NHL RuleBook 1995-96
Rule 1. Rink
Rule 2. Dimensions of Rink
Rule 3. Goal Posts and Nets
Rule 4. Goal Crease
Rule 5. Division of Ice Surface
Rule 6. Center Ice Spot and Circle
Rule 7. Face-off Spots in Neutral Zone
Rule 8. End Zone Face-off Spots and Circles
Rule 9. Players' Benches
Rule 10. Penalty Bench
Rule 11. Signal and Timing Devices
Rule 12. Police Protection
Rule 13. Composition of Team
Rule 14. Captain of Team
Rule 15. Players in Uniform
Rule 16. Starting Line-Up
Rule 17. Equalizing of Teams
Rule 18. Change of Players
Rule 19. Injured Players
Rule 20. Sticks
Rule 21. Skates
Rule 22. Goalkeeper's Equipment
Rule 23. Protective Equipment
Rule 24. Dangerous Equipment
Rule 25. Puck
Rule 26. Penalties
Rule 27. Minor Penalties
Rule 28. Major Penalties
Rule 29. Misconduct Penalties
Rule 30. Match Penalties
Rule 31. Penalty Shot
Rule 32. Goalkeeper's Penalties
Rule 33. Delayed Penalties
Rule 34. Calling of Penalties
Rule 34A. Supplementary Discipline
Rule 34B. Suspensions Arising from Exhibition Games
Rule 35. Appointment of Officials
Rule 36. Referee
Rule 37. Linesman
Rule 38. Goal Judge
Rule 39. Penalty Timekeeper
Rule 40. Official Scorer
Rule 41. Game Timekeeper
Rule 41A. Statistician
Rule 42. Abuse of Officials and other Misconduct
Rule 43. Adjustment to Clothing or Equipment
Rule 44. Attempt to Injure
Rule 45. Board Checking and Checking from Behind
Rule 46. Broken Stick
Rule 47. Charging
Rule 48. Cross-Checking
Rule 49. Deliberate Injury of Opponents
Rule 50. Delaying the Game
Rule 51. Elbowing, Kneeing and Head-Butting
Rule 52. Face-Offs
Rule 53. Falling on Puck
Rule 54. Fisticuffs
Rule 55. Goals and Assists
Rule 56. Gross Misconduct
Rule 57. Handling Puck with Hands
Rule 58. High Sticks
Rule 59. Holding an Opponent
Rule 60. Hooking
Rule 61. Icing the Puck
Rule 62. Interference
Rule 63. Interference by/with Spectators
Rule 64. Kicking a Player
Rule 65. Kicking the Puck
Rule 66. Leaving Players' orPenalty Bench
Rule 67. Physical Abuse of Officials
Rule 68. Obscene or Profane Language or Gestures
Rule 69. Off-Sides
Rule 70. Passes
Rule 71. Preceding Puck into Attacking Zone
Rule 72. Protection of Goalkeeper
Rule 73. Puck Out of Bounds or Unplayable
Rule 74. Puck Must Be Kept in Motion
Rule 75. Puck Out of Sight and Illegal Puck
Rule 76. Puck Striking Official
Rule 77. Refusing to Start Play
Rule 78. Slashing
Rule 79. Spearing and Butt-Ending
Rule 80. Start of Game and Periods
Rule 81. Throwing Stick
Rule 82. Time of Match
Rule 83. Tied Games
Rule 84. Tripping
Rule 85. Unnecessary Roughness
Rule 86. Time-Outs
Rule 87. Video Goal Judge
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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. (See diagram on page 9.)
(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 the crease and to the
base of the goal (to the back of the net) shall be painted a light
blue colour. (Note: use paint code PMS 298.)
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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 ZONE" of 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
(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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Rule 16. Starting Line-Up
(a) Prior to the start of the game, at the request of the Referee,
the Manager or Coach of the visiting team is required to name the
starting line-up to the Referee or Official Scorer. At any time in
the game, at the request of the Referee made to the Captain, the
visiting team must place a playing line-up on the ice and promptly
commence play.
(b) Prior to the start of the game, the Manager or Coach of the home
team, having been advised by the Official Scorer or the Referee the
names of the starting line-up of the visiting team, shall name the
starting line-up of the home team which information shall be
conveyed by the Official Scorer or the Referee to the Coach of the
visiting team.
(c) No change in the starting line-up of either team as given to the
Referee or Official Scorer, or in the playing line-up on the ice,
shall be made until the game is actually in progress. For an
infraction of this rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed upon
the offending team, provided such infraction is called to the
attention of the Referee before the second face-off in the first
period takes place.
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Rule 17. Equalizing of Teams
DELETED
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Rule 18. Change of Players
(a) Players may be changed at any time from the players' bench
provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall be within
five feet (5') of his players' bench and out of the play before the
change is made. A goalkeeper may be changed for another player at
any time under the conditions set out in this section.
(NOTE 1) When a goalkeeper leaves his goal area and proceeds to
his players' bench for the purpose of substituting another
player, the rear Linesman shall be responsible to see that the
substitution made is not illegal by reason of the premature
departure of the substitute from the bench (before the
goalkeeper is within five feet (5') of the bench). If the
substitution is made prematurely, the Linesman shall stop the
play immediately by blowing his whistle unless the non-offending
team has possession of the puck in which event the stoppage will
be delayed until the puck changes hands. There shall be no time
penalty to the team making the premature substitution but the
resulting face-off will take place on the center "face-off
spot".
(NOTE 2) The Referee shall request that the public address
announcer make the following announcement: "Play has been
stopped due to premature entry of a player from the players'
bench." If in the course of making a substitution, the player
entering the game plays the puck with his stick, skates or hands
or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing
player while the retiring player is actually on the ice, then
the infraction of "too many men on the ice" will be called. If
in the course of a substitution either the player entering the
play or the player retiring is struck by the puck accidentally,
the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.
(b) If by reason of insufficient playing time remaining, or by
reason of penalties already imposed, a bench minor penalty is
imposed for deliberate illegal substitution (too many men on the
ice) which cannot be served in its entirety within the legal playing
time, a penalty shot shall be awarded against the offending team.
(c) A player serving a penalty on the penalty bench, who is to be
changed after the penalty has been served, must proceed at once by
way of the ice and be at his own players' bench before any change
can be made. For any violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty
shall be imposed.
(d) Following the stoppage of play, the visiting team shall promptly
place a line-up on the ice ready for play and no substitution shall
be made from that time until play has been resumed. The home team
may then make any desired substitution which does not result in the
delay of the game. If there is any undue delay by either team in
changing lines, the Referee shall order the offending team or teams
to take their positions immediately and not permit a line change.
(NOTE) When a substitution has been made under the above rule,
no additional substitution may be made until play commences.
(e) The Referee shall give the visiting team a reasonable amount of
time to make their change after which he shall put up his hand to
indicate that no further change shall be made by the visiting club.
At this point, the home team may change immediately. Any attempt by
the visiting team to make a change after the Referee's signal shall
result in the assessment of a bench minor penalty for delay of game.
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Rule 19. Injured Players
(a) When a player other than a goalkeeper is injured or compelled to
leave the ice during a game, he may retire from the game and be
replaced by a substitute, but play must continue without the teams
leaving the ice.
(b) If a goalkeeper sustains an injury or becomes ill, he must be
ready to resume play immediately or be replaced by a substitute
goalkeeper and NO additional time shall be allowed by the Referee
for the purpose of enabling the injured or ill goalkeeper to resume
his position. The substitute goalkeeper shall be allowed a
two-minute warm-up during all pre-season games. No warm-up shall be
permitted for a substitute goaltender in all regular season or
playoff games. (See also Section (d).)
(c) The Referee shall report to the Commissioner for disciplinary
action any delay in making a goalkeeper substitution. The
substitute goalkeeper shall be subject to the regular rules
governing goalkeepers and shall be entitled to the same privileges.
(d) When a substitution for the regular goalkeeper has been made,
such regular goalkeeper shall not resume his position until the
first stoppage of play thereafter.
(e) If a penalized player has been injured, he may proceed to the
dressing room without the necessity of taking a seat on the penalty
bench. If the injured player receives a minor penalty, the
penalized team shall immediately put a substitute player on the
penalty bench, who shall serve the penalty without change. If the
injured player receives a major penalty, the penalized team shall
place a substitute player on the penalty bench before the penalty
expires and no other replacement for the penalized player shall be
permitted to enter the game except from the penalty bench. For
violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed. The
penalized player who has been injured and been replaced on the
penalty bench shall not be eligible to play until his penalty has
expired.
(f) When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go
to his bench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured
player's team has secured possession of the puck; if the player's
team is in possession of the puck at the time of injury, play shall
be stopped immediately unless his team is in a scoring position.
(NOTE) In the case where it is obvious that a player has
sustained a serious injury, the Referee and/or Linesman may stop
the play immediately.
(g) When play has been stopped by the Referee or Linesman due to an
injured player, such player must be substituted for immediately
(except goalkeeper). If when the attacking team has control of the
puck in its attacking zone, play is stopped by reason of any injury
to a player of the defending team, the face-off shall take place in
the defending team's end zone face-off spot.
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Rule 20. Sticks
(a) The sticks shall be made of wood or other material approved by
the Rules Committee, and must not have any projections. Adhesive
tape of any colour may be wrapped around the stick at any place for
the purpose of reinforcement or to improve control of the puck. In
the case of a goalkeeper's stick, there shall be a knob of white
tape or some other protective material approved by the League. This
knob must not be less than one-half inch (1/2'') thick at the top of
the shaft. Failure to comply with this provision of the Rule, the
goalkeeper's stick is deemed unfit for play and must be changed
without the application of a minor penalty.
(b) No stick shall exceed sixty inches (60') in length from the heel
to the end of the shaft nor more than twelve and one-half inches
(121/2'') from the heel to the end of the blade. The blade of the
stick shall not be more than three inches (3'') in width at any
point nor less than two inches (2''). All edges of the blade shall
be beveled. The curvature of the blade of the stick shall be
restricted in such a way that the distance of a perpendicular line
measured from a straight line drawn from any point at the heel to
the end of the blade to the point of maximum curvature shall not
exceed one-half inch (1/2'') .
(c) The blade of the goalkeeper's stick shall not exceed three and
one-half inches (31/2'') in width at any point except at the heel
where it must not exceed four and one-half inches (41/2'') in width;
nor shall the goalkeeper's stick exceed fifteen and one-half inches
(151/2'') in length from the heel to the end of the blade. There is
to be no measurement of the curvature of the blade on the
goalkeeper's stick. All other elements of the stick are subject to
a measurement and the appropriate applicable penalty. The widened
portion of the goalkeeper's stick extending up the shaft from the
blade shall not extend more than twenty-six inches (26'') from the
heel and shall not exceed three and one-half inches (31/2'') in
width.
(d) A minor penalty plus a fine of two hundred dollars ($200) shall
be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who uses a stick not
conforming to the provisions of this rule.
(NOTE 1) When a formal complaint is made by the Captain or
Alternate Captain of a team, against the dimensions of any
stick, the Referee shall take the stick to the Timekeeper's
bench where the necessary measurement shall be made immediately.
The result shall be reported to the Penalty Timekeeper who shall
record it on the back of the penalty record. If the complaint
is not sustained, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed against
the complaining club in addition to a fine of one hundred
dollars ($100).
(NOTE 2) A player who participates in the play while taking a
replacement stick to his goalkeeper shall incur a minor penalty
under this rule but the automatic fine of two hundred dollars
($200) shall not be imposed. If his participation causes a foul
resulting in a penalty, the Referee shall report the incident to
the Commissioner for disciplinary action.
(NOTE 3) A request for a stick measure-ment in overtime of any
game is permitted, provided that such a request is not made
following the scoring of a goal.
(e) In the event that a player scores on a penalty shot while using
an illegal stick, the goal shall be disallowed and no further
penalty imposed. However, if no goal is scored, the player taking
the penalty shot shall receive a minor penalty.
(f) A minor penalty plus a ten-minute misconduct penalty shall be
imposed on any player who refuses to surrender his stick for
measurement when requested to do so by the Referee. In addition,
this player shall be subject to a two hundred dollar ($200) fine.
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Rule 21. Skates
(a) All hockey skates shall be of a design approved by the Rules
Committee. All skates worn by players (but not goalkeepers) and by
the Referee and Linesmen shall be equipped with an approved safety
heel. When the Referee becomes aware that any person is wearing a
skate that does not have the approved safety heel, he shall direct
its replacement at the next intermission. If such replacement is
not carried out, the Referee shall report the incident to the
Commissioner for disciplinary action.
(b) The use of speed skates or fancy skates or any skate so designed
that it may cause injury is prohibited.
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Rule 22. Goalkeeper's Equipment
(a) With the exception of skates and stick, all the equipment worn
by the goalkeeper must be constructed solely for the purpose of
protecting the head or body, and he must not wear any garment or use
any contrivance which would give him undue assistance in keeping
goal.
(NOTE) Cages on gloves and abdominal aprons extending down the
front of the thighs on the outside of the pants are prohibited.
"Cage" shall mean any lacing or webbing or other material in the
goalkeeper's glove joining the thumb and index finger which is
in excess of the minimum necessary to fill the gap when the
goalkeeper's thumb and forefinger in the glove are fully
extended and spread and includes any pocket or pouch effect
produced by excess lacing or webbing or other material between
the thumb and forefinger when fully extended or spread.
Protective padding attached to the back or forming part of
goalkeeper's gloves shall not exceed eight inches (8'') in width
nor more than sixteen inches (16'') in length at any point.
(b) The leg guards worn by goalkeepers shall not exceed twelve
inches (12'') in extreme width when on the leg of the player.
(NOTE) At the commencement of each season or at random during
the season and prior to playoffs, goalkeepers' leg guards and
gloves shall be checked by League staff and any violation of
this rule shall be reported to the club involved and to the
Commissioner of the League.
