(NOTE 1) A request for a stick measurement shall be limited to one request per Team during the course of any stoppage in play.

(NOTE 2) Altered uniforms of any kind, e.g. Velcro inserts, oversized jerseys, etc., will not be permitted. Any player or goalkeeper not complying with these Rules shall not be permitted to participate in the game.

(NOTE 3) 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.

(NOTE 4) At random during the season, goalkeepers' and players' equipment shall be checked by League staff.

Rule 19 - Sticks

1. The sticks shall be made of wood or other material approved by the Rules Committee, and must not have any projections. Adhesive tape of any color may be wrapped around the stick at any place for the purpose of reinforcement or to improve control of the puck. In the case of a goalkeeper's stick, there shall be a knob of white tape or some other protective material approved by the League. This knob must not be less than one-half inch (1/2") thick at the top of the shaft.

   Failure to comply with this provision of the Rule will result in the goalkeeper's stick being deemed unfit for play. The goalkeeper's stick must be changed without the application of a minor penalty.

2. No stick shall exceed sixty-three inches (63") in length from the heel to the end of the shaft nor more than twelve and one-half inches (12 1/2") from the heel to the end of the blade.

   (NOTE) Requests for an exception to the length of the shaft (only) may be submitted in writing to and must be approved by the League's Hockey Operations Department prior to any such stick being approved for use.

   The blade of the stick shall not be more than three inches (3") in width at any point nor less than two inches (2"). All edges of the blade shall be beveled. The curvature of the blade of the stick shall be restricted in such a way that the distance of a perpendicular line measured from a straight line drawn from any point at the heel to the end of the blade to the point of maximum curvature shall not exceed one-half inch (1/2").

3. The blade of the goalkeeper's stick shall not exceed three and one-half inches (3 1/2") in width at any point except at the heel where it must not exceed four and one-half inches (4 1/2") in width; nor shall the goalkeeper's stick exceed fifteen and one-half inches (15 1/2") in length from the heel to the end of the blade.

   There is to be no measurement of the curvature of the blade on the goalkeeper's stick. All other elements of the stick are subject to a measurement and the appropriate applicable penalty.

   The widened portion of the goalkeeper's stick extending up the shaft from the blade shall not extend more than twenty-six inches (26") from the heel and shall not exceed three and one-half inches (3 1/2") in width.

4. A minor penalty plus a fine of two hundred dollars ($200) shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who uses a stick not conforming to the provisions of this Rule.

   (NOTE 1) When a formal complaint is made by the Captain or Alternate Captain of a Team, against the dimensions of any stick, the Referee shall take the stick to the Timekeeper's bench where the necessary measurement shall be made immediately. The result shall be reported to the Penalty Timekeeper who shall record it on the back of the penalty record.

   If the complaint is not sustained, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed against the complaining club in addition to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).

   (NOTE 2) A player who participates in the play, who checks or who intentionally prevents the movement of an opponent, or who intentionally plays the puck while carrying two sticks (including while taking a replacement stick to his goalkeeper) shall incur a minor penalty under this Rule but the automatic fine of two hundred dollars ($200) shall not be imposed. If his participation causes a foul resulting in a penalty, the Referee shall report the incident to the Commissioner for disciplinary action.

   (NEW for 2005-06)(NOTE 3) A request for a stick measurement in regular playing time or overtime is permitted. A request for a stick measurement following a goal in overtime is not permitted.

5. Any player who deliberately breaks his stick or who refuses to surrender his stick for measurement when requested to do so by the Referee shall be assessed a minor penalty plus a ten (10) minute misconduct. In addition, this player shall be subject to a two hundred dollar ($200) fine.
6. When a formal complaint is made by the Captain or Alternate Captain of a Team, against the dimensions of any stick of an opponent, that opponent must be on the ice at the time the request is made to the Referee. Once the request is made, and as long as the Officials maintain visual contact with the stick, it can be measured. This means that if the player whose stick is about to be measured steps off the ice onto his players' bench, his stick may still be measured provided the request was received prior to him leaving the ice surface and the stick remains in the view of at least one of the onice Officials.