Hockey Canada teams playing in the US

Per a standing agreement between USA Hockey and Hockey Canada (HC), the following policy regarding playing rules and protective equipment is in effect.

CANADIAN TEAMS PLAYING IN THE UNITED STATES

All USA Hockey sanctioned 12‐&‐Under age classification games that are played in the United States are required to play under the Body Contact Category Playing Rules. This includes all invitational tournaments sanctioned by USA Hockey and non‐league games involving teams from each respective country. All U.S. based games played in this age classification and younger shall also play under the immediate off‐sides rule.

In addition, all Canadian players must wear the following Hockey Canada mandatory equipment:
1. Hockey Skates(approved design for hockey)
2. CSA Certified Helmet (All age classifications)
3. CSA Certified Face Mask (with color-coded CSA sticker – per the following chart)

 

Category Description  Type  CSA Sticker Color
Full‐face protectors Players older than 10 years of age (other than goalkeepers) B1 or 1 White
A Green
Players 10 years of age and younger (other than goalkeepers) B2 or 2 Orange
B Red
Goalkeepers of all ages D1, D2 or D3 Blue
C Purple
Eye Protectors (visors)  Players in the major junior age category and older (other than goalkeepers) C or 4 Yellow

4. BNQ Certified Throat Protector (For players in all Female and Youth classifications)

NOTE: Hockey Canada rules do not mandate the wearing of a mouthpiece at any age classification where a full face mask is required. A mouthpiece is required for any junior player wearing a visor. If a player on a Canadian team is not wearing the proper equipment, as outlined above, the player shall be sent off the ice and a warning issued to the coach of that team. Any subsequent violation for the same equipment by the same team shall result in a misconduct penalty being assessed to the offending player. In all instances where a Hockey Canada team is not wearing their proper mandated equipment, a game report shall be submitted by the Referee to the Proper Authorities.

Summary
The standard insurance coverage will be considered to be in effect as long as the injured participant was wearing the proper protective equipment as mandated by the organization (HC or USA Hockey) with which he/she is registered.

Please note that all other playing rules of the host country are in effect for games played in that country, except when U.S. teams are playing on U.S. soil in Canadian‐based leagues using HC rules under league direction, and vice versa.