When can a linesperson stop play, and which penalties can they report?

Linespersons may stop play when (Rule 5.3 (a)):

• an off-side or icing situation arises;
• there is premature entry into the face-off circle;
• the puck goes outside the playing area or is interfered with by an ineligible person;
• the puck has been batted with the hand to a teammate, or struck with a high stick, and it is obvious the referee has not seen it;
• there are too many players on the ice (for a delayed penalty the linesperson stops play when the offending team gains possession and control of the puck, but does NOT raise their arm);
• the goal has been displaced and the referee has not seen it;
• there has been a premature substitution of a goaltender;
• the referee is injured or accidentally leaves the ice;
• a player has obviously sustained a serious injury and the referee has not seen it.

Reporting to the referee at the first stoppage: linespersons identify the offender and give their version of infractions calling for a Minor, Bench Minor or double Minor for Rules 7.1 (a) Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury, 7.6 (a) Head Contact (double Minor only), 7.8 (a) Kneeing, 7.11 (a) Instigator and Aggressor, 8.4 (a) Interference from the Bench, 8.8 (a) Slew-Footing, 9.1 (a) Butt-Ending, 9.4 (a) Spearing, 9.5 (a) High Sticking Junior/Senior (double Minor only), 10.1 (a) Delay of Game, 10.4 (a) Leaving the Players' or Penalty Bench, 10.5 (a) Throwing or Shooting Stick or Object, 10.6 (a) Illegal Equipment, 10.7 (a) Too Many Players, and 11.1 (a) Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Rule 5.3 (c)). They do the same for any infraction calling for a Major, Match, Misconduct, Game Misconduct or Gross Misconduct (Rule 5.3 (d)), and give their version of any incident when the referee asks (Rule 5.3 (e)).

A linesperson cannot stop play to assess a Misconduct for verbal abuse; they wait for a stoppage and notify the referee (Rule 11.2 Interpretation 2). Where the rules refer to the linespersons in Rules 5.2 and 5.3, the duties are carried out by both referees (Rule 5.2 (n)).

Source: Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, Rule 5.3. https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Officiating/Downloads/2026-28-hc-rulebook-e.pdf