Release from 25.09.2026

win2day ICE Hockey League adopts updated IIHF face-off procedure

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The win2day ICE Hockey League fully complies with the current IIHF Rules, Regulations and Standard of Play. As part of the IIHF’s ongoing efforts to establish consistent and clearly defined standards of play, the IIHF has introduced an updated face-off procedure, which is broadly aligned with the approach used in the NHL.

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The win2day ICE Hockey League has also implemented this updated procedure. The objective is to create a consistent, fair and clearly defined standard for all face-offs, while ensuring that the same principles are applied by players and game officials throughout the league.

As with any change to an established procedure, it is understandable that centres, other players and game officials need time to adapt. During this adjustment period, the application of the new procedure may occasionally affect the flow of the game or lead to questions among fans and media.

To provide greater clarity, the following are the key changes and principles of the updated face-off procedure:
  • Centres can be removed from the face-off. In situations where players do not comply with the applicable face-off requirements, the linesperson may remove the centre from the face-off. A replacement player must then take the face-off.
  • Centres must be correctly positioned at the face-off. The centre must be square to the face-off location, with the entire blade of the stick positioned within the designated white area of the face-off dot.
  • Wingers must maintain the required position. At the face-off, wingers must have both skates in contact with the face-off circle, in accordance with the applicable positioning requirements.
  • A centre may not use the hand to win the face-off before a third player has played the puck. The centre must not deliberately play the puck with the hand as part of winning the face-off.
  • A centre may not win the face-off by using the skate. The centre must first play the puck with the stick before using the skate. Importantly, a deflection from the centre's stick does not make the puck available for an immediate skate play. A centre must establish a stick play before subsequently playing the puck with the skate.
  • A centre may not drop to a knee to win the face-off. The centre must remain in the prescribed position and may not deliberately drop to a knee as a means of gaining an advantage at the draw.
  • A centre who is removed must assume the position of the player replacing them. When a centre is ejected from the face-off and replaced by another player, the original centre must leave the face-off area and assume the same position that the replacement player would otherwise have occupied, rather than remaining in the centre's position.
Why has the procedure changed?
The purpose of the updated face-off standard is not to interrupt the game unnecessarily. Rather, the aim is to ensure that the same requirements are applied consistently at every face-off.
Face-offs are an important part of the game and can provide a significant tactical advantage. Clear requirements regarding the positioning of the centres and wingers, the legal use of the stick, hand and skate, and the consequences of a violation are therefore intended to provide both teams with an equal and predictable opportunity to compete for the puck.

The updated procedure also places greater responsibility on players to establish and maintain the correct position before the puck is dropped. Game officials are responsible for enforcing these requirements consistently.

A period of adjustment
The win2day ICE Hockey League recognises that changes to a long-established procedure require an adjustment period. Players and officials are adapting to the new requirements, while fans and media may also notice more interruptions or centre changes during face-offs than they were accustomed to seeing previously.

These situations are part of the implementation of the updated IIHF standard. As familiarity with the procedure increases, the intention is that the requirements will become a natural part of the game and contribute to a more consistent and fair face-off standard across the league.

IIHF video explanation
The IIHF has produced a detailed video explaining the updated face-off procedure and its practical application.

The win2day ICE Hockey League fully implements and complies with the applicable IIHF face-off procedure. The video provides players, coaches, officials, media and fans with a visual explanation of the requirements and the situations in which a centre may be removed from a face-off.

The objective is simple: one clear standard, applied consistently and fairly across the win2day ICE Hockey League.