(c) Protective masks of a design approved by the Rules Committee may
be worn by goalkeepers.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 23. Protective Equipment
(a) All protective equipment, except gloves, headgear and
goalkeepers' leg guards must be worn under the uniform. For
violation of this rule, after warning by the Referee, a minor
penalty shall be imposed.
(NOTE) Players including the goalkeeper violating this rule
shall not be permitted to participate in game until such
equipment has been corrected or removed.
(b) All players of both teams shall wear a helmet of design,
material and construction approved by the Rules Committee at all
times while participating in a game, either on the playing surface
or the players' or penalty benches. Players may elect for exemption
from the operation of this sub-section (b) by execution of an
approved Request and Release form and filing it with the League
Office.
(c) A glove from which all or part of the palm has been removed or
cut to permit the use of the bare hand shall be considered illegal
equipment and if any player wears such a glove in play, a minor
penalty shall be imposed on him. When a complaint is made under
this rule, and such complaint is not sustained, a bench minor
penalty shall be imposed against the complaining club.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 24. Dangerous Equipment
(a) The use of pads or protectors made of metal, or of any other
material likely to cause injury to a player, is prohibited.
(NOTE) All elbow pads which do not have a soft protective outer
covering of sponge rubber or similar material at least one-half
inch (1/2'') thick shall be considered dangerous equipment.
(b) A mask or protector of a design approved by the Rules Committee
may be worn by a player who has sustained a facial injury. In the
first instance, the injured player shall be entitled to wear any
protective device prescribed by the club doctor. If any opposing
club objects to the device, it may record its objection with the
Commissioner.
(NOTE) The Officiating Department is specifically authorized to
make a check of each team's equipment to ensure the compliance
with this rule. It shall report its findings to the
Commissioner for his disciplinary action.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 25. Puck
(a) The puck shall be made of vulcanized rubber, or other approved
material, one inch (1'') thick and three inches (3'') in diameter
and shall weigh between five and one-half ounces (51/2 oz.) and six
ounces (6 oz.). All pucks used in competition must be approved by
the Rules Committee.
(b) The home team shall be responsible for providing an adequate
supply of official pucks which shall be kept in a frozen condition.
This supply of pucks shall be kept at the penalty bench under the
control of one of the regular Off-ice Officials or a special
attendant.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 26. Penalties
Penalties shall be actual playing time and shall be divided in the
following classes:
(1) Minor penalties
(2) Bench minor penalties
(3) Major penalties
(4) Misconduct penalties
(5) Match penalties
(6) Penalty shot When coincident penalties are imposed on
players of both teams, the penalized players of the visiting
team shall take their positions on the penalty bench first in
the place designated for visiting players.
(NOTE) When play is not actually in progress and an offense is
committed by any player, the same penalty shall apply as though
play was actually in progress.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 27. Minor Penalties
(a) For a "MINOR PENALTY", any player, other than a goalkeeper,
shall be ruled off the ice for two minutes during which time no
substitute shall be permitted.
(b) A "BENCH MINOR" penalty involves the removal from the ice of one
player of the team against which the penalty is assessed for a
period of two minutes. Any player except a goalkeeper of the team
may be designated to serve the penalty by the Manager or Coach
through the playing Captain and such player shall take his place on
the penalty bench promptly and serve the penalty as if it was a
minor penalty imposed upon him.
(c) If while a team is "short-handed" by one or more minor or bench
minor penalties, the opposing team scores a goal, the first of such
penalties shall automatically terminate.
(NOTE) "Short-handed" means that the team must be below the
numerical strength of its opponents on the ice at the time the
goal is scored. The minor or bench minor penalty which
terminates automatically is the one which causes the team scored
against to be "short-handed". Thus coincident minor penalties
to both teams do NOT cause either side to be "short-handed".
This rule shall also apply when a goal is scored on a penalty
shot, or when an awarded goal is given. When the minor
penalties of two players of the same team terminate at the same
time, the Captain of that team shall designate to the Referee
which of such players will return to the ice first and the
Referee will instruct the Penalty Timekeeper accordingly. When
a player receives a major penalty and a minor penalty at the
same time, the major penalty shall be served first by the
penalized player, except under Rule 28(c) in which case the
minor penalty will be recorded and served first.
(NOTE) This applies to the case where BOTH penalties are imposed
on the SAME player. See also Note to Rule 33.
(d) When ONE minor penalty is assessed to ONE player of EACH team at
the same stoppage in play, these penalties will be served without
substitution provided there are no other penalties in effect and
visible on the penalty clocks. Unless paragraph one of this Rule is
applicable, when coincident minor penalties or coincident minor
penalties of equal duration are imposed against players of both
teams, the penalized players shall all take their places on the
penalty benches and such penalized players shall not leave the
penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiry
of their respective penalties. Immediate substitution shall be made
for an equal number of minor penalties OR coincident minor penalties
of equal duration to each team so penalized and the penalties of the
players for which substitutions have been made shall not be taken
into account for the purpose of the Delayed Penalty Rule (Rule 33).
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 28. Major Penalties
(a) For the first "MAJOR PENALTY" in any one game, the offender,
except the goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the ice for five minutes
during which time no substitute shall be permitted. An automatic
fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall also be added when a major
penalty is imposed for any foul causing injury to the face or head
of an opponent by means of a stick.
(b) For the third major penalty in the same game to the same player,
or for a major for butt-ending, cross-checking, high-sticking,
slashing or spearing, he shall be ruled off the ice for the balance
of the game, but a substitute shall be permitted to replace the
player so suspended after five minutes have elapsed. (Major penalty
plus game misconduct penalty with automatic fine of two hundred
dollars ($200).)
(NOTE) In accordance with Rule 58(c) a goalkeeper shall not be
assessed a game misconduct penalty when he is being assessed a
major penalty for highsticking.
(c) When coincident major penalties or coincident penalties of equal
duration, including a major penalty, are imposed against players of
both teams, the penalized players shall all take their places on the
penalty benches and such penalized players shall not leave the
penalty benches until the first stoppage of play following the
expiry of their respective penalties. Immediate substitutions shall
be made for an equal number of major penalties, or coincident
penalties of equal duration including a major penalty to each team
so penalized, and the penalties of the players for which
substitutions have been made shall not be taken into account for the
purpose of the delayed penalty rule, (Rule 33). Where it is
required to determine which of the penalized players shall be
designated to serve the delayed penalty under Rule 33 Delayed
Penalities, the penalized team shall have the right to make such
designation not in conflict with Rule 27 Minor Penalties.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 29. Misconduct Penalties
(a) In the event of "MISCONDUCT" penalties to any players except the
goalkeeper, the players shall be ruled off the ice for a period of
ten minutes each. A substitute player is permitted to immediately
replace a player serving a misconduct penalty. A player whose
misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the penalty box until
the next stoppage of play. When a player receives a minor penalty
and a misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall
immediately put a substitute player on the penalty bench and he
shall serve the minor penalty without change. When a player
receives a major penalty and a misconduct penalty at the same time,
the penalized team shall place a substitute player on the penalty
bench before the major penalty expires and no replacement for the
penalized player shall be permitted to enter the game except from
the penalty bench. Any violation of this provision shall be treated
as an illegal substitution under Rule 18 calling for a bench minor
penalty.
(b) A misconduct penalty imposed on any player at any time shall be
accompanied with an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100).
(c) A "GAME MISCONDUCT" penalty involves the suspension of a player
for the balance of the game but a substitute is permitted to replace
immediately the player so removed. A player incurring a game
misconduct penalty shall incur an automatic fine of two hundred
dollars ($200) and the case shall be reported to the Commissioner
who shall have full power to impose such further penalties by way of
suspension or fine on the penalized player or any other player
involved in the altercation.
(d) The Referee may impose a "GROSS MISCONDUCT" penalty on any
player, Manager, Coach or Trainer who is guilty of gross misconduct
of any kind. Any person incurring a "gross misconduct" penalty
shall be suspended for the balance of the game and shall incur an
automatic fine of two hundred dollars ($200) and the case shall be
referred to the Commissioner of the League for further disciplinary
action.
(NOTE) For all game misconduct and gross misconduct penalties
regardless of when imposed, a total of ten minutes shall be
charged in the records against the offending player.
(e) In regular League games, any player who incurs a total of three
game misconduct penalties shall be suspended automatically for the
next League game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct
penalty, the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.
For each suspension of a player, his club shall be fined one
thousand dollars ($1000). In playoff games, any player who incurs a
total of two game misconduct penalties shall be suspended
automatically for the next playoff game of his team. For each
subsequent game misconduct penalty during the playoffs, the
automatic suspension shall be increased by one game. For each
suspension of a player during playoffs, his club shall be fined one
thousand dollars ($1000).
(f) In regular League games, any player who incurs a total of two
game misconduct penalties for stick related infractions penalized
under Rule 28(b) shall be suspended automatically for the next
League game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct
penalty, the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.
In playoff games any player who incurs a total of two game
misconduct penalties for stick related infractions penalized under
Rule 28(b) shall be suspended automatically for the next playoff
game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty
during the playoffs the automatic suspension shall be increased by
one game.
(NOTE) Any game misconduct penalty for which a player has been
assessed an automatic suspension or supplementary discipline in
the form of game suspension(s) by the Commissioner shall NOT be
taken into account when calculating the total number of offenses
under this subsection. The automatic suspensions incurred under
this subsection in respect to League games shall have no effect
with respect to violations during playoff games.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 30. Match Penalties
A "MATCH" penalty involves the suspension of a player for the
balance of the game and the offender shall be ordered to the
dressing room immediately. A substitute player is permitted to
replace the penalized player after five minutes playing time has
elapsed when the penalty is imposed under Rule 44 Attempt to
Injure or Rule 49 Deliberate Injury of Opponents.
(NOTE 1) Regulations regarding additional penalties and
substitutes are specifically covered in individual Rules 44, 49
and 64. Any additional penalty shall be served by a player to
be designated by the Manager or Coach of the offending team
through the playing Captain, such player to take his place in
the penalty box immediately. For all match penalties,
regardless of when imposed, or prescribed additional penalties,
a total of ten minutes shall be charged in the records against
the offending player.
(NOTE 2) When coincident match penalties have been imposed under
Rule 44, Rule 49 or Rule 64 to a player on both teams, Rule
28(c) covering coincident major penalties will be applicable
with respect to player substitution.
(NOTE 3) The Referee is required to report all match penalties
and the surrounding circumstances to the Commissioner of the
League immediately following the game in which they occur.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 31. Penalty Shot
(a) Any infraction of the rules which calls for a "PENALTY SHOT"
shall be taken as follows: The Referee shall ask to announce over
the public address system the name of the player designated by him
or selected by the team entitled to take the shot (as appropriate)
and shall then place the puck on the center face-off spot and the
player taking the shot will, on the instruction of the Referee, play
the puck from there and shall attempt to score on the goalkeeper.
The player taking the shot may carry the puck in any part of the
neutral zone or his own defending zone but once the puck has crossed
the attacking blue line it must be kept in motion towards the
opponent's goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be
considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind
(an exception being the puck off the goal post, then the goalkeeper
and then directly into the goal), and any time the puck crosses the
goal line, the shot shall be considered complete. Only a player
designated as a goalkeeper or alternate goalkeeper may defend
against the penalty shot.
(b) The goalkeeper must remain in his crease until the player taking
the penalty shot has touched the puck and in the event of violation
of this rule or any foul committed by a goalkeeper, the Referee
shall allow the shot to be taken and if the shot fails, he shall
permit the penalty shot to be taken over again. The goalkeeper may
attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing his stick
or any object, in which case a goal shall be awarded.
(NOTE) See Rule 81.
(c) In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 50(c),
deliberately displacing goal post during course of a breakaway;
under Rule 62(d), interference; under Rule 66(m), illegal entry into
the game; under Rule 81(a) for throwing a stick; and under Rule
84(b), fouling from behind, the Referee shall designate the player
who has been fouled as the player who shall take the penalty shot.
In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 18(b),
deliberate illegal substitution with insufficient playing time
remaining; under Rule 50(d), deliberately displacing goal post;
under Rule 53(c), falling on the puck in the crease; under Rule
57(d), picking up the puck from the crease area, the penalty shot
shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the
non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time when the
foul was committed. Such selection shall be reported to the Referee
and cannot be changed. If by reason of injury, the player
designated by the Referee to take the penalty shot is unable to do
so within a reasonable time, the shot may be taken by a player
selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players
on the ice when the foul was committed. Such selection shall be
reported to the Referee and cannot be changed.
(d) Should the player in respect to whom a penalty shot has been
awarded himself commit a foul in connection with the same play or
circumstances, either before or after the penalty shot has been
awarded, be designated to take the shot, he shall first be permitted
to do so before being sent to the penalty bench to serve the penalty
except when such penalty is for a game misconduct, gross misconduct
or match penalty in which case the penalty shot shall be taken by a
player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the
players on the ice at the time when the foul was committed. If at
the time a penalty shot is awarded, the goalkeeper of the penalized
team has been removed from the ice to substitute another player, the
goalkeeper shall be permitted to return to the ice before the
penalty shot is taken.
(e) While the penalty shot is being taken, players of both sides
shall withdraw to the sides of the rink and in front of their own
player's bench.
(f) If, while the penalty shot is being taken, any player of the
opposing team shall have by some action interfered with or
distracted the player taking the shot and, because of such action,
the shot should have failed, a second attempt shall be permitted and
the Referee shall impose a misconduct penalty on the player so
interfering or distracting.
(g) If a goal is scored from a penalty shot, the puck shall be
faced-off at center ice. If a goal is not scored, the puck shall be
faced-off at either of the end face-off spots in the zone in which
the penalty shot was tried.
(h) Should a goal be scored from a penalty shot, a further penalty
to the offending player shall not be applied unless the offense for
which the penalty shot was awarded was such as to incur a major or
match penalty or misconduct penalty, in which case the penalty
prescribed for the particular offense shall be imposed. If the
offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as would
normally incur a minor penalty, then regardless of whether the
penalty shot results in a goal or not, no further minor penalty
shall be served.
