These equipment regulations are written in the spirit of "fair play." If at any time the NHL feels that this spirit is being abused, the offending equipment will be deemed ineligible for play until a hearing has ruled on its eligibility.

(a) With the exception of skates and stick, all the equipment worn by the goalkeeper must be constructed solely for the purpose of protecting the head or body, and he must not wear any garment or use any contrivance which would give him undue assistance in keeping goal.

*NEW*
(b) The leg guards worn by goalkeepers shall not exceed twelve inches (12") in extreme width when on the leg of the player. No attachments such as plastic puck foils are permitted. Calf protectors must follow the contuor of the calf and ankle and can have a thickness of no greater than one-and-a-half inches (1 1/2").

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(NOTE) These inspections can take place anytime, before, during, or after a game. A member of the League Staff (Hockey Operations and/or Security Departments) may obtain the equipment from any or all four participating goalkeepers. This equipment may be removed to a secure location for measuring.

Any violation of this Rule will result in an automatic one (1) game suspension for the next League game to the offending goalkeeper. Should both goalkeepers on a Club have illegal equipment, both will be suspended in sequence. The goalkeeper who played the day/night of the measurement will be suspended for the next game, and the back-up goalkeeper will be suspended for the following game.

*NEW*
The recalling of minor league goalkeepers to ensure a complete lineup for subsequent games, shall be deemed to be an Emergency Recall, and subject to the twenty-three (23) man roster limitations.

Refusal to submit the equipment for League measurement will result in the same sanctions as that of a goalkeeper with illegal equipment.

Any violation of this Rule shall be reported to the Club involved and to the Commissioner of the League.

(c) Chest and Arm Pads:

(i) No raised ridges are allowed on the front edges or sides of the chest pad, the inside or outside of the arms, or across the shoulders.

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(ii) Layering at the elbow is permitted to add protection but not to add stopping area. This layering, both across the front and down the sides, to protect the point of the elbow shall not exceed seven-and-one-half inches. (7 1/2")

(iii) Shoulder Cap Protectors must follow the contour of the shoulder cap without becoming a projection/extension beyond or above the shoulder or shoulder cap. This contoured padding must not be more than one inch (1") in thickness beyond the top ridge of the shoulder and shoulder cap.

*NEW*
(iv) On each side the Shoulder Clavicle Protectors are not to exceed seven inches (7") in width. Their maximum thickness is to be one inch (1"). This protection is not to extend or project above or beyond the shoulder or shoulder cap nor extend beyond the armpit. No insert is allowed between the Shoulder Clavicle Protector and the chest pad that would elevate the Shoulder Clavicle Protector.

(v) If, when the goalie assumes his normal crouch position, the shoulder and/or shoulder cap protection is pushed above the contour of the shoulder, the chest pad will be considered illegal. (See Rule 23(a) - Dangerous Equipment)

(d) Pants:

(i) No internal or external padding is permitted on the pant leg or waist beyond that to provide protection (no outside or inside ridges)

(ii) The maximum width (straight line) of the thigh pad across the front of the leg is eleven inches (11"). If the groin and/or hip pads extend beyond the edge of the front thigh pad they are to be included in this eleven-inch measurement. This measure-ment is to be taken while the goalie is in an upright standing position. This measurement is to be made five inches (5") up from the bottom of the pant.

(e) Goalkeepers' Jerseys:

(i) The maximum jersey size is illustrated below.

 

*NEW*
(ii) No inserts or additions are to be added to the standard goalie cut jersey as produced by the manufacturer. (Modifications at the manufacturer are not allowed unless approved in advance by the League.) (see Rule 13(b) - Composition of Team)

(iii) No "tying down" of the sweater is allowed at the wrists if it creates a tension across the jersey such that a "webbing effect" is created in the armpit area.

(iv) No other tie downs are allowed that created a "webbing effect."

(v) The length of a jersey is illegal if it covers any area between the goalies' legs.

(f) Catching glove

*NEW*
(i) A maximum perimeter of forty-eight inches (48") is permitted. The perimeter of the glove is the distance around the glove. (See measurement procedures below)

(ii) The wrist cuff is to be a minimum of four-and-a-half inches (4½") in height. The cuff of the glove is considered to be the portion of the glove protecting the wrist from the point where the thumb joint meets the wrist. Any protection joining/enhancing the cuff to the glove will be considered part of the glove rather than the cuff.

*NEW*
(iii) The wrist cuff is to be a maximum of eight-and-one-half inches (8 1/2") in width (this includes the bindings). All measurements follow the contour of the cuff.

*NEW*
(iv) The distance rfom the heel of the glove along the pocket and following the contour of the inside of the trap of the glove to the top of the "T" trap must not exceed nineteen inches (19"). The heel is considered to be the point at which the straight vertical line from the cuff meets the glove.

(v) Measuring Procedures for Goalkeepers' Catching Glove

(a) Suggested Equipment - binder clip, pins and a 5/8" fiberglass cloth measuring tape that measures 1/8ths of an inch.

(b) Procedure -

(1) The tape is to be placed on the outside edge of the glove with the midway line of the tape following the top ridge of the edge/binding.

(2) At the "starting point" of the measurement, anchor the tape with a pin or binder clip.

(3) Ensure that the midpoint line of the measuring tape follows the outside top ridge of the edge/binding.

(4) If at the junction of the cuff and catch portions of the glove there is a "jagged point"; the measurement tape will follow the imaginary perpendicular line to the glove ridge above. (A "jagged joint" anywhere else on the glove will not be allowed this "straight line" privilege, i.e. where the trap joins the main glove)

*NEW*
(g) Blocking Glove:

(i) Protective padding attached to the back or forming part of the goalkeeper's blocking glove shall not exceed eight inches (8") in width nor more than sixteen inches (16") in length at any point (this includes the bindings). All measurements follow the contour of the back of the glove.

*NEW*
(ii) The blocking glove must be rectangular in shape.

(h) Protective masks of a design approved by the Rules Committee may be worn by goalkeepers.

(NOTE) The Officiating Department is specifically authorized to make a check of each Teams' equipment to ensure the compliance with the Rule. It shall report its findings to the Commissioner for his disciplinary action.

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