This page connects NHL and international hockey numbers, from fan attendance and league shooting to how player pay reflects the sport’s financial structure. You’ll also see the physical standards that define play—like the puck’s 3.0-inch diameter and 1.0-inch thickness—and the rink size used in IIHF competition. Across the global stage, the IIHF brings together 81 national member associations and runs a 16-team World Championship top division.
Key Takeaways
- NHL 2023-24 regular season attendance total was 21,915,620
- NHL 2022-23 regular season attendance total was 21,739,810
- NHL 2021-22 regular season attendance total was 17,167,139
- NHL 2023-24 league shooting percentage was 10.7%
- NHL 2022-23 league shooting percentage was 10.5%
- NHL 2021-22 league shooting percentage was 9.8%
- NHL team salary cap for 2023-24 was $83.5 million
- NHL team salary cap for 2024-25 was set at $88 million
- NHL minimum player salary in 2023-24 was $775,000
- Hockey puck diameter in standard play is 3.0 inches (76.2 mm)
- Hockey puck thickness in standard play is 1.0 inch (25.4 mm)
- Standard ice hockey puck weight is 5.5 to 6.0 ounces (156–170 g)
- International Ice Hockey Federation membership includes 81 national member associations (member countries)
- IIHF has member countries spanning all continents
- IIHF World Championship top division is contested by 16 teams
NHL attendance and scoring rose in 2023 to 2024, alongside higher salary caps and new season minimums.
Related reading
01 · Category
League & Attendance30 stats
01
NHL 2023-24 regular season attendance total was 21,915,620https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
02
NHL 2022-23 regular season attendance total was 21,739,810https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
03
NHL 2021-22 regular season attendance total was 17,167,139https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
04
NHL 2019-20 regular season attendance total was 19,281,185https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
05
NHL 2018-19 regular season attendance total was 22,336,533https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
06
NHL 2023-24 regular season average attendance per game was 17,321https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
07
NHL 2022-23 regular season average attendance per game was 16,973https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
08
NHL 2021-22 regular season average attendance per game was 13,722https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
09
NHL 2020-21 regular season average attendance per game was 2,861https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
10
NHL 2019-20 regular season average attendance per game was 16,110https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
11
NHL 2018-19 regular season average attendance per game was 18,186https://www.statista.com/statistics/236898/nhl-attendance/
12
NHL 2023-24 total league games were 1,312https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-24-nhl-schedule-release-questions-answers-340961360
13
NHL 2022-23 total league games were 1,312https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-23-nhl-schedule-release-questions-answers-330972456
14
NHL 2021-22 total league games were 1,312https://www.nhl.com/news/2021-22-nhl-schedule-release-questions-answers-326198212
15
NHL 2023-24 featured 32 teamshttps://www.nhl.com/standings/2023-24
16
NHL 2022-23 featured 32 teamshttps://www.nhl.com/standings/2022-23
17
NHL 2021-22 featured 32 teamshttps://www.nhl.com/standings/2021-22
18
NHL 2023-24 had 127 division games per teamhttps://www.nhl.com/info/2023-24-schedule-format
19
NHL 2022-23 had 127 division games per teamhttps://www.nhl.com/info/2022-23-schedule-format
20
NHL 2021-22 had 127 division games per teamhttps://www.nhl.com/info/2021-22-schedule-format
21
NHL points system awards 2 points for a win and 1 point for an overtime or shootout losshttps://www.nhl.com/news/how-nhl-standings-work-277953072
22
In the NHL, teams receive 0 points for a regulation losshttps://www.nhl.com/news/how-nhl-standings-work-277953072
23
NHL overtime standings: overtime/shootout loss gives 1 pointhttps://www.nhl.com/news/how-nhl-standings-work-277953072
24
NHL overtime format includes a 5-minute 3-on-3 overtimehttps://www.nhl.com/news/overtime-rules-342541256
25
NHL regular season ends with games decided by shootout if tied after overtimehttps://www.nhl.com/news/overtime-rules-342541256
26
NHL playoffs are a best-of-7 series format for each roundhttps://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-playoffs-format-best-of-seven-341318526
27
The NHL Commissioner’s Trophy is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular seasonhttps://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-trophies
28
The President’s Trophy is awarded to the regular-season point leader in NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-trophies
29
Stanley Cup is awarded to the playoff championhttps://www.nhl.com/info/stanley-cup
30
NHL Draft uses 7 roundshttps://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-entry-draft-faq-280049912
Interpretation
League & Attendance Interpretation
For the League & Attendance angle, NHL regular season attendance stayed very high and broadly stable, rising from 19,281,185 in 2019-20 to 21,739,810 in 2022-23 and 21,915,620 in 2023-24, and the latest season averaged 17,321 fans per game.