(i) If the foul upon which the penalty shot is based occurs during
actual playing time, the penalty shot shall be awarded and taken
immediately in the usual manner notwithstanding any delay occasioned
by a slow whistle by the Referee to permit the play to be completed,
which delay results in the expiry of the regular playing time in any
period. The time required for the taking of a penalty shot shall
not be included in the regular playing time or overtime.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 32. Goalkeeper's Penalties
(a) A goalkeeper shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an
offense which incurs a minor penalty, but instead, the minor penalty
shall be served by another member of his team who was on the ice
when the offense was committed, said player to be designated by the
Manager or Coach of the offending team through the playing Captain
and such substitute shall not be changed.
(NOTE) A penalized player may not serve a goalkeeper's penalty.
(b) A goalkeeper shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an
offense which incurs a major penalty, but instead, the major penalty
shall be served by another member of his team who was on the ice
when the offense was committed, said player to be designated by the
Manager or Coach of the offending team through the playing Captain
and such substitute shall not be changed.
(c) Should a goalkeeper incur three major penalties in one game
penalized under Rule 28(b) Major Penalties, he shall be ruled off
the ice for the balance of the playing time and his place shall be
taken by a member of his own club, or by a regular substitute
goalkeeper who is available. Such player will be allowed the
goalkeeper's equipment. (Major penalty plus game misconduct penalty
and automatic fine of two hundred dollars ($200).)
(d) Should a goalkeeper on the ice incur a misconduct penalty, this
penalty shall be served by another member of his team who was on the
ice when the offense was committed, said player to be designated by
the Manager or Coach of the offending team through the Captain and,
in addition, the goalkeeper shall be fined one hundred dollars
($100).
(e) Should a goalkeeper incur a game misconduct penalty, his place
will then be taken by a member of his own club, or by a regular
substitute goalkeeper who is available, and such player will be
allowed the goalkeeper's full equipment. In addition, the
goalkeeper shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200).
(f) Should a goalkeeper incur a match penalty, his place will then
be taken by a member of his own club, or by a substitute goalkeeper
who is available, and such player will be allowed the goalkeeper's
full equipment. However, any additional penalties as specifically
called for by the individual rules covering match penalties will
apply, and the offending team shall be penalized accordingly, such
additional penalties to be served by other members of the team on
the ice when the offenses were committed, said players to be
designated by the Manager or Coach of the offending team through the
Captain. (See Rules 44, 49 and 64.)
(g) Should a goalkeeper incur a match penalty, the case shall be
investigated promptly by the Commissioner who shall have full power
to fine or suspend the penalized goalkeeper or any other players in
the altercation.
(h) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who leaves the
immediate vicinity of his crease during an altercation. In
addition, he shall be subject to a fine of two hundred dollars
($200) and this incident shall be reported to the Commissioner for
such further disciplinary action as may be required.
(NOTE) All penalties imposed on a goalkeeper, regardless of who
serves the penalty or any substitution, shall be charged in the
records against the goalkeeper.
(i) If a goalkeeper participates in the play in any manner when he
is beyond the center red line, a minor penalty shall be imposed upon
him.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 33. Delayed Penalties
(a) If a third player of any team shall be penalized while two
players of the same team are serving penalties, the penalty time of
the third player shall not commence until the penalty time of one of
the two players already penalized has elapsed. Nevertheless, the
third player penalized must at once proceed to the penalty bench but
may be replaced by a substitute until such time as the penalty time
of the penalized player shall commence.
(b) When any team shall have three players serving penalties at the
same time and because of the delayed penalty rule, a substitute for
the third offender is on the ice, none of the three penalized
players on the penalty bench may return to the ice until play has
stopped. When play has been stopped, the player whose full penalty
has expired may return to the play. Provided however that the
Penalty Timekeeper shall permit the return to the ice in the order
of expiry of their penalties, of a player or players when, by reason
of the expiration of their penalties, the penalized team is entitled
to have more than four players on the ice.
(c) In the case of delayed penalties, the Referee shall instruct the
Penalty Timekeeper that penalized players whose penalties have
expired shall only be allowed to return to the ice when there is a
stoppage of play. When the penalties of two players of the same
team will expire at the same time, the Captain of that team will
designate to the Referee which of such players will return to the
ice first and the Referee will instruct the Penalty Timekeeper
accordingly. When a major and a minor penalty are imposed at the
same time on players of the same team, the Penalty Timekeeper shall
record the minor as being the first of such penalties.
(NOTE) This applies to the case where the two penalties are
imposed on DIFFERENT players of the same team. See also Note to
Rule 27.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 34. Calling of Penalties
(a) Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a minor,
major, misconduct, game misconduct or match penalty be committed by
a player of the side in possession of the puck, the Referee shall
immediately blow his whistle and penalize the offending player. The
resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was
stopped unless the stoppage occurs in the attacking zone of the
player penalized in which case the face-off shall be made at the
nearest face-off spot in the neutral zone.
(b) Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a minor,
major, misconduct, game misconduct or match penalty be committed by
a player of the team not in possession of the puck, the Referee will
blow his whistle and impose the penalty on the offending player upon
completion of the play by the team in possession of the puck.
(NOTE) There shall be no signal given by the Referee for a
misconduct or game misconduct penalty under this section. The
resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was
stopped, unless during the period of a delayed whistle due to a
foul by a player of the side NOT in possession, the side in
possession ices the puck, shoots the puck so that it goes out of
bounds or is unplayable, then the face-off following the
stoppage shall take place in the neutral zone near the defending
blue line of the team shooting the puck. If the penalty to be
imposed is a minor penalty and a goal is scored on the play by
the non-offending side, the minor penalty shall not be imposed
but major and match penalties shall be imposed in the normal
manner regardless of whether or not a goal is scored. When the
penalty to be imposed is applicable under Rule 58(c)(1) High
Sticks or Rule 79 (c) Spearing and Butt-Ending, and a goal is
scored, two minutes of the appropriate penalty will be assessed
to the offending player. (This will be announced as a double
minor for the appropriate foul and the player will serve two
minutes only.)
(NOTE 1) "Completion of the play by the team in possession" in
this rule means that the puck must have come into the possession
and control of an opposing player or has been "frozen". This
does not mean a rebound off the goalkeeper, the goal or the
boards, or any accidental contact with the body or equipment of
an opposing player.
(NOTE 2) If after the Referee has signalled a penalty but before
the whistle has been blown, the puck shall enter the goal of the
non-offending team as the direct result of a player of that
team, the goal shall be allowed and the penalty signalled shall
be imposed in the normal manner.
(NOTE 3) If when a team is "short-handed" by reason of one or
more minor or bench minor penalties, the Referee signals a
further minor penalty or penalties against the "short-handed"
team and a goal is scored by the non-offending side before the
whistle is blown, then the goal shall be allowed. The penalty
or penalties signalled shall be assessed and the first of the
minor penalties already being served shall automatically
terminate under Rule 27(c) Minor Penalties.
(c) Should the same offending player commit other fouls on the same
play, either before or after the Referee has blown his whistle, the
offending player shall serve such penalties consecutively.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 34A. Supplementary Discipline
In addition to the automatic fines and suspensions imposed under
these rules, the Commissioner may, at his discretion, investigate
any incident that occurs in connection with any exhibition, League
or playoff game and may assess additional fines and/or suspensions
for any offense committed during the course of a game or any
aftermath thereof by a player, Trainer, Manager, Coach or club
executive, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the
Referee.
(NOTE) If an investigation is requested by a club or by the
League on its own initiative, it must be initiated within
seventy-two (72) hours following the completion of the game in
which the incident occurred.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 34B. Suspensions Arising from Exhibition Games
Whenever suspensions are imposed as a result of infractions
occurring during exhibition games, the Commissioner shall exercise
his discretion in scheduling the suspensions to ensure that no team
shall be short more players in any regular League game than it would
have been had the infractions occurred in regular League games.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 35. Appointment of Officials
(a) The Commissioner shall appoint a Referee, two Linesmen, Game
Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer and two Goal Judges
for each game.
(b) The Commissioner shall forward to all clubs a list of Referees,
Linesmen, and Off-ice Officials, all of whom must be treated with
proper respect at all times during the season by all players and
officials of clubs.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 36. Referee
(a) The REFEREE shall have general supervision of the game and shall
have full control of all game officials and players during the game,
including stoppages; and in case of any dispute, his decision shall
be final. The Referee shall remain on the ice at the conclusion of
each period until all players have proceeded to their dressing
rooms.
(b) All Referees and Linesmen shall be dressed in black trousers and
official sweaters. They shall be equipped with approved whistles
and metal tape measures with minimum length of six feet.
(c) The Referee shall order the teams on the ice at the appointed
time for the beginning of a game and at the commencement of each
period. If for any reason, there is more than fifteen minutes'
delay in the commencement of the game or any undue delay in resuming
play after the fifteen-minute intervals between periods, the Referee
shall state in his report to the Commissioner the cause of the delay
and the club or clubs which were at fault.
(d) It shall be his duty to see to it that all players are properly
dressed, and that the approved regulation equipment is in use at all
times during the game.
(e) The Referee shall, before starting the game, see that the
appointed Game Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer and
Goal Judges are in their respective places and satisfy himself that
the timing and signalling equipment are in order.
(f) It shall be his duty to impose such penalties as are prescribed
by the rules for infractions thereof and he shall give the final
decision in matters of disputed goals. The Referee may consult with
the Linesmen, Goal Judge or Video Goal Judge before making his
decision.
(g) The Referee shall announce to the Official Scorer or Penalty
Timekeeper all goals legally scored as well as penalties, and for
what infractions such penalties are imposed. The Referee shall
cause to be announced over the public address system the reason for
not allowing a goal every time the goal signal light is turned on in
the course of play. This shall be done at the first stoppage of
play regardless of any standard signal given by the Referee when the
goal signal light was put on in error. The Referee shall report to
the Official Scorer the name or number of the goal scorer but he
shall not give any information or advice with respect to assist.
(NOTE) The name of the scorer and any player entitled to an
assist will be announced on the public address system. In the
event that the Referee disallows a goal for any violation of the
rules, he shall report the reason for disallowance to the
Official Scorer who shall announce the Referee's decision
correctly over the public address system. The infraction of the
rules for which each penalty has been imposed will be announced
correctly, as reported by the Referee, over the public address
system. Where players of both teams are penalized on the same
play, the penalty to the visiting player will be announced
first. Where a penalty is imposed by the Referee which calls
for a mandatory or automatic fine, only the time portion of the
penalty will be reported by the Referee to the Official Scorer
and announced on the public address system, and the fine will be
collected through the League office.
(h) The Referee shall see to it that players of opposing teams are
separated on the penalty bench to prevent feuding.
(i) He shall not halt the game for any infractions of the rules
concerning off-side play at the blue line or center line, or any
violation of Rule 61, icing the puck. Determining infractions of
these rules is the duty of the Linesmen unless, by virtue of some
accident, the Linesman is prevented from doing so in which case the
duties of the Linesman shall be assumed by the Referee until play is
stopped.
(j) Should a Referee accidentally leave the ice or receive an injury
which incapacitates him from discharging his duties while play is in
progress, the game shall be automatically stopped.
(k) If, through misadventure or sickness, the Referee and Linesmen
appointed are prevented from appearing, the Managers or Coaches of
the two clubs shall agree on a Referee and Linesman. If they are
unable to agree, they shall appoint a player from each side who
shall act as Referee and Linesman; the player of the home club
acting as Referee and the player of the visiting club as Linesman.
(l) If the regularly appointed officials appear during the progress
of the game, they shall at once replace the temporary officials.
(m) Should a Linesman appointed be unable to act at the last minute
or through sickness or accident be unable to finish the game, the
Referee shall have the power to appoint another in his stead, if he
deems it necessary, or if required to do so by the Manager or Coach
of either of the competing teams.
(n) If, owing to illness or accident, the Referee is unable to
continue to officiate, one of the Linesmen shall perform the duties
of the Referee during the balance of the game, the Linesman to be
selected by the Referee. In the event that an NHL Supervisor is in
attendance at a game where a spare official is present, he shall
have the authority to substitute the injured Referee with the spare
official.
(o) The Referee shall check club rosters and all players in uniform
before signing reports of the game.
(p) The Referee shall report to Commissioner promptly and in detail
the circumstances of any of the following incidents:
(i) When a stick or part thereof is thrown outside the playing
area Rule 81(c) Throwing Stick;
(ii) Every obscene gesture made by any person involved in the
playing or conduct of the game whether as a participant or as an
official of either team or of the League, which gesture he has
personally observed or which has been brought to his attention
by any game official Rule 68(a) Obscene or Profane
Language or Gestures;
(iii) When any player, Trainer, Coach or club executive becomes
involved in an altercation with a spectator Rule 63(b)
Interference by/with Spectators;
(iv) Every infraction under Rule 28(b) Major Penalties, major
and game misconducts.
(q) In the event of failure by a club to comply with a provision of
the League constitution, by-laws, resolutions, rules or regulations
affecting the playing of a game, the Referee shall, if so directed
by the Commissioner or his designee, refuse to permit the game to
proceed until the offending club comes into compliance with such
provision. Should the offending club persist in its refusal to come
into compliance, the Referee shall, with the prior approval of the
Commissioner or his designee, declare the game forfeited and the
non-offending club the winner. Should the Referee declare the game
forfeited because both clubs have refused to comply with such a
provision, the visiting club shall be declared the winner. If the
game is declared forfeited prior to its having commenced, the score
shall be recorded as 1-0 and no player shall be credited with any
personal statistics. If the game was in progress at the time it is
declared forfeited, the score shall be recorded as zero for the
loser and 1, or such greater number of goals that had been scored by
it, for the winner; however, the players on both clubs shall be
credited with all personal statistics earned up to the time the
forfeit was declared.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 37. Linesman
(a) The duty of the LINESMAN is to determine any infractions of the
rules concerning off-side play at the blue line or center line, or
any violation of Rule 61, icing the puck. He shall stop the play
when the puck goes outside the playing area, when it is interfered
with by any ineligible person, when it is struck above the height of
the shoulder and when the goal post has been displaced from its
normal position. He shall stop the play for off-sides occurring on
face-offs and for premature entry into face-off circles. He shall
stop the play when he has observed that a goal has been scored which
has not been observed by the Referee. He shall stop the play when
there has been a premature substitution for a goalkeeper under Rule
18(a) Change of Players; for injured players under Rule 19(f)
Injured Players; for a player batting the puck forward to a teammate
under Rule 57(e) Handling Puck with Hands; the calling of a
double-minor penalty for accidental high sticks, under Rule 58(c)
High Sticks; interference by spectators under Rule 63(a)
Interference by/with spectators; the calling of a double-minor
penalty to a player who attempts to poke, jab, spear or butt-end an
opponent, under Rule 79(c) Spearing and Butt-ending; and the
calling of a penalty under Rule 81(a) Throwing Stick, for
deliberately throwing a stick in the defensive zone.
