Ice hockey will be played on an area of ice called a Rink.
The dimensions of a new rink are recommended to be a maximum of 60.96m (200 ft.) long and 30.48m(100 ft.) wide or a minimum of 60.96m (200 ft) long and 25.91m (85 ft) wide. The corners will be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of 8.53 m (28 ft).
The rink will be enclosed by the boards, which may be constructed of wood, plastic or fibreglass. Measured from the surface of the ice, the boards will be no more than 1.22 m (4 ft.) and no less than 1.02 m (3 ft. 4 in.) in height. The surface of the boards facing the ice will be white and free from any obstruction or object that could cause injury to players. The base plate, of a maximum height of 30.48 cm (12 in.), will be light (recommended to be yellow) in colour.
It is recommended that glass, plexiglass or other similar material be mounted to the boards, flush to the playing surface, to assist in the prevention of pucks going into the spectator areas. Protection is also recommended in front of the off-ice officials’ area. All equipment used to hold the glass or similar material in position will be mounted on the boards on the side away from the playing surface.
Logos must not disrupt or alter any official ice markings as described in this Section 1. It is recommended that no logos or advertising be allowed on the ice in the end zones.
A red line, 5.08 cm (2 in.) wide, will be marked 3.35 m (11ft.) from each end of the rink, parallel to the end boards. This line will extend across the rink and be known as the Goal Line
On rinks 56.39 m (185 ft.) or more in length, blue lines, 30.48 cm (12 in.) wide, will be marked on the ice parallel to the goal lines at a point 19.51 m (64 ft.) from each goal line, while the neutral zone will take up the remaining space in the centre ice area. These lines will extend across the ice surface and vertically on each side board and will be known as the Blue-Lines.
On rinks less than 56.39 m (185 ft.) in length, the blue lines will be positioned so they divide the distance between the goal lines into three equal areas.
Midway between the goal lines, a red line, 30.48 cm (12 in.) wide, will be marked on the ice and extend vertically up the side boards, parallel to the goal lines. This line will be known as the Centre Red Line
The portion of the ice surface in which the goal is situated will be called the DEFENDING ZONE of the team defending that goal; the central portion will be known as the NEUTRAL ZONE, and that portion furthest from the defended goal as the ATTACKING ZONE.
In the centre of the goal lines between the side boards, regulation goal posts and nets of approved design and materials will be placed in such a manner as to remain stationary during the game. It is recommended that nets be restrained by magnetic, breakaway pegs or similar types of fastening devices in Hockey Canada games.
The goal posts will be set 1.83 m (6 ft.) apart, measured from the inside of the posts. They will extend 1.22 m (4 ft.) vertically from the ice surface and a cross bar of the same material as the goal posts will be extended horizontally from the top of the other posts. The cross bar should be securely fastened to both goal posts. The outside measurement of both the goal posts and the cross bar will be 5.08 cm (2 in.) in diameter. The area enclosed by the goal posts and the cross bar will be known as the goal.
A net of approved design and material will be attached to the back of each goal.
The goal posts, cross bar and exterior surface of other supporting framework for the goal will be painted red.
NOTE 1: 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 strung in a manner that will keep the puck in the net. A skirt of heavy white nylon fabric or heavyweight white canvas will be laced around the base of the goal frame in such a way as to protect the net from being cut or broken. This skirt will not project more than 2.54 cm (1 in.) above the base.
NOTE 2: 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 (0.33 cm (0.13 in.) diameter) or equivalent braided twine of multi-filament white nylon with an appropriate tensile strength of 318 kg (700 lb). The size of the mesh shall be 6.35 cm (2.5 in.) (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.
In front of each goal, a Goal Crease area will be marked by a red line 5.08 cm (2 in.) wide
The goal crease will be laid out as follows: a semi-circle 1.82 m (6 ft.) in radius and 5.08 cm (2 in.) in width will be drawn using the midpoint of the goal line as the centre point. In addition, an L-shaped marking of 12.7 cm (5 in.) 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 1.22 m (4 ft.) line from the goal line to the edge of the semi-circle. At that point, the “L” may be drawn. The interior colouring of the crease will be light blue.
The goal crease area will include the space outlined by the crease lines and will extend vertically to the level of the top of the goal frame.
A circular blue spot, 30.48 cm (12 in.) in diameter, will be marked on the ice exactly in the centre of the rink. Using this spot as a centre, a circular blue line, 5.08 cm (2 in.) wide, with a radius of 4.57 m (15 ft.), will then be marked on the ice.
Two red spots, 60.96 cm (2 ft.) in diameter, will be marked on the ice in the Neutral Zone, 1.52 m (5 ft.) from each blue-line, and the same distance from the boards as the end zone face-off spots. Within each face-off spot, draw two parallel lines 7.62 cm (3 in.) from the top and bottom of the spot. The area within the two lines will be painted red; the remainder will be painted white.
