keskushyökkääjä

Keskushyökkääjä, or center, is a forward position in ice hockey occupying the middle of the ice. The center typically takes faceoffs, covers a large area defensively, and acts as a pivotal playmaker who links the defensive zone to the offense.

Responsibilities include winning faceoffs, initiating breakouts, distributing the puck to wingers, and supporting the defense with tight gap control and backchecking. In the offensive zone the center may anchor the cycle, position in the slot or above the crease, and work to create scoring opportunities. The center often serves as a key distributor and is expected to read plays to initiate efficient transitions between defense and attack.

Key skills for a keskushyökkääjä are strong skating, endurance, and balance, plus playmaking vision, passing accuracy, and shot selection. A good center reads the game well, maintains puck possession, and handles defensive duties such as forechecking and neutral-zone coverage. Two-way reliability and leadership are commonly valued traits.

In team strategy, the center is typically a two-way forward and the line’s central hub. They usually skate with a winger on each side and may be tasked with defensive assignments, faceoff proficiency, and leadership responsibilities. The position requires versatility, as responsibilities shift with game state, opponent, and line composition.

Etymology and usage: keskushyökkääjä is Finnish for “center forward” and denotes the center position in Finnish hockey. While terminology varies by league, the role consistently emphasizes facilitating plays, defending when needed, and contributing to both scoring and transition play.