Linesperson's Guide to Hockey Canada Playing Rules All Ages 2026-27

Under Rule 6.11 (b) of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, if an attacking player precedes a puck that is shot, passed or deflected into the attacking zone by a teammate, or deflected in by a defending player or on-ice official, the linesperson signals a delayed off-side (non-whistle arm fully extended above the head).

The linesperson drops the arm to nullify the off-side and allow play to continue if:

• the defending team passes or carries the puck into the neutral zone, or
• all attacking players clear the attacking zone by making skate contact with the blue-line, so the zone is completely clear of attacking players.

During a delayed off-side:

• If the puck enters the net, directly or by deflection, the goal is not allowed, because the original shot was off-side. This applies even if the attacking team cleared the zone and the arm was dropped before the puck entered the net.
• If any attacking player touches the puck or tries to gain possession of a loose puck while it is still in the attacking zone, the linesperson stops play.

Attacking players who were not off-side when the delay began must wait until it is nullified before entering the attacking zone.

Under Rule 6.11 (d) of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, an attacking player may be called for an intentional off-side when:

• they deliberately play, or attempt to play, the puck or an opposing player in a delayed off-side situation, knowing they are off-side; or
• they deliberately carry the puck into the attacking zone when they know teammates are in an off-side position.

Play is stopped immediately and the face-off is at an end zone face-off spot in the offending team's defending zone (Rules 6.11 (d) and 6.3 (e)(iv)).

For an ordinary off-side, play is stopped and the face-off is in the neutral zone at the spot nearest the attacking zone of the offending team, nearest to where the puck crossed the blue-line. If the puck is passed to an attacking player already in an off-side position, the face-off is at the spot nearest to where the pass originated (Rule 6.3 (d)).

Rule 6.7 of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028 defines icing as a player shooting, batting, kicking or deflecting the puck from their own half of the ice, as divided by the centre red line, down and across the goal line in the opposing team's defending zone. If the puck enters the net on the play, it is not icing. The linesperson who stops play blows the whistle, then raises their non-whistle arm.

Called when the team shooting is equal or superior in numbers to the opponent.

Not called when:

• the shooting team is below the numerical strength of the opponent at the instant the puck is shot (a team is no longer shorthanded once the penalty time expires, even if the player is still on the Penalty Bench);
• the puck touches any part of an opposing player's body, stick or skates before crossing the goal line;
• the puck touches any part of any player's body, stick or skates between crossing the centre red line and the goal line;
• in the official's opinion, an opposing player other than the goaltender could play the puck but chooses not to;
• the action comes directly from a player taking a face-off;
• the puck is shot, rebounds off an opponent in the shooter's own half and crosses the shooter's own goal line.

After an icing, play stops and the face-off is at the end zone face-off spot of the offending team nearest to where the puck was shot (Rule 6.3 (e)).

Both are in Rule 6.7 of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028 and apply in U18 AAA, Junior, and at the option of the Member in Senior.

No-change on icing (6.7 (d)): a team that ices the puck cannot make player substitutions before the ensuing face-off, except to replace a goaltender who was substituted for an extra attacker, to replace an injured player, or when a penalty or penalties have been assessed to either team. The players on the ice are determined when the puck leaves the offending player's stick. Either team may take a time-out after an icing, but the team that iced cannot change players during it.

Hybrid icing (6.7 (e)):

• With no race for the puck, icing is not called until a defending player (not the goaltender) crosses the threshold of the defending zone face-off spot(s) and the puck has completely crossed the goal line.
• With a race, the linesperson first decides whether the puck will cross the goal line. If not, icing is waved off. If so, the linesperson decides which skater would be first to potentially touch the puck. That decision must be made no later than the instant the first player crosses the threshold of the end zone face-off spot(s). A defending skater first means icing is called. An attacking skater first means it is waved off.
• If the race is too close to determine, hybrid icing must be called. Linespersons must err on the side of player safety.
• If a goaltender leaves the crease with both skates, moving toward the puck, the linesperson waves off the hybrid icing.
• Referees must penalize unnecessary contact leading up to or after the icing call.

Rule 5.3 and its Interpretation 1 in the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028 say:

• Linespersons stop play when there are more than the correct number of players on the ice. The normal procedure for calling penalties still applies.
• Offending team has control of the puck: the linesperson stops play immediately.
• Offending team does not have control: it becomes a delayed call. The linesperson stops play when the offending team gains possession and control of the puck, but does not raise their arm. There is no linesperson signal for the delayed situation.
• If the offending team never gains control, the linesperson reports the infraction to the referee at the next stoppage.
• In both situations the linesperson reports the infraction to the referee at the first stoppage.

Not more than six players, including the goaltender, are permitted on the ice at one time (Rule 6.1 (a)). The penalty is a Bench Minor under Rule 10.7 (a), and the coach may choose any player who was on the ice at the time to serve it (Rule 4.3).

