Last updated: Aug 11, 2023
The hockey rink is the playing surface for the sport of hockey.There are many parts, lines, scoring areas, and zones that you should know.Read on to learn more about hockey rinks, including their dimensions and what parts make up the rink.
Table of Contents
- Hockey Rink Dimensions
- Parts of a Hockey Rink
- Scoring Areas of a Hockey Rink
- Lines on a Hockey Rink
- Zones of a Hockey Rink
- Out of Bounds
- Ice Maintenance
- FAQ
Hockey Rink Dimensions
The dimensions of rinks vary based on the league and level of play. Read on to learn the dimensions of the two most commonly seen sizes of hockey rink.
NHL Hockey Rink Dimensions
An NHL ice hockey rink is 200 ft in length and 85 ft in width. An ice hockey rink has rounded edges with a 28-foot corner radius. Since the red line represents the middle of the rink, it is an even 100ft from both ends of the rink. The blue lines are both 25ft from the red line.
International Hockey Rink Dimensions
Hockey leagues such as the KHL (Russia) and SHL (Sweden) and international tournaments like the Olympics play on a larger ice surface. While their rinks typically remain 200 ft in length, they are usually around 98 ft wide, which is 13 ft wider than most North American rinks.
Parts of a Hockey Rink
Boards:The surrounding perimeter of the hockey rink used to keep the puck in play.
Center Ice:The center of the hockey rink where the team logo is located and the opening face-off takes place.
Goal Cage:Two cages sit at the back of the goalie creases where goalies for each team defend against shots on goal.
Safety Glass:This form of plexiglass surrounds the perimeter of the hockey rink along the top of the boards.
Penalty Box:One penalty box for each team is next to the team benches. When a penalty is called on a player, they enter the penalty box for a designated amount of time.
Player Benches:Each team has a bench just outside the boards. The players and coaches stay here when not on the ice.
Scoreboard:Hanging from the top of the stadium is the scoreboard, where fans and players can see a detailed look at the score, shots on goal, game clock, and penalty clock.
Scoring Areas of a Hockey Rink
Slot:The slot is the location between the two face-off circles on either end of the rink directly in front of the goal cage.
Wings:The left wing and right wings are the two sides of the hockey rink. The winger positions in hockey play on the wings.
The Point:The point is the location just outside the face-off circles close to the boards in the attacking zone.
Lines on a Hockey Rink
Red Line:The red line splitting the ice in half, running through center ice.
Blue Lines:The two blue lines surrounding the red line. The blue lines divide the ice into three zones called the defensive zone, neutral zone, and offensive zone.
Goal Lines:The two red lines just behind the goals. The goal lines are used in calling icing infractions.
Hash Marks:Hash marks are located around the face-off circles. They are used to align players during face-offs.
Face-off Circles:The four big red circles, two in the defensive zone and two in the offensive zone.
Face-off Spots:The nine red dots on the ice, where the puck is dropped by the referee to start play with a face-off.
Goalie Crease:At the front of the goal cage is the goalie crease. The goalie crease is where goaltenders position themselves during play. If a player interferes with the goaltender in this area, that player can be called for goaltender interference.
Goalie Trapezoid:Behind the goal cages is an area called the goalie trapezoid, sometimes referred to as the restricted area. The goalie trapezoid indicates where it is legal for a goalie to play an active puck. If the goalie handles the puck outside of the trapezoid, a minor penalty will be given for delay of game.
Referee’s Crease:The referee's crease is where game officials gather to discuss penalties and challenges. During play, referees skate with the flow of the game, but this is where they typically gather after a stoppage in play that needs a review.
Zones of a Hockey Rink
Offensive zone:The offensive zone, also known as the attacking zone, is the zone where the team with possession of the puck is trying to score a goal in.
Defensive zone:Like the offensive zone, the defensive zone is where a team is trying to defend against a score in their goal.
Neutral Zone:Between the blue lines is a zone called the neutral zone. It is where both teams transition between the attacking zone and defensive zone. The neutral zone includes center ice.
Keep in mind that zones in hockey are relative to which goal a team is attacking, which means that one team’s offensive zone will be the other team’s defensive zone, and vice-versa. The neutral zone will always remain in the center of the ice.
Out of Bounds
Out-of-bounds in hockey is the area of an ice hockey rink outside of the boards that surround the rink. If the puck goes over the safety glass, it will be ruled as a dead puck, and the puck will be put back into play with a face-off.
There are two results of a puck going out of play, one of which results in a penalty:
Puck Out of Bounds: The puck can go out of bounds by flying over the safety glass or bench area, causing a brief stoppage of play. When this happens, a face-off is used to put the puck back into play.
Delay of Game:A delay of game penalty is called on players who shoot the puck over the glass without a deflection from their own defensive zone. Delay of game is a minor penalty in ice hockey.
Ice Maintenance
The ice hockey rink must be maintained to ensure quality control. Keeping the ice smooth is necessary to prevent damage to the ice and player injury. During the intermission between every period, a vehicle called the Zamboni will drive along the ice to smooth it out.
The Zamboni is a vehicle operated by a driver who steers it along the ice, resurfacing the playing area. Simultaneously shaving the top layer of the ice, removing cracks, and smoothing out the ice with water, the Zamboni is a machine that maintains the rink at lightning speeds.
FAQ
What are the dimensions of an NHL hockey rink?
An NHL hockey rink is 200 ft by 85 ft.These dimensions are uniform in all arenas in the league. NHL-sized hockey rinks are also used in lower levels of hockey, especially college and Major Junior hockey.
What are the dimensions of an international hockey rink?
International hockey rinks are the same length as NHL rinks (200ft), but are slightly wider (98ft).International hockey rinks are used in international competitions, including the Olympics and IIHF tournaments.
