If you play under USA Hockey rules, your elbow pads must be under your jersey. No pads can be exposed. Yeah I play in a beer league now. When I used to play under USA hockey rules 10+ years ago, no one ever said anything to me about my elbow pads exposed. Maybe things have changed? I got busted once last year, never before or since. What was the penalty or outcome? I'm assuming the refs are the ones who busted you? It was fix them, or don't play. I fixed them. (as best I could, with shoulder pads the sleeves on that particular jersey only come down mid forearm anyway)