What special rules apply to goalkeepers in ice hockey?
A · Advanced · Penalties · 1 of 11A goalkeeper never goes to the penalty box for a minor or major: a teammate who was on the ice serves it. Goalkeepers may not play the puck past the centre red line or outside the trapezoid behind the net. They may hold the puck no longer than three seconds unless pressed, and may not throw it forward.
How it works
- Serving penalties: minors, majors and misconducts are served by a teammate who was on the ice.
- Game misconduct: the goalkeeper leaves; a substitute goalkeeper or a player in full kit replaces them.
- Over the red line: playing the puck or checking beyond it is a minor penalty.
- The trapezoid: playing the puck outside it behind the goal line is a minor for delay of game.
- Holding the puck: no more than 3 seconds unless being checked or pressured.
- Other delay: throwing the puck forward, dropping it into the pads or onto the net, piling up snow.
- Leaving the crease in a fight: a minor penalty.
- Helmet and mask: must be worn; removing one deliberately is a minor, or a goal against on a breakaway or penalty shot.
- Injury: no warm-up for a replacement; the injured goalkeeper may return only at a stoppage.
The glossary has the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper's penalties, the goalkeeper's restricted area, the substitute goalkeeper, the delay of game and the goal crease.
Tricky cases
A goalkeeper comes out and plays the puck in the corner. Penalty?
Yes, if the puck is outside the trapezoid. The puck's position decides.
A goalkeeper freezes the puck with no one near. Penalty?
It can be: holding for over three seconds without pressure is a minor for delay of game.
A goalkeeper skates past centre to stop a breakaway. Allowed?
No. Playing the puck or checking beyond the red line is a minor penalty.
A goalkeeper takes off the mask on a breakaway to get a whistle. What then?
A goal is awarded to the other team.
Why the rule exists
Sending the goalkeeper to the box would leave a team without its specialist, so a skater serves instead. The trapezoid and red-line rules keep goalkeepers from acting as extra skaters.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers' penalties | Served by a teammate | IIHF 27.1 to 27.4 |
| Trapezoid | Delay of game | IIHF 27.7 |
| Holding the puck | 3 seconds | IIHF 67.3 |
| Equipment | Size limits | IIHF 11 |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 8.2, 9.6, 27, 63.2 and 67.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.