Casebook (2024)

The Team A goalkeeper skates toward their players’ bench during play. While they are approximately 30 feet away from the bench, a teammate enters the play as a substitute for the goalkeeper. While the opposing team has possession of the puck (the goalkeeper is still moving toward the bench and their replacement is now involved in the play) the goalkeeper turns and skates back toward the goal to defend against an opposing shot on goal. Does this infraction of the rules constitute “premature substitution” or “too many players on the ice?”

Too many players on the ice. Rule References 205(a) and 204(b).

Once the substituting player enters the ice, the goalkeeper is considered to be substituted for. If the goalkeeper participates in play while this condition exists, a penalty for “too many players on the ice” shall be assessed to the offending team.

Team A, losing late in the game, substitutes its goalkeeper for an extra attacker. Before the change is completed, Team B gains possession of the puck and carries it into Team A’s Defending Zone. The substitute player for the goalkeeper goes onto the ice before the goalkeeper is at the players’ bench and out of play (noted by the back Linesman). A Team A player gains possession of the puck behind their own goal and the whistle stops play. Are any penalties to be assessed and where is the ensuing face-off to take place?

No penalties are to be assessed, as this is a “premature substitution for the goalkeeper” violation. The ensuing faceoff must take place at the nearest end zone face-off spot. Rule Reference 205(a).

No penalty is assessed for premature substitution of the goalkeeper. Normally, the puck will be in the offending team’s attacking half of the ice when premature substitution occurs, in which case the ensuing face-off will take place atcenter ice. If the puck is in the offending team’s defending half of the ice, as in this situation, the ensuing face-off will become a last play face-off.

The goalkeeper is being replaced by a skater, but the replacement plays the puck while the goalkeeper is twenty feet away from their players’ bench. Is this a “too many players on the ice” violation or “premature substitution” for the goalkeeper?

This is a “premature substitution” for the goalkeeper violation. Rule Reference 205(a).

Goalkeeper substitutions are governed by a different rule than too many players on the ice. In this instance, the “premature substitution” for the goalkeeper violation has occurred the moment the substitute player entered the ice prior to the goalkeeper being at the bench.

During play, a goalkeeper is replaced on the ice by a skater. When is the goalkeeper permitted to re-enter the game?

The goalkeeper can return at any time. Rule Reference 205(a).

A goalkeeper may change on the fly during play with a player and return at any time through a proper player change.

A team’s regular goalkeeper is replaced by the substitute goalkeeper during a stoppage of play. Before the next stoppage occurs, the substitute goalkeeper is replaced by an additional attacking skater. Should the Referee permit this substitution to go unpenalized?

Yes. Rule References 205(a and b).

There is no rule to preclude a “skater” from replacing the substitute goalkeeper during play.

A substitute goalkeeper enters the game during a stoppage of play. Are they allowed to warm-up?

No, unless either team uses their time-out. Rule References 205(b) and 636(f).

The goalkeeper would be allowed a warm-up only provided either team uses their time-out.

During a stoppage of play, a goalkeeper is replaced on the ice by a skater serving as an extra attacker. When is the goalkeeper permitted to re-enter the game?

The goalkeeper can return at any time. Rule Reference 205(b).

A goalkeeper may be changed for a skater during a stoppage and return as soon as play resumes unless the substitution was made under Rule 205(c). An example of this is they may have put an extra attacker on the ice during a power play or late in a close game because the face-off was in the attacking zone. However, once play resumes the puck enters back into their defensive zone so they want to place their goalkeeper back on the ice and may do so through a proper player change.

A substitute goalkeeper enters the game during a stoppage of play. Is the original goalkeeper allowed to return to play once the ensuing face-off has been completed?

No. They must wait until the next stoppage of play to re-enter the game. Rule Reference 205(b).

A goalkeeper can be substituted for by another goalkeeper at any time, but the original goalkeeper must wait until the next stoppage of play to re-enter the game.

The play is stopped due to the injury of a goalkeeper. After recovering quickly, they skate to the players’ bench to wipe their face with a towel. Is this action permissible or must they be replaced?

The goalkeeper must be replaced or a bench minor penalty assessed. Rule Reference 205(c).

Any time that a goalkeeper goes to their players’ bench during a stoppage of play, they must be replaced or penalized. If replaced, the goalkeeper is not allowed to return to the game until the next stoppage of play.