(b) He shall face-off the puck at all times, except at the start of
the game, at the beginning of each period and after a goal has been
scored. The Referee may call upon a Linesman to conduct a face-off
at any time.
(c) He shall, when requested to do so by the Referee, give his
version of any incident that may have taken place during the playing
of the game.
(d) He shall not stop the play to impose any penalty except when a
major penalty is warranted to a player on the ice when a serious
incident has been observed by him but not by the Referee and/or when
he observes any violation of Rules 18(a) and (c), change of players
(too many men on the ice); Rule 42(k), articles thrown on the ice
from vicinity of players' or penalty bench; Rule 42(l), interference
with game officials by player, Coach, Trainer or club executive;
Rule 46(c), stick thrown on ice from players' bench and Rule 50(c),
delaying the game by deliberately displacing the post from its
normal position. He shall report such violation to the Referee who
shall impose a bench minor penalty against the offending team. In
addition, when assessing a major penalty to a player, he may, at his
discretion, assess a minor penalty to a player of the opposing team
that he deems instigated the incident for which the major penalty
was assessed. He shall report immediately to the Referee his
version of the circumstances with regard to interference on a
goaltender when a goal is scored. He shall report immediately to
the Referee his version of any infraction of the rules constituting
a major or match foul or game misconduct or any conduct calling for
a bench minor penalty or misconduct penalty under these rules.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 38. Goal Judge
(a) There shall be one GOAL JUDGE at each goal. They shall not be
members of either club engaged in a game, nor shall they be replaced
during its progress, unless after the commencement of the game it
becomes apparent that either Goal Judge, on account of partisanship
or any other cause, is guilty of giving unjust decisions, when the
Referee may appoint another Goal Judge to act in his stead.
(b) Goal Judges shall be stationed behind the goals during the
progress of play, in properly protected areas, if possible, so that
there can be no interference with their activities. They shall not
change goals during the game.
(c) In the event of a goal being claimed, the Goal Judge of that
goal shall decide whether or not the puck has passed between the
goal posts and entirely over the goal line.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 39. Penalty Timekeeper
(a) The PENALTY TIMEKEEPER shall keep, on the official forms
provided, a correct record of all penalties imposed by the officials
including the names of the players penalized, the infractions
penalized, the duration of each penalty and the time at which each
penalty was imposed. He shall report in the Penalty Record each
penalty shot awarded, the name of the player taking the shot and the
result of the shot.
(b) The Penalty Timekeeper shall check and ensure that the time
served by all penalized players is correct. He shall be responsible
for the correct posting of penalties on the scoreboard at all times
and shall promptly call to the attention of the Referee any
discrepancy between the time recorded on the clock and the official
correct time and he shall be responsible for making any adjustments
ordered by the Referee. He shall upon request, give a penalized
player correct information as to the unexpired time of his penalty.
(NOTE 1) The infraction of the rules for which each penalty has
been imposed will be announced twice over the public address
system as reported by the Referee. Where players of both teams
are penalized on the same play, the penalty to the visiting
player will be announced first.
(NOTE 2) Misconduct penalties and coincident major penalties
should not be recorded on the timing device but such penalized
players should be alerted and released at the first stoppage of
play following the expiration of their penalties.
(c) Upon the completion of each game, the Penalty Timekeeper shall
complete and sign four copies of the Penalty Record to be
distributed as quickly as possible to the following persons:
(1) One copy to the Official Scorer for transmission to the
League Commissioner;
(2) One copy to the visiting Coach or Manager;
(3) One copy to the home Coach or Manager;
(4) One copy to the home team Public Relations Department.
(d) The Officiating Department shall be entitled to inspect, collect
and forward to League headquarters the actual work sheets used by
the Penalty Timekeeper in any game.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 40. Official Scorer
(a) Before the start of the game, the Official Scorer shall obtain
from the Manager or Coach of both teams a list of all eligible
players and the starting line-up of each team which information
shall be made known to the opposing Manager or Coach before the
start of play, either personally or through the Referee. The
Official Scorer shall secure the names of the Captain and Alternate
Captains from the Manager or Coach at the time the line-ups are
collected and will indicate those nominated by placing the letter
"C" or "A" opposite their names on the Referee's Report of Match.
All this information shall be presented to the Referee for his
signature at the completion of the game.
(b) The Official Scorer shall keep a record of the goals scored, the
scorers, and players to whom assists have been credited and shall
indicate those players on the lists who have actually taken part in
the game. He shall also record the time of entry into the game of
any substitute goalkeeper. He shall record on the Official Score
Sheet a notation where a goal is scored when the goalkeeper has been
removed from the ice.
(c) The Official Scorer shall award the points for goals and assists
and his decision shall be final. The awards of points for goals and
assists shall be announced twice over the public address system and
all changes in such awards shall also be announced in the same
manner. No requests for changes in any award of points shall be
considered unless they are made at or before the conclusion of
actual play in the game by the team Captain.
(d) At the conclusion of the game, the Official Scorer shall
complete and sign four copies of the Official Score Sheet for
distribution as quickly as possible to the following persons:
(1) One copy to the Official Scorer to be transmitted to the
League Commissioner;
(2) One copy to the visiting Coach or Manager;
(3) One copy to the home Coach or Manager;
(4) One copy to the home team Public Relations Department.
(e) The Official Scorer shall also prepare the Official Report of
Match for signature by the Referee and forward it to the League
Commissioner together with the Official Score Sheet and the Penalty
Record.
(f) The Official Scorer should be in an elevated position, well away
from the players' benches, with house telephone communication to the
public address announcer.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 41. Game Timekeeper
(a) The Game Timekeeper shall record the time of starting and
finishing of each period in the game. During the game the game
timekeeper will start the clock with the drop of the puck and stop
the clock upon hearing the Official's whistle or the scoring of a
goal.
(b) The Game Timekeeper shall signal the Referee and the competing
teams for the start of the game and each succeeding period and the
Referee shall start the play promptly in accordance with Rule 82
Time of Match. For the purpose of keeping the spectators informed
as to the time remaining during intermissions, the Game Timekeeper
will use the electric clock to record the length of intermissions.
The clock will not start for the intermission until all players and
officials have left the ice. To assist in assuring the prompt
return to the ice of the teams and the officials, the Game
Timekeeper shall give preliminary warnings five and two minutes
prior to the resumption of play in each period.
(c) If the rink is not equipped with an automatic signalling device
or, if such device fails to function, the Game Timekeeper shall
signal the end of each period by blowing a whistle.
(d) He shall cause to be announced on the public address system at
the nineteenth minute in each period that there is one minute
remaining to be played in the period.
(e) In the event of any dispute regarding time, the matter shall be
referred to the Referee for adjustment and his decision shall be
final.
(f) The Game Timekeeper is required to synchronize his timing device
with the Television Producer of the originating broadcast.
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Rule 41A. Statistician
(a) There shall be appointed for duty at every game played in the
League a Statistician and such assistants or alternates as may be
deemed necessary.
(b) The duty of the Statistician(s) is to correctly record on
official League forms all of the required data concerning the
performances of the individual players and teams.
(c) These records shall be compiled and recorded in strict
conformity with the instructions printed on the forms supplied and
shall be completed as to totals where required and with such
accuracy as to ensure that the data supplied is "in balance".
(d) At the conclusion of each game, the Statistician shall sign and
distribute four copies of the final and correct Statistician's
Report to each of the following persons:
(1) One copy to the Official Scorer for transmission to the
League Commissioner;
(2) One copy to the visiting Coach or Manager;
(3) One copy to the home Coach or Manager;
(4) One copy to the home team Public Relations Department.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 42. Abuse of Officials and other Misconduct
(NOTE) In the enforcement of this rule, the Referee has, in many
instances, the option of imposing a misconduct penalty or a
bench minor penalty. In principle, the Referee is directed to
impose a bench minor penalty in respect to the violations which
occur on or in the immediate vicinity of the players' bench but
off the playing surface and in all cases affecting non-playing
personnel or players. A misconduct penalty should be imposed
for violations which occur on the playing surface or in the
penalty bench area and where the penalized player is readily
identifiable.
(a) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who uses
obscene, profane or abusive language to any person or who
intentionally knocks or shoots the puck out of the reach of an
official who is retrieving it or who deliberately throws any
equipment out of the playing area.
(b) A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who challenges
or disputes the rulings of any official during a game. If the
player persists in such challenge or dispute, he shall be assessed a
misconduct penalty and any further dispute will result in a game
misconduct penalty being assessed to the offending player. In the
event that a teammate of a penalized player challenges or disputes
the ruling of the official in assessing the penalty, a misconduct
penalty shall be imposed.
(NOTE:) Any player who leaves the penalty bench prior to the
expiration of his penalty, for the purpose of challenging or
disputing an Official's call shall be assessed the appropriate
penalties. Such player shall be automatically suspended for the
next three regular League and/or Playoff games of his club. See
also Rule 66 Leaving Players' or Penalty Bench.
(c) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player or players
who bang the boards with their sticks or other objects at any time,
showing disrespect for an Official's decision. In the event that
the Coach, Trainer, Manager or club executive commits an infraction
under this rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.
(d) Where coincident penalties are imposed on players of both teams,
the penalized players of the visiting team shall take their
positions on the penalty bench first in the place designated for
visiting players.
(e) Any player who, following a fight or other altercation in which
he has been involved is broken up and for which he is penalized,
fails to proceed directly and immediately to the penalty bench, or
who causes any delay by retrieving his equipment (gloves, sticks,
etc. shall be delivered to him at the penalty bench by teammates),
shall incur an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) in
addition to all other penalties or fines incurred.
(f) Any player who persists in continuing or attempting to continue
a fight or altercation after he has been ordered by the Referee to
stop, or who resists a Linesman in the discharge of his duties
shall, at the discretion of the Referee, incur a misconduct or game
misconduct penalty in addition to any penalties imposed.
(g) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who, after
warning by the Referee, persists in any course of conduct (including
threatening or abusive language or gestures or similar actions)
designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty. If, after
the assessment of a misconduct penalty, a player persists in any
course of conduct for which he was previously assessed a misconduct
penalty, he shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
(h) A bench minor penalty shall be imposed against the offending
team if any player, club executive, Manager, Coach or Trainer uses
obscene, profane or abusive language or gesture to any person or
uses the name of any official coupled with any vociferous remarks.
(i) In the case of any club executive, Manager, Coach or Trainer
being guilty of such misconduct, he is to be removed from the bench
by order of the Referee and his case reported to the Commissioner
for further action.
(j) If any club executive, Manager, Coach or Trainer is removed from
the bench by order of the Referee, he must not sit near the bench of
his club nor in any way direct or attempt to direct the play of his
club. When a Coach has been removed from the bench, he shall be
assessed a Game Misconduct penalty.
(k) A bench minor penalty shall be imposed against the offending
team if any player, Trainer, Coach, Manager or club executive in the
vicinity of the players' bench or penalty bench throws anything on
the ice during the progress of the game or during stoppage of play.
(NOTE) The penalty provided under this rule is in addition to
any penalty imposed under Rule 46(c) Broken Stick.
(l) A bench minor penalty shall be imposed against the offending
team if any player, Trainer, Coach, Manager or club executive
interferes in any manner with any game official including Referee,
Linesmen, Timekeepers or Goal Judges in the performance of their
duties. The Referee may assess further penalties under Rule 67
(Abuse of Officials) if he deems them to be warranted.
(m) A misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player or players
who, except for the purpose of taking their positions on the penalty
bench, enter or remain in the Referee's crease while he is reporting
to or consulting with any game official including Linesmen,
Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer or Announcer.
(n) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who is guilty of
unsportsmanlike conduct including, but not limited to hair-pulling,
biting, grabbing hold of face mask, etc.
(NOTE) If warranted the Referee may apply Rule 29(d) Gross
Misconduct.
(o) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who attempts to
draw a penalty by his actions ("diving").
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 43. Adjustment to Clothing or Equipment
(a) Play shall not be stopped nor the game delayed by reasons of
adjustments to clothing, equipment, skates or sticks. For an
infringement of this rule, a minor penalty shall be given.
(b) The onus of maintaining clothing and equipment in proper
condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required,
the player shall leave the ice and play shall continue with a
substitute.
(c) No delay shall be permitted for the repair or adjustment of
goalkeeper's equipment. If adjustments are required, the goalkeeper
shall leave the ice and his place shall be taken by the substitute
goalkeeper immediately.
(d) For an infraction of this rule by a goalkeeper, a minor penalty
shall be imposed.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 44. Attempt to Injure
(a) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately
attempts to injure an opponent and the circumstances shall be
reported to the Commissioner for further action. A substitute for
the penalized player shall be permitted at the end of the fifth
minute.
(b) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who
deliberately attempts to injure an Official, Manager, Coach or
Trainer in any manner and the circumstances shall be reported to the
Commissioner for further action.
(NOTE) The Commissioner, upon preliminary investigation
indicating the probable imposition of supplementary disciplinary
action, may order the immediate suspension of a player who has
incurred a match penalty under this rule, pending the final
determination of such supplementary disciplinary action.
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Rule 45. Board Checking and Checking from Behind
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee based
upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be
imposed on any player who bodychecks, cross-checks, elbows, charges
or trips an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be
thrown violently into the boards.
