1. Once the puck has been faced off to start a game, any goaltender subsequently entering the game is not allowed a warmup at any time (see Rule 202-7 for exception).

2. "Goaltender" refers to the starting goaltender re-entering the game at any point, the backup goaltender, a third goaltender, or a skater who is forced to dress and play the position of goaltender.

1. A goaltender cannot be captain or alternate captain for his team during a game.

1. At no time is contact initiated by a skater with an opposing goaltender acceptable. As a result, the goaltender can never be reasonably responsible for expecting a bodycheck. Contact, whether incidental or otherwise, may be with a stick or any part of the body.

2. A penalty will be assessed in every case where a skater makes unnecessary contact with an opposing goaltender. Incidental contact is allowed when the goaltender is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease, provided the attacking skater makes a reasonable effort to minimize or avoid such contact.

3. If an attacking skater is pushed, shoved, or fouled by an opponent so as to cause him to come into contact with the goaltender, such contact is not deemed to be contact initiated by the attacking skater provided the attacking skater has made a reasonable effort to avoid the contact.

4. An attacking skater is not allowed to jab, poke, or slash the goaltender’s glove whether it is on the ice or in the air after the goaltender has made a save.

5. An attacking skater is not allowed to knock the goaltender’s stick out of his hand by any means.

6. While a goaltender is playing his position, his stick is considered a part of his equipment and it cannot be hooked, lifted, or checked in a way that interferes with his abilities. However, if he is using his stick as a skater to play the puck, he may be stick-checked.

7. A goaltender outside of his goal crease is not allowed to interfere with an attacking skater who is attempting to play the puck or to bodycheck an opponent.

1. If an attacking skater establishes position in the goal crease, play will be stopped and the ensuing faceoff will take place at the nearest faceoff spot in the neutral zone.

2. An attacking skater who commits a foul on a goaltender, regardless of the goaltender’s ability to play his position or where the puck is being played, will be penalized.

3. If a goaltender is outside his goal crease and an attacking skater prevents the goaltender from returning to his crease or prevents the goaltender from playing his position properly while a goal is scored, the goal will not count and the attacking skater will be assessed a minor penalty for interference.

4. If an attacking skater is in the goal crease and initiates incidental contact with the goaltender, preventing the goaltender from playing his position when the puck enters the net, the goal will not count and no penalty will be assessed.

1. If an attacking skater is in the goal crease at the moment the puck crosses the plane of the goal line and in no way affects the goaltender’s ability to make a save or play his position properly, the goal will count.

2. If a skater of the attacking team is pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending skater to cause him to be in the goal crease when the puck enters the goal net, the goal will count even if he makes contact with the goaltender unless the attacking skater had sufficient time to get out of the goal crease.

3. An attacking skater who makes incidental contact with a goaltender out of his goal crease while both try to gain possession of the puck will not be penalized. If a goal is scored at this time, the goal will count.

4. An attacking skater establishes position outside the goal crease but in front of the goaltender, obscuring the goaltender’s sightline but making no contact. If a goal is scored, it will count (unless there is a violation of Rule 150-3).

1. If an attacking skater makes contact with a goaltender in the goal crease during game action, he will be assessed a minor penalty for interference. If a goal is scored at this time, it will not count.

2. An attacking skater who makes intentional contact with a goaltender during game action will be assessed a minor penalty for interference. If a goal is scored at this time, it will not count.

3. If an attacking skater pushes an opponent in any way during game action which causes that opponent to make contact with his own goaltender, and a goal is scored at this time, it will not count.

4. If an attacking skater establishes position in the goal crease, obscuring the goaltender’s sightline but making no contact, and a goal is scored, it will not count.

5. An attacking skater who makes contact other than incidental with a goaltender who is out of his goal crease during game action will be assessed a minor penalty for interference. If a goal is scored at this time, it will not count.

1. All protective equipment must be worn entirely under the uniform except gloves, facemask, and goaltender’s pads.

2. The measurement of a goaltender’s pads may be requested only during the first or second intermission or after the third period of a game that goes into overtime.

