Section 8: Safety Considerations
Concussion Protocol
The NHL operates under a comprehensive concussion protocol developed in conjunction with the NHLPA. Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion is removed from play and evaluated by a team physician in a quiet room. For the 2025-2026 season, the protocol has been enhanced with Central League Spotters — certified athletic trainers who monitor all games from the NHL's centralized facility in New York. These central spotters are authorized to pull players for mandatory evaluation, complementing the in-arena spotters already present at each game. Clubs that fail to remove flagged players for evaluation face substantial fines. A player may not return to play until cleared through the league's concussion protocol.
Goaltender Interference
Contact with a goaltender in the crease is strictly regulated. A goal may be disallowed if an attacking player initiates contact with the goaltender in the crease or interferes with the goaltender's ability to move freely. Incidental contact outside the crease is generally permitted, but players may not target the goaltender.
Boarding and Checking from Behind
Boarding (pushing or checking an opponent violently into the boards) and checking from behind are treated as serious safety infractions. Both carry a minimum minor penalty and may result in a major penalty plus a game misconduct, depending on the severity and the vulnerability of the player who was hit.
Elbowing and Head Contact
Any check in which the principal point of contact is the head of an opponent is prohibited, regardless of whether the head was targeted intentionally. Elbowing an opponent in the head is subject to severe penalties and supplementary discipline. These rules were strengthened significantly in response to concerns about long-term brain injuries in professional hockey.
Player Safety Department
The NHL Department of Player Safety reviews all incidents involving potential supplementary discipline. The department has the authority to issue fines and suspensions for dangerous play, whether or not a penalty was called during the game. Hearings may be conducted in person or by telephone, and players have the right to appeal suspensions exceeding five games.
Equipment Safety Standards
All player equipment must meet standards established by the NHL and certified by recognized testing organizations. Helmets must be HECC-certified and properly fitted. Skate blades must be free of damage that could endanger other players. Goaltender equipment is measured before the season and may be spot-checked during the season to ensure compliance with dimensional limits.