Rule 1. Rink
Ice Hockey shall be played on an area of ice called a "Rink".
Rule 2. Rink Dimensions
(a) As nearly as possible, the dimensions of the rink shall be 200-ft. (60.96m) long and 100-ft. (30.48 m) wide. The corners shall be rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius of 28-ft. (8.53m). (This applies to new rinks only).
(b) The rink shall be enclosed by the boards, which may be constructed of wood, plastic or fibreglass: Measured from the surface of the ice, the boards shall be no more than 4-ft. (1.22m) nor less than 3-ft. 4 in. (1.02m) in height. The surface of the boards facing the ice shall be white and free from any obstruction or object that may cause injury to players. The base plate, of a maximum height of 12 in. (30.48cm), shall be light in colour.
(c) It is recommended that glass, plexi-glass or 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 official's area. All equipment used to hold the glass or similar material in position shall be mounted on the boards on the side away from the playing surface.
(d) It is recommended that no logos or advertising be allowed on the ice in the end zones. Logos must not disrupt or alter any official ice markings as described in this Section One.
Rule 3. Division of Ice Surface
(a) 10 ft. (3.05m) from each end of the rink (10 ft. 6in. (3.20m) for new rinks), a red line, 2 in. (5.08cm) wide, shall be marked on the ice parallel to the end boards. This line shall extend across the rink and be known as the "Goal Line". On rinks ove 200-ft. (60.96m) or more in length, the goal line may be up to 15-ft. (4.57m) from the end boards.
(b) On rinks 200-ft. (60.96m) or more in length, blue lines, 12 in. (30.48cm) wide, shall be marked on the ice parallel to the goal lines at a point 60-ft. (18.29m) from each goal line. These lines shall extend across the ice surface and vertically on each sideboard and shall be known as the "Blue Lines". On rinks less than 200-ft. (60.96m) in length, the blue lines shall be positioned so that they divide the distance between the goal lines into three equal areas.
(c) Midway between the goal lines, a red line, 12 in. (30.48cm) wide, shall be marked on the ice and extend vertically up the side boards, parallel to the goal lines. This line shall be known as the "Centre Red Line".
(d) 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 that portion furthest from the defended goal as the "ATTACKING ZONE".
Rule 4. Goal Posts and Nets
(a) In the centre of the goal lines between the side boards, regulation goal posts and nets of approved design and materials, shall be placed in such a manner as to remain stationary during the game. It is recommended that nets be restrained by magnetic, breakaway or similar type devices in Canadian Hockey Association games.
(b) The goal posts shall be set 6-ft. (1.83m) apart, measured from the inside of the posts. They shall extend 4-ft. (1.22m) vertically from ice surface and a cross bar of the same material as the goal posts shall extend 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 shall be 2 in. (5.08cm) in diameter. The area enclosed by the goal posts and the cross bar shall be known as "the Goal".
(c) A net of approved design and material shall be attached to the back of each goal.
(d) The goal posts, cross bar and the exterior surface of other supporting framework for the goal shall be painted red. The surface of the base plate inside the goal and supports other than the goal post shall be painted in a light colour.
Rule 5. Goal Crease
(a) In front of each goal, a "Goal Crease" area shall be marked by a red line 2 in. (5.08cm) wide.
(b) The goal crease shall be laid out as follows: a semi-circle 6-ft. (1.83m) in radius and 2 in. (5.08 cm) in width shall be drawn using the centre of the goal line as the centre point. In addition, an "L" shaped marking of 5 in. (12.7cm) 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 4-ft. (1.22m) 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 shall be light blue, light yellow or off-white.
(c) The goal crease area shall include the space outlined by the crease lines and shall extend vertically to the level of the top of the goal frame.
Rule 6. Centre Ice Spot and Circle
A circular blue spot, 12 in. (30.48 cm) in diameter, shall be marked on the ice exactly in the centre of the rink. Using this spot as a centre, a circular blue line, 2 in. (5.08cm) wide, with a radius of 15-ft. (4.57m), will then be marked on the ice.
Rule 7. Face-off Spots in Neutral Zone
Two red spots 2 ft. (60.96cm) in diameter, shall be marked on the ice in the Neutral Zone 5 ft. (1.52m) 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 3 in (7.62cm) from the top and bottom of the spot. The area within the two lines shall be painted red, the remainder shall be painted white.
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 2-ft. (60.96cm) in diameter and the circles shall have a radius of 15-ft. (4.57m) from the centre of the face-off spots. The lines of the circle shall be 2 in. (5.08cm) wide. 18.5-ft. (5.64m) and 21.5-ft. (6.55m) from the goal line and parallel to it, two red lines 2-ft. (60.96cm) in length and 2 in., (5.08cm) wide shall be marked on the ice extending from the outer edge of both sides of each face-off circle.