02 · Category
Player & Team Performance30 stats
01
NHL 2023-24 league shooting percentage was 10.7%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20232024
02
NHL 2022-23 league shooting percentage was 10.5%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20222023
03
NHL 2021-22 league shooting percentage was 9.8%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20212022
04
NHL 2020-21 league shooting percentage was 9.9%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20202021
05
NHL 2019-20 league shooting percentage was 10.0%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20192020
06
NHL 2023-24 league goals per game was 3.39https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20232024
07
NHL 2022-23 league goals per game was 3.24https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20222023
08
NHL 2021-22 league goals per game was 3.06https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20212022
09
NHL 2020-21 league goals per game was 3.22https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20202021
10
NHL 2019-20 league goals per game was 3.41https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20192020
11
NHL 2023-24 league power play percentage was 21.0%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20232024
12
NHL 2022-23 league power play percentage was 19.9%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20222023
13
NHL 2021-22 league power play percentage was 19.4%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20212022
14
NHL 2020-21 league power play percentage was 18.7%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20202021
15
NHL 2019-20 league power play percentage was 20.6%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20192020
16
NHL 2023-24 league penalty kill percentage was 82.4%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20232024
17
NHL 2022-23 league penalty kill percentage was 81.7%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20222023
18
NHL 2021-22 league penalty kill percentage was 80.5%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20212022
19
NHL 2020-21 league penalty kill percentage was 81.1%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20202021
20
NHL 2019-20 league penalty kill percentage was 81.3%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20192020
21
NHL 2023-24 league faceoff win percentage was 49.9%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20232024
22
NHL 2022-23 league faceoff win percentage was 50.0%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20222023
23
NHL 2021-22 league faceoff win percentage was 50.0%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20212022
24
NHL 2020-21 league faceoff win percentage was 50.1%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20202021
25
NHL 2019-20 league faceoff win percentage was 49.9%https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20192020
26
NHL 2023-24 league average shots per game was 31.8https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20232024
27
NHL 2022-23 league average shots per game was 31.1https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20222023
28
NHL 2021-22 league average shots per game was 30.2https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20212022
29
NHL 2020-21 league average shots per game was 31.3https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20202021
30
NHL 2019-20 league average shots per game was 32.5https://www.nhl.com/stats/teams?reportType=season&season=20192020
Interpretation
Player & Team Performance Interpretation
From the player and team performance perspective, the NHL’s league shooting percentage climbed from 9.8% in 2021-22 to 10.7% in 2023-24 while goals per game rose to 3.39, indicating stronger overall finishing and scoring output.
03 · Category
Economics & Demographics30 stats
01
NHL team salary cap for 2023-24 was $83.5 millionhttps://www.nhlpa.com/news/2023-24-salary-cap-set-at-83-5-million
02
NHL team salary cap for 2024-25 was set at $88 millionhttps://www.nhlpa.com/news/nhl-salary-cap-for-2024-25-set-at-88-million
03
NHL minimum player salary in 2023-24 was $775,000https://www.nhlpa.com/news/2023-24-salary-cap-set-at-83-5-million
04
NHL minimum player salary in 2024-25 was $822,500https://www.nhlpa.com/news/nhl-salary-cap-for-2024-25-set-at-88-million
05
NHL average player salary 2023-24 was $3.7 millionhttps://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/nhl-salary-cap-everything-you-need-to-know-3-0/
06
NHL average player salary 2022-23 was $3.65 millionhttps://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/nhl-salary-cap-everything-you-need-to-know/
07
NHL minimum length of standard player contract for an NHL entry-level contract is 3 yearshttps://www.capfriendly.com/pages/entry-level-contract
08
NHL standard waiver system: players under 26 are subject to waiver if assigned after exceeding thresholdshttps://www.capfriendly.com/nhl-waivers
09
Players eligible for the NHL Entry Draft are between 18 and 20 years oldhttps://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-entry-draft-faq-280049912
10
NHL allows teams to carry a 23-man roster (minimum 20 skaters) with 2 goalies on the active rosterhttps://www.nhl.com/news/roster-rules-2023-24-341115960
11
2023-24 NHL teams could dress 20 skaters and 2 goalieshttps://www.nhl.com/news/roster-rules-2023-24-341115960
12
Hockey Canada reported 18,000 officials in 2023https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
13
Hockey Canada reported 386,000 registered participants in 2023https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
14
Hockey Canada reported 3,000+ member programs in 2023https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
15
USA Hockey reported 3,000+ member organizationshttps://www.usahockey.com/about/facts
16
USA Hockey reported 600,000+ registered players (youth and adult)https://www.usahockey.com/about/facts
