Third line (ice hockey)

=Definition of 'Third Line' in Ice Hockey=

The are several lines of players in ice hockey, as players need to be replaced often, and grouping players to play together strengthens their team play.

The third line refers to players who are assigned to the three forward positions (Wingers: left wing and right wing; centre) and the two defencemen that take the ice for their team usually on the second rotation of players. They replace a second line that usually follows the first line into a game and/or period, and they are backed up by the first line, who, rested, can come back into the game and take the level of play up a notch.

The third line is usually composed of the the players that the coaches estimate to be the third tier on their team, often made up of developing players, injured players returning from rehab, and older players who may still be effective, but have lost a bit of their edge in speed or reflexes.