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 21,915,620
02
NHL 2022-23 regular season attendance total was 21,739,810
03
NHL 2021-22 regular season attendance total was 17,167,139
04
NHL 2019-20 regular season attendance total was 19,281,185
05
NHL 2018-19 regular season attendance total was 22,336,533
06
NHL 2023-24 regular season average attendance per game was 17,321
07
NHL 2022-23 regular season average attendance per game was 16,973
08
NHL 2021-22 regular season average attendance per game was 13,722
09
NHL 2020-21 regular season average attendance per game was 2,861
10
NHL 2019-20 regular season average attendance per game was 16,110
11
NHL 2018-19 regular season average attendance per game was 18,186
12
NHL 2023-24 total league games were 1,312
13
NHL 2022-23 total league games were 1,312
14
NHL 2021-22 total league games were 1,312
15
NHL 2023-24 featured 32 teams
16
NHL 2022-23 featured 32 teams
17
NHL 2021-22 featured 32 teams
18
NHL 2023-24 had 127 division games per team
19
NHL 2022-23 had 127 division games per team
20
NHL 2021-22 had 127 division games per team
21
NHL points system awards 2 points for a win and 1 point for an overtime or shootout loss
22
In the NHL, teams receive 0 points for a regulation loss
23
NHL overtime standings: overtime/shootout loss gives 1 point
24
NHL overtime format includes a 5-minute 3-on-3 overtime
25
NHL regular season ends with games decided by shootout if tied after overtime
26
NHL playoffs are a best-of-7 series format for each round
27
The NHL Commissioner’s Trophy is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season
28
The President’s Trophy is awarded to the regular-season point leader in NHL
29
Stanley Cup is awarded to the playoff champion
30
NHL Draft uses 7 rounds
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%
02
NHL 2022-23 league shooting percentage was 10.5%
03
NHL 2021-22 league shooting percentage was 9.8%
04
NHL 2020-21 league shooting percentage was 9.9%
05
NHL 2019-20 league shooting percentage was 10.0%
06
NHL 2023-24 league goals per game was 3.39
07
NHL 2022-23 league goals per game was 3.24
08
NHL 2021-22 league goals per game was 3.06
09
NHL 2020-21 league goals per game was 3.22
10
NHL 2019-20 league goals per game was 3.41
11
NHL 2023-24 league power play percentage was 21.0%
12
NHL 2022-23 league power play percentage was 19.9%
13
NHL 2021-22 league power play percentage was 19.4%
14
NHL 2020-21 league power play percentage was 18.7%
15
NHL 2019-20 league power play percentage was 20.6%
16
NHL 2023-24 league penalty kill percentage was 82.4%
17
NHL 2022-23 league penalty kill percentage was 81.7%
18
NHL 2021-22 league penalty kill percentage was 80.5%
19
NHL 2020-21 league penalty kill percentage was 81.1%
20
NHL 2019-20 league penalty kill percentage was 81.3%
21
NHL 2023-24 league faceoff win percentage was 49.9%
22
NHL 2022-23 league faceoff win percentage was 50.0%
23
NHL 2021-22 league faceoff win percentage was 50.0%
24
NHL 2020-21 league faceoff win percentage was 50.1%
25
NHL 2019-20 league faceoff win percentage was 49.9%
26
NHL 2023-24 league average shots per game was 31.8
27
NHL 2022-23 league average shots per game was 31.1
28
NHL 2021-22 league average shots per game was 30.2
29
NHL 2020-21 league average shots per game was 31.3
30
NHL 2019-20 league average shots per game was 32.5
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 million
02
NHL team salary cap for 2024-25 was set at $88 million
03
NHL minimum player salary in 2023-24 was $775,000
04
NHL minimum player salary in 2024-25 was $822,500
05
NHL average player salary 2023-24 was $3.7 million
06
NHL average player salary 2022-23 was $3.65 million
07
NHL minimum length of standard player contract for an NHL entry-level contract is 3 years
08
NHL standard waiver system: players under 26 are subject to waiver if assigned after exceeding thresholds
09
Players eligible for the NHL Entry Draft are between 18 and 20 years old
10
NHL allows teams to carry a 23-man roster (minimum 20 skaters) with 2 goalies on the active roster
11
2023-24 NHL teams could dress 20 skaters and 2 goalies
12
Hockey Canada reported 18,000 officials in 2023
13
Hockey Canada reported 386,000 registered participants in 2023
14
Hockey Canada reported 3,000+ member programs in 2023
15
USA Hockey reported 3,000+ member organizations
16
USA Hockey reported 600,000+ registered players (youth and adult)
17
USA Hockey reported over 36,000 teams
18
Hockey Canada reported 79% of its participants are in organized hockey
19
USA Hockey reported 57% of its players are in youth categories