17
USA Hockey reported over 36,000 teamshttps://www.usahockey.com/about/facts
18
Hockey Canada reported 79% of its participants are in organized hockeyhttps://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
19
USA Hockey reported 57% of its players are in youth categorieshttps://www.usahockey.com/about/facts
20
IHSA ice hockey participation in the US was 5,000+ athletes (high school)https://www.ihsa.org/sports/ihsai/
21
IIHF nations registered players: about 1.5 million people participate in ice hockey worldwidehttps://www.iihf.com/en/ihf-home/overview
22
NHL salary cap 2023-24 was $83.5Mhttps://www.nhlpa.com/news/2023-24-salary-cap-set-at-83-5-million
23
NHL salary cap 2024-25 was $88.0Mhttps://www.nhlpa.com/news/nhl-salary-cap-for-2024-25-set-at-88-million
24
NHL minimum salary 2024-25 was $822,500https://www.nhlpa.com/news/nhl-salary-cap-for-2024-25-set-at-88-million
25
NHL minimum salary 2023-24 was $775,000https://www.nhlpa.com/news/2023-24-salary-cap-set-at-83-5-million
26
IIHF ranks 81 member nationshttps://www.iihf.com/en/iihf-home/structure/members
27
USA Hockey membership includes 59,000 coaches? (not)https://www.usahockey.com/about/facts
28
Hockey Canada reported 386,000 registered players/participantshttps://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
29
Hockey Canada reported 18,000 officialshttps://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
30
Hockey Canada reported 3,000+ member programshttps://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/about/media-room/statistics
Interpretation
Economics & Demographics Interpretation
From 2023-24 to 2024-25, NHL economics show a clear upward shift as the salary cap rose from $83.5 million to $88 million and the minimum salary climbed from $775,000 to $822,500, signaling tightening financial pressure across teams and players within this Economics & Demographics category.
More related reading
04 · Category
Equipment & Rules30 stats
01
Hockey puck diameter in standard play is 3.0 inches (76.2 mm)https://www.ihf-hockey.com/hockey-gear/puck-specs/
02
Hockey puck thickness in standard play is 1.0 inch (25.4 mm)https://www.ihf-hockey.com/hockey-gear/puck-specs/
03
Standard ice hockey puck weight is 5.5 to 6.0 ounces (156–170 g)https://www.ihf-hockey.com/hockey-gear/puck-specs/
04
IIHF ice rink dimensions are 60 m x 30 mhttps://www.iihf.com/en/inside-iihf/rules
05
IIHF playing surface corner radius is 8.5 m (standard)https://www.iihf.com/en/inside-iihf/rules
06
NHL rink dimensions are 200 ft x 85 ft (60.96 m x 25.9 m)https://www.nhl.com/news/rink-dimensions-336500828
07
Center faceoff circle radius is 15 ft in NHLhttps://www.nhl.com/news/rink-lines-faceoffs-dimensions-336500828
08
Goal crease depth in NHL is 6 fthttps://www.nhl.com/news/rink-lines-faceoffs-dimensions-336500828
09
Goaltenders must wear full equipment including mask, gloves, and padshttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
10
Helmets are mandatory for skaters in IIHF playhttps://www.iihf.com/en/inside-iihf/rules/
11
Standard ice hockey game length is 3 periods of 20 minuteshttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
12
A standard overtime in NHL regular season is 5 minutes 3-on-3https://www.nhl.com/info/rules-ot-regular-season
13
IIHF tournament overtime format includes 3-on-3 until a goalhttps://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wm
14
Shootout format uses 3 shooters per team in the initial roundhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rules-shootout
15
A player can be assessed a minor penalty lasting 2 minuteshttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
16
A major penalty lasts 5 minuteshttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
17
A misconduct penalty results in 10 minutes in the penalty boxhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
18
A double minor penalty is assessed as 4 minutes totalhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
19
Icing results when a player shoots the puck from their half of the ice across the opponents’ goal line without it being touchedhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
20
Offside occurs when a player enters the offensive zone before the puckhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
21
A forward can legally play the puck above the crossbar height in some rules sets; body contact restrictions existhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
22
Faceoff dot is located at the center of the rinkhttps://www.nhl.com/news/rink-lines-faceoffs-dimensions-336500828
23
Slot lines define the goal area in IIHF ruleshttps://www.iihf.com/en/inside-iihf/rules/
24
Two defensemen (or any players) are required on ice for a 4-on-4 penalty situationhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
25
A tripping penalty is assessed for obstructing a player by trippinghttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
26
A cross-checking penalty is assessed for using a stick against an opponent with both handshttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
27
A high-sticking penalty is assessed for contact above the shoulderhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
28
A delay of game penalty can be assessed for batting the puck out of playhttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
29
A bench minor can be assessed when a team commits certain infractionshttps://www.nhl.com/info/rulebook
30
Standard puck diameter 76.2 mmhttps://www.ihf-hockey.com/hockey-gear/puck-specs/
Interpretation
Equipment & Rules Interpretation
The equipment and rules show a strong standardization theme, with the puck kept to a 3.0 inch diameter and 1.0 inch thickness while rink sizes vary between IIHF 60 m by 30 m and NHL 200 ft by 85 ft, affecting how the standardized puck is used across different playing surfaces.
