Hockey Rules and Refs

USA Hockey · AHAI Illinois · Hawks families

Good day!

Bench joke

Why don't referees ever get lost?

They always follow the rules.

Whose game are you watching?

This is a guide for families, not the rulebook. The USA Hockey rulebook, AHAI and your league decide every call. Dates and details change, so check the sources below.

USA Hockey: 2025-29 rule changes (icing and offside by age)
USA Hockey: icing at 8U to 14U
USA Hockey ADM: body contact by age
USA Hockey: officials guide (levels, ages, assignments)
USA Hockey: officiating registration steps
AHAI: Illinois Hockey Officials Association
Minnesota Hockey: 8U cross-ice and full-ice events
USA Hockey rulebook
Chicago Hawks Manager Handbook 2026-27 (Rev 8/24/2026)