How is an NHL rink different from an Olympic one?
A · Advanced · How the NHL differs · 8 of 11An NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, about 61 by 26 metres, so it is narrower than most international rinks. Teams dress 20 players, 18 skaters and two goalkeepers, against 22 under IIHF rules. Games are three 20-minute periods, but intermissions are 18 minutes rather than 15.
How it works
- Size: 200 ft by 85 ft, corners rounded on a 28 ft radius.
- Boards: 40 to 48 inches high, ideally 42 inches.
- Goal lines: 11 ft from each end of the rink.
- Blue lines: 64 ft out from each goal line.
- Team: 20 players on the line-up, 18 skaters and two goalkeepers.
- Line-up: submitted before the game and fixed once it starts.
- Captain: one captain and up to two alternates, or no captain and up to three alternates; the IIHF now has the same rule.
- Intermissions: 18 minutes, or as the league sets.
- Goals and assists: awarded by the in-arena scorer, whose decision is final.
The glossary has the rink, the team, the roster sheet, the captain, the period and the goalkeeper's restricted area.
Tricky cases
Why do Olympic games look more open than NHL games?
International rinks are usually wider, up to 30 m, giving more room in the middle. Olympic games may also be played on NHL-size ice, as the IIHF allows a range.
Can an NHL team add a player once the game has started?
No. Only players on the submitted line-up may play.
Who decides who scored in the NHL?
The in-arena scorer, not the referee.
Does the NHL allow co-captains?
No. The rule is one captain at most.
Why the rule exists
The NHL rink grew up in North American arenas, and its narrower ice puts more play against the boards. The IIHF allows a range of widths so that rinks around the world can host its events.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NHL | 61 m by 26 m; 20 players; 18-minute intermissions | NHL 1.2, 5.1, 77.2 |
| IIHF | Up to 30 m wide; 22 players; 15-minute intermissions | IIHF 1.2, 5.1, 77.2 |
| Both | One captain and two alternates, or three alternates | NHL 6.1; IIHF 6.1 |
From the rule book
National Hockey League, Official Rules 2026-2027, Rules 1, 5, 6, 77 and 78. Compared with International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.