3. With the exception of skates and stick, equipment worn by the goaltender must be constructed solely for the purpose of protecting the head and body and must not include any garment or addition which gives the goaltender undue assistance in tending goal or "making himself bigger".

4. Abdominal aprons, extending down the front of the thighs on the outside of the pants, are prohibited.

5. Graffiti-type designs, patterns, artwork, drawings, or slogans which are abusive or obscene and refer to culture, race, or religion are not allowed on any equipment.

6. The referee can request that a goaltender remove any personal accessories should the accessories be regarded as dangerous. If these personal accessories are difficult to remove, the goaltender should tape them or put them safely under his game jersey in such way that they are no longer dangerous. In this case, the goaltender will be required to leave the ice during this process, and a warning will be issued to his team.

7. For a second violation of Rule 187-6, the referee will assess a misconduct penalty to the offending goaltender.

1. The blocking glove must be rectangular.

2. The flap protecting the thumb and wrist must be fastened to the blocker and follow the contour of the thumb and wrist.

3. Raised ridges are not allowed on any portion of the blocking glove.

1. No raised ridges are allowed on the front edges or sides of the chest pad, the inside or outside of the arms, or across the shoulders.

2. Layering at the elbow is allowed to add protection but not to add stopping area.

3. Shoulder cap protectors must follow the contour of the goaltender’s shoulder cap without becoming a projection or extension beyond or above the shoulder or shoulder cap.

4. On each side, the shoulder clavicle protectors are not to extend or project above or beyond the goaltender’s shoulder or shoulder cap or extend beyond the armpit. No insert is allowed between the shoulder clavicle protector and the chest pad that might elevate the shoulder clavicle protector.

5. If, when the goaltender assumes the normal crouch position, the shoulder or shoulder cap protection is pushed above the contour of the shoulder, the chest pad will be considered illegal.

1. Goaltenders must wear a facemask at all times during game action. The facemask must be constructed in such a way that a puck cannot penetrate the openings.

2. All goaltenders in the age category Under-18 must wear a facemask constructed in such a way that neither a puck nor a stick blade can penetrate the openings.

3. A goaltender is allowed to wear a facemask of a different colour and design than that of his teammates.

4. The backup goaltender is not required to wear his helmet and facemask when he crosses the ice to return to his players’ bench after intermission.

1. Knee protection must be strapped and must fit under the thigh pad of the pants.

2. Flaps attached to the inside of the goaltender’s pads above the knee that are not worn under the thigh pad of the pants are not allowed.

3. The knee-strap pad is the pad that separates the inside of the knee from the ice.

4. The knee protection must be worn with the strap tight so that it does not obscure any portion of the "five hole." The padding between the knee strap pad and the inner knee channel is not affected by this measurement standard.

5. Medial rolls (raised seam ridges) are not allowed.

1. All goaltenders 18 years and younger must wear a neck and throat protector regardless what event or tournament they are playing in.

1. A piece of any material covering the space between the ice and the bottom of the goaltender’s pads in front of the skates is not allowed.

2. Graffiti-type designs, patterns, artwork, drawings, or slogans which are abusive or obscene and refer to culture, race, or religion are not allowed. The pads, however, can be of any non-fluorescent colours.

3. No attachments such as plastic puck foils are allowed to any part of the pads.

1. Goaltender pants are produced by an IIHF supplier to specific IIHF guidelines. These may not be altered in any way without the consent of an IIHF representative.

2. No internal or external padding is allowed on the pants leg or waist to provide protection (i.e., no ridges, inside or out).

3. If the goaltender is wearing his pants shells loosely, allowing him to close the open space between his legs above his pads when he is in the crouch position, the shells will be considered illegal.

4. Thigh protectors inside the pants must follow the contour of the leg. Flat thigh protectors are not allowed.

1. A goaltender’s skates must have a non-fluorescent protective cowling at the front of each boot.

2. The skate blade must be flat and cannot be longer than the boot.

3. Any blades, projections, or "cheaters" added to the boot in order to give the goaltender additional contact to the ice surface are not allowed.

