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Hockey Canada Rule Book

The content below provides general information about the game of hockey, rules, penalties, common questions and hockey terms.

The Players

Goaltender
The goalie's primary task is simple - keep the puck out of his own net. Offensively, he might start his team down the ice with a pass, but seldom does he leave the net.

Defensemen
These players try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line. They try to break up passes, block shots, cover opposing forwards (center and wings) and clear the puck from in front of their own goal. Offensively, they get the puck to their forwards and follow the play into the attacking zone, positioning themselves just inside their opponent's blue line at the "points."

Center
The quarterback on the ice, the center leads the attack by carrying the puck on offense. He exchanges passes with his wings to steer the play toward the opposing goal. On defense, he tries to disrupt a play before it gets on his team's side of the ice.

Wings
The wings team with the center on the attack to set up shots on goal. Defensively, they attempt to break up plays by their counterparts and upset shot attempts.

Hockey's Two Main Rules

Offside
When any member of the attacking team precedes the puck over the defending team's blue line.

Icing
When a player shoots the puck across the center red line and past the opposing red goal line. Icing is not called if the player's team is killing a penalty, a teammate of the player shooting the puck touches it before a player from the opposing team, the defending goalie touches the puck first or if the puck travels through the crease (semicircle of blue paint at the "mouth" of the goal) on it's way to the red line.

Penalties

A team plays shorthanded when one or more of its players is charged with a penalty. However, no team is forced to play more than two players below full strength (six) at any tiime. If a third penalty is assessed to the same team, it is suspended until the first penalty expires. When a penalty is called on a goalie, a teammate serves his time in the penalty box.

Minor Penalty - Two Minutes
Called for boarding, charging, cross-checking, elbowing, holding, hooking, high-sticking, interference, roughing, slashing, spearing, tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct. A double minor penalty is four minutes.

Major Penalty - Five Minutes
Called for fighting or when minor penalties are committed with deliberate intent to injure. Major penalties for slashing, spearing, high-sticking, butt-ending and cross-checking carry automatic game misconducts.

Misconduct: Ten Minutes
Called for various forms of unsportsmanlike behavior or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game. This is a penalty against an individual and not a team, so a substitute is permitted.

Penalty Shot
A free shot is awarded to a Player who was illegally interfered with during a clear scoring opportunity, or a team illegally delays the game by deliberately moving a goal post or falling on a puck in the crease (see Delay of Game Penalty). If a Player picks up the puck in the goal crease, a Penalty Shot shall be awarded. A player is permitted to 'bat' the puck in the air with the open hand or push it along the floor unless, in the opinion of the Referee, it was deliberately directed to a team mate, in which case play shall be stopped and the puck faced-off at the spot where the offense occurred.

The penalty shot is taken with only the Goalie guarding against it.

The penalty shot will be taken as follows: The Referee shall place the puck on the center face-off spot. The Player to take the Penalty Shot will, on the Referee's whistle, play the puck from there and attempt to score. The Goalie must stay in the crease until the Referee sounds the whistle. The Player taking the shot must keep the puck in motion in the direction of the opponents goal line. Once the shot is taken the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind.



Boarding

Shall be imposed on a Player uses any method (body check, elbow, or tripping) to throw an opponent into the boards. Referee signal: Striking the closed fist of the hand once into the open palm of the other hand. Minor or major penalty.

Butt Ending

Shall be imposed on a Player who uses the butt-end of his stick to hit an opponent. Referee signal: Moving the forearm, fist closed, under the forearm of the other hand held palm down. Minor or major penalty.

Charging

Taking more than three skating strides prior to checking an opponent. Referee Signal: Rotating clenched fists around one another in front of chest. Minor or major penalty.

Checking or hitting an opponent whose back is facing you, often into the boards. Referee Signal: Non-whistle arm placed behind the back, elbow bent, forearm parallel to the ice surface. Minor or major penalty.

Hitting an opponent with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice. Referee Signal: A series of forward and backward motions with both fists clenched in front of the chest. Minor or major penalty.

When a penalty occurs, The Referee may signal a Delayed Penalty until the offending team gains possession of the puck. Referee signal: The non-whistle hand is extended straight above the head. The Referee may point at the offending player until stoppage of play.

1) Shall be imposed on a Player who delays the game by deliberately shooting or batting the puck outside the playing area or by deliberately displacing the goals from there normal position. A Penalty Shot shall be awarded to the opposing team if on a breakaway scoring opportunity the goals are deliberately displaced by a Player. 2) Shall be imposed on a Player, except the Goalie, who does not immediately drop a broken stick. A Player whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided they immediately drop the stick. A Player may not receive a stick thrown on the floor but must obtain one from the player bench. A Goalie may continue to play with the paddle portion of a broken stick until a stoppage of play. 3) Shall be imposed on any Player, other than the Goalie, who deliberately falls on the puck or gathers a puck to the body. A Penalty shall be imposed on a Goalie who deliberately falls on a puck, or gathers it into the body, when entirely outside the boundaries of the goal crease area. 4) Shall be imposed if a Player, except the goalie, closes their hand intentionally on the puck. If a Player picks up the puck in the goal crease, a Penalty Shot shall be awarded to the non-offending team. A player is permitted to 'bat' the puck in the air with the open hand or push it along the floor unless, in the opinion of the Referee, it was deliberately directed to a team mate, in which case play shall be stopped and the puck faced-off at the spot where the offense occurred. Referee signal: The non-whistle hand, palm open, is placed across the chest and then fully extended directly in front of the body. Minor penalty.