(NOTE) Any unnecessary contact with a player playing the puck on
an obvious "icing" or "off-side" play which results in that
player being knocked into the boards is "boarding" and must be
penalized as such. In other instances where there is no contact
with the boards, it should be treated as "charging". "Rolling"
an opponent (if he is the puck carrier) along the boards where
he is endeavoring to go through too small an opening is not
boarding. However, if the opponent is not the puck carrier,
then such action should be penalized as boarding, charging,
interference or, if the arms or stick are employed, it should be
called holding or hooking.
(b) When a major penalty is imposed under this rule, an automatic
fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed.
(c) When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul
resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, an
automatic game misconduct shall be imposed.
(d) Any player who cross-checks, pushes or charges from behind an
opponent who is unable to defend himself, shall be assessed a major
and a game misconduct. This penalty applies anywhere on the playing
surface.
(e) In regular season games any player who incurs a total of two
game misconduct penalties for board-checking under Rule 45(c) and
(d) shall be suspended automatically for the next League game of his
team. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic
suspension shall be increased by one game. In playoff games, any
player who incurs a total of two game misconduct penalties for
board-checking under Rule 45(c) and (d) shall be suspended
automatically for the next playoff game of his team. For each
subsequent game misconduct penalty during the playoffs the automatic
suspension shall be increased by one game.
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Rule 46. Broken Stick
(a) A player without a stick may participate in the game. A player
whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided he drops
the broken portion. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an
infraction of this rule.
(NOTE) A broken stick is one which, in the opinion of the
Referee, is unfit for normal play.
(b) A goalkeeper may continue to play with a broken stick until
stoppage of play or until he has been legally provided with a stick.
(c) A player whose stick is broken may not receive a stick thrown on
the ice from any part of the rink but must obtain same at his
players' bench. A goalkeeper whose stick is broken may not receive
a stick thrown on the ice from any part of the rink but may receive
a stick from a teammate without proceeding to his players' bench. A
minor penalty shall be imposed on the player or goalkeeper receiving
a stick illegally under this rule.
(d) A goalkeeper whose stick is broken or illegal may not go to the
players' bench for a replacement but must receive his stick from a
teammate. For an infraction of this rule, a minor penalty shall be
imposed on the goalkeeper.
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Rule 47. Charging
(a) A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who runs
or jumps into or charges an opponent.
(b) When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul
resulting in injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic
fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed.
(c) A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who
charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within his goal crease.
(NOTE) If more than two steps or strides are taken, it shall be
considered a charge. A goalkeeper is NOT "fair game" just
because he is outside the goal crease area. A penalty for
interference or charging (minor or major) should be called in
every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact
with a goalkeeper. Likewise, Referees should be alert to
penalize goalkeepers for tripping, slash-ing or spearing in the
vicinity of the goal.
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Rule 48. Cross-Checking
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee,
shall be imposed on a player who "cross-checks" an opponent.
(NOTE 1) Cross-check shall mean a check delivered with both
hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice.
(NOTE 2) When a major penalty is assessed for cross-checking, an
automatic game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on the
offending player.
(b) When a major penalty is imposed under this rule, an automatic
fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall also be imposed.
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Rule 49. Deliberate Injury of Opponents
(a) A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately
injures an opponent in any manner.
(NOTE) Any player wearing tape or any other material on his
hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during
an altercation shall receive a match penalty under this rule.
(b) In addition to the match penalty, the player shall be
automatically suspended from further competition until the
Commissioner has ruled on the issue.
(c) No substitute shall be permitted to take the place of the
penalized player until five minutes of actual playing time have
elapsed from the time the penalty was imposed.
(d) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who
deliberately injures an official, Manager, Coach or Trainer in any
manner and the circumstances shall be reported to the Commissioner
for further action.
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Rule 50. Delaying the Game
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who
delays the game by deliberately shooting or batting the puck with
his stick outside the playing area.
(NOTE 1) When the goalkeeper shoots the puck directly
(non-deflected) out of the playing surface, except where there
is no glass, a penalty shall be assessed for delaying the game.
(NOTE 2) This penalty shall also apply when a player or
goalkeeper deliberately bats or shoots the puck with his stick
outside the playing area after a stoppage of play.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who
throws or deliberately bats the puck with his hand or stick outside
the playing area.
(c) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player (including the
goalkeeper) who delays the game by deliberately displacing a goal
post from its normal position. The Referee or Linesmen shall stop
play immediately when a goal post has been displaced. If the goal
post is deliberately displaced by a goalkeeper or player during the
course of a "breakaway", a penalty shot will be awarded to the
non-offending team, which shot shall be taken by the player last in
possession of the puck.
(NOTE) A player with a "breakaway" is defined as a player in
control of the puck with no opposition between him and the
opposing goal and with a reasonable scoring opportunity. In the
event that a goalpost is deliberately displaced by a defending
player or goalkeeper, prior to the puck crossing the goal line
between the normal position of the goalposts, the Referee, at
his discretion, may assess a minor penalty under Rule 50(c)
(paragraph 1), a penalty shot under Rule 50(d), or award a goal.
(d) If by reason of insufficient time in the regular playing time or
by reason of penalties already imposed, the minor penalty assessed
to a player for deliberately displacing his own goal post cannot be
served in its entirety within the regular playing time of the game
or at any time in overtime, a penalty shot shall be awarded against
the offending team.
(e) A bench minor penalty shall be imposed upon any team which,
after warning by the Referee to its Captain or Alternate Captain to
place the correct number of players on the ice and commence play,
fails to comply with the Referee's direction and thereby causes any
delay by making additional substitutions, by persisting in having
its players off-side, or in any other manner.
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Rule 51. Elbowing, Kneeing and Head-Butting
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee,
shall be imposed on any player who uses his elbow or knee in such a
manner as to in any way foul an opponent.
(b) When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul
resulting in an injury to an opponent, an automatic fine of one
hundred dollars ($100) shall also be imposed.
(c) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately
"head-butts" or attempts to "head-butt" or knees an opponent during
an altercation and the circumstances shall be reported to the
Commissioner for further action. A substitute player is permitted
to replace the penalized player after five minutes playing time has
elapsed when the penalty is imposed under Rule 44 Attempt to
Injure or Rule 49 Deliberate Injury of Opponents.
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Rule 52. Face-Offs
(a) The puck shall be "faced-off" by the Referee or the Linesman
dropping the puck on the ice between the sticks of the players
"facing-off". Players facing-off will stand squarely facing their
opponent's end of the rink approximately one stick length apart with
the blade of their sticks on the ice. When the face-off takes place
in any of the end face-off circles, the players taking part shall
take their position so that they will stand squarely facing their
opponent's end of the rink. The sticks of both players facing-off
shall have the blade on the ice within the designated white area.
The visiting player shall place his stick within the designated
white area first. No other player shall be allowed to enter the
face-off circle or come within fifteen feet of the players
facing-off the puck and must stand on side on all face-offs. If a
violation of this sub-section of this rule occurs, the Referee or
Linesman shall re-face the puck.
(b) If after warning by the Referee or Linesman, either of the
players fails to take his proper position for the face-off promptly,
the official shall be entitled to face-off the puck notwithstanding
such default.
(c) In the conduct of any face-off anywhere on the playing surface,
no player facing-off shall make any physical contact with his
opponent's body by means of his own body or by his stick except in
the course of playing the puck after the face-off has been
completed. For violation of this rule, the Referee shall impose a
minor penalty or penalties on the player(s) whose action(s) caused
the physical contact.
(NOTE) "Conduct of any face-off" commences when the Referee
designates the place of the face-off and he (or the Linesman)
takes up his position to drop the puck.
(d) If a player facing-off fails to take his proper position
immediately when directed by the official, the official may order
him replaced for that face-off by any teammate then on the ice. No
substitution of players shall be permitted until the face-off has
been completed and play has resumed except when a penalty is imposed
which affects the on-ice strength of either team.
(e) A second violation of any of the provisions of sub-section (a)
hereof by the same team during the same face-off shall be penalized
with a minor penalty to the player who commits the second violation
of the rule. The official must drop the puck twice in order to have
a second face-off violation. During end zone face-offs, all other
players on the ice must position their bodies and sticks on their
own side of the restraining lines marked on the outer edge of the
face-off circles. If a player other than the player taking the
face-off moves into the face-off circle prior to the dropping of the
puck, then the offending team's player taking the face-off shall be
ejected from the face-off circle. If a violation of this rule
occurs, the Referee or Linesman shall order another face-off, unless
the non-offending team wins the draw.
(f) When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage
of play has been caused by any player of the attacking side in the
attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be made in the neutral
zone on the nearest face-off spot.
(NOTE) This includes stoppage of play caused by a player of the
attacking side shooting the puck on the back of the defending
team's net without any intervening action by the defending team.
(g) When an infringement of a rule has been committed by players of
both sides in the play resulting in the stoppage, the ensuing
face-off will be made at the place of such infringement or at the
place where play is stopped.
(h) When stoppage occurs between the end face-off spots and near end
of the rink, the puck shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot on
the side where the stoppage occurs unless otherwise expressly
provided by these rules.
(i) No face-off shall be made within fifteen feet of the goal or
sideboards.
(j) When a goal is illegally scored as a result of a puck being
deflected directly off an Official anywhere in the defending zone,
the resulting face-off shall be made at the end face-off spot in the
defending zone.
(k) When the game is stopped for any reason not specifically covered
in the official rules, the puck must be faced-off where it was last
played.
(l) The whistle will not be blown by the official to start play.
Playing time will commence from the instant the puck is faced-off
and will stop when the whistle is blown or a goal is scored.
(m) Following a stoppage of play, should one or both defensemen who
are the point players or any player coming from the bench of the
attacking team, enter into the attacking zone beyond the outer edge
of the corner face-off circle, the ensuing face-off shall take place
in the neutral zone near the blue line of the defending team.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 53. Falling on Puck
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player other than the
goalkeeper who deliberately falls on or gathers the puck into his
body.
(NOTE) Any player who drops to his knees to block a shot should
not be penalized if the puck is shot under him or becomes lodged
in his clothing or equipment but any use of the hands to make
the puck unplayable should be penalized promptly.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who, when he is
in his own goal crease, deliberately falls on or gathers the puck
into his body or who holds or places the puck against any part of
the goal in such a manner as to cause a stoppage of play unless he
is actually being checked by an opponent.
(NOTE) Refer to Rule 74(b) Puck Must Be Kept In Motion for the
Rule governing freezing of the puck by a goalkeeper outside of
his crease area.
(c) No defending player, except the goalkeeper, will be permitted to
fall on the puck, hold the puck or gather the puck into the body or
hands when the puck is within the goal crease. For infringement of
this rule, play shall immediately be stopped and a penalty shot
shall be ordered against the offending team, but no other penalty
shall be given.
(NOTE) The rule shall be interpreted so that a penalty shot will
be awarded only when the puck is in the crease at the instant
the offense occurs. However, in cases where the puck is outside
the crease, Rule 53(a) may still apply and a minor penalty may
be imposed, even though no penalty shot is awarded.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 54. Fisticuffs
(NOTE) An altercation is a situation involving two players, with
at least one to be penalized.
(a) A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who engages in
fisticuffs. In addition, a minor or a major and/or a game
misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be
imposed on any player involved in fisticuffs. A player deemed to be
the instigator of fisticuffs shall be assessed a game misconduct.
If such player is wearing a face shield, he shall be assessed an
additional minor penalty. These penalties are in addition to any
other penalty incurred in the same incident. A player who
deliberately removes his sweater prior to participating in an
altercation shall be assessed a minor penalty for instigation and a
game misconduct. This is in addition to other penalties to be
assessed to the participants of an altercation.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who, having been
struck, shall retaliate with a blow or attempted blow. However, at
the discretion of the Referee, a major or a double-minor penalty or
a game misconduct penalty may be imposed if such player continues
the altercation.
(NOTE 1) It is the intent and purpose of this rule that the
Referee shall impose the "major and game misconduct" penalty in
all cases where the instigator or retaliator of the fight is the
aggressor and is plainly doing so for the purpose of
intimidation or punishment.
(NOTE 2) The Referee is provided very wide latitude in the
penalties which he may impose under this rule. This is done
intentionally to enable him to differentiate between the obvious
degrees of responsibility of the participants either for
starting the fighting or persisting in continuing the fighting.
The discretion provided should be exercised realistically.
(NOTE 3) Referees are directed to employ every means provided by
these rules to stop "brawling" and should use this rule and
Rules 42(e) and (f) Abuse of Officials and other Misconduct.
(NOTE 4) Any player wearing tape or any other material on his
hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during
an altercation will receive a match penalty under Rule 49
Deliberate Injury of Opponents.
(c) A misconduct or game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any
player involved in fisticuffs off the playing surface or with
another player who is off the playing surface.
(d) A game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee,
shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who is the first to
intervene in an altercation then in progress except when a match
penalty is being imposed in the original altercation. This penalty
is in addition to any other penalty incurred in the same incident.
(e) When a fight occurs, all players not engaged shall go
immediately to the area of their players' bench and in the event the
altercation takes place at a players' bench, the players on the ice
from that team shall go to their defensive zone. Failure to comply
with the Rule shall, in addition to the other penalties that may be
assessed, result in a fine to the team of $1,000 and the Coach of
said team in the amount of $1,000.
(f) A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who is
assessed a major penalty for fighting after the original
altercation. Notwithstanding this rule, at the discretion of the
Referee, the automatic game misconduct penalty may be waived for a
player in the altercation if the opposing player was clearly the
instigator of the altercation.
(g) Any teams whose players become involved in an altercation, other
than during the periods of the game, shall be fined automatically
twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in addition to any other
appropriate penalties that may be imposed upon the participating
players by supplementary discipline or otherwise. Any player who
would be deemed to be an instigator pursuant to Rule 54(a) at a time
other than during the periods of the game shall be suspended
automatically for ten (10) games. Such determination may be made by
the Referee at the time of the incident or subsequently by the
Commissioner or his designee based upon such reports and other
information as he deems sufficient, including but not limited to
television tapes.
