The PWHL Handbook
By Alec Johnson
About this collection
This collection provides a comprehensive overview of the **Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Official Rulebook for 2025-2026**. The documents systematically cover all aspects of league play, from the physical playing environment (rink dimensions, goal specifications, ice markings) to team composition (roster limits, captain designation, injured player protocols) and equipment standards. A significant portion focuses on **penalty classifications and enforcement**, detailing physical infractions (boarding, charging, checking from behind), restraining infractions (holding, hooking, interference, tripping), stick infractions (slashing, spearing, high-sticking), and other violations (delay of game, too many players, unsportsmanlike conduct). The rulebook establishes clear procedures for **game officials** (referees, linespersons, timekeepers, video replay judges) and their responsibilities, plus detailed **game flow mechanics** including face-off procedures, line changes, overtime rules, and timing protocols. This collection serves as the complete regulatory framework governing PWHL competition, emphasizing player safety through equipment requirements and penalty structures while ensuring consistent, fair play across all league games.
Curated Sources
pwdl rules section 1 playing area.pdf
The document outlines the official rules and specifications for ice rinks used in Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) games. It covers dimensions, markings, and equipment requirements for the rink, goal posts, nets, benches, and signal devices. The rink must be 200 feet long and 85 feet wide with specific markings for goal lines, face-off spots, and creases. The goal posts and nets have precise dimensions and materials specified. The players' and penalty benches must be situated in particular locations and have specific protective glass requirements. Signal devices, including sound devices and lights, are required to indicate goals, period ends, and commercial timeouts. Timing devices must accurately display game time and penalty time.
Key Takeaways
- The PWHL has strict specifications for ice rink dimensions and markings to ensure uniformity across games.
- The goal posts and nets have precise requirements for material and dimensions to maintain consistency and safety.
- The placement and protection of players' and penalty benches are critical for player safety and game integrity.
- Signal and timing devices play a crucial role in managing game flow and indicating important events like goals and timeouts.
pwhl rulebook index.pdf
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Official Rulebook 2025-2026 outlines rules and regulations for the league, covering playing area, teams, equipment, types of penalties, officials, and game flow. It details rink dimensions, team composition, player equipment, penalty classifications, and officiating procedures. The rulebook includes specific sections on physical infractions, restraining infractions, stick infractions, and other infractions, as well as game timing and overtime procedures.
Key Takeaways
- The rulebook provides comprehensive guidelines for PWHL games, including equipment standards and penalty classifications.
- It outlines specific rules for physical infractions like boarding, charging, and checking from behind.
- The document details officiating procedures, including appointment of officials and their duties during games.
- Game flow rules cover face-offs, game timing, and overtime procedures.
- The rulebook includes reference tables summarizing various penalty types and their applications.
pwhl rules section 4 types of penalties.pdf
The document outlines various penalty rules and procedures in hockey, including types of penalties such as minor, major, misconduct, and match penalties. It details how referees call penalties, the procedures for different infractions, and the consequences for players and teams. Specific rules cover situations like goals scored during penalties, delayed penalties, and coincidental penalties. The document also includes referee signals for various infractions and procedures for penalty shots and awarded goals.
Key Takeaways
- The rules differentiate between various types of penalties (minor, double-minor, major, misconduct, game misconduct, and match) with distinct procedures and consequences.
- Referees use specific signals to indicate different infractions, enhancing game clarity and consistency.
- The document provides detailed guidance on handling complex penalty situations, such as coincidental penalties and delayed penalties, to maintain fair play.
- Penalty shots and awarded goals have specific conditions and procedures to restore lost scoring opportunities.
- Supplementary discipline procedures allow for further action beyond in-game penalties, including fines and suspensions.
pwhl rules section 2 teams.pdf
The rules govern team composition, player eligibility, and procedures for handling injuries during hockey games. Teams are allowed up to 23 players, with specific requirements for goalkeepers. Ineligible players are not allowed to participate, and violating teams face penalties. Injured players can be replaced, but specific procedures must be followed, including rules for penalized players and goalkeepers. The rules also cover captain and alternate captain roles, starting lineups, and blood-related injuries.
Key Takeaways
- Teams must submit a list of eligible players before the game, and changes are not allowed after commencement.
- Injured players can be replaced, but penalized players must serve their penalties even if replaced.
- Goalkeepers have specific rules regarding substitution and warm-up periods, especially in cases of injury.
