If you've ever found yourself dragged into the fantasy leagues for the NFL, NBA, or MLB, you might be guessing if fantasy hockey is worth your time and money.

Unlike its competitions, fantasy hockey offers some exceptional challenges and rewards which attract both die-hard NHL fans and newcomers to the sport.

This article explains the complexities of joining a fantasy hockey league, surveys what makes it different from other fantasy sports, the potential benefits of playing the league, and tips for making the best of your experience.

Read Also: A fan's guide to NHL: How to make the game even more eventful

What is fantasy hockey?

Fantasy hockey is a gaming platform where participants make virtual teams with real NHL players. The goal is to outperform other teams based on the actual numerical performance of the players in real games.

Points are scored in various classes, such as goals, assists, and saves, as per the league's scoring system. The player has to draft and manage a roster, make decisions on players and lineups, to assemble a team that can give him/her the highest points throughout the season or any game.

How to play fantasy hockey?

To play fantasy hockey, the first step is to join a fantasy hockey league. One can do it either through a workplace group or by signing up for a free online league like Yahoo, CBS Sports, ESPN, Fantrax, and FanDuel.

Once you've done that, it's important to create a list of players you want on your team. Usually, a fantasy hockey roster consists of 9 forwards, 6 defensemen, 1 utility player, 2 goalies, and 5 to 7 bench players.

Then, you will have to set your lineup daily, deciding which players will take the ice and which will be benched in a particular match. Your fantasy site/platform calculates scores in real time, enabling you to watch your players perform both in a real game and your fantasy standings.

Read Also: Fan Engagement and the NHL: A Winning Combination

How can you be a pro at fantasy hockey?

To propel in fantasy hockey, you need to be very much stronger practical with player selection rather than just popular or favourite choices. Use expert lists from ESPN and Dobber Hockey to identify top performers. If your league is on Yahoo, their curated lists are invaluable. Along with the extensive data, concentrate on the key stats relevant to your league's scoring system.

Here are some fundamental strategies to consider:

Drafting strategies

●    Research Player ADP: Consult Average Draft Position (ADP) to gauge player demand and value.
●    Prioritize Top Performers: Focus on drafting players with consistently high performances in key categories.
●    Balance Your Roster: Draft a mix of forwards, defensemen, and goalies to cover all scoring categories.
●    Avoid Injured Players: Steer clear of drafting players with a history of injuries.
●    Utilize Mock Drafts: Practice with mock drafts to develop and refine your strategy.
●    Adapt to Draft Trends: Be flexible and adjust your picks based on the flow of the draft.
●    Keep an Eye on Sleepers: Identify potential breakout stars as sleeper picks for added value.

Read Also: R K Roy Academy joins Hockey India family as new Academy member

Trades and waiver wire

●    Monitor Player Performance: Regularly analyze player stats and trends to identify trade targets.
●    Time Your Trades: Capitalize on high-performing players during their peak to maximize trade value.
●    Assess Trade Offers: Ensure that any trade significantly improves your team across key categories.
●    Stay Active on Waivers: Continuously scout the waiver wire for emerging talent and high-performing free agents.
●    Drop Underperformers: Replace consistently underperforming players with promising waiver wire pickups.

Lineup management

●    Daily Lineup Updates: Make daily adjustments to ensure all active players are in your lineup.
●    Exploit Matchups: Leverage favourable matchups by benching players against tough opponents.
●    Monitor Injuries: Quickly replace injured players to avoid losing points.
●    Utilize Advanced Stats: Use advanced statistics like Corsi and Fenwick to refine player evaluation.

Read Also: Is Cal Petersen's Career in The NHL over?

Staying competitive

●    Stay Informed: Follow NHL news, injuries, and player updates to maintain a competitive edge.
●    Engage with the Community: Participate in fantasy hockey forums and discussions to gain insights and advice.
●    Analyze Competitor Moves: Watch your competitors' transactions to anticipate their strategies.
●    Be Patient: Avoid making impulsive decisions; take a long-term view for sustained success.

