What does LW mean in hockey?

LW is a left wing in hockey. The forward on the left side of the center, first in on the forecheck and back to cover the opposing defenseman.

What a left wing looks like

260 left wings are on NHL rosters right now, and the median one is 6' 1" and 195 lb.

On rosters
260
Median height
6' 1"
Median weight
195 lb
Median age
25

Wingers are listed by the side they play, not the hand they shoot with: many play the off wing, a left-handed shot on the right, for a better angle on goal.

Goals at the position, 2025-26

The median left wing with a figure at all posted 13 goals. These five led the position.

  1. 1Jason RobertsonDAL45
  2. 2Kirill KaprizovMIN45
  3. 3Matt BoldyMIN42
  4. 4Cutter GauthierANA41
  5. 5Filip ForsbergNSH40
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