2004 version of Rules Comparison

Prepared by USA Hockey National Referee-in-Chief - Bob Hayden

Rule (Situation)

Dif

N F H S

N C A A

USA Hockey

 

SECTION 1 - RINK

 

 

 

 

Goalkeeper warm-up area defined

U

No rule

No rule

Expanded Privileged Area

Maximum non-players on bench

x

Five (5)

Six (6) [B.Minor after warn]

Four (4)

Goal Crease shape

N

6 ft. semi-circle

Truncated semi-circle (NHL)

6 ft. semi-circle

No Tobacco/Alcohol on ice or bench

x

Prohibit Tobacco (Game Misc)

Ejection from game

Bench minor

 

SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION OF TEAMS

 

 

 

 

Maximum players in uniform

x

Maximum 20, including goalkeepers

Maximum 18 players;

2 or 3 goalkeepers

Maximum 20 total, maximum 18 players (Youth)

Captains and Alternates

N

Max. 3 (any combination)

Captain and Designated Alt.

Captain + 2 Alternates (max.)

Visiting team must wear dark uniforms

x

Required

“Lights” permitted

No rule

Logo limitations on uniform

U

Yes (logos, flags, meml.patch)

Yes (logo restrictions only)

None

Captain coming off bench to complain

x

(1) - Minor;  (2) - Misconduct;
(3) - Game Misconduct;
(4) - Game Disqualification

All - Misconduct

All- Minor

Captains and Referees meet before game

U

Required

Required

No rule

More than 19 Players + 3 Goalkeepers on the ice in the pre-game

N

No rule - implied only rostered players may be on the ice

Bench minor penalty

No rule - implied only rostered players may be on the ice

Roster correction after game begins

N

OK if inadvertent;  minor penalty

Not permitted;  bench minor penalty assessed

OK if inadvertent;  bench minor penalty assessed

Jersey number in addition to back

x

Both sleeves

Front or both sleeves

No rule

Spare goalkeeper required on bench

N

No rule

Yes, at start of game, or bench minor

No rule;  recommended in playdowns

“Temporary” goalkeeper

U

No rule

No rule

Permitted

Goalkeeper substitution during stoppage

X

Return after next stoppage

No rule

Return after play resumes

Not starting with announced lineup

N

Permitted

Bench minor penalty

Permitted (except Juniors)

Pucks on ice before start of second or third periods

N

No rule

Charged with time-out; bench minor if time-out already used

No rule

Recovery time for injured goalkeeper

U

“Reasonable amount of time”

“Reasonable time”

None

Team huddles before 2nd or 3rd period

U

Minor

Bench minor

No rule

Unconscious player rule (requires written physician OK to resume play)

F

Required

No rule

No rule

Stoppage for injured player

F

Immediate (regardless of possession)

Immediate when his team has possession

Immediate when his team has possession

 

SECTION 3 - EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

Hollow end of stick must be covered

N

Yes

No rule

Yes

Skates not conforming to rules

F

(1) Warn;  (2) Game Misc.

Not permitted to play

Not permitted to play

Throat protector – Goalkeeper
Throat protector - Player

F
F

Required
Recommended

Recommended
Not required

Recommended
Not required

Player’s helmet comes off during play

N

Immediate stoppage. Cannot return until play resumes

Immediate stoppage.

Immediate stoppage. Cannot return until play resumes

HECC-approved helmet

N

Required

Recommended

Required

Wearing helmet on players’ and penalty bench

N

Required.  Violation - Misc.

Not required

Required.  Violation - Misc.

Helmet chinstrap length restriction

N

Implied

Two fingers

Implied

Mouthguard not worn – Goalkeeper

F

Minor

(1) Misconduct after warning

Misconduct after team warning

Mouthguard not worn – Player

F

(1) Misc;  (2) Game Misc.

(1) Misconduct after warning

Misconduct after team warning

Mouthguard - non-clear color

N

Required

Recommended

Required

Mouthguard - attached to facemask

x

Required

No rule

Not required

Warning prior to equipment violation

F

No:  (1) Misc.; (2) Game Misc.

Yes

Yes – Mouthguard

Casts / splints

N

OK if adequately covered and physician-approved

No rule

OK if adequately covered and physician-approved

Wearing exposed jewelry

U

(1) Misc.;  (2) Game Misc.

(1) Misc.;  (2) Game Misc.

Not permitted

Equipment request limitation

x

Sticks, Goalkeeper Equipment

Sticks, Skates, Goalkeeper Equipment

Anything in Section 3 which has specifications

Location of logos on puck

N

No rule

Limited position

No rule

Electronic Equipment - player on the ice

U

No rule

No rule

Bench minor; equip. removed

 

 

SECTION 4 - PENALTIES

 

 

 

 

Bench minor penalty defined

F

No rule (Captain’s Choice notation on penalties)

Yes

Yes

Who serves “Bench Minor” (NFHS equivalent)

U

Any non-penalized player

Any non-penalized player

Player on ice at infraction

Coincident minor penalty rule

N

Equal number of minors offset

Equal number of minors offset unless teams at full strength

Equal number of minors offset

Minor penalty termination when scored upon

N

First minor being served

Minor causing short-handed at time of goal

First minor being served

Player/GK ejected after second Major

U

No

No

Yes (plus 2 game suspension)

Game suspension for Game Misconduct

U

No

No

Yes

5-penalty maximum/game (player/GK);
15-penalty maximum/game (coach)

N
U

Yes
No

No
No

Yes (Game Misc.)
Yes (Next game suspension)

Progressive suspension

U

Yes (Disqual. Penalty)

Yes (Disqual. Penalty)

No

Match penalty provision

U

No

No

Yes

Match (DQ) penalty to non-player

N

Applies

No rule

Applies

Maximum Disqualifications per player per game

F

One