HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 HOCKEYCANADA.CA ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE. The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with on-demand access to thousands of drills, skills, videos, practice plans and more. Download the app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device today. HOCKEYCANADANETWORK.COM HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES The illustrations and text used in this publication are the exclusive copyright of Hockey Canada. Any reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without the written permission of Hockey Canada is strictly forbidden. Hockey Canada Playing Rules are up to date as of August 2021 and will take effect at the beginning of the 2021-2022 hockey season. INTRODUCTION TO HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES This publication includes Hockey Canada Playing Rules along with situations (cases) related to the official rules. Hockey Canada Playing Rules are an important reference for officials, players, coaches, and hockey executives. They provide guidance and information about how the playing rules are to be applied in various situations, and clarify misunderstandings related to the application of the rules. Hockey Canada respects gender diversity. As such, its playing rules are written using neutral nouns and pronouns to respect all genders. FOREWORD Hockey Canada Playing Rules do not constitute a procedures manual. Approved procedures and techniques for officials can be found in the Hockey Canada Officiating Resources. MISSION STATEMENT LEAD, DEVELOP AND PROMOTE POSITIVE HOCKEY EXPERIENCES © Copyright 2021 by Hockey Canada All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the copyright owner. A copy of this document has been deposited at the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC), 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1H 7X7. Printed in Canada First published in Canada 1993 by Hockey Canada, 801 King Edward Avenue Drive, Suite N204, Ottawa, ON, KIN 6N5 ISBN 978-1-897355-51-0 13th edition (2021) Item #55503 Ce document est aussi disponible en français HOCKEYCANADA.CA HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 i HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES FAIR PLAY INITIATIVE As a result of Hockey Canada’s focus on fair play and improved communication between officials, coaches and players, Hockey Canada has implemented the following process: “In all games, the officials shall approach each bench and meet the coaches. This process should not take more than 15 seconds and will be completed prior to the game, at the end of the pre-game warm-up. Officials are also encouraged to shake hands with the captains where possible.” This process is supported by the Coaching Program, Officiating Program and the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. FAIR PLAY ANNOUNCEMENT It is recommended that this announcement be made prior to every game. Good (evening/afternoon/morning) (ladies and gentlemen/hockey fans). Welcome to (tonight’s/ today’s/this morning’s) game between _______ and _______. These are young hockey players who are performing here (tonight/today). They are friendly rivals as members of opposing teams. They are not enemies. The coaches for (tonight’s/today’s/this morning’s) game are _______ and _______. They have accepted the challenge of teaching the skills of this great game. The officials are _________ and _________. These individuals have been assigned to administer the rules of the game. Their training, experience and integrity qualify them for their role in this contest. On behalf of the (team/association) _____________, enjoy our great game of skill. ii HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 HOCKEYCANADA.CA HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES HOCKEY CANADA OFFICES hockeycanada.ca E-mail: [email protected] CALGARY OFFICE TORONTO OFFICE 201 – 151 Canada Olympic Road SW 400 Kipling Avenue Calgary, AB T3B 6B7 Toronto, ON M8V 3L1 Telephone: 403-777-3636 Telephone: 1-888-777-2192 Fax: 403-777-3635 MONTRÉAL OFFICE OTTAWA OFFICE 1275 Rue St. Antoine O 2451 Riverside Drive Montréal, QC H3C 5L2 Ottawa, ON K1H 7X7 Telephone: 1-888-777-2192 Telephone: 613-696-0211 Fax: 613-696-0787 MEMBER OFFICES BC HOCKEY ONTARIO HOCKEY HOCKEY NOVA SCOTIA 6671 Oldfield Road FEDERATION RBC Centre Saanichton, BC V8M 2A1 9 – 400 Sheldon Drive 259 Commodore Drive Telephone: 250-652-2978 Cambridge, ON N1T 2H9 Dartmouth, NS B3B 0M1 Fax: 250-652-4536 Direct line: 226-533-9070 Telephone: 902-454-9400 www.bchockey.net Main line: 226-533-9075 Fax: 902-454-3883 www.hockeynovascotia.ca HOCKEY ALBERTA / 647-367-0075 fax: 519-620-7476 2606 – 100 College Blvd. HOCKEY P.E.I. www.ohf.on.ca Box 5005 209 – 40 Enman Crescent Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5 HOCKEY EASTERN ONTARIO Charlottetown, PE C1E 1E6 Telephone: 403-342-6777 Richcraft Sensplex Telephone: 902-368-4334 Fax: 403-346-4277 201 – 813 Shefford Road Fax: 902-368-4337 www.hockeyalberta.ca Ottawa, ON K1J 8H0 www.hockeypei.com SASKATCHEWAN Telephone: 613-224-7686 HOCKEY NEWFOUNDLAND Fax: 613-224-6079 HOCKEY ASSOCIATION www.hockeyeasternontario.ca AND LABRADOR 2 – 575 Park Street 32 Queensway Regina, SK S4N 5B2 HOCKEY QUÉBEC Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J4 