(NOTE) In the case of altercations taking place after the period
or game the fine under this rule shall be assessed only in the
event that an altercation is commenced after the period or game
has terminated.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 55. Goals and Assists
(NOTE) It is the responsibility of the Official Scorer to award
goals and assists, and his decision in this respect is final
notwithstanding the report of the Referee or any other game
official. Such awards shall be made or withheld strictly in
accordance with the provisions of this rule. Therefore, it is
essential that the Official Scorer be thoroughly familiar with
every aspect of this rule, be alert to observe all actions which
could affect the making of an award and, above all, the awards
must be made or withheld with absolute impartiality. In case of
an obvious error in awarding a goal or an assist which has been
announced, it should be corrected promptly but changes should
not be made in the official scoring summary after the Referee
has signed the Game Report.
(a) A goal shall be scored when the puck shall have been put between
the goal posts by the stick of a player of the attacking side, from
in front and below the cross bar, and entirely across a red line,
the width of the diameter of the goal posts drawn on the ice from
one goal post to the other with the goal frame in its proper
position.
(b) A goal shall be scored if the puck is put into the goal in any
way by a player of the defending side. The player of the attacking
side who last played the puck shall be credited with the goal but no
assist shall be awarded.
(c) A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who bats or kicks
the puck directly into the net. A goal cannot be scored where an
attacking player bats or kicks the puck and it is deflected off any
player or goalkeeper into the net.
(d) If the puck shall have been deflected into the goal from the
shot of an attacking player by striking any part of the person of a
player of the same side, a goal shall be allowed. The player who
deflected the puck shall be credited with the goal. The goal shall
not be allowed if the puck has been kicked, whether intended or not.
In addition, the goal shall not be allowed if the puck has been
thrown or otherwise deliberately directed into the goal by any means
other than a stick.
(e) If a goal is scored as a result of being deflected directly into
the net off an official, the goal shall not be allowed. Refer to
Rule 76 Puck Striking Official.
(f) Should a player legally propel a puck into the goal crease of
the opponent club and the puck should become loose and available to
another player of the attacking side, a goal scored on the play
shall be legal.
(g) Any goal scored, other than as covered by the official rules,
shall not be allowed.
(h) A "goal" shall be credited in the scoring records to a player
who shall have propelled the puck into the opponent's goal. Each
"goal" shall count one point in the player's record.
(i) When a player scores a goal, an "assist" shall be credited to
the player or players taking part in the play immediately preceding
the goal, but no more than two assists can be given on any goal.
Each "assist" shall count one point in the player's record.
(j) Only one point can be credited to any one player on a goal.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 56. Gross Misconduct
Refer to Rule 29 Misconduct Penalty
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 57. Handling Puck with Hands
(a) If a player, except a goalkeeper, closes his hand on the puck,
the play shall be stopped and a minor penalty shall be imposed on
him. A goalkeeper who holds the puck with his hands for longer than
three seconds shall be given a minor penalty unless he is actually
being checked by an opponent.
(b) A goalkeeper must not deliberately hold the puck in any manner
which, in the opinion of the Referee, causes a stoppage of play, nor
throw the puck forward towards the opponent's net, nor deliberately
drop the puck into his pads or onto the goal net, nor deliberately
pile up snow or obstacles at or near his net, that in the opinion of
the Referee, would tend to prevent the scoring of a goal.
(NOTE) The object of this entire rule is to keep the puck in
play continuously and any action taken by the goalkeeper which
causes an unnecessary stoppage must be penalized without
warning.
(c) The penalty for infringement of this rule by the goalkeeper
shall be a minor penalty.
(NOTE) In the case of the puck thrown forward by the goalkeeper
being taken by an opponent, the Referee shall allow the
resulting play to be completed, and if goal is scored by the
non-offending team, it shall be allowed and no penalty given;
but if a goal is not scored, play shall be stopped and a minor
penalty shall be imposed against the goalkeeper.
(d) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player,except the
goalkeeper, who, while play is in progress, picks up the puck off
the ice with his hand. If a player, except a goalkeeper, while play
is in progress, picks up the puck with his hand from the ice in the
goal crease area, the play shall be stopped immediately and a
penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending team.
(e) A player shall be permitted to stop or "bat" a puck in the air
with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the
play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he
has deliberately directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other
than the defensive zone, in which case the play shall be stopped and
the puck faced-off at the spot where the offense occurred. Play
will not be stopped for any hand pass by players in their own
defensive zone.
(NOTE) The object of this rule is to ensure continuous action
and the Referee should NOT stop play unless he is satisfied that
the directing of the puck to a teammate was, in fact,
DELIBERATE. A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who
bats the puck with his hand directly into the net. A goal
cannot be scored by an attacking player who bats the puck and it
is deflected into the net off any player or goalkeeper.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 58. High Sticks
(a) The carrying of sticks above the normal height of the WAIST of
the opponent is prohibited and a minor, double-minor or major
penalty may be imposed on a player violating this rule, at the
discretion of the Referee.
(b) A goal scored by an attacking player who strikes the puck with
his stick which is carried above the height of the crossbar of the
goal frame shall not be allowed. A goal scored by a defending
player who strikes the puck with his stick which is carried above
the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall be allowed.
(c) When a player carries or holds any part of his stick above the
normal height of the WAIST of the opponent so that injury results
the Referee shall:
(1) assess a double-minor penalty when it is deemed to be
accidental in nature by the officials;
(2) assess a major and game-misconduct when the high stick is
deemed to be careless by the officials. Refer to Rule 29(f) and
28(b). When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a
foul resulting in injury to an opponent, an automatic fine of
one hundred dollars ($100) shall also be imposed. Also, when a
major penalty is imposed under this rule, the player, excluding
goalkeepers, shall receive automatically a game misconduct
penalty.
(d) Batting the puck above the normal height of the shoulders with
the stick is prohibited and when it occurs, there shall be a whistle
and ensuing face-off at the spot where the offense occurred or at
the spot where the puck is touched when a territorial advantage has
been gained by the offending team, unless:
(1) the puck has been batted to an opponent in which case the
play shall continue;
(2) a player of the defending side shall bat the puck into his
own goal in which case the goal shall be allowed.
(NOTE) When a player bats the puck to an opponent under
sub-section 1, the Referee shall give the "washout" signal
immediately. Otherwise, he will stop the play.
(e) When either team is below the numerical strength of its opponent
and a player of the team of greater numerical strength causes a
stoppage of play by striking the puck with his stick above the
height of his shoulder, the resulting face-off shall be made at one
of the end face-off spots adjacent to the goal of the team causing
the stoppage.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 59. Holding an Opponent
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who holds an
opponent with hands or stick or in any other way.
(b) A minor penalty shall be assessed to a player who uses his hand
to hold an opponent's stick.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 60. Hooking
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who impedes or
seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by "hooking" with his
stick.
(b) A major penalty shall be be imposed on any player who injures an
opponent by "hooking". When a major penalty is imposed under this
rule for a foul resulting in injury to the face or head of an
opponent, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall also
be imposed.
(NOTE) When a player is checking another in such a way that
there is only stick-to-stick contact, such action is neither
hooking or holding.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 61. Icing the Puck
(a) For the purpose of this rule, the center red line will divide
the ice into halves. Should any player of a team, equal or superior
in numerical strength to the opposing team, shoot, bat or deflect
the puck from his own half of the ice beyond the goal line of the
opposing team, play shall be stopped and the puck faced-off at the
end face-off spot of the offending team, unless on the play, the
puck shall have entered the net of the opposing team, in which case
the goal shall be allowed. For the purpose of this rule, the point
of last contact with the puck by the team in possession shall be
used to determine whether icing has occurred or not.
(NOTE 1) If during the period of a delayed whistle due to a foul
by a player of the side NOT in possession, the side inpossession
"ices" the puck, then the face-off following the stoppage of
play shall take place in the neutral zone near the defending
blue line of the team icing the puck.
(NOTE 2) When a team is "short-handed" as the result of a
penalty and the penalty is about to expire, the decision as to
whether there has been an "icing" shall be determined at the
instant the penalty expires. The action of the penalized player
remaining in the penalty box will not alter the ruling.
(NOTE 3) For the purpose of interpretation of the rule, "icing
the puck" is completed the instant the puck is touched first by
a defending player (other than the goalkeeper) after it has
crossed the goal line and if in the action of so touching the
puck, it is knocked or deflected into the net, it is NO goal.
(NOTE 4) When the puck is shot and rebounds from the body or
stick of an opponent in his own half of the ice so as to cross
the goal line of the player shooting, it shall not be considered
as "icing".
(NOTE 5) Notwithstanding the provisions of the section
concerning "batting" the puck in respect to the "icing the puck"
rule, the provisions of the final paragraph of Rule 57(e) apply
and NO goal can be scored by batting the puck with the hand into
the opponent's goal whether intended or not.
(NOTE 6) If while the Linesman has signalled a slow whistle for
a clean interception under Rule 71(c), the player intercepting
shoots or bats the puck beyond the opponent's goal line in such
a manner as to constitute "icing the puck", the Linesman "slow
whistle" shall be considered exhausted the instant the puck
crosses the blue line and "icing" shall be called in the usual
manner.
(b) If a player of the side shooting the puck down the ice who is
on-side and eligible to play the puck does so before it is touched
by an opposing player, the play shall continue and it shall not be
considered a violation of this rule.
(c) If the puck was so shot by a player of a side below the
numerical strength of the opposing team, play shall continue and the
face-off shall not take place.
(NOTE) If the team returns to full strength following a shot by
one of its players, play shall continue and the face-off shall
not take place.
(d) If, however, the puck shall go beyond the goal line in the
opposite half of the ice directly from either of the players while
facing-off, it shall not be considered a violation of this rule.
(e) If, in the opinion of the Linesman, a player of the opposing
team except the goalkeeper is able to play the puck before it passes
his goal line, but has not done so, the face-off shall not be
allowed and play shall continue. If, in the opinion of the Referee,
the defending side intentionally abstains from playing the puck
promptly when they are in a position to do so, he shall stop the
play and order the resulting face-off on the adjacent corner
face-off spot nearest the goal of the team at fault.
(NOTE) The purpose of this section is to enforce continuous
action and both Referee and Linesmen should interpret and apply
the rule to produce this result.
(f) If the puck touches any part of a player of the opposing side,
including his skates or his stick, or if it passes through any part
of the goal crease before it reaches the opposing team's goal line,
or if it touches any part of the opposing team's goalkeeper,
including his skates or his stick, at any time before or after
crossing the goal line, it shall not be considered.
(NOTE) If a goalkeeper takes any action to dislodge the puck
from the back of the net, icing shall be washed out.
(g) If a goalkeeper has been removed from the playing surface for an
extra player (teams at equal or superior in numerical strength), the
icing rule shall be in effect if the puck passes through or touches
any part of the goal crease before it crosses the goal line.
(h) If the Linesman shall have erred in calling an "icing the puck"
infraction (regardless of whether either team is short-handed), the
puck shall be faced-off on the center ice face-off spot.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 62. Interference
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with
or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of
the puck, or who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent's
hand, or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any
other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it, or who
knocks or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or
other debris towards an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could
cause him to be distracted. (See also Rule 81(a).)
(NOTE) The last player to touch the puck, other than the
goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. In
interpreting this rule, the Referee should make sure which of
the players is the one creating the interference. Often, it is
the action and movement of the attacking player which causes the
interference since the defending players are entitled to "stand
their ground" or "shadow" the attacking players. Players of the
side in possession shall not abe allowed to "run" deliberate
interference for the puck carrier.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the players'
bench or on the penalty bench who, by means of his stick or his
body, interferes with the movements of the puck or of any opponent
on the ice during the progress of the play.
(c) If when the goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, any member
of his team (including the goalkeeper) not legally on the ice,
including the Manager, Coach or Trainer, interferes by means of his
body, stick or any other object with the movements of the puck or an
opposing player, the Referee shall immediately award a goal to the
non-offending team.
(d) When a player in control of the puck on his opponent's side of
the center red line and having no other opponent to pass than the
goalkeeper is interfered with by a stick or any part thereof or any
other object thrown or shot by any member of the defending team
including the Manager, Coach or Trainer, a penalty shot shall be
awarded to the non-offending team.
(NOTE) The attention of Referees is directed particularly to
three types of offensive interference which should be penalized:
(1) When the defending team secures possession of the puck in
its own end and the other players of that team run interference
for the puck carrier by forming a protective screen against
forecheckers;
(2) When a player facing-off obstructs his opposing number after
the face-off when the opponent is not in possession of the puck;
(3) When the puck carrier makes a drop pass and follows through
so as to make bodily contact with an opposing player. Defensive
interference consists of bodily contact with an opposing player
who is not in possession of the puck.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 63. Interference by/with Spectators
(a) In the event of a player being held or interfered with by a
spectator, the Referee or Linesman shall blow the whistle and play
shall be stopped unless the team of the player interfered with is in
possession of the puck at this time when the play shall be allowed
to be completed before blowing the whistle and the puck shall be
faced-off at the spot where last played at time of stoppage.
(b) Any player who physically interferes with the spectators shall
automatically incur a gross misconduct penalty and the Referee shall
report all such infractions to the Commissioner who shall have full
power to impose such further penalty as he shall deem appropriate.
(c) In the event that objects are thrown on the ice which interfere
with the progress of the game, the Referee shall blow the whistle
and stop the play and the puck shall be faced-off at the spot play
is stopped.
(NOTE) The Referee shall report to the Commissioner for
disciplinary action all cases in which a player becomes involved
in an altercation with a spectator.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 64. Kicking a Player
A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who kicks or attempts
to kick another player. Whether or not an injury occurs, the
Referee may, at his own discretion, impose a five minute time
penalty under this rule. Refer to Rule 44 Attempt to Injure or
Rule 49 Deliberate Injury of an Opponent.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 65. Kicking the Puck
Kicking the puck shall be permitted in all zones. A goal cannot be
scored by an attacking player who kicks the puck directly into the
net, whether intended or not. A goal cannot be scored by an
attacking player who kicks the puck and it is deflected into the net
off any player, goalkeeper or Official.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 66. Leaving Players' orPenalty Bench
(a) No player may leave the players' or penalty bench at any time
during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation.