Under Rule 5.3 of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, linespersons identify the offender and report to the referee at the first stoppage of play.

Minor, Bench Minor or double Minor penalties for:

• Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury (7.1 (a))
• Head Contact, double Minor only (7.6 (a))
• Kneeing (7.8 (a))
• Instigator and Aggressor (7.11 (a))
• Interference from the Bench (8.4 (a))
• Slew-Footing (8.8 (a))
• Butt-Ending (9.1 (a))
• Spearing (9.4 (a))
• High-Sticking, Junior/Senior double Minor only (9.5 (a))
• Delay of Game (10.1 (a))
• Leaving the Players' or Penalty Bench (10.4 (a))
• Throwing or Shooting Stick or Object (10.5 (a))
• Illegal Equipment (10.6 (a))
• Too Many Players (10.7 (a))
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct (11.1 (a))

Major, Match, Misconduct, Game Misconduct or Gross Misconduct penalties: linespersons give their version of any infraction that calls for one of these (5.3 (d)).

Linespersons also give their version of any incident when the referee asks (5.3 (e)). The referee, not the linesperson, assesses the penalties.

From Rule 5.3 and Rule 6.6 interpretations in the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028:

• Infraction before a goal: if a linesperson is about to report a penalty but the offending team scores first, the referee washes out the goal because the infraction came before it. Linespersons do not stop play. They wait for the first stoppage and report their version to the referee.
• Goal the referee missed: if the puck enters the net and bounces out without the referee seeing it, the linesperson must not blow the play dead. They wait for the first stoppage and report what they saw. The referee may then award the goal and the clock is reset as accurately as possible. If the other team scored before the stoppage, that goal does not count.
• Penalty shot: a linesperson cannot award a penalty shot where a player is fouled from behind on a breakaway and the referee did not see it.
• Checking from Behind: a linesperson cannot report a Checking from Behind infraction that calls for a Minor penalty and a Game Misconduct.
• Disputed goals: the referee gives the final decision and may consult the linespersons and the goal judge.

Rule 7.10 of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028 says a "fight" occurs when at least one player punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly, or when two players wrestle in a way that makes it difficult for the linespersons to intervene and separate the combatants.

• All other players must immediately return to their respective benches (or a neutral area the referee designates if the fight is in front of a bench) and stay there until the referee calls them back. Goaltenders stay in their creases or go to a neutral zone the referee designates.
• A player who does not return, or who joins a secondary fight, receives additional penalties.
• A goaltender who leaves the crease during a fight receives a Minor penalty, recorded as "Leaving the Crease", unless the referee gave permission to go to the bench.
• A player who fights an opponent receives a Major and a Game Misconduct. A player who joins a fight or acts as a peacemaker receives a Game Misconduct.

The rulebook does not set out a separate procedure for how linespersons physically separate players. The penalties above are assessed by the referee, and linespersons identify offenders and report Major, Match, Misconduct, Game Misconduct and Gross Misconduct infractions to the referee at the first stoppage (Rule 5.3 (d)).

Under Rules 5.2 and 5.3 of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028:

• Referee injured or off the ice: a linesperson may stop play if the referee is injured or accidentally leaves the ice and cannot perform their duties. If an official accidentally leaves the ice or is injured in a way that affects their duties while play is in progress, play is stopped.
• Referee cannot continue, two linespersons: one of the linespersons performs the referee's duties. The referee selects that linesperson or, if necessary, the managers or coaches of the two teams do.
• Linesperson cannot act or finish: the referee in charge may appoint another person in their place if necessary.
• Appointed officials do not appear: the managers or coaches agree on temporary referees and linespersons. These may be any Hockey Canada certified officials present, including players, team officials or spectators. If none are present, each team may appoint one team official or player. Temporary officials must wear at least skates, a helmet and a facial protector (visor). They are replaced immediately if the regular officials arrive during the game.
• Two-referee system: where the rules refer to the linespersons, both referees carry out those duties.

From the Referee's Signals section of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028:

• Delayed off-side: non-whistle arm fully extended above the head. To nullify it, the linesperson drops the arm to the side.
• Possible icing: the back referee or linesperson fully extends either arm over the head. The arm stays up until the front referee or linesperson blows the whistle for icing or the icing is washed out. After the icing is complete, the back official points to the face-off spot and skates to it.
• Icing called: the linesperson who stops play blows the whistle, then raises their non-whistle arm.
• Wash out: a sweeping sideways motion of both arms across the front of the body at shoulder level, palms down. Linespersons use it for "no icing" and in certain situations "no off-side".
• Too many players, delayed: there is no signal for linespersons to use in the delayed situation, and they do not raise their arm.