1998 Olympics Official Hockey Rules

General Rules

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Official Rule Book 1997 as amended at the IIHF Helsinki Congress 1997 shall apply. In case of disagreement in the interpretation of the rules, the English version will prevail.

Any questions/incidents not covered by the rules will be dealt with as follows:

Cases of a general nature will be resolved in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
Technical questions will be resolved according to the IIHF Official Rule Book.

Participation
Only National Olympic Committees (NOCs) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), whose national Ice Hockey federation is a member of the IIHF are entitled to enter their national team, if the team has qualified.
Only competitors who comply with the conditions stipulated in the Olympic Charter and in the IIHF Eligibility By-laws are entitled to participate in the tournament.

Qualification System
In accordance with the qualification system approved by the IIHF Stockholm Congress 1995, 14 men's teams and 6 women's teams are allowed to participate in the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.

The IIHF qualification system for the 1998 Olympic Winter Games will be as follows:

Men's Tournament

Eligibility to qualify for participation in the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament will be based on the ranking of the teams within Pools A, B, C and D, following the 1995 World Championships.
The top 6 teams from Pool A (Finland, Sweden, Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, and the United States) will automatically be qualified for the Final Round of the Olympic Ice Hockey Tourmament.
The 7th and 8th ranking team from Pool A (France and Italy), the team from the organizing country, Japan, and the top 5 teams of the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Belarus and Kazakhstan), for a total of 8 teams, will qualify for the Preliminary Round in the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.
Final Olympic Qualification Tournament:
The qualified teams participating in the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament will be seeded according to their ranking in Pools A, B, C and D, following the 1995 World Championships.
For the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament, 4 regional pre-qualification groups took place. The winning teams from each of the 4 groups, plus the teams ranked 9, 10, 11, and 12, following Pool A and B of the 1995 World Championships (Germany, Norway, Austria, and Slovakia), for a total of 8 teams, will compete in the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. The top 5 teams will qualify for the Preliminary Round of the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.
Each men's Ice Hockey team may consist of a maximum of 20 players, 3 goalkeepers, and 8 team officials.
Women's Tournament
The top 5 teams from the 1997 IIHF Women's World Championship (Canada, USA, Finland, China, and Sweden), held in Canada from March 31 to April 6, 1997, along with the team from the organizing country will compete in the Women's Tournament.
Each women's Ice Hockey team may consist of 18 players, 2 goalkeepers, and 6 team officials. Each team may also register an emergency goalkeeper.

Entries
For further information concerning entries, please refer to the guidebook to be distributed to each NOC.

Entry by Number
Those NOCs that plan to participate in the XVIII Olympic Winter Games must return the "Entry by Number" form to NAOC no later than December 1, 1997.
This form must indicate the number of athletes for each event, as well as other required information.
This information may be forwarded by fax. However, the original form must follow and be received by NAOC no later than December 10, 1997.
Entry by Name
Those NOCs that participate in the XVIII Olympic Winter Games must return the "Entry by Name" form to NAOC no later than January 26, 1998.
This "Entry by Name" form must be prepared for each participating athlete. Each form must include the full name of the athlete and other required information.
Also, all "Entry by Name" forms must be accompanied by completed and signed eligibility code forms. The eligibility code form must be signed by all athletes, team officials, and extra-officials.
Please note that any "Entries by Name" received by NAOC after the above deadline dates will not be accepted.
Mailing Address
NAOC Accreditation Section
KT Bldg. 3109-63 Kawaishinden
Nagano City 380, Japan
Tel: (81 26) 225 1877
Fax: (81 26) 225 1894
Telex: (0 72) 332 25 55 NWOCJ

