What is a healthy scratch?

Question

NHL announcers constantly mention it, and I've seen some news articles online referring to players who used to be / are a healthy scratch.

I didn't find anything on Google's first two pages on a search, but if I had to guess I think it has to do with injured players who are healthy now.

alamoot · Accepted Answer

Good try, but that's not what it means. It means that the player is healthy and eligible to play, but the coach has decided not to use him. Players usually become a healthy scratch after poor performances or as a wake-up call.

Correct answer by alamoot on July 9, 2021

Ram Chandra Giri · Answer

From Wikipedia article "Glossary of ice hockey terms":

Healthy scratch
An uninjured player on the roster who does not dress for a game. Only 20 players (22 in international competition) are allowed to dress for a game, players who are not going to play are considered scratches.

From Arizona Coyotes article "Advanced Hockey Lingo":

Healthy Scratch: A player who has no injury and is still not dressed for the game.

So, a player with no injury, who is not dressed for the game is considered as a Healthy Scratch.

What is a healthy scratch?

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