Using an elbow in any way to foul an opponent. Referee Signal: Tapping the elbow of the whistle hand with the opposite hand. Minor or major penalty.

Called when a team scores a goal. Referee signal: A single point, with the non-whistle hand, directly at the goal in which the puck legally entered, while simultaneously blowing the whistle.

Shall be imposed on a Player who grabs the opponents face mask. Referee signal: Closed fist held in front of face, palm in, and pulled down in one straight motion. Minor or Major penalty.

Called when a player uses his hand to direct the puck to another player from the same team in the offensive or neutral zone. Hand passes are allowed in the defensive zone. Referee Signal: The non-whistle hand (open hand) and arm are placed straight down alongside the body and swung forward and up once in an underhand motion.

Striking your opponent while carrying the stick above shoulder level. Referee Signal: Holding both fists, clenched, one immediately above the other, at the side of the head. Minor or Major penalty.

Holding an opponent from moving with hands or stick or any other way. Referee Signal: Clasping the wrist of the whistle hand well in front of the chest. Minor penalty.

"Hooking" a stick aroung an opponent to try to block his progress. Referee Signal: A tugging motion with both arms, as if pulling something toward the stomach. Minor penalty.

Shall be imposed on a Player who uses their knee in any way to foul an opponent. Referee signal: Slapping the knee with the palm of the hand. Minor or Major penalty.

Intentionally shooting the puck from behind the center red line over your opponent's goal line. Not technically a penalty, icing results in a faceoff in the offending team's zone. Referee Signal: The instant that the conditions required to establish "icing the puck'' have occurred, the referee will blow his whistle to stop play, and raise his non-whistle hand over his head. The back official will move to the resulting face-off spot and give the icing signal.

Illegal body contact with an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or knocking an opponent's fallen stick out of his reach. Referee Signal: Crossed arms stationary in front of chest with fists closed. Minor penalty.

Shall be imposed on any Player who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner or starts a fight. A Major penalty shall be imposed on a Player who, having been struck, retaliates with a blow or attempted blow. However, at the discretion of the Referee, a Match penalty may be imposed if that player continues the altercation. When someone is assessed a Match penalty, they are removed from the game and may face additional disciplinary action. Referee signal: Patting flat of hand on the top of head. A Major penalty and removal from the game.

Shall be imposed on a Player who, at the discretion of the Referee, demonstrates improper behavior. Examples would be use of profanity and verbal abuse of an official. This is a penalty against an individual and not a team. A substitute player is permitted to immediately replace the offending player. Referee signal: Both hands on hips several times and point at offending player. 10 minute penalty or removal from game.

A free shot is awarded to a Player who was illegally interfered with during a clear scoring opportunity, or a team illegally delays the game by deliberately moving a goal post or falling on a puck in the crease (see Delay of Game Penalty). If a Player picks up the puck in the goal crease, a Penalty Shot shall be awarded. A player is permitted to 'bat' the puck in the air with the open hand or push it along the floor unless, in the opinion of the Referee, it was deliberately directed to a team mate, in which case play shall be stopped and the puck faced-off at the spot where the offense occurred. Referee signal: Arms extended above the head, clenched fists and wrists crossed.

Hitting an opposing player with the stick or swinging the stick at an opposing player. Referee Signal: One chop with the non-whistle hand across the straightened forearm of the other hand. Minor or Major penalty.

Stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried in one or both hands. Referee Signal: A single jabbing motion with both hands together, thrust forward from in front of the chest, then dropping hands to the side. Major penalty.

Called when a team calls a time-out. Referee signal: Using both hands to form a “T.” Same signal as Un-Sportsman Like Conduct.

Using a stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow to cause an opponet to trip or fall. Referee Signal: Strike the side of the knee (non-whistle side) and follow through once, keeping the head up and both skates on the ice. Minor or major penalty.

Shall be imposed on a Player who, in the Referee's judgment, does something unsportsmanlike. Signal: Using both hands to form a “T.” Same signal as Time-Out. Minor penalty.

When used by a referee it means the goal does not count; when used by a linesman, it means there is no icing or off-sides. Referee Signal: Both arms swung laterally across the body at shoulder level with palms down.

Common Questions About Hockey

What is the puck made of?
The puck is made of vulcanized rubber and is three inches in diameter and one inch thick, weighing about six ounces. It is frozen before entering play to make it bounce resistant. 

