GAA

Sports abbreviation · Ice Hockey

GAA
Stands forGoals against average
CategoriesSports

GAA stands for Goals against average, an ice hockey abbreviation.

Goaltending statistic: goals allowed multiplied by 60 and divided by minutes played, giving goals allowed per full game. Lower is better, and a GAA below 2.50 is strong in the modern NHL.

Example: The rookie leads the league with a 2.11 GAA and a .925 save percentage.

Usage notes

GAA depends heavily on team defense, so analysts pair it with save percentage and goals saved above expected. Soccer also reports goals against average for goalkeepers in some leagues, especially in North America.

More ice hockey abbreviations

  • EBUG – Emergency backup goaltender
  • ELC – Entry-level contract
  • ENG – Empty-net goal
  • ES – Even strength
  • FO% – Faceoff percentage
  • G – Goals
  • GP – Games played
  • GSAx – Goals saved above expected
  • GWG – Game-winning goal
  • LTIR – Long-term injured reserve
  • LW – Left wing
  • NMC – No-movement clause

See all 36 ice hockey abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.