Regel 9: Uniforms

All Players of each Team shall be dressed uniformly with an approved design and color of their helmets, jerseys, short pants, and socks.
Altered uniforms of any kind, i.e. Velcro inserts, over-sized jerseys, altered collars, etc., will not be permitted. Any Player not complying with this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game.

Players are not allowed to change or exchange jersey numbers once the game has started. They must wear the same number for the game’s entirety and throughout entire competition. As an exception to this rule, when a Player’s jersey becomes stained with blood or becomes badly torn during a game, they may be required by an On-ice Official to leave the ice and change into a designated jersey with another number and without a nameplate.

Each Team shall design and wear distinctive and contrasting uniforms for their home and away games as defined in DEL Regulations.

Graffiti-type designs, patterns, artwork, drawings, or slogans which are abusive or obscene and refer to culture, race, or religion are not allowed on any part of the uniform.

Each Player listed in the line-up of each Team shall wear an individual identifying number that is 25 – 30 cm high on the back of the jersey and 10 cm high on both sleeves. Numbers are limited to whole numbers from 1 to 99. Jersey numbers such as 00, ½ (fractions), .5 (decimals), 101 (three digit) are not permitted.

In addition, each Player shall wear their surname in full, in block letters 10 cm high, across the back of their jersey at shoulder height, in block capital Roman letters of a font approved by the DEL.

A Player whose hair is long enough to obscure the nameplate or number on the back of the jersey must fashion it in a ponytail or tuck the hair under the helmet.

Players who do not comply with these rules are not allowed to participate in the game. Goalkeeper's Jersey refer to Rule 9.4.
Jerseys must not extend lengthwise past the end of the pants, and the sleeves must not extend past the fingers of the glove.
No inserts or additions are to be added to the standard Players’ jersey as produced by the manufacturer. Modifications at the manufacturer are not allowed unless approved in advance by the DEL.
Jerseys must be worn completely outside of the pants and must be properly fastened to the pants at all times with tie-down straps.
If any Player on that Team fails to comply after a warning, a Minor Penalty will be assessed.
→ Rule 63 – Delaying the Game

For additional information, refer to League Regulations

Goalkeepers who do not comply with these rules are not allowed to participate in the game. Jerseys are not to be excessively oversized.
No inserts or additions are to be added to the standard Goalkeeper’s jersey as produced by the manufacturer. Modifications at the manufacturer are not allowed unless approved in advance by the DEL. No “tying down” of the jersey is allowed at the wrists if it creates a tension across the jersey allowing for a “webbing effect” which is not permitted. No other tie downs are allowed that create a “webbing effect”. The length of a jersey is illegal if it covers any area between the Goalkeeper’s legs.

Equipment must conform to safety standards and be used only to protect Players, not to enhance or improve playing ability or to cause injury to an opponent.

All players are strongly recommended to wear cut-resistant socks, sleeves, or undergarments.

All protective equipment, except gloves, headgear, mouthguards, neck laceration protector and Goalkeepers’ leg guards must be worn under the uniform. The complete protective equipment must be worn during the game and during “pre-game warm-up”.

Should it be brought to the attention of the Referee that a Player is wearing, for example, an elbow pad that is not covered by their jersey, they shall instruct the Player to cover up the pad. A second violation by the same Player would result in a Minor Penalty being assessed.

Whenever it is deemed by the Referee that a Player is wearing any equipment that does not meet with the DEL regulations, they shall instruct the Player to change or remove the piece of equipment.
The corresponding Player and their Team will be warned by the Referee to adjust the equipment accordingly. After the warning, all Players on that Team wearing such equipment shall be penalized in accordance with Rule 12 – Illegal Equipment.
If the Player refuses, they shall be assessed a Minor Penalty for “Delay of Game” and if they return to the ice without making the change, they shall be issued a Misconduct Penalty. Should this happen a third time, the Player shall be issued a Game Misconduct Penalty.

All Players shall wear a helmet of design, material and construction approved for ice hockey, with a chin strap always properly fastened, including during “pre-game warm-up”, participating in the game, either on the playing surface or the Players’ Benches or Penalty Boxes. The helmet should be attached in such a way that it cannot fall off. If it falls off and has not been removed by an opponent Player, it has not been attached correctly.

A Player on the ice whose helmet comes off during play has to exit the playing surface immediately.
A player on the ice whose helmet comes off during play is not allowed to retrieve and put their helmet back on their head – for this they have to proceed to their Players’ Bench and exit the playing surface.
If a Player does not comply with this rule, they shall be assessed a Minor Penalty without a warning.
→ Rule 12 – Illegal Equipment

If the Player returns to their Players’ Bench to be substituted for, they may only return to the ice during play with a helmet (with the chin strap properly fastened).
No Player may exit the Penalty Box during play without a helmet (with the chin strap properly fastened). Should they do so, the play shall be stopped once their Team has gained control of the puck and a Minor Penalty shall be assessed to the offending Player.
If a Player’s chin strap becomes unfastened during game action, but the helmet stays on their head, they may continue to play until the next stoppage or until they leave the ice. A Player who intentionally removes an opponent’s helmet during play shall be assessed a Minor Penalty for “Roughing”.
→ Rule 51 – Roughing

When a goalkeeper is hit on the face mask by a hard shot with the puck and the Referee believes the Goalkeeper is or may be dazed by that hard shot, the Referee may stop play for safety reasons, if there is no immediate scoring chance for the attacking Team.