1. A goaltender’s stick must be made of materials approved by the IIHF. It must not have any projections, and all edges must be bevelled.

2. The shaft, from the butt end to the blade, must be straight.

3. The butt end of a goaltender’s stick must have a form of protection. If the cap at the top of a metal stick has been removed or falls off, the stick will be considered dangerous equipment.

4. It is forbidden to insert any material into the hollow shaft of the stick to alter its weight, substance, or purpose.

5. Adhesive, non-fluorescent tape of any colour may be wrapped around the stick at any place. Fluorescent-painted sticks are not allowed.

6. The maximum length of the shaft of a goaltender’s stick is 163 cm from the top of the shaft to the heel; the maximum width is 3 cm ; the maximum thickness is 2.54 cm .

7. The shaft consists of two parts. The lower section (shank) down to the heel must not be more than 71 cm long and not more than 9 cm wide. Both parts of the shaft must be straight.

8. The maximum length of the blade is 39 cm along the bottom, from the heel to the toe. The maximum height is 9 cm except the heel which can be 11.5 cm. The maximum curvature of the blade is 1.5 cm .

1. Goaltender jerseys are produced by an IIHF supplier to specific IIHF guidelines. These cannot be altered in any way without the consent of an IIHF representative.

2. No "tying down" of the jersey is allowed at the wrists if this creates a tension across the jersey such that a webbing effect occurs in the armpit.

3. No other tie-downs or additions are allowed anywhere on the sweater to create a webbing effect.

4. A jersey is illegal if its length is such that it covers any area between the goaltender’s legs.

5. The sleeves must not extend past the fingers of the catching and blocking gloves.

1. A goaltender is allowed to attach a throat protector to the chin of his facemask. It must be made of a material that will not cause injury.

1. A goaltender is allowed to wear a facemask of a different colour and design than that of his teammates.

2. A goaltender is allowed to use skates and gloves of a different colour than that of his teammates.

1. If a goaltender is hit in the facemask by a shot during game action, the referee may stop play if there is no immediate scoring chance.

2. If a goaltender’s facemask comes off during game action with his team in possession of the puck, the referee will stop play immediately. The ensuing faceoff will take place at the nearest faceoff spot to where the puck was situated when game action was stopped.

3. If a goaltender’s facemask comes off during game action with the opposing team in possession of the puck, the referee will stop play if there is no immediate scoring chance. The ensuing faceoff will take place at one of the defending team’s faceoff spots.

4. If a goaltender’s facemask comes off during game action and the puck enters the goal net before the referee blows his whistle to stop game action, the goal will count.

5. If the puck hits a goaltender’s facemask and goes into the goal net, the goal will count.

1. If a goaltender has the puck in either glove and places it on the ice in front of him and propels the puck forward with his stick, skate, or any other part of his body or equipment, no penalty will be assessed.

2. If a goaltender throws the puck forward and the puck is first played by a teammate, the referee will stop play, and the ensuing faceoff will take place at an end zone faceoff spot nearest to where the throwing occurred.

3. If a goaltender throws the puck forward and the puck is first played by an opponent, game action will continue.

1. If a goaltender skates to his players’ bench during a stoppage in play for any reason, he must be substituted unless the stoppage is for a team or television timeout. He cannot delay the start of game action to adjust, fix, or replace equipment.

2. If a goaltender has a broken stick or wishes to replace his stick for any reason, he must stay in the goal crease and ask a teammate to make the change.

3. When a goaltender substitution is made during a stoppage of play or a timeout, the goaltender who left the game cannot re-enter the game until game action has resumed.

4. The goaltender on ice and substitute goaltender are allowed to change during game action just as skaters do, but they are subject to the same rules for "changing on the fly."

5. No warmup is ever allowed for a substitute or incoming goaltender (see Rule 202-7 for exception).

6. If a goaltender sustains an injury or becomes ill, he must be ready to play immediately after receiving quick medical attention on ice. If the injury causes undue delay, the injured goaltender must leave the game and be replaced, although he may subsequently return at any time.

