Rule 605. Broken Stick

1. A player without a stick may participate in the game. A player or goalkeeper whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided he drops the stick. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this rule.

   (Note) A broken stick is one which, in the opinion of the Referee, is unfit for normal play.

2. A replacement for a stick which is either broken or no longer in possession of a player or goalkeeper may only be obtained from the players' bench or a teammate on the ice. For a violation of this rule a bench minor penalty shall be assessed to the team of the player receiving the replacement stick provided that no penalty is assessed under Rule 601(c.2) or Rule 601(h.3) for this infraction.

   The team, a member of which throws a replacement stick into the playing area, must be penalized under Rule 601(c.2) or Rule 601(h.3), Throwing Articles into the Playing Area. A player receiving a stick so thrown shall not be penalized.

   (Note) The intent of this rule is to provide for the assessment of one penalty for any one illegal stick replacement.

3. A goalkeeper whose stick is broken may not go to the players' bench for a replacement during a stoppage of play, but must receive his stick from a teammate.

   For an infraction of this rule, a minor penalty shall be imposed on the goalkeeper.