In both end zones and on both sides of each goal, red face-off spots and circles will be marked on the ice. The face-off spots will be 60.96 cm (2 ft.) in diameter and the circles will have a radius of 4.57 m (15 ft.) from the centre of the face-off spots. The lines of the circle will be 5.08 cm (2 in.) wide. As well, 5.64 m (18.5 ft.) and 6.55m (21 ft. 6in) from the goal line and parallel to it, two red lines, 91.44cm (3ft) apart, 60.96 cm (2 ft.) in length and 5.08 cm (2 in.) wide, will be marked on the ice extending from the outer edge of both sides of each face-off circle. The face-off spots will be 60.96 cm (2 ft.) in diameter.
Within each face-off spot draw two parallel lines 7.62 cm (3 in.) from the top and bottom of the spot. The area within the two lines will be painted red, the remainder will be painted white. Two lines, 30.48 cm (1 ft.) away from the edge of the face-off spot, will be drawn parallel with the sideboards that will be 1.22 m (4 ft.) in length and 45.72 cm (18 in.) apart. Parallel to the end boards, commencing at the end of the line nearest to the face-off spot, a line will extend 86.36 cm (2 ft. 10 in.) in length. All lines will be 5.08 cm (2 in.) in width.
The location of the face-off spot will be fixed in the following manner: Along a plane running 6.09 m (20 ft.) from, and parallel to, each goal line, mark a point 6.71 m (22 ft.) on both sides of the plane bisects the rink through the midpoint of each goal line. Each point will be the centre of the face-off spot and circle.
For rinks under 22.90 m (75 ft.) in width, the face-off circles will be reduced in circumference so that they do not overlap. A minimum area of 60.96 cm (2 ft.) from the adjacent side boards is to be maintained.
Each rink will have seats or a bench for the use of each team, to be known as the Players’ Bench. Each Players’ Bench will accommodate at least 14 players and will be placed directly alongside the ice in the neutral zone, as near as possible to the centre of the rink and convenient to the dressing rooms. Whenever possible, a walking space of 91.44 cm (3 ft.) should be left open behind the Players’ Bench (new rinks).
The gates to the Players’ Bench should be constructed to open away from the ice surface.
Only players in uniform and a maximum of five team officials will be permitted to occupy the Players’ Bench.
During a game, authorized team officials will be restricted to the use of the area of their Players’ Bench. The penalty for a violation of this rule is a Bench Minor penalty under Rule 11.1 (a) – Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
The Home Team will have the choice of ends to start the game and must take the Players’ Bench that corresponds to their choice of ends. They must make this choice prior to the warm-up and then warm-up in that end. If the benches are on opposite sides of the rink, the home team may choose either bench.
Teams will alternate ends of the ice to start each period but neither team is permitted to change their Players’ Bench.
Each rink will have a Penalty Bench area with seats or a bench that can accommodate eight people. It is to be used for the seating of penalized players, the Penalty Timekeeper, Game Timekeeper and Official Scorer. The Penalty Bench should be located a substantial distance from the Players’ Bench.
NOTE 1: The Penalty Bench will be located on the opposite side of the rink from the Players’ Bench, or if this is not possible, at least 6.09 m (20 ft.) from either bench.
The gates of the Penalty Bench should be constructed to open away from the ice surface, and outside the area known as the Referee’s crease. There will be two separate Penalty Benches, each having its own gate and designated respectively as Home and Visitor. Adequate arrangements will be made to physically separate members of the opposing teams.
Where the penalty gates are located at unequal distances from centre ice, the gate closest to the centre ice will be designated for the Visiting Team.
A red line, 5.08 cm (2 in.) wide, in the shape of a semi-circle and with a 3.05 m (10 ft.) radius will be marked on the ice immediately in front of the Penalty Timekeeper’s seat, extending 1.83m (6ft) from the boards. The area enclosed by this line will be known as the Referee’s crease. During a stoppage of play, players are not allowed to enter the referee’s crease unless directed by an official.
Each rink must have a suitable sound device to be used by the Game Timekeeper.
Each rink must have a clock in order for spectators, players and game officials to be accurately informed as to the time remaining in the game.
NOTE 1: Where clocks with four faces are in use, the face directly in front of the Game Timekeeper will govern the time
In a suitable location behind each goal, a red light will be provided for the use of each Goal Judge in signaling the scoring of a goal. Wherever possible, Hockey Canada recommends that an electronic buzzer or bell and a green light be installed in the same location as the red light and that this buzzer or bell and green light be synchronized with the time clock, to provide the Referee with an audible and visual signal for the end of a playing period or game.
NOTE 1: Where such a system exists, a goal cannot be scored when the green light is showing
Each rink will provide a suitable dressing room equipped with a sanitary toilet and shower for the use of the Visiting Team.
A separate dressing room will be provided for the use of Referees and Linespersons. It will be equipped with a sanitary toilet and shower.
No team official, player or employee of any club may enter into any inappropriate discussion with any Referee during or after a game. Such behaviour may be penalized under Rule 11.1 (a) – Unsportsmanlike Conduct or other rules, as appropriate.
No person, except a representative of the Member or league with jurisdiction over the game, will be allowed to enter the Officials’ dressing room. Individuals who violate this rule will be penalized and the matter will be reported by the Referee to the appropriate Member or league for further action.
All rinks will be lighted so that the players and spectators may clearly follow play.