Positions, scoring, fouls, key terms and junior game durations — the same rules reference built into the Squaddie app.
Speed, skating, puck control, and high-tempo teamwork on the ice.
Covers cross-ice junior formats through to competitive full-ice hockey across ages 5–18+ with strict safety guidelines on protective gear and contact.
Ice hockey is a fast-paced team sport played on an ice rink. Two teams of six players (five skaters and one goaltender) use sticks to shoot a vulcanized rubber puck into the opponent's net to score goals.
5 skaters + 1 goaltender on ice
Skaters
Three 15–20 min periods
Periods
Ice rink (60 m × 30 m standard)
Surface
Objective
Score more goals than the opposing team by shooting the puck completely across the goal line into the opponent's net.
Rink Zones
The rink is divided by blue lines into three zones: Defending Zone, Neutral Zone, and Attacking Zone.
Continuous Play
Play is continuous with rolling substitutions ("on the fly") while the puck remains in active play.
| Grade / Age | Ice Space | Puck / Nets | Contact Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Explorers (5–6) | Cross-ice (1/3 rink) | Blue light puck, mini nets | Non-contact, balance & fun |
| Ice Starters (7–8) | Cross-ice / Half-ice | Light puck, regulation nets | Non-contact, stick checking |
| Junior (9–12) | Half-ice to full-ice | Standard puck (6 oz) | Angling & body contact only |
| Youth & Senior (13+) | Full ice | Standard puck, full timing | Checking (where sanctioned) / Non-checking |
Body checking is strictly prohibited in younger age grades; contact is limited to safe skating angling and stick-on-puck positioning.
Rules are just the start.
Squaddie also gives you Ice Hockey drills, session plans and full season programmes — free with your first team.