal. Assists are an important stat in hockey, as they show how players are able to contribute to their team's offense and help create scoring opportunities for their teammates.

Assists are recorded in a player's individual stats and can also be used to determine a player's overall value and contribution to their team. Players who consistently earn assists are often seen as playmakers and valuable assets to their team's success.