(NEW for 2005-06) (NOTE 1) A team that is in violation of Rule 65 -- Icing the Puck shall not be permitted to make any player substitutions, prior to the ensuing face-off. However, a team shall be permitted to make a player substitution to replace a goalkeeper who had been substituted for an extra attacker or to replace an injured player. The determination of players on ice will be made when the puck leaves the offending player's stick.

If in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering the game or the player retiring from the ice surface plays the puck with his stick, skates or hands or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while either the player entering the game or the retiring player is actually on the ice, then the infraction of "too many men on the ice" will be called.

If in the course of a substitution either the player entering the play or the player retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.

During the play, the player retiring from the ice must do so at the players' bench and not through any other exit leading from the rink. This is not a legal player change and therefore when a violation occurs, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.

A goalkeeper may be changed for another player at any time under conditions set out in this section. The only exception to this provision is when a goalkeeper is removed for an extra attacker in regular season overtime. Any attempt by the goalkeeper to return to his position prior to the next stoppage of play (on the fly) shall be deemed to be an illegal substitution and a bench minor penalty shall be assessed for having an ineligible player. (See Rule 89(a) - NOTE 5).

(NOTE 2) When a goalkeeper leaves his goal area and proceeds to his players' bench for the purpose of substituting another player, the skater cannot enter the playing surface before the goalkeeper is within five feet (5') of the bench. If the substitution is made prematurely, the official shall stop the play immediately unless the non-offending Team has possession of the puck in which event the stoppage will be delayed until the puck changes hands.

There shall be no time penalty to the Team making the premature substitution, but the resulting face-off will take place at the center ice face-off spot when play is stopped beyond the center red line. When play is stopped prior to the center red line, the resulting face-off shall be conducted at the point where the play was stopped.

In all other situations not covered in the above, a minor penalty may result for "too many men on the ice."

(NOTE 3) The Referee shall request that the public address announcer make the following announcement: "Play has been stopped due to premature substitution for the goalkeeper."

(NOTE 4) Goalkeepers' substitution during a game will be conducted within the same time frame as a regular line change. No extra time will be allotted to the goalkeeper coming off the bench, except in the case where an injury to a goalkeeper occurs.

For any violation of this Rule, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.

(NOTE 1) "Placing a line-up on the ice" shall mean that both teams shall place the full complement of players (and not exceed) to which they are entitled within the line change time frame.

If there is any undue delay by either Team in changing players, the Referee shall order the offending Team or Teams to take their positions immediately and not permit any further player changes.

(NOTE 2) When a substitution has been made under the above Rule, no additional substitution may be made until play commences.

(NEW for 2005-06) (NOTE 3) A team who ices the puck will not be permitted to change/substitute any players. (See Rule 17(a) (NOTE1) and Rule 65(h)).

1. The Referee shall give the visiting Team up to five (5) seconds to make their line change.
2. The Referee shall raise his hand to indicate no further changes by the visiting Team and to commence the home Team's line change.
3. The Referee shall give the home Team up to eight (8) seconds to make their line change.
4. The Referee shall lower his hand to indicate no further changes by the home Team.
5. Any attempt by the either Team to make a change after the Referee's signal, attempt to place too many men on the ice for the subsequent line change, or attempt to make additional personnel changes, shall not be permitted and the Referee will send the players who have attempted to change back to their players' bench. The Referee will then issue a warning to the offending Team (through the Coach) indicating that any subsequent violations during the rest of the game (including overtime), shall result in a bench minor penalty for delaying the game. This penalty shall be announced as a "Bench Minor Penalty for Delay of Game -- Improper Line Change".
6. The Linesman conducting the face-off will blow his whistle (once the Referee has lowered his hand for the line changes) to indicate that all players must be in position and on-side for the face-off within five (5) seconds. The face-off will then be conducted in accordance with Rule 54 -- Face-Offs.
7. Players who are slow (after the five second warning whistle given by the Linesman) getting to the face-off location or who are in an off-side position for the ensuing face-off will be warned once in the game by the Referee. This warning will also be given to the offending Team's Coach. Any subsequent violation shall result in a bench minor penalty for delay of game being assessed to the offending Team.
8. In the last two (2) minutes of regulation time and anytime in the overtime period(s), points 6 and 7 above are not applicable. The Linesman shall give the teams a reasonable amount of time to set up for the ensuing face-off after points 1 through 5 above have been enforced.

   Players must proceed directly to the location of the face-off to participate in the ensuing faceoff. Any attempts to delay the game by stalling or otherwise unnecessary actions by either team shall result in the assessment of a bench minor penalty for delaying the game. This penalty shall be announced as a "Bench Minor Penalty for Delay of Game -- Slow Proceeding to Face-Off Location (or, Slow Proceeding to Players' Bench)".