Final thoughts

Joining a fantasy hockey league can enhance your overall NHL viewing experience. On the other hand, it will challenge you to be a better fan. It also provides an opportunity to compete with friends, colleagues, and strangers alike, which can lead to new friendships and rivalries.

So, should you join a fantasy hockey league? The answer is a resounding yes.

Competing on the grandest stage of them all, the Olympic Games, is an aspiration for athletes worldwide. Earning a single medal by getting ahead of the best around the world is a massive deal. But not just one win, imagine multiple medals in a single edition of Olympics? That's an extraordinary achievement.

For a nation like India, despite centuries of sporting heritage, this monumental feat has only been achieved by two athletes. 

Get ready to delve into the stats for most medals by an Indian in a single Olympics.

Read Also: Olympic Facts: Most Consecutive Olympic Gold Medals

Norman Pritchard: India's first Olympic medalist and multi-medal pioneer

• Sport: Athletics
• Olympic Edition: 1900 Paris Olympics
• Medals Won: 2
• Event: Men's 200m sprint, Men's 200m hurdles

Hailing from Kolkata, West Bengal, Norman Pritchard was a British-Indian athlete who marked India's debut in the Olympic Games with huge success. He not only holds the record of being the first-ever Olympic medalist from India, but also one of the only 2 athletes to win multiple medals in a single Olympics.

At the 1900 Paris Olympics, Pritchard secured two silver medals in athletics (Men's 200m and Men's 200m hurdles), setting the bar high and inspiring the future generations. His multi-medal success was the only standing record for over a century.

Read Also: Olympic Facts: From Youngest to Oldest to most successful medalists and more

Manu Bhaker: A modern-day multi medallist, 124 years later

• Sport: Shooting
• Olympic Edition: 2024 Paris Olympics
• Medals Won: 2
• Event: Women's 10m air pistol, Mixed 10m air pistol team

More than a century after Pritchard's historic record, 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed another extraordinary individual brilliance from an young Indian athlete. Manu Bhaker, a professional shooter from Haryana, stunned everyone with her multi-medal feat.

Bhaker became the second Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Olympics with her 2 Bronze medals in shooting. She won the first one at an individual event (Women's 10m air pistol) and the second one alongside Sarabjot Singh in mixed 10m air pistol team.

Acknowledging the nuance regarding Pritchard's British roots and the ongoing debate about his nationality despite the IOC crediting India, Manu Bhaker is widely considered the first Indian athlete in the post-independence era to win most medals in a single Olympics.

Cricket is a game of glorious highs, as well as, not-so-glorious lows at times! Besides the massive sixes, aerial catches, and other heroic moments, there's the other side of the game where a player walks back in the pavilion without scoring a single run.

You got it right, we are talking about the infamous "duck." So, get ready to discover the top 10 players with most ducks in ICC events.

Here's the complete list:

10. Mohammed Siraj (11 ducks) | India

Known for his fiery and aggressive bowling for India, Mohammed Siraj holds the 10th place for most ducks in ICC events, which clearly states how batting is not his forte. Siraj has a total of 11 ducks out of 51 innings.

Read Also: ICC Trophy winners list year-wise (2000-2025)

9. Virat Kohli (11 ducks) | India

Virat Kohli being here is perhaps the most astonishing name on the list. Apart from his exceptional batting records across all formats, and having scored 6451 runs in ICC events, he also has 11 ducks in 166 innings.

8. Khaled Ahmed (12 ducks) | Bangladesh

A right-arm medium fast bowler from Bangladesh, Khaled Ahmed, appears in the list for having 12 ducks in ICC events in the span of 2021 to 2024. His focus is primarily on bowling and he serves as a typical lower-order batsman.

7. Mominul Haque (12 ducks) | Bangladesh

Another Bangladeshi player with 12 ducks makes his way on the list. Mominul Haque, a left-handed batter and former captain of Bangladesh, holds the 7th position, despite delivering impressive ICC performances.

6. Keshav Maharaj (12 ducks) | South Africa

South Africa's leading orthodox spinner, Keshav Maharaj, who is known for his ability to surprise with the bat sometimes, also has 12 ducks in 65 innings. He is the only South African player in the list.

