During normal ice hockey play, six players per team are on the ice: three forwards, two defencemen, and one goaltender.
The forwards are a centre and two wingers, while the defencemen generally protect their own end and support the attack. Teams usually carry additional players on the bench, allowing frequent line changes because skating shifts are short and physically demanding.
Six is the standard strength, but the number can change temporarily. A team may play short-handed after a penalty, while a team can add an extra attacker by removing its goaltender late in a close game. Power plays create the familiar five-on-four or five-on-three situations.
This answer refers to standard full-strength play, not every moment of a game. The word “players” includes the goaltender; “skaters” means the five non-goaltending players. Overtime formats can also use fewer skaters, depending on the league or competition.