Rule 109. Players' Bench

1. Each rink shall be provided with seats or benches for the use of players of both teams and the accommodations provided including benches and doors shall be uniform for both teams. Such seats or benches shall have accommodations for at least 14 persons of each team, and shall be placed immediately alongside the ice, in the Neutral Zone, as near to the center of the rink as possible with doors opening in the Neutral Zone and convenient to the dressing rooms.

   Each players' bench should be 24 feet in length. The players' benches should be on the same side of the playing surface opposite the penalty bench and should be separated by a substantial distance.

   Where physically possible, each players' bench shall have two doors in the Neutral Zone and all doors opening to the playing surface shall be constructed so that they swing inward.

2. None but players in uniform, and Team Officials (up to a maximum of four) shall be permitted to occupy the bench area so provided.

3. There shall be no smoking, alcoholic beverages or spitting of tobacco on the players' bench, penalty bench, timekeeping area or on the ice by any person. A team shall be warned by the Referee for the first offense by any player or Team Official during a game and, thereafter, a bench minor penalty shall be assessed for each such offense during that game.