Assists are easy to define.  They are exactly what they are called --
ASSISTS.  This does not necessarily include just touching the puck
previous to a goal.  To earn an assist, a player needs to be directly
involved with the goal.  The best way to visualize this is to watch a
basketball assist.  A player passes the ball to a player who then shoots
it in the basket -- bingo: an assist.  The problem with hockey is the
awarding of two assists.  This has led to some real loose
interpretations, thus the fallicy of "if you touch the puck" you get an
assist.
 
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