Read Also: Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history?

5. Jonny Bairstow (12 ducks) | England

Jonny Bairstow found himself walking back to the dugout without scoring a single run 12 times in an ICC event. His explosive strokeplay and skill-set is undeniably good, but it is the count for ducks that places him at no. 5 in here.

4. James Anderson (12 ducks) | England

England's legendary fast bowler, James Anderson, also has 12 ducks in ICC events, spanning from 2003 to 2024. For a player whose career has been defined by his unparalleled legacy, a few early dismissals do not really matter.

Read Also: 6 cricketers who announced their retirements since last month

3. Pat Cummins (13 ducks) | Australia

Australia's captain and one of the world's premier all-rounder, Pat Cummins, has been out for a duck 13 times in ICC events. He has been remarkable with the ball and also backed up the team as a handy lower-order batter.

However, the intense quality of bowling and pressure in ICC tournaments make the best ones falter.

2. Tim Southee (14 ducks) | New Zealand

Next up is New Zealand's swing master, who often showed a knack for hitting some powerful boundaries while batting down the order. That's right! Tim Southee has 14 ducks in ICC events, which is the second-most by any player.

Read Also: Most runs in an over in tests

1. Jasprit Bumrah (21 ducks) | India

As we come down to the final name on the list, we find the world's best bowler Jasprit Bumrah, with 21 ducks, holding the place tight. The one who so frequently dismisses opponents for a duck, and holds spectacular bowling records, tops this chart as well.

Bumrah has stunned fans every time he has come down to play. Be it scoring the most runs in a single over in tests or having the most ducks, this man will get you everything!

In Paul Pogba news, we see the Juventus midfielder has been provisionally suspended for an anti-doping offence as per Italy's national anti-doping tribunal after failing the doping test, post Juventus's 3-0 victory over Udinese on 20 August.

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What really happened?

As said earlier, the doping test was performed after Juve's victory against Udinese, and it detected elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases players' endurance.

The anti-doping agency, Nado Italia, informed that Pogba was suspended provisionally with immediate effect. He's going to be at a trial and testing of a backup "B" sample; he would risk a suspension of up to four years.

Juventus released an official statement acknowledging the failed result of the test and said they were considering their next steps.

Pogba's time at Juventus has been affected by a lot of injuries. He hardly played for the club, let alone giving any significant performance, and now it's on the verge of getting worse for the Frenchman.

Pogba since joining Juventus

He was ruled out of France's 2022 World Cup squad due to a knee injury and has managed to make only six Serie A matches for Juventus last season.

Another Paul Pogba News would be, Pogba has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in the 2-0 win at Empoli.

There has also been a police investigation ongoing in France into allegations that Pogba was targeted by extortionists, including by his older brother, Mathias, who has denied any wrongdoing.

It's also going to be a huge blow to an already heavily affected Juventus side in terms of not getting European Football this season. The previous season was followed by inquiries into false accounting and irregular reporting of salary payments, which ultimately resulted in a points deduction.

Pogba's Juventus spell

June 1 2022 - Manchester United announce Pogba will leave Old Trafford for the second time upon the expiration of his contract.

July 2022 - Reports alleged blackmail plot to Turin prosecutors, which he claimed amounted to a bid to extort £11.1m from him

July 11 2022 - Joins Juventus for the second time, signing a four-year contract in Turin.

July 26 2022 - Suffers injury to meniscus that keeps him out for two months.

November 2022 - Surgery to knee injury rules midfielder out of France's World Cup campaign in Qatar.

February 28 2023 - Finally makes his second debut for Juve in a 4-2 win against Torino.

March 9 2023 - Dropped for Europa League match against Freiburg by Massimiliano Allegri after arriving late to a team dinner.

March 13 2023 - Suffers muscle injury in training; doesn't play again for a month.

May 14 2023 - Handed first league start against Cremonese, but lasts just 23 minutes due to injury. Left thigh lesion later discovered, which ends his season.

