How is women's ice hockey different?
A · Advanced · Officials, injuries and categories · 7 of 11Women's hockey follows the same rules except that body checks to eliminate an opponent are illegal: players may lean and push only while competing for the puck. Women and all under-18 players wear full face protection. In men's under-20 and under-18 games, any major penalty also brings a game misconduct.
How it works
- Women's senior: at least 18 by the end of the year, with waivers for some 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Women's under-18: aged 15 to 18; no waivers.
- Illegal hit: checking to eliminate an opponent, pinning against the boards or stepping into a player; a minor, or a major and game misconduct.
- Allowed: pushing and leaning while both players chase the puck.
- Stationary players: keep their ice; the moving player must go around.
- Women's equipment: full face protection and ear protection.
- Men's under-20: visor and compulsory mouthguard, or full face; ear protection.
- Men's under-18: full face protection that cannot be flipped up; ear protection.
- Junior majors: every major brings a game misconduct and ejection.
The glossary has the penalty, the major penalty, the game misconduct penalty, the minor penalty, the team and the zone.
Tricky cases
In women's hockey, two players battle along the boards for a loose puck. Allowed?
Yes, if the puck is the sole aim; they may not use the boards to pin or eliminate the opponent.
A U20 player gets a five-minute major for boarding. Is that all?
No. In junior hockey every major also brings a game misconduct.
Can a U18 player in a senior team wear a visor only?
No. They must wear the protection set for their own age group.
Must U18 players wear a mouthguard?
It is strongly recommended but not required, as they wear full face protection.
Why the rule exists
The women's rule keeps a skating game while cutting the risk of heavy hits. Extra protection and stricter penalties for juniors protect players who are still growing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women's hockey | Illegal hit rule; full face | IIHF 101, 102 |
| Men's junior | Automatic ejection on a major | IIHF 201.1 |
| Junior equipment | Same equipment rules as seniors otherwise (2026/27) | IIHF 102.7, 202.7 (removed) |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 100 to 102 and 200 to 202. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.