Vancouver 2025 - World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships 2025

Technical Regulations - Ice Hockey

1. EVENTS
This competition will be conducted during the World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships 2025 from 08 May 2025 to 17 May 2025 and will consist of the following 2 events (1 for men, 1 for women and 0 for mixed):

EventMenWomenMixed
Ice Hockey

2. PARTICIPANTS

2.1 Invitation to Participate
ICSD and the Organising Committee will invite all National Deaf Sports Federation (NDSF) members in good standing to participate in the competition.

2.2 Eligibility

2.2.1 Hearing Loss
Participation in the competition is restricted to athletes who are deaf and/or hard of hearing. Refer to the ICSD Audiogram Regulations for additional details on measurement of hearing loss.

2.2.2 Age
Athletes must meet the minimum age requirement for each event listed below:

EventMinimum AgeMaximum Age
Ice Hockey15-Born on or before 08 May 2010

2.2.3 Compliance
Only athletes who comply with the Deaf World Championships Regulations are allowed to participate in the competition.

2.3 Number of Teams
Each National Federation may enter one (1) men's team, one (1) women's team and/or one (1) mixed's team. Participation in the competition is limited to a maximum of 12 men's teams, 12 women's teams and 0 mixed's teams.

2.4 Qualified Teams

Participation is determined through a qualification system below:
MenWomenMixed
CAN - Canada
CZE - Czech Republic
FIN - Finland
HUN - Hungary
KAZ - Kazakhstan
USA - United States

2.5 Number of Athletes per Discipline
A maximum number of athlete(s) per NDSF is allocated to each Ice Hockey discipline listed below:

MenWomen
2323

2.6 Number of Athletes per Event
A maximum number of athlete(s) per NDSF is allocated to each event listed below:

EventMenWomenMixed
Ice Hockey2323-

2.7 Number of Reserves or Substitutes per Event
A maximum number of reserve/substitute athlete(s) per NDSF is allocated to each event listed below:

EventMenWomenMixed
Ice Hockey00-

2.8 Competition Entry Standards
Not Applicable

2.9 Competition Entry Rules
Only an authorised representative of each NDSF is allowed to submit competition entries.

2.10 Non-Starting Athletes
A fine of USD$100.00 will be levied on each non-starting athlete unless he/she submits a doctor's declaration in writing English that he/she should not be allowed to start.

3. REGISTRATION
Please refer to the 6. Team Sports in the General Technical Rules - Deaf World Championship, for further details on registration.

4. COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS

4.1 Technical Organisation
ICSD is be responsible for the technical organisation of the competition in conjunction with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

4.2 Committees

4.2.1 Technical Committee
The Technical Committee is comprised of the ICSD Ice Hockey Director and other members nominated by the Organising Committee and approved by ICSD:

Daniel Daniels - ICSD Ice Hockey Director (Chair)
Shawn McCaskill - IIHF Representative
David McGregor - IIHF Chief Referee
Tyler Harrison - Sport Liaison Officer
Chris Bradley - Deaf Representative

4.2.2 Protest Committee
The Protest Committee is comprised of the ICSD Ice Hockey Director and other members nominated by the Organising Committee and approved by ICSD:

Daniel Daniels - ICSD Ice Hockey Director (Chair)
Shawn McCaskill - IIHF Representative
David McGregor - IIHF Chief Referee

4.3 Competition Rules
The competitions will be conducted in accordance with the IIHF Rules and Regulations (version: May 2024). In case of disagreement in the interpretation of the Rules and Regulations, the English text shall prevail. Unforeseen incidents not covered by the Rules and Regulations shall be dealt with as follow:

4.3.1 Cases of a general nature will be resolved in accordance with the Deaf World Championships Regulations and this Ice Hockey Technical Regulations.

4.3.2 Cases of a technical nature related to competition rules will be resolved in accordance with the IIHF Rules and Regulations.

4.4 Competition Equipment

All equipment used during competition must comply with the IIHF Rules and Regulations.

4.5 Competition Clothing

4.5.1 Participants must wear competitive uniforms representing their nationality, duly registered and published in accordance with the IIHF Rules and Regulations.

4.5.2 Participants must observe the Deaf World Championships Regulations regarding advertisements on their uniforms and clothing worn in the competition area.

4.6 Draw
The draw for all events will be conducted under control of the Technical Committee and in accordance with the IIHF Rules and Regulations.

