Plus/minus is an ice hockey statistic that measures the team goal differential when a specific player is on the ice. A player's plus/minus is increased by one every time his team scores an even strength or shorthanded goal while he is on the ice. Whenever the team is scored against while at even strength or on a power play when the player is on the ice, his plus/minus is decreased by one. The statistic is sometimes called the plus/minus ratio even though it is a difference, not a ratio.
Plus/minus is mainly used to measure defencemen and forwards who play a defensive role since offensive forwards are better measured by scoring statistics such as goals and assists. It is directly linked to team performance, thus accurate comparisons can only be made between players on the same team.
Since 1982 the NHL Plus/Minus Award has been awarded to the National Hockey League player with the highest plus/minus at the end of the season.
