An ice hockey rink is an ice rink that is specifically designed for ice hockey, a competitive team sport. Alternatively it is used for other sports such as broomball, ringette, rinkball, and rink bandy. Early in its history, ice hockey was played mostly on rinks constructed for curling.
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Diagram of an ice hockey rink with key markings and zones.
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Rink Dimensions and Specifications
The rink specifications originate from the ice surface of the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, constructed in 1862, where the first indoor game was played in 1875. Its ice surface measured 204 by 80 feet (62.2 m × 24.4 m).
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Internationally, the dimensions of ice hockey rinks follow International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) specifications of 60.0 metres (196.9 ft) in length, and 26.0 to 30.0 metres (85.3 to 98.4 ft) in width, with a corner radius of 7.0 to 8.5 metres (23.0 to 27.9 ft).
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National Hockey League (NHL)
Most North American rinks follow the National Hockey League (NHL) specifications of 200 by 85 feet (61.0 by 25.9 m) with a corner radius of 28 feet (8.5 m).
Here's a table summarizing the key differences in rink dimensions:
| Specification | Length | Width | Corner Radius |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIHF | 60.0 m (196.9 ft) | 26.0 to 30.0 m (85.3 to 98.4 ft) | 7.0 to 8.5 m (23.0 to 27.9 ft) |
| NHL | 61.0 m (200 ft) | 25.9 m (85 ft) | 8.5 m (28 ft) |
Key Markings on the Rink
There are several key markings on a hockey rink that define gameplay and rules.
- Goal Lines: Near each end of the rink, there is a thin red goal line spanning the width of the ice. The goal lines must be 4.0 metres (13.1 ft) from the end boards and 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide. According to NHL and IIHF rules, the entire puck must cross the entire goal line in order to be counted as a goal.
- Blue Lines: There are two thick blue lines that divide the rink into three parts, called zones. The blue lines must be 15.0 metres (49.2 ft) (¼ of the total length of the rink) apart and 30 centimetres (11.8 in) wide. The blue lines are used to judge if a player is offside. The blue line is considered part of whichever zone the puck is in. Therefore, if the puck is in the neutral zone, the blue line is part of the neutral zone. It must completely cross the blue line to be considered in the end zone. Once the puck is in the end zone, the blue line becomes part of that end zone.
- Centre Line: The centre line divides the ice in half crosswise. It is used to judge icing. It is a thick line, and in the NHL must "contain regular interval markings of a uniform distinctive design, which will readily distinguish it from the two blue lines" (i.e. it must not be a solid single colour as the blue lines are). It may also be used to judge two-line pass violations in leagues that use such a rule.
- Faceoff Spots and Circles: There are 9 faceoff spots on a hockey rink. All faceoffs take place at these spots. There are faceoff circles around the centre ice and end zone faceoff spots. There are hash marks painted on the ice near the end zone faceoff spots. Both the centre faceoff spot and centre faceoff circle are blue. All of the other faceoff spots and circles are colored red. Each spot consists of a circle 2 feet (61 cm) in diameter (as measured from the outermost edges) with an outline 2 inches (5.1 cm) thick.
- Goal Crease: In North American professional hockey, the goal crease consists of straight lines extending 4.5 feet (1.4 m) perpendicularly from the goal line 1 foot (30 cm) outside each goal post, connected by an arc with a 6-foot (1.8 m) radius; 5-inch-thick (13 cm) red hashmarks are added just inside the straight lines, 4 feet (120 cm) from the goal line and extending 5 inches (13 cm) into the crease from either side.
- Goaltender Trap Zone (Trapezoid): During the 2004-05 American Hockey League (AHL) season, an experimental rule was implemented for the first seven weeks of the season, instituting a goaltender trap zone, more commonly called the trapezoid in reference to its shape. Under the rule, it is prohibited for the goaltender to handle the puck anywhere behind the goal line that is not within the trapezoidal area. The motivation for the introduction of the trapezoid was to promote game flow and prolonged offensive attacks by making it more difficult for the goaltender to possess and clear the puck. The rule was aimed at reducing the effectiveness of goaltenders with good puck-handling abilities, such as former New Jersey Devils and St. The area consists of a centred, symmetrical trapezoid. The bases of the trapezoid are formed by the goal line and the end boards. The seven-week experiment proved so successful that the AHL moved to enforce the rule for the rest of the season, and then the rule was approved by the NHL when play resumed for the 2005-06 season.
- Referee's Crease: The referee's crease is a semicircle 10 feet (3.0 m) in radius in front of the scorekeepers bench. Under USA Hockey rule 601(d)(5), any player entering or remaining in the referee's crease while the referee is reporting to or consulting with any game official may be assessed a misconduct penalty.
Rink Zones
The blue lines divide the rink into three zones. The central zone is called the neutral zone or simply centre ice. The generic term for the outer zones is end zones, but they are more commonly referred to by terms relative to each team.
Boards
In a hockey rink, the boards are the low wall that form the boundaries of the rink. They are between 40 and 48 inches (100 and 120 cm) high. The "side boards" are the boards along the two long sides of the rink. The half boards are the boards halfway between the goal line and blue line. The sections of the rink located behind each goal are called the "end boards".
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Ice Line Quad Rinks: A Closer Look
Home to club and collegiate programs like the Philadelphia Jr Flyers, Team Philadelphia, West Chester Wolverines and West Chester University, Ice Line regularly hosts adult and youth hockey leagues, camps, clinics, tournaments, and public skating events.
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