Manitoba Moose

The world's greatest and most exciting game is easy to follow once you know a few basic rules and practices.

Click the image to the right to download the official 2008-09 AHL Rule Book (pdf format, 5.6 MB)

Here is a brief guide to the essential guide to the essential ice hockey rules.

The Playing Surface:
The ice sheet, commonly known as the rink, is divided into zones by a red line at centre ice and two blue lines. A standard AHL rink measures 200 feet (60.98 meters) by 85 feet (25.91 meters), although some arenas vary slightly. The ice is enclosed by boards and Plexiglas, with nets above each goal to protect the spectators.

Rink Zones:
The ice surface is divided into three zones. The area where the goal is located is the defending zone for the team defending that net, the middle of the rink, between the two blue lines, is the neutral zone, and the area where the opposing net is located is the attacking zone or offensive zone.

The Puck:
The puck is made of black vulcanized rubber and measures one inch (2.54 centimeters) thick, three inches (7.62 centimeters) in diameter, and weighs between 5.5 and 6 ounces (between 155 and 179 grams).

The Hockey Stick:
A stick is held by each player and used to retrieve, control, carry, pass and shoot the puck. Goals are scored by using the stick to shoot the puck into the opponent's net; a shot that inadvertently deflects into the net off another player's body is allowed to stand as a goal.

The Net:
The net is a cage measuring four feet (1.22 meters) tall and six feet (1.83 meters) wide, strung with nylon mesh in the back. There are two nets at opposite ends of the ice, guarded by goaltenders.

The Teams:
Each team has six players on the ice, one goaltender and five skaters with assigned positions, three forwards and two defensemen. Regardless of position, all players except the goaltender can go anywhere on the ice, the goaltender cannot cross the center ice red line that divides the rink in half.

The Faceoff:
The game begins when the referee drops the puck between two opposing forwards, during the faceoff all other players are positioned on the defensive side of the puck. The faceoff is used at any of the nine faceoff spots to resume play following any stoppage in the game.

Game Clock:
The game is played in three 20-minute periods with the clock being stopped during all stoppages in play. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time a 5-minute overtime period will be played. If the game is still tied at the conclusion of the overtime period, the game will be decided by a shootout. During playoffs, 20-minute overtime periods are played until the game is decided by a goal.

Offside:
If a player precedes the puck into the offensive zone, play is called and a faceoff takes place in the neutral zone.

Icing:
If the puck is shot, untouched, past the opposing goal line from behind the center ice red line, and then retrieved by an opposing player, icing is called. If, in the opinion of the linesman, any player of the opposing team is able to play the puck before it passes the goal line, but does not do so, the linesman can wave off icing, allowing play to continue.

Minor Penalties
A player charged with a minor penalty is sent off the ice for two minutes, with no substitution allowed; the penalty ends immediately if the opposing team scores a goal.
Boarding
Called for driving, throwing, checking or tripping an opponent which causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.		Striking the clenched fist of one hand into the open palm of the opposite hand in front of the chest.
Charging
Called for running, jumping or charging into an opponent (usually taking more than three strides before impact)		Rotating clenched fists around one another in front of the chest.
Cross-Checking
Called when a player delivers a check with both hands on his stick and no part of the stick on the ice.		A forward and backward motion of the arms with both fists clenched, extending from the chest for a distance of about one foot.
Elbowing
Called when a player uses his elbow to foul another player.		Tapping either elbow with the opposite hand.
High-Sticking
Called when a player carries or holds his stick above the normal height of the waist of an opponent and the stick causes injury to that opponent.		Holding both fists clenched, one slightly above the other (as if holding a stick) at the height of the forehead.
Holding
Called when a player holds an opponent with his hands or stick. Holding the stick is called for holding an opponent's stick.		Clasping either wrist with the other hand in front of the chest.
Hooking
Called when a player impedes or seeks to impeded the progress of an opponent by hooking him with his stick.		A tugging motion with both arms as if pulling something from in front toward the stomach.
Interference
Called when a player impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.		Crossing arms stationary in front of the chest in an X formation.
Misconduct
Called for various forms of misconduct including the use of abusive language to any person, challenging an official's ruling, etc. (also given to a player receiving two major penalties in a game)		Both hands on hips.
Roughing
Called when a player or players are deemed guilty of unnecessary roughness, engaging in fisticuffs and/or shoving.		Fist clenched and arm extended out to the side of the body.
Slashing
Called when a player swings his stick at an opponent or impedes or attempts to impede an opponent by slashing with his stick.		A chopping motion with the edge of one hand across the opposite forearm.
Spearing
Called when a player stabs an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried with one or both hands.		Jabbing motion with both hands thrust out immediately in front of the body and then hands dropped to the side of the body (essentially the opposite to the hooking signal - away from the body rather than towards the body).
Tripping
Called when a player places his stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that causes his opponent to trip or fall.		Striking leg with either hand below the knee, keeping both skates on the ice.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
All players and non-playing club personnel are responsible for their conduct at all times and must endeavour to prevent disorderly conduct before, during or after the game, on or off the ice and any place in the rink. The referees may asses penalties to any of the team personnel for failure to do so.		Using both hands to form a T in front of the chest (same signal as time-out).