August 27 2023 - Makes first appearance of the season as second half substitute in 1-1 draw against Bologna.

September 11 2023 - Provisionally suspended from football for anti-doping offence.

4 matches, 10 wickets and currently the joint-highest wicket-taker of the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025. 21-year-old Nuruddin Mondal has been the most impressive cricketer in this season's Bengal Pro T20 League. 

His stellar performance impressed former India cricketer Wriddhiman Saha so much that he even went on to say that "he can play for India in future."

But it is not new for him. Coming from a mofussil named Madanpur in Nadia district, Nuruddin has been bowling bouncers to every problem of his life to reach where he is now. The Servotech Siliguri Strikers' pacer shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

How did it all start for Nuruddin Mondal?

Away before the Bengal Pro T20 League started, Sportz Point tracked Nuruddin's career since his second-division days. 

Nuruddin started his cricketing career at the age of 8 at Kalyani Municipal Academy, where he learnt the basics of cricket under coach Sanjay Dey. I got to see him bowl many overs on that cement wicket. 

But it was when he caught the attention of coach Debesh Chakrabarty that Nuruddin started progressing in his career. Debesh Chakrabarty is one of the most successful coaches in Bengal, known for producing players such as Sandipan Das, Sudip Gharami, Debopratim Halder, and many others. 

Read Also | Exclusive: Kanishk Seth wants to level up his game to IPL level, remembering the learnings from CSK days

"During the U-18 days, I felt I was faster than bowlers my age"

Nuruddin played in the C.A.B. U-13 and U-16 tournaments for Debesh Chakraborty's club. But when he started playing in the U-18 tournament, he began to feel that he was better and faster than his peers of the same age. 

"I started cricket around the age of 8 or 9 in Kalyani under Khokha Sir (Sanjay Dey). Then Debesh Sir (Chakrabarty) noticed me and since then I have been a student of his," Nuruddin told Sportz Point. 

"Although when I played U-13 or U-16 tournaments I did not feel any difference, during the U-18 tournaments, I started feeling that suddenly I was faster than others my age. It felt different," Nuruddin added. 

Nuruddin comes from a very humble family. His father works as a house painter, and just like every son of the house, he understands the importance of doing well in life. 

"When I felt that my pace had suddenly increased, and I became much stronger physically, I became more confident about my cricketing career," Nur expressed. 

Read Also | Exclusive: Advised by Sourav Ganguly, Abishek Porel gets coached by Yuvraj Singh; this is what he learned

Three years of second division cricket, and then came Calcutta Customs

But just like every student of Debesh Chakraborty, Nur also had to go through the ranks of Bengal cricket to prove he was ready for the bigger stages. The young pacer toiled hard for three seasons at Bengal Sporting Club before signing for Calcutta Customs Club. 

Still, it was not that smooth and easy for Nuruddin. He first had to impress one and all with a trial before getting signed by Customs.

"They asked me to go for a trial. I went and bowled well. All the coaches and Nilambar Sir (Saha) were impressed. They wanted me to sign for them."

"Debesh sir told me that even though I might get limited chances, I will learn a lot. So, I signed for them," Nuruddin stated. 

However, those limited chances were good enough for Nuruddin to prove himself. In a season when Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal broke through the doors of the Bengal team from Customs, Nur took advantage of his chances in white ball format. 

"I did well against Town in the T20 Quarter-finals. I bowled two maidens too. Then, did well against Mohun Bagan as well," he expressed. 

Rejections made him better than ever

Nuruddin's impressive spells got him selected for the Bengal U-23 camp, but life wanted to test him more. He failed to get selected for the Bengal U-23 and also missed the Bengal Pro T20 League selection by a whisker. 

In the first season of the league, Nur was a stand-by player for the Adamas Howrah Warriors. But these rejections made him stronger, and he knew in the next season, he would have to punch above his height. 

"Though I was not selected for the Bengal U-23 team and Bengal Pro T20 League, I was sure that I was on the right track," he stated. 

