Blue line question

[skyscrape 5]

Is it the angle on TV or is the blue line further from the goal line on a NHL rink vs the local rink set up? I looked it up online and it says that the distance from blue line to goal line on an International rink is 56 feet and the North American it states that the NHL has expanded the Offensive zone by 8 feet, making it 64 feet from goal line to blue line. My question is due to the fact that the statement about the NHL was in Parentheses. I will walk it off the next time I am there, but was wondering if anyone knows.

[raganblink 82]

Totally depends on your rink - Odds are though, yes, you have a bigger neutral zone than the NHL if it seems noticeable to you. One sheet I play at has a huge neutral zone, and there is this other one that is to NHL spec. But totally up to your rink...

[fiimb 1]

yea a few years ago the pushed the blue line back in an effort to increase scoring. same time they took out 2 line pass rule and added tag up offsides, as well as the box thing behind the net.

local rinks all vary quite a bit, but the more upscale ones should have the updated boundaries.

[skyscrape 5]

Thanks for the responses! I went and paced it off tonight and yes, the blue line is old spec. I wonder how hard it is to change things? It just felt so cramped compared to what I was seeing on TV.

[chk hrd 164]

measure the entire rink. many rinks are not 200 x 85. If it is smaller they have to make up the differnce somewhere. They may have left the neutral zone alone and taken up the space in the ends.

[furlanitalia 1]

There's a rink out here that literally has the blue lines at the bottom of the center ice circle (or used to, they might have changed it now). Had to be extra careful when changing lines because the end gate was halfway into the zone!

[skyscrape 5]

How many feet is standard behind the goal line?

[furlanitalia 1]

11 Feet, but if your rink is shorter/longer you'll probably notice a change here the most.

Rink Measurements

[zebra_steve 11]

PRO hockey (NHL) and the NCAA have moved the blue line out 4 feet. They have tried all sorts of "interesting things in the minors... The dimension from goal line to blue line in the NHL and NCAA is 64 feet. Amateur hockey specifies the distance at 60 feet and I have not heard of any proposals at this point to move it. As for moving it, well most rinks will need to take up the ice, move the line on the boards back - if the line on the boards is on top of the board face - and put fresh ice down (some may get creative and use a Thompson edger to cut out the old blue line and a groove for the new one). If the line on the boards is flush with the board face now you need to pull and move or replace board face.

It's not a small deal for rinks to move blue and goal lines around. Usually have to be done as part of a maintenance window when the ice is taken out.

[skyscrape 5]

I paced it off and it was right at 58 feet so I will assume that it is 60 feet due to my rough system of measurement. I do not expect them to resurface, but I find it strange that they would call it regulation.

[zebra_steve 11]

Sky,

I just went and did a bit more research..... I stand corrected.... It "should be 64 feet... probably they either don't know or don't plan on going through the expense and effort. I can tell you that probably the only facility in Western PA that measures 64' is the Mellon arena.

From USA Hockey rule book 2008-2010:

Rule 101 Rink

(Note) This section of the rulebook refers to minimum and

maximum guidelines for an ice hockey rink as recommended

by USA Hockey. For more precise dimensions and facility

requirements, please refer to the ASTM Standard Guide for

Ice Hockey Playing Facilities (F 1703-04).

Rule 102 Dimensions of Rink

(a) As nearly as possible, the dimensions of the rink shall be 200

feet long and 85-100 feet wide. In all ice rinks used for

regional playoffs and national championships the ice surface

dimensions shall be not less than 185 feet by 85 feet.

The rink shall be surrounded by a wooden or fiberglass

wall or fence, known as the “BOARDS,” which shall extend

not less than 40 inches and not more than 48 inches above

the level of the ice surface. The ideal height of the boards

above the ice surface shall be 42 inches. It is recommended

that the kickplate at the bottom of the boards be yellow.

The corners shall be uniformly rounded in the arc of a

circle with a radius of 23 feet minimum to 28 feet

maximum.

