Every player is well aware of the rink he or she is playing on. They know the length of the ice and the amount of room they have to play in the neutral zone. Although every rink in the NHL is now virtually the same with the exception of logos and ice quality, it wasn't always that way. In this feature, we will take a look at how the rink has been adapted over the years. You may be surprised at all of the changes, both large and small. We have upgraded our rink history to now date all the way back to the 1917-1918 season.
Throughout the history of the NHL, there have been many variances from rink to rink such as Edmonton's center ice facing the players benches or the shorter rinks like the one in the Chicago Stadium. There were quite a few of these abnormalities, but for the sake of the overall history of the NHL, the following graphics will be based upon the typical 200 by 85 foot rink.
While we have tried to account for every known change to the rink and we worked through many corrections that had been submitted the first time around, there are so many subtle changes that we could have missed something along the way. Please email us at admin@thefaceoff.net if you see an error.
Throughout the history of the NHL, there have been many variances from rink to rink such as Edmonton's center ice facing the players benches or the shorter rinks like the one in the Chicago Stadium. There were quite a few of these abnormalities, but for the sake of the overall history of the NHL, the following graphics will be based upon the typical 200 by 85 foot rink.
While we have tried to account for every known change to the rink and we worked through many corrections that had been submitted the first time around, there are so many subtle changes that we could have missed something along the way. Please email us at admin@thefaceoff.net if you see an error.
Vintage Rinks
1917-1949
1917-1918 Season
The center ice face-off dot and goal post lines were the only marking on the blank sheet of ice.
The center ice face-off dot and goal post lines were the only marking on the blank sheet of ice.
1918-1919 through 1925-1926 Seasons
Blue lines were added to the ice, 80 feet from the end boards.
Blue lines were added to the ice, 80 feet from the end boards.
1926-1927 through 1928-1929 Seasons
The blue lines were moved 10 feet closer to each of the end boards, expanding the neutral zone to 60 feet.
The blue lines were moved 10 feet closer to each of the end boards, expanding the neutral zone to 60 feet.
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1929-1930 through 1930-1931 Seasons
Additional face-off dots are added to the ice surface, 10 feet in front of each goal. Every time a goaltender failed to clear the puck after making a save, a face-off would be held at the dot in front of his net. No player other than the goalie was permitted to stand between the face-off spot and the net. |
1931-1932 through 1932-1933 Seasons
Three additional face-off dots are added in the neutral zone along each blue line.
Three additional face-off dots are added in the neutral zone along each blue line.
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1933-1934 Season
L-Shaped boundaries placed in front of each net defining a goaltenders safe area. The boundary was 8 feet by 5 feet.
L-Shaped boundaries placed in front of each net defining a goaltenders safe area. The boundary was 8 feet by 5 feet.
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1934-1935 through 1936-1937 Seasons
Two 20 foot diameter "penalty shot" circles were added in front of each goal, centered at 38 feet from the goal lines. If a player was tripped preventing him from shooting while on what we now call a "breakaway", a player takes a penalty shot which must be taken from inside this circle. A full goal crease was also painted on the ice at this time. |
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1937-1938 Season
Two face-off dots are added in each defensive zone. The dots in front of each of the goals are removed. The goal line was also introduced and the "icing" rule was created. |
1938-1939 Season
The width of each of the blue lines were increased to 12 inches wide.
The width of each of the blue lines were increased to 12 inches wide.
1939-1940 through 1940-1941 Seasons
The goal crease is modified to 7 feet by 3 feet.
The goal crease is modified to 7 feet by 3 feet.
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1941-1942 through 1942-1943 Seasons
Four circles are created replacing the two defensive zone circles. Penalty shot lines are created 28 feet in front of each goal. The center circle was also added to the ice. |
1943-1944 through 1944-1945 Seasons
The center red line was created.
The center red line was created.
1945-1946 through 1946-1947 Seasons
The penalty shot line has been removed.
The penalty shot line has been removed.
1947-1948 through 1948-1949 Seasons
The area inside the goal nets is painted white to make it easier for referees and goal judges to determine if a goal has been scored.
The area inside the goal nets is painted white to make it easier for referees and goal judges to determine if a goal has been scored.
Modern Rinks
1950-Present
1949-1950 through 1950-1951 Seasons
The entire surface is painted white following the popularity of the white goal area among fans and officials.
The entire surface is painted white following the popularity of the white goal area among fans and officials.
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1951-1952 through 1960-1961 Seasons
The size of the goal crease is increased to 8 feet by 4 feet. Faceoff-circles were expanded to 30 feet in diameter and hash marks were added to the defensive zone circles. The referee's crease was also added. Its position would vary from rink to rink. |
1961-1962 through 1963-1964 Seasons
"Crosshairs" added to face-off dots in defensive zones.
"Crosshairs" added to face-off dots in defensive zones.
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1964-1965 through 1972-1973 Seasons
Though some teams had already started using checkered red lines, in 1964 they became an official element to the rink. Its purpose was to help TV viewers distinguish the red line from the blue lines. This would become less important once color TV became widely available. |
1973-1974 through 1981-1982 Seasons
Cross-hairs updated to T shaped markings.
Cross-hairs updated to T shaped markings.
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1982-1983 through 1985-1986 Seasons
Double hash marks and modified defensive zone face-off dots replace previous markings.
Double hash marks and modified defensive zone face-off dots replace previous markings.
1986-1987 through 1989-1990 Seasons
A round goal crease was added, surrounding the traditional rectangular crease.
A round goal crease was added, surrounding the traditional rectangular crease.
1990-1991 Season
The neutral zone would shrink from 60 feet down to 58 feet.
The neutral zone would shrink from 60 feet down to 58 feet.
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1991-1992 through 1994-1995 Seasons
The rectangular goal crease is eliminated, L-shaped markings with both lines five inches long are placed just inside the edge of the semi-circle crease. The entire goal crease and area occupied by the net are tinted blue. |
1995-1996 Season
The goal area (inside the net) was painted white.
The goal area (inside the net) was painted white.
1996-1997 through 1997-1998 Seasons
L-Shaped positioning marks are added to the two face-off spots in each defensive end.
L-Shaped positioning marks are added to the two face-off spots in each defensive end.
1998-1999 through 2000-2001 Seasons
The goal crease is changed from a semi-circle to the current crease shape. The neutral zone is changed from 58 feet wide to 54 feet.
The goal crease is changed from a semi-circle to the current crease shape. The neutral zone is changed from 58 feet wide to 54 feet.
2002-2003 through 2003-2004 Seasons
The neutral zone face-off dots now match the style of the defensive zone dots.
The neutral zone face-off dots now match the style of the defensive zone dots.
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2005-2006 through 2013-2014 Seasons
After the 2004/2005 Lockout, several changes were made to the rink. The neutral zone was shortened to just 50 feet. Trapezoids were also added behind the goal lines to limit the area in which goaltenders could touch the puck behind the goals. |
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2014-2015 to Present Season
The hash marks outside the end zone circles were moved from 3 feet to 5 feet 7 inches separation. The trapezoid grew by two feet from each goal post to create what is now the current rink layout for all 31 NHL teams. |