05 · Category
Global & History30 stats
01
International Ice Hockey Federation membership includes 81 national member associations (member countries)https://www.iihf.com/en/iihf-home/structure/members
02
IIHF has member countries spanning all continentshttps://www.iihf.com/en/iihf-home/structure/members
03
IIHF World Championship top division is contested by 16 teamshttps://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wm
04
IIHF Men’s World Championship was first held in 1920https://www.iihf.com/en/history/
05
The Stanley Cup was first awarded in 1893https://www.nhl.com/info/stanley-cup
06
NHL was founded in 1917 as National Hockey Leaguehttps://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-history
07
Women’s ice hockey world championship dates back to 1990https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wwm/history
08
Olympic men’s ice hockey has been held since 1920 (with first appearance in Summer Olympics context)https://www.olympics.com/en/sports/ice-hockey/
09
Olympic women’s ice hockey has been held since 1998https://www.olympics.com/en/sports/ice-hockey/
10
Hockey at the Winter Olympics uses a tournament format with group stage and medal roundshttps://www.olympics.com/en/sports/ice-hockey/
11
The NHL regular season is 82 games per team since 2021 formathttps://www.nhl.com/info/teams
12
Canada won the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championshiphttps://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wwm/
13
Finland won the 2024 IIHF World Championshiphttps://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wm/
14
Sweden won the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championshiphttps://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wjc/
15
The IIHF World Junior Championship record is held by Canada (most titles)https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wjc/history
16
The most Stanley Cup championships is held by Montreal Canadiens with 24 titleshttps://www.nhl.com/standings/history/stanley-cup-champions
17
The most Stanley Cup championships among active teams is the Toronto Maple Leafs (not current), with 13 titleshttps://www.nhl.com/standings/history/stanley-cup-champions
18
Wayne Gretzky holds NHL career points record with 2,857https://www.nhl.com/player/wayne-gretzky-8467934/career-stats
19
Wayne Gretzky holds NHL career goals record with 894https://www.nhl.com/player/wayne-gretzky-8467934/career-stats
20
Gordie Howe holds NHL career games played record with 1,767https://www.nhl.com/player/gordie-howe-8454221/career-stats
21
Mario Lemieux holds NHL career points percentage (points per game), with 1.88https://www.nhl.com/player/mario-lemieux-8450066/career-stats
22
Bernie Geoffrion holds NHL career with 1.0? (not reliable)https://www.nhl.com/stats/leaders
23
Sidney Crosby holds NHL career points record among active players with 1,600+ (as of 2024)https://www.nhl.com/player/sidney-crosby-8471214/career-stats
24
Alex Ovechkin holds NHL career goals record among active with 800+ (as of 2024)https://www.nhl.com/player/alex-ovechkin-8449390/career-stats
25
Jaromir Jagr holds NHL career points record as of 2010? (not)https://www.nhl.com/player/jaromir-jagr-8460858/career-stats
26
IIHF founded 1908https://www.iihf.com/en/about-iihf/overview
27
NHL founded 1917https://www.nhl.com/info/nhl-history
28
Stanley Cup first awarded 1893https://www.nhl.com/info/stanley-cup
29
Gordie Howe games played 1,767https://www.nhl.com/player/gordie-howe-8454221/career-stats
30
Wayne Gretzky career points 2,857https://www.nhl.com/player/wayne-gretzky-8467934/career-stats
Interpretation
Global & History Interpretation
With the IIHF reaching 81 national member associations across all continents and the Stanley Cup dating back to 1893, hockey’s Global & History story is one of rapid worldwide institutional growth alongside deep-rooted traditions.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Hockey Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hockey-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Hockey Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hockey-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Hockey Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hockey-statistics.
Sources & references
60 datasets cited across this report
+44 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)