A chirp is a verbal insult directed at an opposing player. Skaters use these comments to distract or annoy the other team. This mental game is a traditional part of the hockey culture. Most chirps focus on a player’s skill or their poor play.
Keeping the words clever and funny is a respected hockey art. However, players must avoid using any hateful or very personal language. The bench laughed at the clever chirp from the veteran center. A good chirp can make an opponent lose their narrow focus.
This talk often happens during a face-off or near the benches. Ignoring these comments shows a high level of mental toughness. Officials will penalize a player for using any truly abusive language. Chirping adds a layer of personality to every professional hockey game.
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