How many players can be on the ice, and how do substitutions work?

Question

Accepted Answer

From the Official Rules and Case Book of Ringette (2025-2027):

On the ice (Rule 8.3): no more than six players per team at one time, for example five skaters and a goaltender.
Substituting (8.3.a): players may substitute at any time, but during play they may only enter or leave the ice through the players' bench gates. A skater may be substituted for the goaltender at any time (8.3.b).
Illegal Substitution (14.10): a Minor penalty for exceeding the legal number of players, entering during play through a door other than the bench gate, or substituting for a teammate who is not within 3.05 m (10 ft) of the players' bench.
Restricted area (Rule 8.6): in each end zone, between the end boards and the free play line, a maximum of three skaters per team may play. The limit is four skaters for the team not being penalized while a delayed penalty is signalled, and four for a team making a goaltender substitution. A skater in excess of the maximum may not contact or control the ring while any part of them, including the stick, is in that area. If the team in control of the ring has too many skaters in that area, play is stopped immediately.
Line changes at the free play line (8.6.e): skaters may exchange once both skates of the exiting player have contacted that line.