The face-off spots shall be 2-ft. (60.96cm) in diameter. Within each face-off spot draw two parallel lines 3 in. (7.62cm) from the top and bottom of the spot. The area within the two lines shall be painted red, the remainder shall be painted white.
One foot (30.48cm) away from the edge of the face-off spot, two lines shall be drawn parallel with the sideboards that shall be 4 ft (1.22m) in length and 18 in. (45.72cm) apart. Parallel to the end boards, commencing at the end of the line nearest t0 the face-off spot, a line shall extend 2 ft. 10 in (86.36cm) in length. All lines shall be 2 in. (5.08cm) in width. (See diagram on page 115).
(b) The location of the face-off spot shall be fixed in the following manner: Along a line 20-ft. (6.09m) from each goal line and parallel to it, mark two points 22 ft. (6.71m) on both sides of the straight line joining the centres of the two goals. Each such point shall be the centre of the face-off spot and circle.
(c) For rinks under 75-ft. (22.90m) in width, the face-off circles shall be reduced in circumference so the they do not overlap. A minimum area of 2 ft. (60.96cm) from the adjacent sideboards is to be maintained.
Rule 9. Players' Bench
(a) Each rink shall have seats or a bench for the use of each team, to be known as the "Player's Bench". Each players' bench shall accommodate at least fourteen players and shall 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 3 ft. (91.44cm) should be left open behind the players' bench (new rinks).
(b) The gates to the players' bench should be constructed to open away from the ice surface.
(c) Only players in uniform and a maximum of five team officials shall be permitted to occupy the players' bench. These individuals shall be registered and entered on the Officials Game Report. A maximum of five team officials may be recorded on the Official Game Report.
(d) During a game, Coaches, Managers, Trainers and Stick Boys or other authorized team officials shall be restricted to the use of the area the length of the players' bench, including their team's gate. Penalty for violation of this rule is a Bench Minor penalty.
(e) The Home Team shall have the choice of ends to start the game and must take the players' bench that corresponds to their choice of ends. Teams shall alternate ends of the ice to start each period but neither team is permitted to change their players' bench.
Rule 10. Penalty Bench
(a) Each rink shall have seats or a bench to accommodate eight persons to be known as the "Penalty Bench". It is to be used for the seating of penalized players, the Penalty Timekeeper, the Game Timekeeper and the Official Scorer. The penalty bench should be located a substantial distance from the players' bench.
(Note): The penalty box shall be located on the opposite side of the rink from the players' bench, or if this is not possible, at least 20 ft. (6.09m) from either bench.
(b) The gates of the penalty box should be constructed to open away from the ice surface, and outside the area enclosed known as the Referee's crease; provided however, that in each rink in which inter-branch playoffs are to be played, there shall be two separate penalty boxes, each having its own gate and designated respectively as "Home" and "Visitor". Adequate arrangements shall 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 shall be designated for the Visiting Team.
Rule 11. Referee's Crease
A red line, 2 in. (5.08cm) wide, in the shape of a semi-circle and within 10 ft. (3.05m) radius shall be marked on the ice immediately in front of the Penalty Timekeeper's seat. The area enclosed by this line shall be known as the Referee's Crease.
Rule 12. Signal and Timing Devices
(a) Each rink must have a suitable sound device to be used by the Game Timekeeper.
(b) Each rink must have a clock in order that spectators, players and game officials may be accurately informed as to the time remaining in the game.
(Note): Where clocks with four faces are in use, the face directly in front of the Game Timekeeper shall govern the time.
(c) In a suitable location behind each goal, a red light shall be provided for the use of each Goal Judge in signalling the scoring of a goal.
Wherever possible, the Canadian Hockey Association recommends that an electric 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): A goal cannot be scored when the green light is showing.
Rule 13. Dressing Rooms
(a) Each rink shall provide a suitable dressing room equipped with a sanitary toilet and shower for the use of the Visiting Team.
(b) A separate dressing room shall be provided for the use of the Referees and Linesmen. It shall be equipped with a sanitary toilet and shower.
(c) No team official, player or employee of any club may enter into an inappropriate discussion with any Referee during or after a game. No person, except the President of the branch or league or their representative, shall be allowed to enter the Official's dressing room. For any infraction of this rule, the matter shall be reported by the Referee to the President of the branch for further action.
Rule 14. Rink Lighting
All rinks shall be lighted so that the players and spectators may clearly follow play.