Definitive Team Compositions

Men's Teams
The final composition of the men's teams that qualify for the Preliminary Round (a minimum of 15 players and 2 goalkeepers with a maximum of 20 players and 3 goalkeepers selected from "Entry by Name - Athlete" as above) will be examined and approved by the IIHF Directorate Jury on February 6, 1998 at the latest by 12:00 midnight Nagano local time.
The final composition of the men's teams that qualify for the Final Round (minimum of 15 players and 2 goalkeepers, maximum of 20 players and 3 goalkeepers, selected from "Entry by Name-Athlete" as above) will be examined and approved by the IIHF Directorate Jury on February 12, 1998, at the latest by 12:00 midnight Nagano local time.
For these controls, each team must submit the IIHF Player Entry Form, billed in by use of a typewriter, together with the passports confirming the state citizenship.
Women's Teams
The final composition of the women's teams that qualify for the Women's Tournament (a maximum of 18 players and 2 goalkeepers, plus an emergency goalkeeper, selected from Entry by Name-Athlete" as above) will be examined and approved by the IIHF Directorate Jury on February 7, 1998, at the latest by 12:00 midnight Nagano local time.
For these controls, each team must submit the IIHF Eligibility Forms, filled in with the use of a typewriter, together with the passports.

Doping Control
Doping tests will be carried out each competition day in accordance with the instructions stipulated by the IOC Medical Commission and in conjunction with IIHF rules. For positive tests, the IIHF sanctions shall apply.

Gender Verification
To maintain fairness in sports, each female competitor who cannot present an IOC-issued gender certificate shall undergo gender verification tests in accordance with the guidelines drawn up by the IOC Medical Commission.
In principle, verification will take place at the Olympic Village polyclinic from the day of the opening of the Olympic Village to the day of the Opening Ceremony.

Advertising
Rules for advertising are stipulated in the Olympic Charter and in the IIHF Regulations.

Competition Rules

Competition Management
The Ice Hockey tournaments will be conducted by the IIHF Directorate Jury.
The competition management, appointed by NAOC in conjunction with the Japan Ice Hockey Federation (JIHF), will be responsible for organizing the tournament.
The Director of the Ice Hockey competitions must be a representative of the IIHF.
The IIHF has appointed Mr. Miroslav Subrt, IIHF Vice President, and Mr. Dave Fitzpatrick, IIHF Sport Director, as technical delegates.

Men's Tournament
Fourteen teams will take part in the Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.

Preliminary Round
Eight teams will participate in the preliminary round. They will be seeded into 2 groups, A and B, of 4 teams each. Group competitions during the preliminary round will take the form of a single round robin, with each team playing 3 matches. All 12 matches will take place from February 7 to 10, and within each group the teams will be ranked from 1st to 4th place according to the IIHF Classification By-law.
On February 12, the 6 teams that ranked from 2nd to 4th place in the A and B groups will compete in 3 matches to determine final placement from 9th to 14th place, with each team from group A competing with the team of the same rank from group B.
The 1st ranked teams from the 2 groups will be seeded in the final round to take place starting on February 13.
Final Round
The 6 teams designated to automatically qualify (see above), plus the 2 first ranked teams from the preliminary round, group A and B, will proceed to the final round. They will be seeded into 2 groups, C and D, of 4 teams following the 1995 IIHF World Championship rankings, and competition will take the form of a single round robin, with each team playing 3 matches.
All 12 matches will take place from February 13 to 16, 1998.
The ranking 1st to 4th in each group will be determined according to the outcome of the round robin games, following the IIHF Classification By-law.
Play-offs
The 4 ranked teams of each group will participate in the play-off round consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals and final operating from February 18 to 22, 1998. If a play-off game is tied at the end of 3 regular periods, a sudden victory overtime period shall be played according to the IIHF Regulations, with a duration of 20 minutes in the final gold medal game and 10 minutes in the other play-off games. If a play-off game is still tied at the end of a sudden victory overtime period, then the game-winning shots shall take place immediately, following the IIHF Regulations, to determine the winner of the match.
The final standing of the top 4 teams will be determined by the results of the play-off games.
Points and Placing of Teams

Men's Preliminary Round and Final Round: Placing is done by adding up all the points. Points are awarded as follows:
2 points for a win
1 point for a draw
No point for a loss

In case of an equality of points between 2 or more teams, for any classification, the teams will be ranked according, to the following rules:

