Hockey Net Regulations

Goaltenders

• Many view the goaltender as the most important position on an ice hockey team. A goaltender has special privileges that aren't afforded to other skaters, including larger equipment for blocking pucks, the ability to stop play legally and the ability to catch the hockey puck in his or her hand. The goaltender's major responsibility is to keep the opposition team from scoring using his padding, blocker, stick and glove. Unlike other skaters, who change for different shifts, goaltenders are expected to play the entire game that they start.
  Hockey teams are required to dress two goaltenders per game, according to both NHL and IIHF regulations. Both rule books allow teams to switch goaltenders if a change becomes necessary, or to pull a goaltender in favor of a sixth skater.

NHL Net Regulations

• The standard regulation size of hockey nets for official NHL use are 6 feet wide by 4 feet tall. This rectangular area is framed by steel pipes, with a net attached around the back to stop the progress of the rubber hockey puck. In the NHL version, the net drapes over an oval steel ring at crossbar level behind the crossbar, lies over the back center pipe that connects to the bottom oval steel ring, to which the net then connects again. The red goal line that designates the beginning of the goal frame is located 11 feet away from the end boards behind the net. Rubber pegs connect the bottom front corners of the goal net to the ice. They allow some give for players who run into the steel pipes. If the net pops out of the rubber peg holders, the referee blows his whistle and the play is stopped.
  The net that hangs over the back of the goal is made of nylon mesh material, and a canvas strap is attached around the bottom of the net to protect it from being cut by metal skates. The NHL mandates that the nylon mesh used for nets have a measurement of 2-1/2 inches between diagonal knots on the mesh. Steel pipes must be painted red, and the rest of the material used in the nets is white.

IIHF Net Regulations

• The IIHF regulations for the size of the goal mouth are 1.22 meters tall by 1.83 meters wide. This works out to be just slightly larger than the NHL dimensions, by less than an inch either way. The IIHF also regulates the depth of the net frame, which can extend behind the goal line anywhere between 1.12 meters, or 3 feet, 11 inches, to 0.60 meters, or 1 foot, 11-1/2 inches. The goal line is located 4 meters away from the end boards, or 13 feet, 1-1/2 inches. Nets used in official IIHF hockey games must also have flexible peg supports to secure the frame to the ice.
  IIHF hockey nets also use white nylon mesh material to keep the puck in the net when scored. IIHF also mandates that the steel pipes comprising the basic frame of the net should be covered in white padding about 10 centimeters thick.

The Crease

• The goal crease is a special area on the ice close to the hockey net, often indicated in blue with red outlines, where goaltenders have special privileges and protection. In the National Hockey League, the crease is shaped like a rectangle with one side, the furthest from the goal, arcing forward. The NHL goal crease area extends along the goal line 1 foot away from each vertical goalpost, both sides extending outward 4 feet, 6 inches from the goal line, then connected by an arc that reaches another 1 foot, 6 inches at its apex. The surrounded area is painted blue. The NHL rulebook contains goaltender interference rules that prohibit attacking players from impeding a goaltender's mobility in his own crease, or from initiating contact.
  The NHL also mandates that a trapezoidal area behind the goal line should be painted into the ice. The trapezoidal area begins on the goal line six feet away from the start of the crease, for a total goal line length of 18 feet. Red lines in the ice will slant away, creating the legs of the trapezoid, and will be separated by 28 feet when they meet the end boards. A goaltender is allowed to play the puck behind the net in this space. If he is to skate outside of the trapezoidal area while still being behind the goal line, he will be assessed a two-minute minor penalty for delay of game.
  The goal crease for IIHF regulation nets is shaped like a simple half-circle beginning on the goal line with a radius of 180 centimeters, or about 5 feet, 11 inches. The crease is painted blue with red outlines. IIHF rules indicate that attacking players should avoid contact with the defending goaltender anywhere on the ice, but the goaltender gets preferential treatment while still inside the crease. Penalties are assessed to players who initiate contact with a goaltender or interfere with the goaltender's ability to return to his crease.

Goaltending Equipment Regulations

• The National Hockey League prohibits goaltenders from wearing any equipment that is not completely necessary for the protection of the body and face. Leg guards, padding attached to both of the legs, is not to exceed 11 inches in width or 38 inches in height. Goaltenders are also allowed a blocking glove and a catching glove. The catching glove can have a maximum perimeter of 45 inches, and the blocking pad is a rectangular piece of padding that cannot exceed 8 inches wide or 15 inches long. NHL goaltenders can also use a larger playing stick that can be 3-1/2 inches wide on the shaft and 4-1/2 inches wide on the blade. The shaft may not be longer than 26 inches, and the blade cannot be longer than 15-1/2 inches long.
  IIHF does not limit the length of leg pads, but mandates that leg guards for goaltenders be a maximum of 28 centimeters wide, or about 11 inches. The perimeter of the catching glove is 114.3 centimeters, or exactly 3 feet, 9 inches. The blocking glove can have a maximum width of 20.32 centimeters (8 inches), and a maximum length of 38.1 centimeters (15 inches). The IIHF goal stick is regulated to have a shaft 163 centimeters long (about 5 feet, 4 inches) by 9 centimeters wide (about 3-1/2 inches). The blade of the goal stick can be 39 centimeters long (approximately 15-1/2 inches) by 9 centimeters wide.