NHL Rulebook
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Rule 1. Rink The game of "Ice Hockey" shall be played on an ice surface known as the "RINK". (NOTE) There shall be no markings on the ice except as provided under these rules without the express written permission of the League. Rule 2. Dimensions of Rink a.The official size of the rink shall be two hundred feet (200') long and eighty-five feet (85') wide. The corners shall be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of twenty-eight feet (28'). The rink shall be surrounded by a wooden or fibreglass wall or fence known as the "boards" which shall extend not less than forty inches (40") and not more than forty-eight inches (48") above the level of the ice surface. The ideal height of the boards above the ice surface shall be forty-two inches (42"). Except for the official markings provided for in these rules, the entire playing surface and the boards shall be white in color except the kick plate at the bottom of the board which shall be light blue or light yellow in colour. Any variations from any of the foregoing dimensions shall require official authorization by the League. b.The boards shall be constructed in such manner that the surface facing the ice shall be smooth and free of any obstruction or any object that could cause injury to players. All doors giving access to the playing surface must swing away from the ice surface. All glass or other types of protective screens and gear to hold them in position shall be properly padded or protected. Protective glass shall be required in front of the penalty benches to provide for the safety of the players on and off the ice. All equipment used to hold the glass or screens in position shall be mounted on the boards on the side away from the playing surface. Rule 3. Goal Posts and Nets a.Eleven feet (11') from each end of the rink and in the center of a red line two inches (2") wide drawn completely across the width of the ice and continued vertically up the side of the boards, regulation goal posts and nets shall be set in such manner as to remain stationary during the progress of a game. The goal posts shall be kept in position by means of flexible pegs affixed in the ice or floor. Where the length of the playing surface exceeds two hundred feet (200'), the goal line and goal posts may be placed not more than fifteen feet (15') from the end of the rink. b.The goal posts shall be of approved design and material, extending vertically four feet (4') above the surface of the ice and set six feet (6') apart measured from the inside of the posts. A cross bar of the same material as the goal posts shall extend from the top of one post to the top of the other. c.There shall be attached to each goal frame a net of approved design made of white nylon cord which shall be draped in such manner as to prevent the puck coming to rest on the outside of it. A skirt of heavy white nylon fabric or heavyweight white canvas shall be laced around the base plate of the goal frame in such a way as to protect the net from being cut or broken. This skirt shall not project more than one inch (1") above the base plate. (NOTE) The frame of the goal shall be draped with a nylon mesh net so as to completely enclose the back of the frame. The net shall be made of three-ply twisted twine (0.130 inch diameter) or equivalent braided twine of multifilament white nylon with an appropriate tensile strength of 700 pounds. The size of the mesh shall be two and one-half inches (21/2") (inside measurement) from each knot to each diagonal knot when fully stretched. Knotting shall be made as to ensure no sliding of the twine. The net shall be laced to the frame with medium white nylon cord no smaller in size than No. 21. d.The goal posts and cross bar shall be painted in red and all other exterior surfaces shall be painted in white. e.The red line, two inches (2") wide, between the goal posts on the ice and extended completely across the rink, shall be known as the GOAL LINE. Rule 4. Goal Crease a.In front of each goal, a GOAL CREASE area shall be marked by a red line two inches (2") in width. b.The goal crease shall be laid out as follows: A semi-circle six feet (6') in radius and two inches (2") in width shall be drawn using the center of the goal line as the center point. In addition, an 'L'-shaped marking of five inches (5") in length (both lines) at each front corner will be painted on the ice. The location of the 'L'-shaped marking is measured by drawing an imaginary four foot (4') line from the goal line to the edge of the semi-circle. At that point, the 'L' may be drawn. c.The goal crease area shall include all the space outlined by the crease lines and extending vertically four feet (4') to the level of the top of the goal frame. d.The complete goal area, which includes all the space outlined by the crease line and the goal line shall be painted a light blue color. (Paint code PMS 298) The area inside the goal frame to the goal line shall be painted a gloss white color. (NOTE) On-ice logos must not interfere with any official game markings. Rule 5. Division of Ice Surface a.The ice area between the two goals shall be divided into three parts by lines, twelve inches (12") in width, and