Where 2 or more teams have equal points, their positions will be determined by the results of the games played between such teams.
If points equality from mutual games of all such teams or of some teams still exist, then the goal system shall be applied. In this case, the goals scored against will be deducted from the goals scored for, and the team having the greater positive surplus or smaller negative difference will take precedence. If such teams are equal even on goal difference, then the team with the greater number of goals scored for shall take precedence.
If equality still exists, then the goals from all games played in the group will count as long as the teams in equality have played with the same opponents.
If teams are equal also on goal difference from all games, then the team with the greater number of goals scored for shall take precedence.
If 2 teams are definitely clear equal after their last mutual game in the group, then this game shall be prolonged according to the regulations for play-off games.
If equality still exists despite the whole procedure as above, then:

After the preliminary round of the tournament, the shooting competition of equal teams shall apply as stipulated herein, the regulations, and the winner will gain precedence. If the teams in equality agree, their positions in the preliminary round may be decided by draw.
After the end of the tournament, the equal teams shall be declared finishing in the same position. Nevertheless, should the case of equality concern promotion or relegation, there must be a shooting competition.
If a team declines or is not present to participate in the shooting competition, it will be declared as a loss for that team.
The shooting competition is a part of the respective Championship.

5th to 8th Ranking
All losing teams from the men's quarterfinals play-off games will be ranked 5th to 8th.

Women's Tournament
Six teams will take part in the Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.
Preliminary Round
Competition will take the form of a single round robin, with each team playing 5 matches. All 15 matches will take place from February 8 to 14, 1998.
Play-offs
The top 4 teams will be seeded and proceed to the play-off games to take place on February 17, 1998. The final standing will be determined by the results of the play-off games (T1- T2, T3 - T4).
If a play-off game is tied at the end of three regular periods, a sudden victory overtime period (20 minutes in the gold medal game and 10 minutes in the bronze medal game) shall be played according to the IIHF Regulations. If a play-off game is still tied at the end of the sudden victory overtime period, then the game-winning shots shall take place, following the Regulations, to determine the winner of the match.
Points and Placing of Teams
The system for the men's preliminary round will be used (see above).

Directorate Jury
The Olympic Tournament will be conducted by a Directorate Jury composed as follows:

IIHF President, or his deputy, as chairman*
Members of the IIHF Council
Representatives of the participating national Ice Hockey associations not represented on the IIHF Council.
A representative of NAOC

* The chairman cannot represent his own country.

Game Officials
The IIHF Directorate Jury will assign international referees, linesmen, goal judges, video goal judges, and supervisors for the individual games.

All other game officials will be assigned by the JIHF in cooperation with NAOC and as approved by the IIHF.

Protests
Protests must be submitted in writing to the Directorate Jury, in English or German, within 1 hour after the completion of the game.

Sweaters and Numbers
Each team must have 2 sets of sweaters and socks, 1 set in light and 1 set in dark colors. Both sets must be approved by the IIHF. All players in a team must wear helmets of the same color, except goalkeepers. Each player must bear the same number throughout the entire tournament. The number on the back of the sweater must be 25cm in height. Each player must have their name on the back of the upper part of his sweater in Latin block letters, 8cm in height. The colors of the uniforms must be indicated on the final entry forms.

Equipment
All the equipment and accessories must comply with the IIHF rules.

Awards
The men's Victory Ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 22, 1998 and the women's Victory Ceremony on Tuesday, February 17, 1998, in Big Hat, both immediately after their respective final games. Awards will be presented in accordance with the Olympic Charter.

First Place
Silver gilt medal and diploma for each competitor of the winning team if he/she played in at least 1 match.
Second Place
Silver medal and diploma for each competitor of the team placing second if he/she played in at least 1 match.
Third Place
Bronze medal and diploma for each competitor of the team placing third if he/she played in at least 1 match.
Fourth to Eighth Places
Diploma for each competitor of the teams placing fourth to eighth in the men's competition, and for each competitor of the teams placing fourth to sixth in the women's competition.

Technical Booklet Approval
The regulations and conditions of the Ice Hockey tournament were approved by the IIHF on September 28, 1996.

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