- Captains and alternate captains have defined roles and responsibilities, including discussing rule interpretations with referees.
pwhl rules section 5 officials.pdf
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) outlines rules and responsibilities for officials, including referees, linespersons, official scorers, game timekeepers, penalty timekeepers, and video replay judges. Referees are responsible for supervising the game, imposing penalties, and making final decisions on disputed goals. Linespersons assist referees and are responsible for calling off-side and icing infractions. Official scorers record game statistics, award goals and assists, and maintain accurate records. Game timekeepers manage game timing, while penalty timekeepers track penalties. Video replay judges review plays to verify goals and disputed calls. The rules also cover procedures for abuse of officials, physical abuse of officials, and supplementary discipline.
Key Takeaways
- The PWHL has detailed rules governing officials' roles and responsibilities.
- Video review is used to verify goals and disputed calls, with specific procedures for review and decision-making.
- Officials are expected to maintain professionalism and respect, with penalties for abuse or physical abuse of officials.
- The league uses various officials, including referees, linespersons, official scorers, game timekeepers, penalty timekeepers, and video replay judges.
- The rules provide a framework for managing game timing, penalties, and scoring, ensuring a fair and safe game environment.
pwhl rules section 8 stick infractions.pdf
The document outlines rules and penalties for stick infractions in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), including butt-ending, cross-checking, high-sticking, slashing, and spearing. Each infraction is defined, and corresponding penalties are detailed, ranging from minor to match penalties. The rules also cover supplementary discipline that can be applied by the Hockey Operations Officer. Specific penalties include double-minor, major, and game misconduct penalties, with some infractions warranting automatic game misconduct penalties when a major penalty is assessed. The document also references other related rules, such as those regarding high-sticking the puck, tripping, and awarded goals.
Key Takeaways
- The PWHL has specific rules governing stick infractions, with detailed definitions and corresponding penalties.
- Penalties for stick infractions range from minor to match penalties, depending on the severity of the infraction and whether injury occurs.
- Supplementary discipline can be applied by the Hockey Operations Officer for certain infractions, allowing for additional fines or suspensions beyond the standard penalties.
- Some infractions, such as butt-ending and spearing, carry automatic game misconduct penalties when a major penalty is assessed.
- Referees have discretion in assessing penalties and can review video footage to confirm or rescind certain calls, such as high-sticking infractions that result in injury.
pwhl rules section 3 equipment.pdf
The document outlines the equipment regulations for the Premier Women's Hockey League (PWHL), covering team uniforms, player and goalkeeper equipment, stick measurements, and other gear. It details specific requirements for jerseys, helmets, gloves, and protective gear, as well as procedures for equipment inspections and penalties for non-compliance. The regulations aim to ensure fair play and player safety.
Key Takeaways
- The PWHL has strict equipment regulations to ensure fair play and player safety.
- Goalkeeper equipment is subject to specific measurements and inspections to prevent undue advantage.
- Penalties are imposed for non-compliance with equipment regulations, including fines and game suspensions.
pwhl rules section 10 game flow.pdf
Face-offs initiate or resume play in hockey, conducted between two opposing players at designated spots on the rink. The procedure involves specific positioning and stick placement, with violations resulting in penalties. Game timing includes three 20-minute periods with intermissions, overtime rules, and procedures for stoppages and delays. Rules govern face-off locations, line changes, and player substitutions, with penalties for infractions such as encroachment, premature movement, and delaying the game. Overtime periods have specific timing and player strength rules, including overtime shootouts in regular season games. Game flow rules cover situations like pucks out of bounds, unplayable pucks, and stoppages due to injuries or equipment issues.
Key Takeaways
- Face-off procedures are strictly regulated to ensure fair play.
- Game timing and intermission rules are clearly defined.
- Overtime periods have specific rules for player strength and timing.
- Penalties are assessed for various infractions, including face-off violations and delaying the game.
- Rules govern various game flow situations, including pucks out of bounds and unplayable pucks.
pwhl rules section 6 physical infractions.pdf
The document outlines rules and penalties for physical infractions in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), covering various forms of dangerous play including boarding, charging, checking from behind, clipping, elbowing, fighting, head-butting, illegal checks to the head, kicking, kneeing, roughing, body checking, slew-footing, and throwing equipment. Each rule specifies the type of penalty to be imposed, ranging from minor to match penalties, and includes guidelines for referees to assess these penalties based on the severity of the infraction and potential for injury. The rules also detail supplementary discipline that can be applied by the Hockey Operations Officer for certain infractions.
Key Takeaways
- The PWHL has specific rules to govern physical play and prevent injuries.
- Penalties for physical infractions range from minor to match penalties depending on severity and intent.
- Referees have discretion to assess penalties based on the circumstances of each infraction.