When a Goalkeeper has lost their helmet and/or face mask and their Team has control of the puck, play shall be stopped immediately to allow the Goalkeeper the opportunity to recollect their helmet and/or face mask.

When the opposing Team has control of the puck, play shall only be stopped if there is no immediate and impending scoring opportunity. This stoppage of play must be made by the Referee. When play is stopped because the Goalkeeper has lost their helmet and/or face mask, the ensuing “face-off” shall take place at one of the defending Team’s End Zone Face-off Spots.

When a Goalkeeper deliberately removes their helmet and/or face mask to secure a stoppage of play, the Referee shall stop play as outlined above and assess the Goalkeeper a Minor Penalty for “Delay of Game”.
→ Rule 63 – Delaying the Game

If the Goalkeeper deliberately removes their helmet and/or face mask when the opposing Team is on a breakaway (where the criteria’s for a penalty shot is meet except for a foul from behind), or during the course of a “Penalty Shot” or shootout attempt, the Referee shall award a goal to the non-offending Team.

There are three (3) permissible types of facial protection which can be attached to the front of a Skaters’ helmet: a visor protection, a cage protection, or a full-face protection visor.

The visor face protection must be properly affixed to their helmet and must extend down in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection, to cover the eyes and nose in its entirety. It must be fixed to the helmet along the sides so that it cannot be flipped up. A Player whose visor face protection becomes cracked or broken during game action must leave the ice immediately.

Players are not allowed to wear a colored or tinted visor unless prescribed by a doctor and approved by DEL prior to use.

Equipment that does not conform to IIHF standards and equipment that is deemed unacceptable for the game action will be classified as “Dangerous Equipment”. A Player using “Dangerous Equipment” will be sent off the ice by the Referee and their Team shall receive a warning from the Referee.
After the Team has been warned, all Players on that Team wearing such equipment shall be penalized.
→ Rule 12 – Illegal Equipment

Dangerous Equipment includes wearing a visor in a way that may cause injury to an opponent, wearing non-approved equipment, using dangerous or illegal skates or stick, failing to wear equipment under the uniform (except gloves, helmet, and goalkeeper’s pads), and cutting the palm out of one or both gloves.
The use of pads or protectors made of metal, or of any other material likely to cause injury to an opposing Player is prohibited.
Referees have the authority to prohibit any equipment they feel may cause injury to any participant in the game. Failure to comply with the Referees’ instructions shall result in a Minor Penalty for “Delay of Game”. A mask or protector of a design approved by the IIHF may be worn by a Player who has sustained a facial injury.
In the first instance, the injured Player shall be entitled to wear any protective device prescribed by the Team Doctor. If any opposing Team objects to the device, it may record its objection with the DEL.

In cases where a stick may have been modified and it is evident that the edges have not been beveled, the Referee shall deem the stick to be dangerous equipment and removed from the game until the edges can be beveled sufficiently.
No penalty is to be assessed unless the Player returns to the ice with the unmodified stick, in which case they will be assessed a Minor Penalty.
→ Rule 63 – Delaying the Game

Skaters’ shin pads must be of a size that allows them to fit inside standard Skaters’ socks. No protrusions from or additions to the manufactured shin pads are allowed.

Skates must consist of only four parts: boot, blade, blade holder, and laces. The boot must conform to the foot of the Skater and not be unduly wide or long or have any attachments to it. The blade must be smooth from front to back and secured in the blade holder at all times. It cannot have a pick in the manner of figure skates.

The front and back of the blade must be properly covered by the blade holder such that no part of either end protrudes. The blade must not extend in front of the toe or behind the heel of the boot in the manner of speed skates.
No mechanical attachment or any other device which might help a Skater’s speed or ability to skate is allowed.

Laces may be of any non-fluorescent color and tied in any manner, but they must not be so long that they touch the ice.

A Goalkeeper’s skates must have a non-fluorescent protective cowling at the front of each boot. The skate blade must be flat and cannot be longer than the boot. Any blades, projections, or “cheaters” added to the boot in order to give the Goalkeeper additional contact to the ice surface are not allowed.

For all players, it is mandatory to wear a neck laceration protector designed for this specific purpose, choosing a design that covers as much of the neck as possible. The Neck Laceration Protector must be properly worn and must not be modified or alternated in any way. The On-ice officials will respond appropriately if a player on the ice is not wearing their neck laceration protection in accordance with the rules. The Game Officials will then take the offending Player to the appropriate Player’s Bench and issue a warning to the Team through the Coach. The Game Officials shall also inform the other Team and warn them as well. Both teams are now warned that Players requested to wear their neck laceration protection properly. The next Player found not to be wearing the protection equipment not in accordance with the rule shall be penalized with a ten minute (10’) Misconduct Penalty.

A Goalkeeper may attach a throat protector to the chin of their facemask. It must be made of a material that will not cause injury.

It is strongly recommended that all Players wear a mouthguard, preferably of the custom-made variety.