USA Hockey Rules Exam Latest 2026 Questions
and Correct Detailed Answers Already Graded A+
There is a question of a rule interpretation. The Referee wants to explain the rule
to the Captain, but notices that the Captain and both Alternate Captains are
seated on the players' bench. What should the Referee do? - CORRECT
ANSWER-If the Captain is still participating in the game (they are not removed
from the game because of penalty, injury, etc.), they should be invited from the
players' bench to discuss the interpretation with the Referee. Rule Reference
202(a).
There is a question of a rule interpretation and the Captain comes off the bench
to protest the decision of the Referee. What should the Referee do? - CORRECT
ANSWER-If the Captain leaves the bench for a discussion without being invited
to do so, and makes a complaint or protest, they must be assessed a minor
penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under this rule. Rule Reference 202(b).
A team has 16 skaters plus two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet. A
skater who is not listed on the scoresheet participates in the game. What action
should the Referee take when it is brought to their attention? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Add the skater's name to the scoresheet, and assess a bench minor
penalty to the player's team. Rule Reference 203(a). All penalties incurred and
,goals/assists awarded to that skater shall stand. The team may not elect to send
the skater to the dressing room and forgo the bench minor penalty because the
skater has already participated in the game.
A team has eighteen skaters and two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet.
What happens if a skater who is not listed on the scoresheet participates in the
game and scores a goal? - CORRECT ANSWER-The goal shall be disallowed.
Rule References 203(a), 201(a) and 629(c). Once the Referee has become aware
of the additional skater, they must remove them from the game immediately. The
team already has the maximum number of skaters on the game sheet, so the
player is ineligible to participate in the game.
Both teams are assessed minor penalties at the same time during a stoppage of
play after the line change process has been completed. Is each team entitled to a
full line change? - CORRECT ANSWER-No. Rule Reference 204(a). Each team
must replace the penalized player but are not entitled to a full line change. A full
line change is allowed only when a penalty or penalties are imposed that affect
the numerical on-ice strength of either or both teams.
During a player change, the Team A retiring player is in the vicinity of the players'
bench and does not make any effort to play the puck or the body of the
opponent. However, their replacement comes onto the ice at the other end of the
bench and immediately engages in play in a manner that changes a 2-1 break for
, Team B into a 2-2 attack. Is this considered a too many players infraction? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Yes. Rule Reference 204(b). In this situation, Team A has
gained a competitive advantage during the player change, even though neither
the retiring player nor the replacement player has directly played the puck or an
opponent. The fact they are still both on the ice and Team A gained a territorial or
positional advantage as a result of the change is considered to be a violation of
the rule and should be penalized.
If a player on the penalty bench remains there after the expiration of the penalty
(while the team is entitled to return to full strength), may the team place another
skater on the ice as long as the originally penalized player remains on the penalty
bench? - CORRECT ANSWER-No. Rule Reference 204(c). A team may replace
the penalized player only after they have left the penalty bench by way of the ice
and returned to their players' bench. If they elect to remain on the penalty bench,
either by intent or error, the team must continue to skate short-handed until the
player returns to the ice. For a violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty must
be assessed to the offending team.
A team arrives with only five players, but is willing to play the entire game short-
handed. Should the game be played? - CORRECT ANSWER-No. Rule Reference
201(a). A team is defined as having six players. If a team cannot put six players on
the ice at the start of the game, it is not considered a "team" and must forfeit the
game to its opponent.
and Correct Detailed Answers Already Graded A+
There is a question of a rule interpretation. The Referee wants to explain the rule
to the Captain, but notices that the Captain and both Alternate Captains are
seated on the players' bench. What should the Referee do? - CORRECT
ANSWER-If the Captain is still participating in the game (they are not removed
from the game because of penalty, injury, etc.), they should be invited from the
players' bench to discuss the interpretation with the Referee. Rule Reference
202(a).
There is a question of a rule interpretation and the Captain comes off the bench
to protest the decision of the Referee. What should the Referee do? - CORRECT
ANSWER-If the Captain leaves the bench for a discussion without being invited
to do so, and makes a complaint or protest, they must be assessed a minor
penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under this rule. Rule Reference 202(b).
A team has 16 skaters plus two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet. A
skater who is not listed on the scoresheet participates in the game. What action
should the Referee take when it is brought to their attention? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Add the skater's name to the scoresheet, and assess a bench minor
penalty to the player's team. Rule Reference 203(a). All penalties incurred and
,goals/assists awarded to that skater shall stand. The team may not elect to send
the skater to the dressing room and forgo the bench minor penalty because the
skater has already participated in the game.
A team has eighteen skaters and two goalkeepers listed on the game scoresheet.
What happens if a skater who is not listed on the scoresheet participates in the
game and scores a goal? - CORRECT ANSWER-The goal shall be disallowed.
Rule References 203(a), 201(a) and 629(c). Once the Referee has become aware
of the additional skater, they must remove them from the game immediately. The
team already has the maximum number of skaters on the game sheet, so the
player is ineligible to participate in the game.
Both teams are assessed minor penalties at the same time during a stoppage of
play after the line change process has been completed. Is each team entitled to a
full line change? - CORRECT ANSWER-No. Rule Reference 204(a). Each team
must replace the penalized player but are not entitled to a full line change. A full
line change is allowed only when a penalty or penalties are imposed that affect
the numerical on-ice strength of either or both teams.
During a player change, the Team A retiring player is in the vicinity of the players'
bench and does not make any effort to play the puck or the body of the
opponent. However, their replacement comes onto the ice at the other end of the
bench and immediately engages in play in a manner that changes a 2-1 break for
, Team B into a 2-2 attack. Is this considered a too many players infraction? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Yes. Rule Reference 204(b). In this situation, Team A has
gained a competitive advantage during the player change, even though neither
the retiring player nor the replacement player has directly played the puck or an
opponent. The fact they are still both on the ice and Team A gained a territorial or
positional advantage as a result of the change is considered to be a violation of
the rule and should be penalized.
If a player on the penalty bench remains there after the expiration of the penalty
(while the team is entitled to return to full strength), may the team place another
skater on the ice as long as the originally penalized player remains on the penalty
bench? - CORRECT ANSWER-No. Rule Reference 204(c). A team may replace
the penalized player only after they have left the penalty bench by way of the ice
and returned to their players' bench. If they elect to remain on the penalty bench,
either by intent or error, the team must continue to skate short-handed until the
player returns to the ice. For a violation of this rule, a bench minor penalty must
be assessed to the offending team.
A team arrives with only five players, but is willing to play the entire game short-
handed. Should the game be played? - CORRECT ANSWER-No. Rule Reference
201(a). A team is defined as having six players. If a team cannot put six players on
the ice at the start of the game, it is not considered a "team" and must forfeit the
game to its opponent.
