IHM Knowledge Center
What Is Fenwick in Hockey?
How do analysts measure offensive pressure without counting blocked shots, and why is Fenwick used alongside Corsi?
Editor: Coach Mark • Updated: April 26, 2026
Short Answer
Fenwick is a statistic that counts unblocked shot attempts, including shots on goal and missed shots. It excludes blocked shots to focus on attempts that reach the net area.
Full Explanation
Fenwick is a key hockey analytics metric used to evaluate offensive pressure and puck possession, similar to Corsi but with one important difference.
It includes:
- Shots on goal
- Missed shots
It excludes:
- Blocked shots
This makes Fenwick a more focused measure of attempts that actually travel toward the net and have the potential to create scoring situations.
How Fenwick Reflects Offensive Pressure
Fenwick is often used to measure how effectively a team generates shots that reach dangerous areas.
Since blocked shots are removed, Fenwick provides a clearer picture of:
- Net-directed offense
- Shot lanes being successfully created
- Pressure that forces the goalie to react
This makes it slightly more connected to scoring potential than total shot attempt metrics.
NHL vs IIHF Context
Fenwick is widely used in NHL analytics due to detailed data tracking.
In IIHF competitions, the same concept applies, but tracking may be less consistent depending on data availability.
The principle remains unchanged across all levels.
Why Fenwick Is Controversial
Fenwick is debated because it removes blocked shots from analysis.
Some analysts argue that blocked shots still represent offensive pressure and should be counted.
Others believe that if a shot is blocked, it never becomes a real scoring threat and should not be included.
This creates a split between measuring total pressure and measuring effective pressure.
Edge Case: High Fenwick but Low Scoring
A team can have strong Fenwick numbers but still struggle to score.
This usually happens when:
- Shots reach the net but are low quality
- The goalie has clear visibility
- There is little traffic or rebound presence
In this case, Fenwick shows offensive flow but not necessarily dangerous offense.
IHM Signal System: How to Read Fenwick
To interpret Fenwick correctly, focus on these signals:
- Shot lane creation: Are shots getting through defenders?
- Net pressure: Is the goalie being challenged?
- Traffic: Is there screen presence?
- Shot quality: Are attempts dangerous?
Trigger-level rule:
If Fenwick is high but high-danger chances remain low, offensive pressure is almost always inefficient.
This shows volume without real scoring threat.
IHM Insight: Why Fenwick Matters
Fenwick helps bridge the gap between raw shot volume and real offensive pressure.
It removes blocked shots to focus on attempts that actually reach the net area.
This makes it a useful complement to Corsi rather than a replacement.
Mini Q&A
What is Fenwick?
Unblocked shot attempts.
What is excluded?
Blocked shots.
Why exclude blocked shots?
They do not reach the net.
Is Fenwick better than Corsi?
It depends on what you want to measure.
What does high Fenwick mean?
Strong offensive pressure reaching the net.
Why This Rule Exists
Fenwick exists to provide a clearer measure of offensive pressure by focusing only on shots that reach the net area.
It helps analysts separate total activity from effective attacking play.
Key Takeaways
- Fenwick counts unblocked shots
- Blocked shots are excluded
- It measures net-directed pressure
- It complements Corsi
- Context is still required