20
IHSA ice hockey participation in the US was 5,000+ athletes (high school)
21
IIHF nations registered players: about 1.5 million people participate in ice hockey worldwide
22
NHL salary cap 2023-24 was $83.5M
23
NHL salary cap 2024-25 was $88.0M
24
NHL minimum salary 2024-25 was $822,500
25
NHL minimum salary 2023-24 was $775,000
26
IIHF ranks 81 member nations
27
USA Hockey membership includes 59,000 coaches? (not)
28
Hockey Canada reported 386,000 registered players/participants
29
Hockey Canada reported 18,000 officials
30
Hockey Canada reported 3,000+ member programs
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)
02
Hockey puck thickness in standard play is 1.0 inch (25.4 mm)
03
Standard ice hockey puck weight is 5.5 to 6.0 ounces (156–170 g)
04
IIHF ice rink dimensions are 60 m x 30 m
05
IIHF playing surface corner radius is 8.5 m (standard)
06
NHL rink dimensions are 200 ft x 85 ft (60.96 m x 25.9 m)
07
Center faceoff circle radius is 15 ft in NHL
08
Goal crease depth in NHL is 6 ft
09
Goaltenders must wear full equipment including mask, gloves, and pads
10
Helmets are mandatory for skaters in IIHF play
11
Standard ice hockey game length is 3 periods of 20 minutes
12
A standard overtime in NHL regular season is 5 minutes 3-on-3
13
IIHF tournament overtime format includes 3-on-3 until a goal
14
Shootout format uses 3 shooters per team in the initial round
15
A player can be assessed a minor penalty lasting 2 minutes
16
A major penalty lasts 5 minutes
17
A misconduct penalty results in 10 minutes in the penalty box
18
A double minor penalty is assessed as 4 minutes total
19
Icing results when a player shoots the puck from their half of the ice across the opponents’ goal line without it being touched
20
Offside occurs when a player enters the offensive zone before the puck
21
A forward can legally play the puck above the crossbar height in some rules sets; body contact restrictions exist
22
Faceoff dot is located at the center of the rink
23
Slot lines define the goal area in IIHF rules
24
Two defensemen (or any players) are required on ice for a 4-on-4 penalty situation
25
A tripping penalty is assessed for obstructing a player by tripping
26
A cross-checking penalty is assessed for using a stick against an opponent with both hands
27
A high-sticking penalty is assessed for contact above the shoulder
28
A delay of game penalty can be assessed for batting the puck out of play
29
A bench minor can be assessed when a team commits certain infractions
30
Standard puck diameter 76.2 mm
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)
02
IIHF has member countries spanning all continents
03
IIHF World Championship top division is contested by 16 teams
04
IIHF Men’s World Championship was first held in 1920
05
The Stanley Cup was first awarded in 1893
06
NHL was founded in 1917 as National Hockey League
07
Women’s ice hockey world championship dates back to 1990
08
Olympic men’s ice hockey has been held since 1920 (with first appearance in Summer Olympics context)
09
Olympic women’s ice hockey has been held since 1998
10
Hockey at the Winter Olympics uses a tournament format with group stage and medal rounds
11
The NHL regular season is 82 games per team since 2021 format
12
Canada won the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship
13
Finland won the 2024 IIHF World Championship
14
Sweden won the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship
15
The IIHF World Junior Championship record is held by Canada (most titles)
16
The most Stanley Cup championships is held by Montreal Canadiens with 24 titles
17
The most Stanley Cup championships among active teams is the Toronto Maple Leafs (not current), with 13 titles
18
Wayne Gretzky holds NHL career points record with 2,857
19
Wayne Gretzky holds NHL career goals record with 894
20
Gordie Howe holds NHL career games played record with 1,767
21
Mario Lemieux holds NHL career points percentage (points per game), with 1.88
22
Bernie Geoffrion holds NHL career with 1.0? (not reliable)
23
Sidney Crosby holds NHL career points record among active players with 1,600+ (as of 2024)
24
Alex Ovechkin holds NHL career goals record among active with 800+ (as of 2024)
25
Jaromir Jagr holds NHL career points record as of 2010? (not)
26
IIHF founded 1908
27
NHL founded 1917
28
Stanley Cup first awarded 1893
29
Gordie Howe games played 1,767
30
Wayne Gretzky career points 2,857
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 · attribution is report-level
+44 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)