4.7 Competition Plan
The competition plan will be conducted in accordance with the IIHF Rules and Regulations.

4.8 Officials

4.8.1 Judge/Referee/Umpire
Allocation of the officials to conduct the events will be made by the Technical Committee. Wherever possible, officials will possess the IIHF international license valid for 2025. However, officials with the highest level of national accreditation may be assigned.

4.8.2 Appointment
The Organising Committee, the Ice Hockey Director and an ICSD-designated Representative shall appoint a IIHF representative and an appropriate number of officials to conduct each event.

4.9 Unforeseen Incidents
In the event of unforeseen incidents not covered by the rules and regulations, the Technical Committee will make a determination. In the absence of the Technical Committee, the ICSD Ice Hockey Director will make a determination.

5. VENUES

5.1 Competition Venue

The competitions will take place at:
VenueSport Event
Thunderbird Sports CentreIce Hockey

5.2 Training Venue

The training will take place at:
VenueSport Event
Thunderbird Sports CentreIce Hockey

6. SCHEDULES

6.1 Competition Schedule

Date - TimeMenWomenMixedVenue
09 May 2025 - 11:00USA vs CZE  Thunderbird Sports Centre
09 May 2025 - 19:00CAN vs HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
10 May 2025 - 11:00HUN vs FIN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
10 May 2025 - 19:00USA vs CAN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
12 May 2025 - 11:00CZE vs FIN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
12 May 2025 - 19:00USA vs HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
13 May 2025 - 11:00CZE vs HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
13 May 2025 - 15:00FIN vs CAN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
15 May 2025 - 11:00CAN vs CZE  Thunderbird Sports Centre
15 May 2025 - 19:00FIN vs USA  Thunderbird Sports Centre
17 May 2025 - 09:303rd vs 4th  Thunderbird Sports Centre
17 May 2025 - 13:002nd vs 1st  Thunderbird Sports Centre

6.2 Training Schedule

Date - TimeMenWomenMixedVenue
08 May 2025 - 09:00HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
08 May 2025 - 10:15CAN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
08 May 2025 - 11:30CZE  Thunderbird Sports Centre
08 May 2025 - 14:00USA  Thunderbird Sports Centre
08 May 2025 - 15:15FIN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
09 May 2025 - 15:00FIN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
10 May 2025 - 15:00CZE  Thunderbird Sports Centre
11 May 2025 - 09:00CAN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
11 May 2025 - 10:30HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
11 May 2025 - 13:30CZE  Thunderbird Sports Centre
11 May 2025 - 15:00USA  Thunderbird Sports Centre
11 May 2025 - 16:30FIN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
12 May 2025 - 15:00CAN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
13 May 2025 - 19:00USA  Thunderbird Sports Centre
14 May 2025 - 09:00FIN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
14 May 2025 - 10:30USA  Thunderbird Sports Centre
14 May 2025 - 13:30CZE  Thunderbird Sports Centre
14 May 2025 - 15:00CAN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
14 May 2025 - 16:30HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
15 May 2025 - 15:00HUN  Thunderbird Sports Centre
16 May 2025 - 10:004th place  Thunderbird Sports Centre
16 May 2025 - 11:303rd place  Thunderbird Sports Centre
16 May 2025 - 13:002nd place  Thunderbird Sports Centre
16 May 2025 - 15:301st place  Thunderbird Sports Centre

6.3 Technical Meeting

6.3.1 Date and Location

The Technical meeting will take place at:
Date - TimeVenue
08 May 2025 - 19:00Technical MeetingThunderbird Sports Centre
16 May 2025 - 10:00Technical MeetingThunderbird Sports Centre

6.3.2 Attendance
Each participating NDSF may be represented by a maximum of two officials, of whom at least one must be deaf. The NDSF may also bring an interpreter if necessary.

7. CONTROL AND SANCTIONS

7.1 Hearing Devices
The use of any hearing aid(s)/amplification or cochlear implant is prohibited in the restricted zone area.

7.1.1 Restricted Zone
As per Audiogram Regulations, athletes participating in World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships 2025 are strictly prohibited from using any hearing aids or cochlear implant aids during competitions. This rule applies specifically to the restricted zone, which is defined as follows:

7.1.1.1 Restricted Area

The restricted area includes the entire ice rink, including the athletes' benches and the penalty benches.

7.1.1.2 Authority

The referees have sole authority to inspect all athletes for the presence of hearing devices.

7.1.1.3 Inspection Location

At the designated inspection area, referees must check all athletes to ensure that no hearing devices are being worn before they enter the ice rink.

