The Rules 1899
The Rules From “Hockey Canada’s Royal Game” by Arthur Farrell of the Shamrock Hockey Club 1899
1. A team shall be composed of seven players.
2. The game shall be commenced and renewed from the center of the rink. The rink must be at least 112 ft by 58 ft. Goals shall be placed at least ten feet from the end of the rink.
3. Two half hours, with an intermission of ten minutes between will be the time allowed for matches, but no stops of more than 15 minutes will be allowed. In case of a tie after playing the two specified half hours, play will continue until one side scores a goal unless agreed upon between the captains before the match. Goals shall be changed after each half hour.
4. No change of players shall be made after the play has commenced, except for reasons of accidents or injury during the game.
5. Should any player be injured during the first half of the match and compelled to leave the ice, his side shall be allowed to put on a spare man from the reserve to equalize the teams; should any player be injured during the second half of the match, the captain of the opposing team shall have the option of dropping a player to equalize the teams or allow his opponent to put on a man from the reserve. In the event of any dispute between the captains as to the injured players’ fitness to continue the game, the matter shall be decided by the referee.
6. Should the game be temporarily stopped by the infringement of any of the rules, the captain of the opposite team may claim to have the puck taken back & that a face off take place where it was last played from before such infringement occurred.
7. When a player touches the puck, any one of the same side, who at such moment of touching is nearer the opponent’s goalline, is out of play and may not touch the puck himself, or in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so, until the puck has been played. A player shall always be on his own side of the puck.
8. The puck may be stopped but not carried or knocked on by any part of the body, nor shall any player close his hand on, or carry the puck to the ice in his hand. No player shall raise his stick above the shoulder, except in lifting the puck. Charging from behind, tripping, collaring, kicking or shinning shall not be allowed. and for any infringement of these rules, the referee may rule the offending player off the ice for that match, or for such portion of the playing time that he may see fit.
9. When the puck goes off the ice or a foul occurs behind the goals it shall be taken by the referee to the five yards at right angles from the goal line and there be faced. When the puck goes off the ice at the sides, it shall be taken by the referee to five yards at right angles to the boundaries and there faced.
10. The goal keeper must not during the play, lie, kneel or sit upon the ice, but must maintain a standing position.
11. A goal shall be scored when the puck shall have passed between the goal posts from in front below an imaginary line across the top of the posts.
12. Hockey sticks shall not be more than 3 inches wide at any part.
13. The puck must be made of vulcanized rubber, 1 inch thick all through and three inches in diameter.
14. The captains of the contesting teams shall agree upon a referee & 2 umpires (one to be stationed behind each goal), which positions shall not be changed during a match, and two time keepers. In the event of the two captains failing to agree upon umpires & timekeepers the referee shall appoint the same.
15. All disputes during the match shall be decided by the referee, and he shall have full control of all players and officials from the commencement to the finish of the matches, inclusive of stops, and his decision shall be final.
16. All questions as to goals shall be settled by the umpires and their decision shall be final.
17. In the event of any dispute as to the decision of the umpire or timekeeper, the referee shall have the power to remove or replace him.
18. Any player guilty of using profane or abusive language to any officials or other players shall be liable to be ruled off by the referee.