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"Bouncers and yorkers are my strength"

In the 2024-25 season, Nuruddin worked on every aspect of his bowling and emerged as a 200% better bowler. With 27 wickets across formats, he was one of the best U-23 bowlers of the Kolkata Club Cricket.

During the season, he worked on the bouncer and yorker so much that now he has confidence in bowling it at his will against any batter. 

"I practised them (bouncers and yorkers) so much that now I have the confidence of bowling it against any batter in any situation. Those two balls are my strengths"

Saha: "He can play for India in future"

This earned him a direct spot in the Servotech Siliguri Strikers' team, and the rest, they say, is history. Wriddhiman Saha even mentioned that he has all the capabilities to play for India in future. 

Delighted to hear that from a legend like Saha, Nur wants to keep his head down and take one step at a time.

"When praise comes from a legend like Wriddhiman Saha, obviously, it makes you happy. He did not know me. He saw me bowling for the first time during practice.

"So, this makes it even more special. But, I want to keep my head down and take one step at a time," he conveyed. 

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What's next?

So, what is next for Nuruddin Mondal? 

The youngster has a dream of donning that Blue jersey one day. But, for now, he has his eye on the Bengal Pro T20 League trophy and then on that Bengal U-23 jersey. 

"I feel like I need to keep doing what I have been doing well. Focusing on the process is the most important thing."

"But, if you talk about goal or aim, I want to win the Bengal Pro T20 League first, then play for Bengal U-23, then the seniors and hopefully for India in future. I want to climb up the ladder one by one," the youngster concluded. 

Cricket's biggest tournaments bring together the best teams from around the world. From the fast-paced T20 format to the longest format of the game, each trophy is a huge achievement in international cricket.

Our list will provide you with the statistical breakdown of every ICC tournament, highlighting the teams that have dominated the cricket world across men's and women's competition, as well as the Under-19 category.

Check out the ICC trophy winners list year-wise (2000-2025):

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (ODI)

Australia dominated the ICC ODI World Cup with 4 titles in 6 seasons from 2000-2025. They are the current champion side that defeated the host nation, India, on their home soil in the 2023 finals.

Here's the complete list of trophy winners:

Read Also: Indian Cricketers with Most ICC Titles

ICC Men's T20 World Cup

India holds the current title of the ICC T20 World Cup. They, along with England and the West Indies, won the title 2 times from 2000 to 2025. India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final match to reign as champions in 2024.

Here's the complete list of trophy winners (2000-2025):

ICC Champions Trophy (ODI)

Another ICC tournament where India has done exceptionally well with the most number of titles (3) from 2000 to 2025. They are also the current champions of the 2025 season, where they dominated the entirety of it, and eventually lifted the cup after a phenomenal victory over New Zealand.

Here's the list of trophy winners:

ICC World Test Championship

Inaugurated in 2019, the ICC World Test Championship was designed to award the supremacy of cricket's longest format. South Africa made history by winning the 2023-25 WTC cycle and breaking their ICC trophy drought.

Here's the list of trophy winners:

Read Also: Best figures in ICC WTC Final

ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup (ODI)

India won the most titles in Under-19 World Cup history with 5 titles to their name. The Australian side is the current champion, who won the 2024 edition, clinching their 4th title of this tournament.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup (ODI)

Australia are the most successful team with 7 titles overall, and 3 titles in the span of 2000 to 2025. Led by legendary players like Margaret Jennings, Sharon Tredrea, Lyn Larsen, and Meg Lanning, the Australian side has been unparalleled.

Here's the list of trophy winners:

Read Also: Pratika Rawal becomes the fastest to reach 500 ODI runs in women's cricket.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup

ICC Women's T20 World Cup is a relatively new tournament, with the first edition being held in 2019. Out of the 9 seasons played so far, Australia stood victorious in 6 of them. However, New Zealand broke their winning streak by emerging as champions of the 2024 season. 

Read Also: Top 10 fastest centuries in Women's T20Is

ICC UNDER-19 WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP

ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup is the newest among all the tournaments held by the International Cricket Council, inaugurated in 2023. India has won both the 2023 and 2025 seasons and has purely dominated the WC.