- Supplementary discipline can be applied for certain infractions, allowing for further action beyond on-ice penalties.
pwhl rules section 11 reference tables.pdf
The document provides comprehensive reference tables for various hockey penalties, including minor, major, misconduct, and game misconduct penalties, as well as specific situations related to goalkeeper interference and overtime rules. It details the specific infractions, corresponding rules, and resulting penalties for players, coaches, and goalkeepers. The tables cover scenarios such as coincidental penalties, penalty expiration during overtime, and player strength adjustments. The information is organized into 16 tables, each addressing different aspects of penalty assessment and management in hockey games.
Key Takeaways
- The document provides detailed penalty references for hockey officials and players, covering various infractions and corresponding rules.
- Tables outline specific penalty scenarios, including minor, major, and misconduct penalties, as well as goalkeeper interference and overtime rules.
- The information helps clarify complex penalty situations, such as coincidental penalties and player strength adjustments during overtime.
pwhl rules 7 restraining infractions.pdf
Rules 55-58 of the hockey regulations cover restrained infractions including holding, hooking, interference, and tripping. Holding involves restraining an opponent using hands, arms, or legs. Hooking is using the stick to restrain an opponent. Interference involves impeding an opponent's progress without body position. Tripping involves causing an opponent to fall using stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow. Penalties range from minor to major, with possible game misconduct, penalty shots, or awarded goals depending on the severity and context of the infraction.
Key Takeaways
- The rules emphasize body position and legal checking techniques to distinguish between legal play and infractions.
- Interference is strictly penalized, with specific examples including using stick or body to impede opponents not in possession of the puck.
- Tripping penalties depend on whether the trip occurs in the neutral or attacking zone and whether it prevents a scoring opportunity.
- Supplementary discipline can be applied by the Hockey Operations Officer for infractions not covered by specific rules.
pwhl rules section 9 other infractions.pdf
The document outlines various hockey rules related to delaying the game, diving, equipment, forfeit of game, handling puck, illegal substitution, interference on the goalkeeper, leaving the bench, premature substitution, refusing to play, too many women on the ice, and unsportsmanlike conduct. It details the penalties for each infraction, including minor penalties, bench minor penalties, penalty shots, and awarded goals. Specific rules cover situations such as deliberately shooting the puck out of play, displacing the goal post, and goalkeeper actions that cause unnecessary stoppages. The rules also address player conduct, including diving, equipment violations, and unsportsmanlike behavior. Penalties range from minor infractions to game misconduct and potential suspensions.
Key Takeaways
- The rules emphasize continuous play and penalize actions that deliberately stop or delay the game.
- Goalkeeper interference is strictly regulated to ensure fair play and safety.
- Penalties for infractions range from minor to severe, including game misconduct and potential suspensions.
- The rules provide detailed guidelines for various game situations, including face-offs, substitutions, and player conduct.
- Teams and players are held accountable for their behavior on and off the ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do the PWHL's penalty shot criteria (the four specific requirements in Rule 58.3) compare to the NHL's standards, and what does the absence of a trapezoid rule (Rule 1.8) reveal about the league's philosophy on goalkeeper involvement in puck play?
- What patterns emerge when analyzing which infractions carry automatic game misconduct penalties versus referee discretion, and how might these choices reflect the PWHL's priorities around player safety versus game flow?
- How do the face-off procedures and line change rules in Section 10 interact with the overtime rules to create strategic advantages, particularly regarding the requirement that visiting teams name their starting lineup first (Rule 7.1)?
- What is the relationship between the detailed injury protocols (Rule 8) and the blood rules (Rule 8.3) in terms of competitive impact—can teams exploit these mandatory substitution rules for tactical advantage during critical game moments?
- How do the coincidental penalty rules in the reference tables (Section 11) affect team strategy during overtime periods, especially given the specific player strength adjustments and penalty expiration timing?
- What does the distinction between 'body position' and illegal restraining in the interference rules (Rule 57.1) reveal about how the PWHL balances physical play with player safety, and how might this definition affect defensive strategies?
- How do the equipment inspection procedures (Section 3) and the rules around ineligible players (Rule 5.2) work together to prevent competitive advantages, and what does the 'no additional penalties' approach to ineligible players suggest about the league's enforcement philosophy?
- What strategic implications arise from the rule that goals scored with an ineligible player on the ice are disallowed only at the stoppage when discovered (Rule 5.2), and how might this affect coaching decisions about roster submission accuracy?
- How do the specific measurements for goal crease dimensions (Rule 1.7) and the goalkeeper interference rules interact to define the protected space for goalkeepers, and what does this reveal about balancing scoring opportunities with goalkeeper safety?
- What is the significance of the referee's ability to review video exclusively for high-sticking double-minor penalties (Rule 61.3) but not other infractions, and how might this selective video review policy affect game outcomes and penalty assessment consistency?