7. If, during the course of a game, both goaltenders of a team are unable to play, the team will be allowed to dress a skater from the players’ bench to play as a goaltender. The skater has ten minutes in which to dress and be ready to play, but if he is ready prior to ten minutes he is allowed to use the remaining time for warmup on ice.

8. If the situation in Rule 202-7 occurs, neither of the two regular goaltenders is allowed to return to the game.

9. In IIHF competitions where three goaltenders are registered and one of the two goaltenders on the game sheet is incapacitated, the applicable IIHF Bylaw applies.

1. If a goaltender proceeds to his players’ bench for the purpose of being substituted for an extra skater, but the substitution is made prematurely, the referee will stop play when the offending team gains possession of the puck.

2. When play is stopped in the attacking half of the ice, the ensuing faceoff will take place at the centre-ice faceoff spot.

3. When play is stopped in the defending half of the ice, the ensuing faceoff will take place at the nearest faceoff spot in the zone where play was stopped which provides the offending team no territorial advantage.

1. A goaltender cannot participate in a faceoff.

1. If a goaltender leaves his goal crease or is situated outside his goal crease when icing is signalled to the opposing team, and he makes a move in the direction of the puck, the icing call will be cancelled even if he returns to his crease.

2. If a goaltender is outside his goal crease when the puck is shot down the ice and icing is signalled to the opposing team, icing will be in effect if he moves back into his goal crease immediately.

3. If a goaltender in 205-2 makes no attempt to move back into his goal crease immediately, no icing will be called.

4. If a goaltender is on his way to the players’ bench during game action and an icing is signalled to the opposing team, icing will be called if he makes no attempt to play the puck and either continues to the players’ bench or returns directly to his goal crease without attempting to play the puck.

5. If a goaltender in 205-4 plays or attempts to play the puck, no icing will be called.

1. During the course of a game, a goaltender is allowed to go to his players’ bench only during a team or television timeout.

1. A goaltender who fouls an attacking skater will be assessed a minor penalty.

2. A goaltender never serves a penalty or penalties assessed to him or his team which requires him to sit in the penalty bo10.

3. Any additional minor penalties which are assessed to a goaltender at the same stoppage of play must be served by only one skater on his team who was on the ice at the time game action was stopped to assess the penalties (provided that skater did not incur penalties himself).

4. A skater who serves a penalty for a goaltender must have been on the ice at the time game action was stopped to assess the penalty.

5. For a first misconduct penalty to a goaltender, he continues to play. This penalty must be served by a skater who was on the ice at the time game action was stopped (provided that skater did not incur penalties himself).

6. A goaltender who is assessed a second misconduct penalty in a game (which results in an automatic game-misconduct penalty) must leave the game and be replaced by the backup goaltender.

7. For major, game misconduct, and match penalties, the goaltender himself is ejected.

8. In case of major or match penalties to a goaltender, the five-minute penalty must be served by a skater on his team who was on the ice at the time play was stopped (provided that skater did not incur penalties himself).

9. In any instance when a goaltender is ejected from a game, the backup goaltender must be the first option to replace the ejected goaltender before a skater can dress as a goaltender.

10. When a goaltender is assessed more than one minor or major penalty at the same stoppage of play, one skater of his team designated by the coach through the captain who was on the ice at the time the play was stopped must serve all of these penalties (provided that skater did not incur penalties himself).

11. If a goaltender is assessed both a minor penalty and misconduct penalty at the same time, one skater who was on the ice at the time game action was stopped must serve the minor penalty and a second skater who was on the ice at the time game action was stopped must serve the full 12 minutes. Both skaters must be designated by the coach through the captain.

Game situation 1: A goaltender has been assessed a misconduct penalty. While a substitute skater is in the penalty box serving the penalty, the goaltender is assessed a second misconduct. As a result, the goaltender is ejected from the game because the second misconduct penalty becomes an automatic game misconduct. The skater serving the misconduct can leave the penalty bo10.