7.1.1.4 Violation

If an athlete wears a hearing device during the warm-up or the match within the restricted area, they will be automatically disqualified from that match (Match Penalty). If the same team commits this violation twice, the team will be automatically disqualified from the competition. The violation must be documented by the match referees on the scoresheet and by the ICSD Ice Hockey Director using the ICSD Violation Form.

7.1.2 Violation and Penalty
When this rule is violated, refer to ICSD Audiogram Regulations 10: Violations and Penalties.

7.1.3 Award Ceremony
Athletes may use any hearing device during the award ceremony. No penalty will be imposed for using such a device.

8. PROTESTS

8.1 Procedures for lodging a protest
All sport related protests will be resolved in accordance with the IIHF Rules and Regulations and will be adjudicated by the Protest Committee.

8.1.1 Any protest must be written in English on the Official Protest Form. The form and a deposit USD$100.00 must be given to the ICSD Ice Hockey Director within 30 minutes after the official public posting of results.

8.1.2 The ICSD Ice Hockey Director will decide whether the protest is sport-related or eligibility-related. The Protest Committee will review all sport-related protests, and the ICSD Representative will review all eligibility-related protests.

8.1.3 The deposit of USD$100.00 will be returned to the applicant only if the protest is considered valid.

8.2 Procedure for reviewing a protest
The Protest Committee will meet in the competition venue or a designated office at a time decided upon by the ICSD Ice Hockey Director.

8.2.1 The ICSD Ice Hockey Director will chair of the Protest Committee.

8.2.2 The Sport Liaison Officer (SLO) will be responsible for booking a meeting room and interpreters.

8.2.3 The SLO will contact and inform all members of the Protest Committee of the meeting time and location.

8.2.4 The ICSD Ice Hockey Director will be responsible for liaising with the State Sports Association's Competition Manager.

8.2.5 After adjudication, the ICSD Ice Hockey Director will forward the original Official Protest Form (along with the protest fee if the protest was denied) to the ICSD Secretariat. The SLO will forward a copy of the form to the Deaf World Championships Headquarters.

9. ADDENDUM

9.1 Team’s Benches
The team bench shall accommodate up to six (6) team officials and one (1) interpreter.

9.2 Round Robin Format and Tiebreaking Procedures
A round robin tournament consists of each team playing every other team once. It is common in this format for two or more teams to finish with identical win-loss records. Therefore, a list of tiebreaking procedures must be established prior to the start of the tournament.

9.2.1 Two Team Tie
There is no universal method for breaking ties in round robin formats, as rules may vary across sports. However, the following standard procedure is recommended:

1. Head-to-head result:
The team that won the direct match between the two (2) tied teams shall be ranked higher.

2. If a double round robin is used and the two (2) teams have each won one (1) match, the point differential from the head-to-head matches shall determine the higher-ranked team. The team with the superior point differential shall be declared the winner.

9.2.2 Three or More Teams Tied
If three (3) or more teams finish with the same record, the following steps shall be applied in order:

1. Head-to-head results among tied teams:
Compare the win-loss records of each tied team against the other tied teams only. If one (1) team has a superior record, it shall be ranked higher. If a tie still remains, proceed to step 2.

2. Point differential among tied teams:
Calculate the point differential in matches played only among the tied teams. The team with the highest point differential shall be ranked higher. If a tie still remains, proceed to step 3.

3. Total points scored among tied teams:
The team with the highest number of points scored in matches among the tied teams shall be ranked higher.
If a tie still remains, use the total points scored against all teams in the group.
If a tie still remains, proceed to step 4.

4. Drawing of lots:
If no distinction can be made after applying all criteria above, the final ranking shall be determined by a random draw (e.g., coin toss or drawing of lots), conducted by the Technical Committee.

9.2.3 Overtime Operations - Bronze Medal Game
If at the end of the three (3) regular twenty (20) minutes periods in a Bronze Medal Game. The overtime period(s) shall be played with each team at a numerical strength of three (3) skaters and one (1) Goalkeeper. There will be ten (10) minutes overtime period. If the end of the ten (10) minutes overtime period the two playing teams are still tied, the shootout will be stage until the winner is declared.

9.2.4 Overtime Operations - Gold Medal Game
If at the end of the three (3) regular twenty (20) minutes periods in a Gold Medal Game of a top category championship and the two playing teams are tied, the teams will then play a 'sudden death' overtime with the team scoring first declared the winner. The overtime period(s) shall be played with each team at a numerical strength of three (3) skaters and one (1) Goalkeeper.

Notice: this regulations are subject to change. Last updated on Sunday, 11-May-25 18:40:36 GMT.