blue in colour, drawn sixty feet (60') out from the goal lines, and extended completely across the rink, parallel with the goal lines, and continued vertically up the side of the boards. b.That portion of the ice surface in which the goal is situated shall be called the DEFENDING ZONEof the team defending that goal; the central portion shall be known as the NEUTRAL ZONE, and the portion farthest from the defended goal as the ATTACKING ZONE. c.There shall also be a line, twelve inches (12") in width and red in colour, drawn completely across the rink in center ice, parallel with the goal lines and continued vertically up the side of the boards, known as the CENTER LINE. This line shall contain at regular interval markings of a uniform distinctive design which will easily distinguish it from the two blue lines the outer edges of which must be continuous. Rule 6. Center Ice Spot and Circle A circular blue spot, twelve inches (12") in diameter, shall be marked exactly in the center of the rink; and with this spot as a center, a circle of fifteen feet (15') radius shall be marked with a blue line two inches (2") in width. Rule 7. Face-off Spots in Neutral Zone Two red spots two feet (2') in diameter shall be marked on the ice in the neutral zone five feet (5') from each blue line. The spots shall be forty-four feet (44') apart and each shall be a uniform distance from the adjacent boards. Rule 8. End Zone Face-off Spots and Circles a.In both end zones and on both sides of each goal, red face-off spots and circles shall be marked on the ice. The face-off spots shall be two feet (2') in diameter. Within the face-off spot, draw two parallel lines three inches (3") from the top and bottom of the spot. The area within the two lines shall be painted red, the remainder shall be painted white. The circles shall be two inches (2") wide with a radius of fifteen feet (15') from the center of the face-off spots. At the outer edge of both sides of each face-off circle and parallel to the goal line shall be marked two red lines, two inches (2") wide and two feet (2') in length and three feet (3') apart. b.The location of the face-off spots shall be fixed in the following manner: Along a line twenty feet (20') from each goal line and parallel to it, mark two points twenty-two feet (22') on both sides of the straight line joining the center of the two goals. Each such point shall be the center of a face-off spot and circle. Rule 9. Players' Benches a.Each rink shall be provided with seats or benches for the use of players of both teams and the accommodations provided including benches and doors shall be uniform for both teams. Such seats or benches shall have accommodation for at least fourteen persons of each team, and shall be placed immediately alongside the ice, in the neutral zone, as near to the center of the rink as possible with doors opening in the neutral zone and convenient to the dressing rooms. Each players' bench should be twenty-four feet (24') in length and when situated in the spectator area, they shall be separated from the spectators by a protective glass of sufficient height so as to afford the necessary protection for the players. The players' benches shall be on the same side of the playing surface opposite the penalty bench and should be separated by a substantial distance, if possible. (NOTE) Where physically possible, each players' bench shall have two doors opening in the neutral zone and all doors opening to the playing surface shall be constructed so that they swing inward. b.No one but players in uniform, the Manager, Coach and Trainer shall be permitted to occupy the benches so provided. (NOTE) One non-uniformed player shall be permitted on the players' bench in a coaching capacity. He must be indicated on the Roster Sheet submitted by the Coach to the Referee or Official Scorer prior to the start of the game in accordance with Rule 15 Players in Uniform. Rule 10. Penalty Bench a.Each rink must be provided with benches or seats to be known as the PENALTY BENCH. These benches or seats must be capable of accommodating a total of ten persons including the Penalty Timekeepers. Separate penalty benches shall be provided for each team and they shall be situated on opposite sides of the Timekeeper's area, directly across the ice from the players' benches. The penalty bench(es) must be situated in the neutral zone. b.On the ice immediately in front of the Penalty Timekeeper's seat there shall be marked in red on the ice a semi-circle of ten feet (10') radius and two inches (2") in width which shall be known as the REFEREE'S CREASE. c.Each Penalty Bench shall be protected from the spectator area by means of a glass partition which shall not be less than five feet (5') above the height of the boards. Rule 11. Signal and Timing Devices a.Each rink must be provided with a siren, or other suitable sound device, for the use of Timekeepers. b.Each rink shall be provided with some form of electrical clock for the purpose of keeping the spectators, players and game officials accurately informed as to all time elements at all stages of the game including the time remaining to be played in any period and the time remaining to be served by at least five penalized players on each