How fast does the puck travel?
Some of the game's hardest shooters send the puck toward the net at speeds between 90 and 100 mph with the elite shooters easily topping the century mark. Making things even more difficult on the goalie is the puck will frequently curve in flight, much like a baseball.

Which shot is the hardest for a goalie to stop?
Generally speaking, it is one that's low and to the stick side. Some goaltenders overplay to the stick side, presenting a more inviting target on the glove side.

What about deflections?
Deflections aren't just luck. Players practice redirecting shots by standing at the side of the net and knocking a shot from the outside past the goalie into another area of the goal. 

Which is tougher for the goalie to stop a slap shot or a wrist shot?
The slap shot, while it is harder and faster, is easier for the goalie to time than a wrist shot, which takes the goalie more by surprise.

How thick is the ice?
The ice is approximately 3/4" thick and is usually kept at 16 degrees for the proper hardness. The thicker the sheet of ice becomes, the softer and slower it is.

What are the standard dimensions of the rink?
The standard is 200' by 85', although some do vary.

Can the puck be kicked in for a goal?
Not intentionally. However, if a puck is deflected off a skate or off a player's body and no overt attempt is made to to throw it or kick it in, a goal is allowed.

What if an offensive player is in the crease?
If he is there under his own power and the puck goes in, the goal is disallowed. A goal can be awarded if the player was forced into the crease or held there by a defensive player. An offensive player is allowed to carry the puck into the crease and score.

Why do goalies frequently come out of in front of their net?
Usually when a goalie leaves the area immediately in front of the goal it is to reduce the shooting area, cut down the angle of the shooter or for the offensive player to release his shot before he would like to. After coming out of the net, the goalie is usually backing up slowly in an attempt to get the shooter to commit himself first.

Who gets credited for an assist?
The last player or players (no more than two) who touch the puck prior to the goal scorer are awarded assists. For example, if player A passes to player B who passes to player C who scores a goal; players A and B get assists.

Why doesn't the referee stop fights?
There are several. First, it is his job to watch what is going on and determine who should be penalized. Also, it is quite hazardous in close during a fight and since he is in sole control of the game, he has to protect himself from injury.

How are the markings - the red and blue lines, goal lines, crease and face-off circles - applied to the ice?
The ice is built up to a half-inch thickness by spraying water over the concrete floor, which has the freezing pipes embedded into it. Then the markings are painted on, after which additional water is sprayed to coat the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.

Common Hockey Terms

Back Check
To hinder an opponent heading toward and into the defending zone.

Blue Lines
The two one-foot wide blue lines which extend across the ice at a distance of 60 feet from each goal. These lines break up the ice into attacking (offensive), neutral and defending zones.

Body Check
Use of the body on an opponent. It is legal when the opponent has possession of the puck or was the last player to have touched it.

Butt-Ending
To hit an opponent with the end of the stick farthest from the blade. It is illegal and results in a penalty.

Crease
The area directly in front of the goaltender. It is four feet wide and eight feet long and marked off by red lines and is painted light blue. Offensive players who do not have possession of the puck may not enter.

Deke
To fake an opponent out of position.

Faceoff
The dropping of the puck between one player from each team to start or resume play.

Forecheck
To check an opponent in his end of the rink, preventing an offensive rush.

Freezing the Puck
To hold the puck against the boards with either the stick or skate to get a stoppage of play.

Goal Line
The red line which runs between the goal posts and extends in both directions to the side boards.

Goal Mouth
The area just in front of the goal and crease lines.

Hat Trick
The scoring of three or more goals by a player in one game. A natural hat trick occurs when a player scores three consecutive goals.

One-Timer
Shooting the puck directly after receiving a pass. The offensive player starts his backswing while the puck is on its way to him and tries to time his swing with the arrival of the puck.

Penalty Box
The area opposite the team benches where penalized players serve time.

Power Play
A power play occurs when a team has a one- or two-man advantage because of the opponent's penalties.

Pulling the Goalie
When one team replaces its goaltender with an extra skater. This can occur when a team trails, usually by one goal, in the final minutes of a game. It is a high-risk attempt to tie the game.

Save
A shot blocked by the goaltender, which would have been a goal if not stopped.

Screened Shot
Occurs when a goaltender's view is blocked by players between him and the shooter.

Slap Shot
Hitting the puck with the blade of the stick after taking a full backswing.

Slot
A prime scoring area located between the faceoff circles and in front of the goal.

Splitting the Defense
The player with the puck attempts to squeeze between the opponent's defensemen.

Stick Handling
To control the puck along the ice.

Top Shelf
Term used to describe when an offensive player shoots high in an attempt to beat the goaltender by putting the puck in the top part of the net. Or as Sabres' announcer Rick Jeanneret says, " ... the top shelf, where momma hides the cookies."

Wraparound Goal
When a player skates from one side to the other of the goal, from behind the goal, and tucks the puck into the other side of the goal before the goaltender recovers to be in position.