Game situation 2: If a goaltender on the players’ bench is assessed a penalty at any time, a skater who was on the ice at the time the play was stopped to assess the penalty must serve the penalty. The coach or team official must designate this skater through the captain.

1. A goaltender is subject to all penalties outlined in Section 10 – Description of Game Penalties. Additionally, there are rules specific to his position on ice, his equipment, and his role in the game as outlined below.

1. A minor penalty will be assessed for violation of this rule.

2. Both skates must be over the centre red line for a penalty to be assessed.

3. A goaltender who participates in team celebrations in the attacking half of the ice following a goal will be assessed a minor penalty.

4. This rule is superseded by rules for fighting if the goaltender skates over the centre red line to engage in a confrontation.

1. A goaltender must drop a broken stick immediately. If he holds onto it during game action, he will be assessed a minor penalty.

2. A goaltender whose stick is broken is forbidden to receive a stick thrown onto the ice from either the players’ bench or from a spectator. He may use a teammate’s stick provided it is given to him through a hand-to-hand exchange. A teammate who throws, tosses, slides, or shoots a stick to him will be assessed a minor penalty.

3. A goaltender who skates to his players’ bench during a stoppage of play to replace his stick, and then returns to his goal crease, will be assessed a minor penalty. However, if he is substituted until play has resumed, no penalty will be assessed.

4. A goaltender is allowed to go to the players’ bench and change his stick during game action.

5. At no time is a goaltender allowed to grab an opponent’s stick:

1. The team of a goaltender who participates in game action with illegal equipment will first be issued a warning by the referee. Failure to comply with the warning to adjust, replace, or secure any equipment as per the referee’s instructions will mean any player from that team subsequently violating rules for dangerous equipment will be assessed a misconduct penalty.

2. If a goaltender’s equipment is measured between periods and is found to be illegal, he will be assessed a minor penalty. Any skater from his team may serve the penalty.

1. A goaltender who stops game action or delays the start of game action to repair or adjust his equipment will be assessed a minor penalty.

1. A goaltender who deliberately displaces the goal net from its normal position will be assessed a minor penalty.

2. If a goaltender displaces the goal net from its normal position in the last two minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime, a penalty shot will be awarded to the opposition.

3. If a goaltender displaces the goal net from its normal position during a penalty shot or during a penalty-shot shootout, a goal will be awarded unless Rule 178-7 or 178-8 applies.

1. A goaltender who holds or plays the puck with his stick, skates, or body along the boards in such a manner as to cause a stoppage of play will be assessed a minor penalty, even if he is being checked. goal creasegoaltender is allowed to freeze the puck only when pressured and only if he cannot play it safely with his stick goaltender is not allowed to freeze the puck

1. A goaltender who goes to his players’ bench during a stoppage of play that is not a television timeout or a team timeout, except to be replaced, will be assessed a minor penalty.

Game situation 1: If a goaltender skates to his player’s bench to celebrate a goal he must either be replaced or be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game.

Game situation 2: On a delayed penalty, the goaltender of the team gaining the advantage skates to his bench for an extra skater, but before he gets there play is stopped. If he continues skating to his players’ bench on-ice officials will issue a warning for a first offence, but if this occurs a second time the goaltender will be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game.

1. A goaltender who deliberately removes his facemask during game action in order to stop play will be assessed a minor penalty.

1. A goaltender who shoots, throws, or bats the puck directly out of the playing area from inside his defending zone anywhere in the rink (except where there is no protective glass) during game action, without any deflection, will be assessed a minor penalty. The determining factor will be the position of the puck when it is played.

2. A goaltender will not be penalized if he deflects the puck over the protective glass while making a save, but if he makes a save and in the same motion bats or swats the puck out of play, he will be assessed a minor penalty.

3. A goaltender who deliberately shoots the puck out of play anywhere on the ice during game action or a stoppage will be assessed a minor penalty.

1. A goaltender who deliberately drops the puck onto the goal netting or onto the back of the goal net to cause a stoppage of play will be assessed a minor penalty.

2. If the puck bounces onto the goal netting, a goaltender is allowed to cover the puck with his glove to prevent an opponent from playing it.

