Rule 304. Protective Equipment

(Note) Although some protective equipment is not mandatory in all age classifications, USA Hockey strongly recommends that all players and goalkeepers in all age classifications properly wear an internal mouthpiece, a HECC approved helmet and a HECC approved full facemask for all games and practices.

1. Each participant is personally responsible to wear protective equipment for all games, warm-ups and practices. Such equipment should include shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hip pads or padded hockey pants, protective cup, tendon pads plus all head protective equipment as required by USA Hockey rules. It is recommended that all protective equipment be designed specifically for ice hockey.

   All protective equipment, except gloves, padded hockey pants, helmet/facemask and goalkeeper's leg guards, must be worn under the uniform. For violation of this rule after a warning by the Referee a minor penalty shall be imposed.

   (Note) Players, including goalkeepers, violating this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game until such equipment has been corrected or removed.

   In all classifications, if the goalkeeper's helmet/face mask comes off during play, the Referee or Linesman shall stop play immediately.

   In all classifications (excluding Juniors and Adults), if a player's helmet/face mask comes off during play, the Referee or Linesman shall stop play immediately.

   A minor penalty shall be assessed to a goalkeeper or player who causes a stoppage of play by deliberately removing his helmet/face mask during play.

   In Adult classifications a player, excluding the goalkeeper, whose helmet/facemask has come off his head during play may not resume play until his helmet/face mask has been properly replaced. A player not conforming to this rule shall be assessed a minor penalty.

   For Juniors only - A player, excluding the goalkeeper, whose helmet/face mask has come off his head during play may complete the play he is immediately involved in. Once the immediate play is completed, the player should immediately properly replace the helmet. Failure to do so will result in the following:

   1. If the non-offending team has possession and control of the puck, the Referee shall allow play to continue until a change of possession or a stoppage of play occurs, or
   2. If the offending player's team has possession and control of the puck, the Referee shall immediately stop play and the face-off will be conducted at the nearest Defending Zone face-off spot of the offending team.

2. It is compulsory for all players in all classifications to wear a hockey helmet, with helmet strap properly fastened. (See Rule 304(d)(Note 2)).

   It is mandatory that all players wear a HECC approved helmet with the following exceptions:

   1. For Adults only - Players must wear a hockey helmet (HECC approved or not) with helmet strap properly fastened.
   2. For Juniors only - Players, having reached the age of majority, and who sign the proper waiver may wear a non-HECC approved helmet.
   All players on the players' bench and the penalty bench must wear the protective helmet/face mask while in the bench area. For a violation of this rule, after a warning by the Referee, a misconduct penalty shall be assessed to the offending player.

   It is required that all On-Ice Officials wear a black hockey helmet with the helmet strap fastened. It is strongly recommended that all On-Ice Officials wear a half shield visor properly attached to their helmet.

   (Note) For a listing of HECC approved helmets, see Appendix 3.

3. All players, including goalkeepers, in the Pee Wee through Midget (including High School) and in the Girls/Women 10-or-under through 19-or-under age classifications (and Juniors as well) are required to wear a colored (non-clear) internal mouthpiece that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper.

   For a violation of this rule a misconduct penalty shall be imposed. A game misconduct penalty (game ejection for Juniors) penalty shall be assessed for a subsequent violation by the same player or goalkeeper in the same game.

   It is recommended, in all classifications, that the mouthpiece be form fitted by a Dentist.

   For Juniors only - A player or goalkeeper, having reached the age of majority, and who signs the proper waiver, shall be permitted to play with any mouthpiece or no mouthpiece at all.

   If the Captain of a team requests that a mouthpiece be checked on a player of the opposing team and the challenge is not sustained, a bench minor penalty for delay of game shall be imposed on the team requesting such check.

4. All players, including goalkeepers, in all age classifications below Adults, are required to wear a face mask certified by HECC, plus any chin protection that accompanies the face mask, except as permitted in Note 1 of this rule.

   (Note) For a listing of HECC approved facemasks, see Appendix 4.

   (Note 1) For Juniors only - All players, having reached the age of majority, shall be permitted to wear a HECC approved half face mask shield. All players who have reached the age of majority and who have signed the proper waiver shall be permitted to wear a face mask of their choice, or no face mask at all. Such signed waiver must be made available to Game Officials prior to each game, upon request.

   (Note 2) Any helmet or face mask that is altered except as permitted in Rule 304(d)(Note 1) shall be deemed to be illegal equipment and shall not be allowed to be used in a game. (This shall include helmets from which a part has been cut or removed, face masks from which the chin-cup has been removed or any other such alterations from the original manufacturing specifications.)

5. All players must wear the required protective equipment in the manner for which it is designed. For violation of this rule a misconduct penalty shall be imposed.