Rule 6.1 – Change of Players

When play is in progress, not more than six players (including a goaltender) are permitted on the ice at any one time.

Players may be changed at any time from the Players’ Bench, provided that the player or players leaving the ice will be at the Players’ Bench (within 3.05m (10 ft.)) and out of play before any change is made.

A team that violates this rule will be penalized under Rule 10.7 (a) – Too Many Players.
A player on the Penalty Bench who is to be substituted for after their penalty has been served must proceed by way of the ice and be at the Players’ Bench before any change can be made. A player that violates this rule will be assessed a Minor penalty under Rule 10.4 (a) – Leaving the Players’ or Penalty Bench.
A team will be required to place the correct number of players on the ice when requested by the Referee. The Visiting Team must be the first to place any playing line- up on the ice to commence play at all times. Each team is allowed only one change of player(s) during a stoppage of play. A team that violates this rule will be assessed a Bench Minor penalty under Rule 10.1 (a) – Delay of Game.
For player changes during stoppages in play, the Referee will begin the line change procedure as soon as it is safe to do so for the ensuing face-off and then allow a five-second period during which the Visiting Team may make a player change. After this five-second period has elapsed, the Referee will raise an arm to indicate that the Visiting Team may no longer change any player(s). With the arm still up, the Referee will allow a five-second period during which the Home Team may make a player change. After this five-second period has elapsed, the Referee will drop the arm to indicate that the Home Team may no longer change any player(s).

Where a team attempts to make a player change after their allotted period of time, the Referee will send the player(s) back to their bench. Any subsequent infraction to this procedure at any time during the course of the game will incur a Bench Minor penalty under Rule 10.1 (a)(vii) – Delay of Game.
During a line change in a stoppage of play, if there is a scrum or gathering, the players coming on the ice must remain at their respective benches until the gathering is dispersed and the Referee has indicated for the line change to take place. Failure to remain at the team bench may result in a Bench Minor penalty under Rule 10.4 (a) – Leaving the Players’ or Penalty Bench.
In categories of U18AAA, Junior, and at the option of the Member in Senior, the ‘no-change on-icing’ rule will apply. Where this rule is enforced, teams who commit an icing violation will not be permitted to make a line change, as per Rule 6.7 (d) – Icing the Puck.

Interpretation 1	Rule 6.1 (b) Changing goaltenders “on the fly”, while play is in progress, is governed by the same rules that apply to the changing of players.
Interpretation 2	Rule 6.1 (d) Each team is only entitled to one change of players per stoppage. The only exception is where, following the change of players but prior to the resumption of play, a team is assessed a penalty that causes them to become shorthanded. In this case, they will be permitted to make an additional change of players on that stoppage.
Interpretation 3	Rule 6.1 (e) Where a team is unable to place the exact number of players on the ice to which they are entitled whether due to penalties or injuries, the Referee will suspend the game and report this incident to the appropriate Member or league.
Interpretation 4	Rule 6.1 (f) When a team attempts to make a player change after their allotted time during a stoppage of play and the Referee sends the player back to their bench, thereby giving a warning that any subsequent violation will result in a Bench Minor penalty. This warning applies only to the team committing the infraction. Each team is entitled to one warning during the course of the game, before being assessed a Bench Minor penalty.
Interpretation 5	Rule 6.1 (f) A team may send its players to change at different times during a stoppage of play. This is acceptable as long as they respect the procedure and the time guidelines. Only one complete change is acceptable at any one stoppage of play. If a line change is made, and then a timeout is called, further changes can be made. If the Home Team wants to exercise its right of last change, then it must follow this procedure strictly.