Rule 205. Change of Players

1. Players may be changed at any time from the players' bench, provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall always be at the players' bench and out of the play before any change is made.

   If, in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering or leaving the game deliberately plays the puck with the stick, skates or hands, or checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while the retiring player is actually on the ice, then a bench minor for ``too many players on the ice'' will be called.

   (Note) If, in the course of a substitution, either the player entering the play or the player retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.

2. A goalkeeper may be changed for another player at any time under the conditions set out in this section.

   (Note) When a goalkeeper leaves his goal area and proceeds to his players' bench for the purpose of substituting another player, the rear Linesman shall be responsible to see that the substitution made is not illegal by reason of the premature departure of the substitute from the players' bench (before the goalkeeper is at the bench and out of play). If the substitution is made prematurely, the Linesman shall stop the play immediately by blowing his whistle unless the non-offending team has possession of the puck, in which event the stoppage will be delayed until the puck changes hands. There shall be no time penalty to the team making the premature substitution by the resulting face-off will take place on the center face-off spot. Where play has stopped with the puck in the offending team's defending half of the ice, the face-off shall take place at the point of the stoppage of play, unless otherwise covered in these rules.

3. If there are less than two minutes remaining in either regulation time or anytime during overtime and a minor or bench minor penalty is imposed for deliberate illegal substitution, such as too many players on the ice or leaving the penalty bench too soon, a penalty shot/optional bench minor shall be awarded against the offending team in lieu of the minor or bench minor penalty.

   (Note) The intent of this rule is to award a penalty shot/optional bench minor only when the extra player(s) are ``deliberately'' put on the ice. When a substitution error is made and there are too many players on the ice the normal bench minor penalty shall be assessed regardless of the time remaining in the game.

4. A player serving a penalty on the penalty bench, who is to be changed after the penalty has been served, must proceed at once by way of the ice and be at his own players' bench before any change can be made.

5. During a stoppage of play a goalkeeper may not go to his players' bench without the permission of the Referee unless he is substituted for by another player or goalkeeper. When a substitution for the goalkeeper has been made under this rule, the goalkeeper shall not resume his position until play resumes, except that he shall be permitted immediate re-entry into the game when a penalty is imposed that will affect the on-ice strength of either team.

6. For a violation of this rule a bench minor penalty shall be imposed unless otherwise provided in the Playing Rules.