1. A goaltender who uses his blocker glove to punch an opponent in the head, neck, or face will be assessed a match penalty.

2. A goaltender who removes his glove or blocker to engage in a confrontation with an opponent will be assessed a misconduct penalty in addition to any other penalties.

3. A goaltender who starts a fight will be assessed a match penalty.

1. Unless he is being pressured by an opponent, a goaltender who holds the puck more for than three seconds will be assessed a minor penalty.

2. A goaltender who is not under pressure and deliberately drops the puck into his pads, body, or equipment in order to gain a stoppage in play will be assessed a minor penalty.

1. A goaltender whose body is entirely outside the goal crease, and when the puck is behind the goal line (not between the posts) or beyond the hash marks, falls on or gathers the puck into his body, or holds or places the puck against any part of the goal net or the boards, will be assessed a minor penalty whether or not he is being pressured by an opponent.

2. A goaltender who falls on or gathers the puck into his body in the area between the goal line and the hash marks of the end zone faceoff circles will be assessed a minor penalty unless he is being pressured by an opponent and is unable to play the puck safely with his stick.

1. A goaltender will be assessed a minor penalty if he leaves his stick or other equipment or piles snow or other objects in front of his goal net, and any of such obstacles prevents the puck from entering the goal net while he is on the ice.

2. A goal will be awarded if a goaltender leaves his stick or other equipment or piles snow or other objects in front of his goal net, and any of such obstacles prevents the puck from entering the goal net while he is off the ice.

1. A goaltender who leaves the immediate vicinity of his goal crease to participate in any way in a confrontation will be assessed a minor penalty.

2. A goaltender who is outside of his goal crease (i.e., to play the puck behind the goal net, to go to the players’ bench) and becomes involved in a player confrontation will not be assessed a penalty for leaving his goal crease, but he is subject to other penalties based on his actions during that confrontation.

3. If a player confrontation takes place in his goal crease, the goaltender must leave his goal crease but will not incur a penalty for doing so. Additionally, he must leave his goal crease or skate to a corner or any area in his defending zone nearest to his goal crease which is not part of a player confrontation if instructed to do so by an on-ice official.

Game situation 1: If a goaltender leaves the vicinity of his goal crease during an altercation and is the first to intervene in a fight he will be assessed a minor penalty (for leaving the crease) and a game-misconduct penalty (for being the third man in an altercation).

Game situation 2: During a confrontation in the attacking zone, if the goaltender in the defending zone skates to his players’ bench, remaining on his side of the centre ice red line, he will be assessed a minor penalty.

1. All rules apply to a goaltender for too many men as they do for skaters (see Rule 166).

2. At no time during game action is a team allowed to have two goaltenders on the ice except for the time it takes one goaltender to change with another goaltender "on the fly".

1. If a goaltender commits a foul on an attacking skater who is on a breakaway, the referee will award the opposing team a penalty shot regardless if the foul takes place from behind or not.

2. If a goaltender deliberately displaces the goal frame from its normal position during the last two minutes of regulation time, or at any time in overtime, the referee will award the opposing team a penalty shot.

3. If a goaltender deliberately displaces the goal frame from its normal position when an attacking skater is on a breakaway, the referee will award the attacking team a penalty shot.

4. If a backup goaltender enters the game illegally and interferes with an attacking skater who is on a breakaway, the referee will stop play and award the opposing team a penalty shot. If the skater scores a goal prior to the whistle, the goal will count and the penalty shot will be cancelled.

5. If a goaltender removes his facemask when an attacking skater is on a breakaway, the referee will stop play and award the opponent a penalty shot.

1. If, during the course of a penalty shot, the goaltender moves or dislodges the goal frame, a goal will be awarded unless otherwise provided by these rules (see Rule 178-7 and 178-8).

2. If, during the course of a penalty shot, the goaltender removes his facemask, a goal will be awarded.

3. If, during the course of a penalty shot, the goaltender throws his stick at the puck or puck carrier, a goal will be awarded.