Hockey is for everyone. So, if you’re new to the game, welcome! We’re kind of a unique group, but we’re glad to have you. If you’ve been around the game for a while, then you know we have certain ways we go about our business. There are some “unwritten rules,” you might say.

A couple years ago we took our first shot at examining some of the unwritten rules of hockey. Well, we felt it was appropriate to offer a follow-up, and then open up the floor for your submissions.

Without further ado, here is our Unwritten Rules of Hockey: Part II.

Goalies lead the team out of the locker room. They are the first ones to hit the ice on game days, and don’t forget about them once play starts. Give them some encouragement when you can, and always congratulate or console them before the post-game handshake, which leads us to …

The handshake. It’s talked about a lot during the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it’s true. The handshake is important. It’s a sign of respect for your opponent and the sport. Leave it all on the ice and then go through the handshake line knowing you gave it your very best effort. No one is exempt from the handshake line.

Victory music. There’s always a post-game song ready to rock – if you win. And it’s a very special song near and dear to the players’ hearts. You might have never liked this song – or even this type of music – if you weren’t on this team. But this season, this is the team’s victory song – and you love it. When you hear this song during the offseason or even 10 years from now, you’ll think about your old team and smile.

The celly rules. Scoring goals is fun so it's no surprise when players are excited and want to celebrate. But there are certain lines that shouldn’t be crossed. First and foremost, celly with your teammates.  Avoid the opposing team’s bench area and when you get a big lead on a team, remember to be respectful. There’s no need for fly bys when you’re up 7-1.

No parents in the locker room. Starting in Squirts/10U or earlier, it’s time for the kids to start getting ready and tying their own skates. Parents might be used to going in and helping out, but it’s time to let them get ready and prepare with their teammates, not with mom or dad. Of course, locker room monitors are an important exception.

Be all-inclusive. Whether you’re playing pond hockey or it’s an open skate or there’s a fun off-ice activity, try to include everyone that wants in. If there’s a younger kid playing alone on the pond, have him or her join in your game. Hockey, especially in Minnesota, is about community.

Don’t spray the goalie. This is a definite no-no. It’s not just poor sportsmanship, it can – and should – be penalized. That penalty could lead to a goal against, which could lead to a team loss. Don’t put your team in that position with this bonehead move.

Nicknames. It’s rare for hockey players to call their teammates by their actual names. Some nicknames are subtle tweaks to the player’s last names (Bjugstad/Bjuger, Wheeler/Wheels); some are teed up for us (Marc-Edouard Vlasic/Pickles, Glenn Resch/Chico); others are pretty mind-boggling. At the very least, there’s a ‘y’ or an ‘ie’ added to the end of the player’s last name. Heck, even some lines will then generate nicknames, such as the Miracle on Ice team’s Coneheads line coined by ‘Herbie.’

Puck hogs don’t score more goals. And they’re also not fun to play with. Crisp passing, creative playmaking, positioning, skating hard and shooting is what drives an effective offense – not one player hogging the puck trying to do everything themselves. Keep your feet moving, find open teammates and look for a return pass or a redirection/rebound. Now that’s fun.

Say ‘thank you.’ There are a lot of people to thank in hockey. Thank your parents for allowing you to participate; for driving you; for the equipment; for being supportive. Thank your coaches, who are doing the best they can. Thank the good folks at the rink for taking care of the ice and keeping the locker rooms clean. This is not a hard rule to follow, but it’s often overlooked.

Have some more unwritten rules? Tweet us at @MinnHockey using #UnwrittenRules.