team. Time recording for both game time and penalty time shall show time remaining to be played or served. The game time clock shall measure the time remaining in tenths of a second during the last minutes of each period. c.Behind each goal, electrical lights shall be set up for the use of the Goal Judges. A red light will signify the scoring of a goal and a green light will signify the end of a period or a game. (NOTE) A goal cannot be scored when a green light is showing. Rule 12. Police Protection All clubs shall provide adequate police or other protection for all players and officials at all times. The Referee shall report to the Commissioner any failure of this protection observed by him or reported to him with particulars of such failure. Rule 13. Composition of Team a.A team shall be composed of six players on the ice who shall be under contract to the Club they represent. b.Each player and each goalkeeper listed in the line-up of each team shall wear an individual identifying number at least ten inches (10") high on the back of his sweater and, in addition, each player and goalkeeper shall wear his surname in full, in block letters three inches (3") high, across the back of his sweater at shoulder height. All players of each team shall be dressed uniformly with approved design and colour of their helmets, sweaters, short pants, stockings and skates. Altered uniforms of any kind, i.e. velcro inserts, over-sized jerseys, etc. will not be permitted. Any player or goalkeeper not complying with this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game. Each Member Club shall design and wear distinctive and contrasting uniforms for their home and road games, no parts of which shall be interchangeable except the pants. Rule 14. Captain of Team a.One Captain shall be appointed by each team, and he alone shall have the privilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game. He shall wear the letter "C", approximately three inches (3") in height and in contrasting colour, in a conspicuous position on the front of his sweater. In addition, if the permanent Captain is not on the ice, Alternate Captains (not more than two) shall be accorded the privileges of the Captain. Alternate Captains shall wear the letter "A" approximately three inches (3") in height and in contrasting colour, in a conspicuous position on the front of their sweaters. (NOTE) Only when the captain is not in uniform, the Coach shall have the right to designate three Alternate Captains. This must be done prior to the start of the game. b.The Referee and official Scorer shall be advised prior to the start of each game, of the name of the Captain of the team and the Alternate Captains. c.Only the Captain, when invited to do so by the Referee, shall have the privilege of discussing any point relating to the interpretation of rules. Any Captain or player who comes off the bench and makes any protest or intervention with the officials for any purpose must be assessed a misconduct penalty in addition to a minor penalty under Rule 42(b) - Abuse of Officials. A complaint about a penalty is NOT a matter "relating to the interpretation of the rules" and a minor penalty shall be imposed against any Captain or other player making such a complaint. d.No playing Coach or playing Manager or goalkeeper shall be permitted to act as Captain or Alternate Captain. Rule 15. Players in Uniform a.At the beginning of each game, the Manager or Coach of each team shall list the players and goalkeepers who shall be eligible to play in the game. Not more than eighteen players, exclusive of goalkeepers, shall be permitted. b.A list of names and numbers of all eligible players and goalkeepers must be handed to the Referee or Official Scorer before the game, and no change shall be permitted in the list or addition thereto shall be permitted after the commencement of the game. i.If a goal is scored when an ineligible player is on the ice, the goal will be disallowed. ii.The ineligible player will be removed from the game and the club shall not be able to substitute another player on its roster. c.Each team shall be allowed one goalkeeper on the ice at one time. The goalkeeper may be removed and another player substituted. Such substitute shall not be permitted the privileges of the goalkeeper. d.Each team shall have on its bench, or on a chair immediately beside the bench, a substitute goalkeeper who shall, at all times, be fully dressed and equipped ready to play. The substitute goalkeeper may enter the game at any time following a stoppage of play, but no warm-up shall be permitted. e.Except when both goalkeepers are incapacitated, no player in the playing roster in that game shall be permitted to wear the equipment of the goalkeeper. f.In regular League and playoff games, if both listed goalkeepers are incapacitated, that team shall be entitled to dress and play any available goalkeeper who is eligible. No delay shall be permitted in taking his position in the goal, and he shall be permitted a two-minute warm-up. However, the warm-up is not permitted in the event a goalkeeper is substituted for a penalty shot. g.The Referee shall report to the Commissioner for disciplinary action any delay in making a substitution of goalkeepers.