Substitutions made prior to the altercation shall be permitted,
provided the players so substituting do not enter the altercation.
(b) For violation of this rule, a game misconduct penalty shall be
imposed on the player who was the first or second player to leave
the players' or penalty bench from either or both teams.
(c) The first player to leave the players' or penalty bench from
either or both teams shall be suspended automatically without pay
for the next ten (10) regular League and/or playoff games of his
team.
(d) The second player to leave the bench from either or both teams
shall be suspended automatically without pay for the next five (5)
regular League and/or playoff games.
(NOTE) The determination as to the players penalized under (c)
and (d) of this rule shall be made by the Referee in
consultation with the Linesmen and off-ice officials. In the
event that he is unable to identify the offending players, the
matter will be referred to the Commissioner or his designee and
such determinations may be made subsequently based on reports
and other information including but not limited to television
tapes.
(e) Any team that has a playev penalized under (a) shall be fined
ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the first instance. This fine
shall be increased by five thousand dollars ($5000) for each
subsequent occurrence over the next following three-year period.
(f) All players including the first and second players who leave the
bench during an altercation shall be subject to an automatic fine in
the amount equal to the maximum permitted under the collective
bargaining agreement.
(g) Any player who leaves the penalty bench during an altercation
and is not the first player, shall be suspended automatically
without pay for the next five (5) regular League and/or playoff
games.
(h) Except at the end of each period or on expiration of his
penalty, no player may, at any time, leave the penalty bench.
(i) A penalized player who leaves the penalty bench before his
penalty has expired, whether play is in progress or not, shall incur
an additional minor penalty, after serving his unexpired penalty.
(j) Any penalized player leaving the penalty bench during stoppage
of play and during an altercation shall incur a minor penalty plus a
game misconduct penalty after serving his unexpired time.
(k) If a player leaves the penalty bench before his penalty is fully
served, the Penalty Timekeeper shall note the time and signal the
Referee who will immediately stop play.
(l) In the case of a player returning to the ice before his time has
expired through an error of the Penalty Timekeeper, he is not to
serve an additional penalty, but must serve his unexpired time.
(m) If a player of the attacking side in possession of the puck
shall be in such a position as to have no opposition between him and
the opposing goalkeeper, and while in such position he shall be
interfered with by a player of the opposing side who shall have
illegally entered the game, the Referee shall impose a penalty shot
against the side to which the offending player belongs.
(n) If the opposing goalkeeper has been removed and an attacking
player in possession of the puck shall have no player of the
defending team to pass and a stick or a part thereof or any other
object is thrown or shot by an opposing player, or the player is
fouled from behind thereby being prevented from having a clear shot
on an open goal, a goal shall be awarded against the offending team.
If when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, a
player of the side attacking the unattended goal is interfered with
by a player who shall have entered the game illegally, the Referee
shall immediately award a goal to the non-offending team.
(o) If a Coach or Manager gets on the ice after the start of a
period and before that period is ended, the Referee shall impose a
bench minor penalty against the team and report the incident to the
Commissioner for disciplinary action.
(p) Any club executive or Manager committing the same offense will
be automatically fined two hundred dollars ($200).
(q) If a penalized player returns to the ice from the penalty bench
before his penalty has expired by his own error or the error of the
Penalty Timekeeper, any goal scored by his own team while he is
illegally on the ice shall be disallowed but all penalties imposed
on either team shall be served as regular penalties.
(r) If a player shall illegally enter the game from his own players'
bench or from the penalty bench, any goal scored by his own team
while he is illegally on the ice shall be disallowed but all
penalties imposed on either team shall be served as regular
penalties.
(s) A bench minor penalty shall be imposed on a team whose player(s)
leave the players' bench for any purpose other than a change of
players and when no altercation is in progress.
(t) Any player who has been ordered to the dressing room by the
Referee and returns to his bench or to the ice for any reason before
the appropriate time shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty and
shall be suspended automatically without pay for the next ten (10)
regular League and/or playoff games.
(u) The Coach of the team whose player was the first to leave the
players' bench during an altercation shall be suspended
automatically for the next five (5) regular League and/or playoff
games of his club and shall be fined one thousand dollars ($1,000).
The Coach of the team whose players came off the bench subsequently
shall be suspended automatically for the next three (3) regular
League and/or playoff games of his club and shall be fined one
thousand dollars ($1,000). For each subsequent offense of this rule
by either or both Coaches over a three-year period, the fines and
suspensions shall be doubled.
(v) For all suspensions imposed on players under this rule, the club
of the player shall pay to the League a sum equal to the pro-rata of
that player's salary covered by the suspension. For purposes of
computing amounts due for a player's suspension, the player's fixed
salary shall be divided by the number of days in the regular season
and then, said result shall be multiplied by the number of games
suspended. In addition, any club that is deemed by the Commissioner
to pay or reimburse to the player the amount of the fine or loss of
salary assessed under this rule shall be fined automatically one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(NOTE) In the event that suspensions imposed under this rule
cannot be completed in regular League and/or playoff games in
any one season, the remainder of the suspension shall be served
the following season.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 67. Physical Abuse of Officials
(a) Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner
against an official, in any manner attempts to injure an official,
deliberately makes contact with an official, physically demeans an
official or deliberately applies physical force to an official
solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or
immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct
penalty. In addition, the following disciplinary penalties shall
apply: CATEGORY I Any player who deliberately strikes an official
and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any
manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any
manner attempts to injure an official shall be automatically
suspended for not less than 20 games. (For the purpose of the rule,
"intent to injure" shall mean any physical force which a player knew
or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury.)
CATEGORY II Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an
official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category
One), which physical force is applied without intent to injure,
shall be automatically suspended for not less than 10 games.
CATEGORY III Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an
official or who deliberately applies physical force to an official
solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or
immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less
than 3 games. Immediately after the game in which such game
misconduct penalty is imposed, the Referee shall, in consultation
with the Linesmen, decide the category of the offense. He shall
make an oral report to the Commissioner and advise of the category
and of the offense. In addition, he shall file a written report to
the Commissioner in which he may request a review as to the adequacy
of the suspension. The player and club involved shall be notified
of the decision of the Referee on the morning following the game and
the player may request the Commissioner to review, subject to the
provisions of this rule, the penalty imposed by the Referee. Such
request must be filed with the Commissioner in writing not later
than 72 hours following notification of the penalty. No appeal to
the Board of Governors pursuant to By-Law 17 shall be available to
the player unless a review has been conducted as provided herein.
If a review of the incident is requested by either the player or by
the official, a hearing will be conducted by the Commissioner as
soon as practical prior to the fourth game of any suspension. The
player's suspension shall continue pending the outcome of the
hearing by the Commissioner. After any review as called for hereby,
the Commissioner shall issue an order either:
(1) sustaining the minimum suspension, or . . .
(2) increasing the number of games within the category, or . . .
(3) changing to a lower category, or . . .
(4) changing to a lower category and increasing the number of
games within the category. A player shall have the right of
appeal from any such order pursuant to By-Law 17.11. Upon such
appeal, the Board of Governors' determination shall be one of
the four alternatives listed above. The penalties imposed under
this rule shall not be deemed to limit the right of the
Commissioner with respect to any action that he might otherwise
take under By-Law 17. In the event that the player has
committed more than one offense under this rule, in addition to
the penalties imposed under this offense, his case shall be
referred to the Commissioner of the League for consideration of
supplementary disciplinary action. (In all instances where the
Commissioner is referred to in this rule, it shall mean the
Commissioner or his designee.)
(b) Any club executive, Manager, Coach or Trainer who holds or
strikes an official shall be automatically suspended from the game,
ordered to the dressing room and a substantial fine shall be imposed
by the Commissioner.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 68. Obscene or Profane Language or Gestures
(a) Players shall not use obscene gestures on the ice or anywhere in
the rink before, during or after the game. For a violation of the
rule, a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed and the Referee
shall report the circumstances to the Commissioner of the League for
further disciplinary action.
(b) Players shall not use profane language on the ice or anywhere in
the rink before, during or after a game. For violation of this
rule, a misconduct penalty shall be imposed except when the
violation occurs in the vicinity of the players' bench in which case
a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.
(NOTE) It is the responsibility of all game officials and all
club officials to send a confidential report to the Commissioner
setting out the full details concerning the use of obscene
gestures or language by any player, Coach or other official.
The Commissioner shall take such further disciplinary action as
he shall deem appropriate.
(c) Club executives, Managers, Coaches and Trainers shall not use
obscene or profane language or gestures anywhere in the rink. For
violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 69. Off-Sides
(a) The position of the player's skates and not that of his stick
shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an
"off-side". A player is off-side when both skates are completely
over the outer edge of the determining center line or blue line
involved in the play.
(NOTE 1) A player is "on-side" when either of his skates are in
contact with or on his own side of the line at the instant the
puck completely crosses the outer edge of that line regardless
of the position of his stick. However, if while an off-side
call is delayed, players of the offending team clear the zone,
the Linesman shall drop his arm and the play is no longer
off-side.
(NOTE 2) It should be noted that while the position of the
player's skates is what determines whether a player is
"off-side", nevertheless the question of an "off-side" never
arises until the puck has completely crossed the outer edge of
the line at which time the decision is to be made.
(b) If in the opinion of the Linesman, an intentional off-side play
has been made, the puck shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot
in the defending zone of the offending team.
(NOTE 1) An intentional off-side is one which is made for the
purpose of securing a stoppage of play regardless of the reason,
whether either team is short-handed.
(NOTE 2) If, while an off-side call is delayed, a player of the
offending team deliberately touches the puck to create a
stoppage of play, the Linesman will signal an intentional
off-side.
(c) If a Linesman errs in calling an off-side pass infraction
(regardless of whether either team is short-handed), the puck shall
be faced-off on the center ice face-off spot.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 70. Passes
(a) The puck may be passed by any player to a player of the same
side within any one of the three zones into which the ice is
divided, but it may not be passed forward from a player in one zone
to a player of the same side in another zone, except by players of
the defending team who may make and take forward passes from their
own defending zone to the center line without incurring an off-side
penalty. This forward pass from the defending zone must be
completed by the pass receiver who is preceded by the puck across
the center line, otherwise the play shall be stopped and the
face-off shall be at the point from which the pass was made.
(NOTE 1) The position of the puck and not that of the player's
skates shall be the determining factor in deciding from which
zone the pass was made.
(NOTE 2) Passes may be completed legally at the center red line
in exactly the same manner as passes at the attacking blue line.
(NOTE 3) In the event the player has preceded the puck at the
center line he may become eligible to play the puck if he makes
skate contact with the line prior to playing the puck.
(b) Should the puck having been passed, contact any part of the
body, stick or skates of a player of the same side who is legally
on-side, the pass shall be considered to have been completed.
(c) The player last touched by the puck shall be deemed to be in
possession. Rebounds off goalkeepers' pads or other equipment shall
not be considered as a change of possession or completion of the
play by the team when applying Rule 34(b) Calling of Penalties.
(d) If a player in the neutral zone is preceded in the attacking
zone by the puck passed from the neutral zone, he shall be eligible
to take possession of the puck anywhere in the attacking zone except
when the "icing the Puck" rule applies.
(e) If a player in the same zone from which a pass is made is
preceded by the puck into succeeding zones, he shall be eligible to
take possession of the puck in that zone except where the "icing the
Puck" rule applies.
(f) If an attacking player passes the puck backward toward his own
goal from the attacking zone, an opponent may play the puck anywhere
regardless of whether the opponent was in the same zone at the time
the puck was passed. (No "slow whistle".)
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 71. Preceding Puck into Attacking Zone
(a) Players of the attacking team must not precede the puck into the
attacking zone.
(b) For violation of this rule, the play is stopped and the puck
shall be faced-off in the neutral zone at the face-off spot nearest
the attacking zone of the offending team.
(NOTE) A player actually controlling the puck who shall cross
the line ahead of the puck shall not be considered "off-side".
(c) If however, notwithstand-ing the fact that a member of the
attacking team shall have preceded the puck into the attacking zone,
the puck is cleanly intercepted by a member of the defending team at
or near the blue line and is carried out or passed by them into the
neutral zone, the "off-side" shall be ignored and play permitted to
continue. (Officials will carry out this rule by means of the "slow
whistle".)
(d) If a player legally carries or passes the puck back into his own
defending zone while a player of the opposing team is in such
defending zone, the "off-side" shall be ignored and play permitted
to continue. (No "slow whistle".)
(NOTE) If a puck clearly deflects off a defending player in the
neutral zone, back into the defending zone, all attacking
players are eligible to play the puck.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 72. Protection of Goalkeeper
(a) A minor penalty for interference shall be imposed on a player
who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with or impedes
the movements of the goalkeeper by actual physical contact.
(NOTE) A goalkeeper is not "fair game" just because he is
outside the goal crease area. A penalty for interference or
charging (minor or major) should be called in every case where
an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with the
goalkeeper. Likewise, referees should be alert to penalize
goalkeepers for tripping, slashing, or spearing in the vicinity
of the goal.
(b) Unless the puck is in the goal crease area, a player of the
attacking side may not stand in the goal crease. If the puck should
enter the net while such conditions prevail the goal shall not be
allowed. If an attacking player has physically interfered with the
goalkeeper, prior to or during the scoring of the goal, the goal
will be disallowed and a penalty for goaltender interference will be
assessed. The ensuing face-off shall be taken in the neutral zone
at the face-off spot nearest the attacking zone of the offending
team.
(c) If a player of the attacking side has been physically interfered
with by the action of any defending player so as to cause him to be
in the goal crease and the puck should enter the net while the
player so interfered with is still in the goal crease, the goal
shall be allowed.