Telephone: 306-789-5101 210 – 7450 boul. des Galeries Telephone: 709-489-5512 Fax: 306-789-6112 d’Anjou Fax: 709-489-2273 www.sha.sk.ca Montréal, QC H1M 3M3 www.hockeynl.ca Telephone: 514-252-3079 HOCKEY MANITOBA Fax: 514-252-3158 HOCKEY NORTH 508 – 145 Pacific Avenue www.hockey.qc.ca 3506 McDonald Drive Winnipeg, MB R3B 2Z6 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2H1 Telephone: 204-925-5755 HOCKEY NEW BRUNSWICK Telephone: 867-920-2729 Fax: 204-925-5761 1221 B Prospect Street Fax: 867-920-2739 www.hockeymanitoba.ca PO Box 456 www.hockeynorth.ca Fredericton, NB E3B 4Z9 HOCKEY NORTHWESTERN Telephone: 506-453-0089 ONTARIO Fax: 506-453-0868 1224 Amber Drive www.hnb.ca Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M5 Telephone: 807-623-1542 ext. 2 Fax: 807-623-0037 www.hockeyhno.com HOCKEYCANADA.CA HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 iii HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES LIFE PATRONS Mr. Gordon Renwick 383 George Street North, Unit #1, Cambridge, ON N1S 4X5 Mr. Clair Sudsbury 148 Brennan Avenue, Summerside, PE C1N 2K7 DECEASED LIFE PATRONS ** Mr. C.C. Robinson ** Mr. Gordon Juckes ** Mr. Wm. Northey ** Mr. Lionel Fleury ** Capt. Jas T. Sutherland ** Mr. Art Potter ** Mr. W.A. Fry ** Mr. Fred Page ** Dr. W.G. Hardy ** Mr. Robert Lebel ** Mr. Cecil Duncan ** The Hon. Mr. Hanson T. Dowell ** Mr. A.W. Pickard ** Mr. Roland Mercier ** Mr. W.A. Hewitt ** Mr. Frank Libera ** Mr. J.A. Dunn ** Mr. Don Johnson ** Mr. Earl Dawson ** Mr. Frank McKinnon ** Mr. Frank Sargent ** Mr. Jack Devine ** Mr. The Hon. Justice J.J. Kryczka iv HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 HOCKEYCANADA.CA HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES MESSAGE FROM THE HOCKEY CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS The rules which are contained in this book are the only rules which are to be used in the playing of hockey under the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada. Members or leagues choosing to play outside these rules will be subjected to discipline and will at a minimum, forfeit the right to the Hockey Canada Insurance Program. However, during regional competition, Members may make variations to Hockey Canada Official Rules, providing these variations are more restrictive than the rules as written. A game should be refereed strictly in accordance with the rules. In individual cases, Referees may feel that the rules are in some respect not satisfactory. However, it is not up to an individual to de- cide if a rule should or should not be applied. Rules are approved by Hockey Canada’s membership and are to be changed only through the democratic process at given periods of time. Referees are directed to thoroughly apply the rules of the Association and its Members. If a Referee has difficulty in the interpretation of any rule, the Referee should consult with the Member Referee-in-Chief. If such person cannot give a satisfactory interpretation, the Hockey Canada Referee-in-Chief should be contacted. It is understandable that in a country of the geographic expanse of Canada, a uniform interpretation of the rules may prove somewhat difficult. That, however, is the goal which is to be aimed at, and if the rules are strictly adhered to in all parts of Canada, it should not be hard to come near achieving that goal. These playing rules become effective with the commencement of the 2021-2022 season. HOCKEYCANADA.CA HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 v HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES vi HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES 2020-2022 HOCKEYCANADA.CA HOCKEY CANADA PLAYING RULES Table of Contents SECTION 5 — OFFICIALS .................................... 72 Rule 5.1 Appointment of Officials .................. 72 Referee’s Signals ................................................. 1 Rule 5.2 Referee(s) and Linespersons ........... 72 Glossary .............................................................. 4 Rule 5.3 Linespersons ................................... 74 SECTION 1 — PLAYING AREA ................................ 7 Rule 5.4 Goal Judges .................................... 77 Rule 1.1 Rink .................................................. 7 Rule 5.5 Penalty Timekeeper .......................... 77 Rule 1.2 Rink Dimensions ............................... 7 Rule 5.6 Official Scorer .................................. 77 Rule 1.3 Division of Ice Surface ....................... 7 Rule 5.7 Game Timekeeper ............................ 79 Rule 1.4 Goal Posts and Nets .......................... 8 SECTION 6 — PHYSICAL FOULS .......................... 80 Rule 1.5 Goal Crease ...................................... 8 Rule 6.1 Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Rule 1.6 Centre Ice Spot and Circle ................. 8 Injury .............................................. 80 Rule 1.7 Face-off Spots in Neutral Zone........... 8 Rule 6.2 Boarding and Body-checking ........... 81 Rule 1.8 End Zone Face-off Spots and Rule 6.3 Charging .......................................... 82 Circles ............................................... 9 Rule 6.4 Checking from Behind ..................... 82 Rule 1.9 Players’ Bench ................................... 9 Rule 6.5 Head Contact .................................