Shinny is a rough, informal version of ice hockey that kids play without all the official rules and equipment. Instead of proper hockey gear, players might use whatever's handy: a tennis ball instead of a puck, tree branches or broomsticks instead of hockey sticks, and jackets or rocks to mark the goals.

Unlike organized hockey with its strict rules about offside and icing, shinny is casual and flexible. You might play on a frozen pond, a flooded backyard rink, or even a street. Teams can be uneven, positions don't really matter, and people jump in and out of the game as they arrive or leave.

Shinny captures the pure fun of hockey without worrying about referees, scoreboards, or fancy equipment. Many professional hockey players grew up playing shinny on frozen ponds, learning to handle the puck and love the game before they ever joined an official team. The word can also describe any informal, pickup-style version of hockey, even when it’s played in gym class with floor hockey equipment.