(d) A minor penalty shall be assessed to a player of the attacking
side who having been interfered with fails to avoid making contact
with the goalkeeper. In addition, if a goal is scored it shall be
disallowed.
(e) A minor penalty for interference shall be imposed on any
attacking player, who makes deliberate contact with a goalkeeper
whether in or out of the crease. At the discretion of the Referee a
major penalty may be imposed under Rule 47(c) Charging.
(f) A minor and misconduct penalty shall be imposed on an attacking
player, not in possession of the puck, who is tripped or caused to
fall and fails to attempt to avoid contact with the goalkeeper
whether he is in or out of his crease.
(g) In the event that a goalkeeper has been pushed into the net
together with the puck after making the stop, the goal will be
disallowed. If applicable, the appropriate penalties will be
assessed.
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Rule 73. Puck Out of Bounds or Unplayable
(a) When the puck goes outside the playing area at either end or
either side of the rink, or strikes any obstacles above the playing
surface other than the boards or glass, it shall be faced-off from
where it was shot or deflected unless otherwise expressly provided
in these rules.
(b) When the puck becomes lodged in the netting on the outside of
either goal so as to make it unplayable, or if it is frozen between
opposing players intentionally or otherwise, the Referee shall stop
the play and face-off the puck at either of the adjacent face-off
spots unless in the opinion of the Referee, the stoppage was caused
by a player of the attacking team, in which case the resulting
face-off shall be conducted in the neutral zone.
(NOTE) This includes a stoppage of play caused by a player of
the attacking side shooting the puck onto the back of the
defending team's net without any intervening action by the
defending team. The defending team and/or the attacking team
may play the puck off the net at any time. However, should the
puck remain on the net for more than three seconds, play shall
be stopped and the face-off shall take place in the end face-off
zone except when the stoppage is caused by the attacking team,
then the face-off shall take place on a face-off spot in the
neutral zone.
(c) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who
deliberately drops the puck on the goal netting to cause a stoppage
of play.
(d) If the puck comes to rest on top of the boards surrounding the
playing area, it shall be considered to be in play and may be played
legally by hand or stick.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 74. Puck Must Be Kept in Motion
(a) The puck must at all times be kept in motion.
(b) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player, including the
goalkeeper, who holds, freezes or plays the puck with his stick,
skates or body in such a manner as to deliberately cause a stoppage
of play.
(NOTE) With regard to a goalkeeper, this rule applies outside of
his goal crease area.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 75. Puck Out of Sight and Illegal Puck
(a) Should a scramble take place or a player accidentally fall on
the puck and the puck be out of sight of the Referee, he shall
immediately blow his whistle and stop the play. The puck shall then
be faced-off at the point where the play was stopped unless
otherwise provided for in the rules.
(b) If at any time while play is in progress, a puck other than the
one legally in play shall appear on the playing surface, the play
shall not be stopped but shall continue with the legal puck until
the play then in progress is completed by change of possession.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 76. Puck Striking Official
Play shall not be stopped if the puck touches an official anywhere
on the rink, regardless of whether a team is shorthanded or not. A
puck that deflects back into the defensive zone, off an official who
is in the neutral zone, may be deemed to be off-side as per Rule 69
(Note 1) Off-Sides. If a goal is scored as a result of being
deflected directly into the net off an official the goal shall not
be allowed.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 77. Refusing to Start Play
(a) If when both teams are on the ice, one team for any reason shall
refuse to play when ordered to do so by the Referee, he shall warn
the Captain and allow the team so refusing fifteen seconds within
which to begin the play or resume play. If at the end of that time,
the team shall still refuse to play, the Referee shall impose a
two-minute penalty on a player of the offending team to be
designated by the Manager or Coach of that team through the playing
Captain. Should there be a repetition of the same incident, the
Referee shall notify the Manager or Coach that he has been fined the
sum of two hundred dollars ($200). Should the offending team still
refuse to play, the Referee shall have no alternative but to declare
that the game be forfeited to the non-offending club and the case
shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action.
(b) If a team, when ordered to do so by the Referee through its club
executive, Manager or Coach, fails to go on the ice and start play
within five minutes, the club executive, Manager or Coach shall be
fined five hundred dollars ($500), the game shall be forfeited and
the case shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action.
(NOTE) The Commissioner of the League shall issue instructions
pertaining to records, etc., of a forfeited game.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 78. Slashing
(a) A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee,
shall be imposed on any player who impedes or seeks to impede the
progress of an opponent by "slashing" with his stick.
(b) A major and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any
player who injures an opponent by slashing. In addition, a fine of
one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed for each major penalty
assessed under this rule.
(NOTE) Referees should penalize as "slashing" any player who
swings his stick at any opposing player (whether in or out of
range) without actually striking him or where a player, on the
pretext of playing the puck, makes a wild swing at the puck with
the object of intimidating an opponent.
(c) Any player who swings his stick at another player in the course
of an altercation shall be subject to a fine of not less than two
hundred dollars ($200), with or without suspension, to be imposed by
the Commissioner.
(NOTE) The Referee shall impose the normal appropriate penalty
provided in the other sections of this rule and shall, in
addition, report promptly to the Commissioner all infractions
under this section.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 79. Spearing and Butt-Ending
(a) A major penalty and a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed
on a player who spears or butt-ends an opponent.
(b) In addition to the major penalty imposed under this rule, an
automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) will also be imposed.
(NOTE 1) "Spearing" shall mean stabbing an opponent with the
point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried with
one or both hands.
(NOTE 2) "Butt-ending" shall mean using the end of the shaft of
the stick in a jabbing motion.
(NOTE 3) "Spearing" and "Butt-ending" may also be treated as a
deliberate attempt to injure under Rule 44.
(c) A double-minor penalty will be imposed by the officials on a
player who attempts to spear, poke, jab or butt-end an opponent.
(NOTE) Attempts to spear or butt-end will include all cases
where a gesture is made without contact.
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Rule 80. Start of Game and Periods
(a) The game shall be commenced at the time scheduled by a
"face-off" in the center of the rink and shall be renewed promptly
at the conclusion of each intermission in the same manner. No delay
shall be permitted by reason of any ceremony, exhibition,
demonstration or presentation unless consented to reasonably in
advance by the visiting team.
(b) Home clubs shall have the choice of goals to defend at the start
of the game except where both players' benches are on the same side
of the rink, in which case the home club shall start the game
defending the goal nearest to its own bench. The teams shall change
ends for each period of regulation time and, in the playoffs, for
each period of overtime. (See Rule 83(a) NOTE Tied Games)
(c) During the pre-game warm-up (which shall not exceed twenty
minutes in duration) and before the commencement of play in any
period, each team shall confine its activity to its own end of the
rink. Refer to Rule 54(g) Fisticuffs.
(NOTE 1) The Game Timekeeper shall be responsible for signalling
the commencement and termination of the pre-game warm-up and any
violation of this rule by the players shall be reported to the
Commissioner by the supervisor when in attendance at the game.
(NOTE 2) Players shall not be permitted to come on the ice
during a stoppage of play or at the end of the first and second
periods for the purpose of warming-up. The Referee will report
any violation of this rule to the Commissioner for disciplinary
action.
(d) Twenty minutes before the time scheduled for the start of the
game, both teams shall vacate the ice and proceed to their dressing
rooms while the ice is being flooded. Both teams shall be signalled
by the Game Timekeeper to return to the ice together in time for the
scheduled start of the game.
(e) At the beginning of the game, if a team fails to appear on the
ice promptly without proper justification, a fine shall be assessed
against the offending team, the amount of the fine to be decided by
the Commissioner. At the beginning of the second and third periods,
and overtime periods in playoffs (0:00 on the clock), clubs must be
on the ice or be observed to be proceeding to the ice. For failure
to comply, a bench minor penalty for delay of game shall be imposed.
(f) At the end of each period, the home team players must proceed
directly to their dressing room while the visiting team players must
wait for a signal from the Referee to proceed only if they have to
go on the ice to reach their dressing room. Failure to comply with
this regulation will result in a two-minute bench minor for delay of
game.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 81. Throwing Stick
(a) When any player of the defending side or Manager, Coach or
Trainer, deliberately throws or shoots a stick or any part thereof
or any other object at the puck in his defending zone, the Referee
shall allow the play to be completed and if a goal is not scored, a
penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending side, which shot
shall be taken by the player designated by the Referee as the player
fouled. If however, the goal being unattended and the attacking
player having no defending player to pass and having a chance to
score on an "open net", a stick or any part thereof or any other
object be thrown or shot by a member of the defending team,
including the Manager, Coach or Trainer, thereby preventing a shot
on the "open net", a goal shall be awarded to the attacking side.
(NOTE 1) If the officials are unable to determine the person
against whom the offense was made, the offended team, through
the Captain, shall designate a player on the ice at the time the
offense was committed to take the shot.
(NOTE 2) For the purpose of this rule, an open net is defined as
one from which a goalkeeper has been removed for an additional
attacking player.
(b) A major penalty shall be imposed on any player on the ice who
throws his stick or any part thereof or any other object in the
direction of the puck in any zone, except when such act has been
penalized by the assessment of a penalty shot or the award of a
goal.
(NOTE) When the player discards the broken portion of a stick by
tossing it to the side of the ice (and not over the boards) in
such a way as will not interfere with play or opposing player,
no penalty will be imposed for so doing.
(c) A misconduct or game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of
the Referee, shall be imposed on a player who throws his stick or
any part thereof outside the playing area. If the offense is
committed in protest of an official's decision, a minor penalty for
unsportsmanlike conduct plus a game misconduct penalty shall be
assessed to the offending player.
Return to Table of Contents
Rule 82. Time of Match
(a) The time allowed for a game shall be three twenty-minute periods
of actual play with a rest intermission between periods. Play shall
be resumed promptly following each intermission upon the expiry of
fifteen minutes from the completion of play in the preceding period.
A preliminary warning shall be given by the Game Timekeeper to the
officials and to both teams five minutes prior to the resumption of
play in each period and the final warning shall be given two minutes
prior to resumption of play to enable the teams to start play
promptly.
(NOTE) For the purpose of keeping the spectators informed as to
the time remaining during intermissions, the Game Timekeeper
will use the electric clock to record length of intermissions.
(b) The team scoring the greatest number of goals during the three
twenty-minute periods shall be the winner and shall be credited with
two points in the League standing.
(c) In the interval between periods, the ice surface shall be
flooded unless mutually agreed to the contrary.
(d) If any unusual delay occurs within five minutes of the end of
the first or second periods, the Referee may order the next regular
intermission to be taken immediately and the balance of the period
will be completed on the resumption of play with the teams defending
the same goals after which, the teams will change ends and resume
play of the ensuing period without delay.
(NOTE) If a delay takes place with more than five minutes
remaining in the first or second period, the Referee will order
the next regular intermission to be taken immediately only when
requested to do so by the home club.
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Rule 83. Tied Games
(a) If at the end of the three regular twenty-minute periods the
score shall be tied, the teams will play an additional period of not
more than five (5) minutes with the team scoring first being
declared the winner. If at the end of the overtime period, the
score remains tied, each team shall be credited with one point in
the League standing.
(NOTE) The overtime period will be commenced immediately
following a two-minute rest period during which the players will
remain on the ice. The teams will not change ends for the
overtime period.
(b) Special conditions for the duration and number of periods of
Playoff games shall be arranged by the Board of Governors.
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Rule 84. Tripping
(a) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who shall place
his stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that it
shall cause his opponent to trip or fall.
(NOTE 1) If in the opinion of the Referee, a player is
unquestionably hook-checking the puck and obtains possession of
it thereby tripping the puck carrier, no penalty shall be
imposed.
(NOTE 2) Accidental trips occurring simultaneously with or after
a stoppage of play will not be penalized.
(b) When a player, in control of the puck on the opponent's side of
the center red line and having no other opponent to pass than the
goalkeeper, is tripped or otherwise fouled from behind thus
preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, a penalty shot shall be
awarded to the non-offending side. Nevertheless, the Referee shall
not stop play until the attacking side has lost possession of the
puck to the defending side.
(NOTE) The intention of this rule is to restore a reasonable
scoring opportunity which has been lost by reason of a foul from
behind when the foul is committed on the opponent's side of the
center red line. "Control of the puck" means the act of
propelling the puck with the stick. If while it is being
propelled, the puck is touched by another player or his
equipment, hits the goal or goes free, the player shall no
longer be considered to be "in control of the puck".
(c) If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed from the ice,
a player in control of the puck is tripped or otherwise fouled with
no opposition between him and the opposing goal thus preventing a
reasonable scoring opportunity, the Referee shall immediately stop
the play and award a goal to the attacking team.
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Rule 85. Unnecessary Roughness
At the discretion of the Referee, a minor penalty or a double-minor
penalty may be imposed on any player deemed guilty of unnecessary
roughness.
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Rule 86. Time-Outs
Each team shall be permitted to take one thirty-second time-out
during the course of any game, regular-season or playoffs. This
time-out must be taken during a normal stoppage of play. Any player
designated by the Coach will indicate to the Referee that his team
is exercising its option and the Referee will report the time-out to
the Game Timekeeper who shall be responsible for signalling the
termination of the time-out.
(NOTE 1) All players including goalkeepers on the ice at the
time of the time-out will be allowed to go to their respective
benches. Only one team is allowed a time-out per stoppage and
no time-out will be allowed after a reasonable amount of time
has elapsed during a normal stoppage of play.
(NOTE 2) For the purposes of this rule, a commercial stoppage in
play is deemed to be an "official time-out" and not charged to
either team.
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Rule 87. Video Goal Judge
The following situations are subject to review by the Video Goal
Judge:
(a) Puck crossing the goal line.
(b) Puck in the net prior to the goal frame being dislodged.
(c) Puck in the net prior to, or after expiration of time at the end
of the period.
(d) Puck directed into the net by a hand or foot.
(e) Puck deflected into the net off an official.
(f) Puck struck with a high-stick, above the height of the crossbar,
by an attacking player prior to entering the goal.
(g) To establish the correct time on the official game clock,
provided the game time is visible on the Video Goal Judge's
monitors.