USA Hockey Playing Rules Applications

Rule Subject Midget
& below		 Girls/
Women		 Junior Senior
Men		 NCAA
201a Number of players per team 20
(incl goalies)
(max 18 players)		 20
(incl goalies)
(max 18 players)		 18 players
2 goalies		 20
(incl goalies)
(max 18 players)		 18 players
min 2/max 3 goalies
202a Captains 1 "C"/ 2 "A" 1 "C"/ 2 "A" 1 "C"/ 2 "A" 1 "C"/ 2 "A" 1 "C"
203e Backup goalkeeper required No No Yes No Yes
203f Temporary goalkeeper permitted (see glossary) Yes Yes No Yes No
203g Minimum number of players No rule
(See Rule 201a)		 No rule
(See Rule 201a)		 10 skaters
1 goalkeeper		 No rule
(See Rule 201a)		 No rule
204d Bench minor for starting lineup violation No No Yes No Yes
205b Substitute for goalkeeper cannot enter game until goalkeeper is... At the bench At the bench Within 10 feet At the bench At the bench
206d Replace injured player on the penalty bench who has been assessed a major penalty.... Immediately Immediately Before major penalty expires Immediately Immediately
206g Bleeding player must leave ice immediately Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
206g Replace bloody uniform or equipment parts Immediately Immediately Immediately Immediately Only if "saturated"
303c HECC-approved facemask required for goalies Yes <19 & below only No1 No2 Yes
304a Helmet or facemask comes off during play Immediate stoppage Immediate stoppage Player may complete immediate play Player must retrieve before resuming play Player must retrieve before resuming play
304b HECC-approved helmet required Yes <19 & below only No3 No No
304c Mouthpieces required Yes (colored)
(except Mite & Sq)		 <19 & below only
(colored)		 No4 No Yes
(clear or colored)
304c Bench minor to requesting team if a mouthpiece check shows no violation No No Yes No No
304d HECC-approved facemask required Yes <19 & below only No5 No Yes
304d Half-shield permitted in lieu of facemask No6 Adult women only Yes Yes No
305c Jewelry must be covered or taped to body Yes Yes Yes No No rule
308a Electronic communication w/players prohibited Yes Yes Yes Yes No rule
402f Immediate substitutions for coincidental minors Yes Yes Yes Yes No
403b Game Misconduct for second major in a game Yes Yes Yes7 Yes No
404d Excessive penalties ("15 or 5") rule applies Yes Yes No "5" only No
601a Bench minor to team for unsportsmanlike conduct by its fans No No No No Yes
601a Penalty progression for abuse of officials and other misconduct 2-10-Game 2-10-Game 2-10-Ejection (EJ)
or 2-10-Game		 2-10-Game 10-Game
602c Goalkeepers allowed to adjust equipment without timeout No No Yes No Referee's discretion
---- Mandatory major plus game misconduct for injury resulting from aggressive fouls Yes Yes No Yes Yes (DQ)
604d Penalty for unnecessary contact after icing No No Yes No No
620a Completion of icing Automatic Automatic Touch Automatic Automatic
620a Icing complete whether or not puck passes thru the crease Yes Yes Yes Yes No
626a Attacking player pushed into attacking zone offside? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
626d "Tag-up" rule applies on delayed offside No Adult women only Yes Yes Yes
627a Offside (two-line) pass rule applies No No Yes No8 No
635b Referee may require teams to switch ends halfway through a period to equalize conditions Yes Yes No9 Yes Yes
637 Referee may suspend game for unsatisfactory playing conditions Yes Yes No9 Yes Yes

NOTES:

  1. A Junior goalie, age 18 or above who has signed a waiver, may wear any facemask, including any form-fitted facemask that has a frontal wire insert and a back skullplate.
  2. Any senior goalkeeper who has signed a waiver may wear any facemask, including any form-fitted facemask that has a back skullplate. Frontal wire insert is not required.
  3. Players in all Junior classifications, age 18 and older who have signed a waiver, and all Adult men's and women's players may wear any hockey helmet.
  4. Players in Junior classifications, age 18 and older who have signed a waiver and all men's and women's players may play with any mouthpiece or no mouthpiece at all.
  5. Players in Junior classifications, age 18 and older who have signed a waiver and all Adult men's and women's players may play with any facemask or no facemask at all.
  6. Players in Junior classifications and all Adult men's and women's players may wear a HECC-approved half-shield without waiver.
  7. Game ejection (EJ) instead of game misconduct for second fighting major.
  8. The offside (two-line) pass is played in senior male checking classifications only.
  9. Policies for unequal playing conditions and suspending of games is determined by each Junior league.