Rule 105 Division of Ice Surface

(a) The ice area between the two goals shall be divided into

three parts by lines, 12 inches in width and blue in color,

drawn 64 feet out from the goal lines and extended

completely across the rink, parallel with the goal lines and

continued vertically up the side of the boards. The 64 feet

shall be measured from the edge of the goal line closest to

the end boards to the furthest edge of the blue line.

[fiimb 1]

generally speaking, most non-pro leagues don't have a lack of offence, and probably wouldn't use the extra 4feet very effectively anyways.

[skyscrape 5]

True, but let's say you are a d-man about to try out for a Echl or Junior team and you are used to playing on a rink that supposedly is regulation. All of the sudden you start shooting from 64 feet instead of 56 feet. That might take some getting used to.

Sky,

I just went and did a bit more research..... I stand corrected.... It "should be 64 feet... probably they either don't know or don't plan on going through the expense and effort. I can tell you that probably the only facility in Western PA that measures 64' is the Mellon arena.

From USA Hockey rule book 2008-2010:

Rule 101 Rink

(Note) This section of the rulebook refers to minimum and

maximum guidelines for an ice hockey rink as recommended

by USA Hockey. For more precise dimensions and facility

requirements, please refer to the ASTM Standard Guide for

Ice Hockey Playing Facilities (F 1703-04).

Rule 102 Dimensions of Rink

(a) As nearly as possible, the dimensions of the rink shall be 200

feet long and 85-100 feet wide. In all ice rinks used for

regional playoffs and national championships the ice surface

dimensions shall be not less than 185 feet by 85 feet.

The rink shall be surrounded by a wooden or fiberglass

wall or fence, known as the “BOARDS,” which shall extend

not less than 40 inches and not more than 48 inches above

the level of the ice surface. The ideal height of the boards

above the ice surface shall be 42 inches. It is recommended

that the kickplate at the bottom of the boards be yellow.

The corners shall be uniformly rounded in the arc of a

circle with a radius of 23 feet minimum to 28 feet

maximum.

Rule 105 Division of Ice Surface

(a) The ice area between the two goals shall be divided into

three parts by lines, 12 inches in width and blue in color,

drawn 64 feet out from the goal lines and extended

completely across the rink, parallel with the goal lines and

continued vertically up the side of the boards. The 64 feet

shall be measured from the edge of the goal line closest to

the end boards to the furthest edge of the blue line.

Thanks for looking that up! I appreciate it!

[zebra_steve 11]

As a D-man the biggest thing you'll notice initially is you have more room to breathe back there. And truthfully, I wonder how many ECHL facilities are at 64 feet. I've skated in J-town, and Wheeling and both are at 60 feet.... again, we're talking that money thing.... You have to relocate lines.... if you want to move the goal line back a couple feet now you are dealing with a new hole in the floor for the net anchors. Eventually things will change, but not until there is a concerted effort from USA Hockey, and whomever else has 64 feet as their official distance, says that this has to be corrected now. I have no doubt that most rink owners will plead ignorance and apathy - they don't know and don't care - Most teams rent ice, not own the facility so they are at the mercy of the rink management on what they want to do...

[skyscrape 5]

As a D-man the biggest thing you'll notice initially is you have more room to breathe back there. And truthfully, I wonder how many ECHL facilities are at 64 feet. I've skated in J-town, and Wheeling and both are at 60 feet.... again, we're talking that money thing.... You have to relocate lines.... if you want to move the goal line back a couple feet now you are dealing with a new hole in the floor for the net anchors. Eventually things will change, but not until there is a concerted effort from USA Hockey, and whomever else has 64 feet as their official distance, says that this has to be corrected now. I have no doubt that most rink owners will plead ignorance and apathy - they don't know and don't care - Most teams rent ice, not own the facility so they are at the mercy of the rink management on what they want to do...

More room to breathe would be nice!

[chk hrd 164]

Not to hijack, but our rink just laid down red lines at the top of the circle for broom ball. It took me a couple of shifts to get used to them...

[skyscrape 5]

Not to hijack, but our rink just laid down red lines at the top of the circle for broom ball. It took me a couple of shifts to get used to them...

I bet!