An ice hockey rink is an ice rink that is specifically designed for ice hockey, a competitive team sport. Alternatively it is used for other sports such as broomball, ringette, rinkball, and rink bandy. It is a rectangle with rounded corners and surrounded by walls approximately 1.22 metres (48 in) high called the boards. There are two standard rink sizes: North American and international.
Name origins Rink, a Scots word meaning 'course', was used as the name of a place where another game, curling, was played. Early in its history, ice hockey was played mostly on rinks constructed for curling. The name was retained after hockey-specific facilities were built.
Dimensions There are two standard sizes for hockey rinks: one used primarily in North America, also known as NHL size, the other used in Europe and international competitions, also known as IIHF or Olympic size.
International
Internationally, the dimensions of ice hockey rinks follow International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) specifications of 60.0 metres (196.9 ft) in length, and 26.0 to 30.0 metres (85.3 to 98.4 ft) in width, with a corner radius of 7.0 to 8.5 metres (23.0 to 27.9 ft). The goal lines must be 4.0 metres (13.1 ft) from the end boards and 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide. The blue lines must be 15.0 metres (49.2 ft) (¼ of the total length of the rink) apart and 30 centimetres (11.8 in) wide. The red centre line must be 30 centimetres (11.8 in) wide, and is drawn across centre ice, parallel with the goal lines.
North American
Most North American rinks follow the National Hockey League (NHL) specifications of 200 by 85 feet (61.0 by 25.9 m) with a corner radius of 28 feet (8.5 m). Each goal line is 11 feet (3.4 m) from the end boards. NHL blue lines are 75 feet (22.9 m) from the end boards and 50 feet (15.2 m) apart. The 13.4-foot (4.09 m) difference in width from the international standard represents a significant difference in width-to-length ratio on the ice.
Origins The rink specifications originate from the ice surface of the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, constructed in 1862, where the first indoor game was played in 1875. Its ice surface measured 204 by 80 feet (62.2 m × 24.4 m). The curved corners are said to originate from the design of the Montreal Arena, constructed in 1898.
Markings
Lines The centre line divides the ice in half crosswise. It is used to judge icing. It is a thick line, and in the NHL must "contain regular interval markings of a uniform distinctive design, which will readily distinguish it from the two blue lines" (i.e. it must not be a solid single colour as the blue lines are). It may also be used to judge two-line pass violations in leagues that use such a rule. There are two thick blue lines that divide the rink into three parts, called zones. The blue lines are used to judge if a player is offside. If an attacking player crosses the line into the other team's zone before the puck does, they are said to be offside. Near each end of the rink, there is a thin red goal line spanning the width of the ice. It is used to judge goals and icing calls.
Faceoff spots and circles There are 9 faceoff spots on a hockey rink. All faceoffs take place at these spots. There are two spots in each team's defensive zone, two at each end of the neutral zone, and one in the centre of the rink. There are faceoff circles around the centre ice and end zone faceoff spots. There are hash marks painted on the ice near the end zone faceoff spots. The circles and hash marks show where players may legally position themselves during a faceoff or during in-game play.
Spot and circle dimensions Both the centre faceoff spot and centre faceoff circle are blue. The circle is 30 feet (9m) in diameter, with an outline 2 inches (5.1 cm) thick, and the faceoff spot is a solid blue circle 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. All of the other faceoff spots and circles are colored red. Each spot consists of a circle 2 feet (61 cm) in diameter (as measured from the outermost edges) with an outline 2 inches (5.1 cm) thick. Within the spot, two red vertical lines are drawn 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the left and right inner edges, and the area between these lines is painted red while the rest of the circle is painted white.
Goal posts and nets At each end of the ice, there is a goal consisting of a metal goal frame and cloth net in which each team must place the puck to score. According to NHL and IIHF rules, the entire puck must cross the entire goal line in order to be counted as a goal. Under NHL rules, the opening of the goal is 72 inches (180 cm) wide by 48 inches (120 cm) tall, and the footprint of the goal is 40 inches (100 cm) deep.
Crease The crease is a special area of the ice in front of each goal that is designed to allow the goaltender to perform without interference. In North American professional hockey, the goal crease consists of straight lines extending 4.5 feet (1.4 m) perpendicularly from the goal line 1 foot (30 cm) outside each goal post, connected by an arc with a 6-foot (1.8 m) radius; 5-inch-thick (13 cm) red hashmarks are added just inside the straight lines, 4 feet (120 cm) from the goal line and extending 5 inches (13 cm) into the crease from either side. The entire area of the crease is typically coloured blue for easier visibility.
Goaltender trapezoid ("Martin Brodeur" Rule)
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