Rover (ice hockey)

The Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) considered, but did not adopt, use of the rover position when it was founded in 1921.

In 1923, the PCHA decided to drop the rover position, as it was seen to be crowding the ice and therefore reducing the speed of play.

Inductees of the Hockey Hall of Fame who played the rover position (either exclusively, or along with one or more other positions) include:[5] The term "rover" is sometimes used to informally describe fast, rushing offensive defencemen, such as former NHL star Scott Niedermayer,[6] as they often roam the ice creating offensive pressure instead of being simply "blueliners".

as modern rovers include Tyson Barrie, Brent Burns, Dustin Byfuglien, Bobby Orr, Erik Karlsson, Justin Schultz, Paul Coffey, Cale Makar and Roman Josi, due to their ability to either play forward and defense, or because of their strong puck handling skills.

The term is also sometimes used to describe the extra attacker, who roams the ice instead of assuming one of the usual positions.

Ice hockey formation depicted in 1912, showing the rover in the middle, between the two defencemen and the center and wingers. [ 1 ]
Players of the Vancouver Amazons , a women's ice hockey team of the 1920s, with one player (at upper-left) listed as playing the rover position
Fred Whitcroft