Which action indicates a hockey player is playing defense? the player takes a shot on the goal. the player passes the puck to a teammate. the player skates to become open for a pass. the player stays back to protect the team's goal.

The correct answer is D. The player stays back to protect the team's goal.

Explanation:

Hockey is a sport and game that involves two teams competing to try to get the hockey puck or disk into the goal of the opposite team. In this context, to play defense means to protect the team's goal or to prevent others from winning. This includes actions such as staying near to the goal to protect it or stopping other players from approaching the goal. Thus, the action that indicates a hockey play is playing defense is "The player stays back to protect the team's goal" because this action prevents the opposite team from winning.