Last Updated on October 19, 2021 by
The standard National Hockey League specifications of 200 by 85 feet (60.96m × 25.9m) with a corner radius of 28 feet (8.5m) is used in most North American rinks. Besides, NHL blue lines are 50 feet (15.2m) apart and 75 feet (22.9m) from the end boards. From the end boards, each goal line is 11 feet (3.4m).
In this blog post, we’re going to talk more about the dimensions of ice hockey rinks in North America and the rest of the world. The classic game of ice hockey is a very popular game among the Northern Americans, and it is played on a rectangular ice rink with rounded corners surrounded by a wall of one meter high. The wall, otherwise known as the boards, helps to protect the audience from getting hit by the ice hockey puck. The rules of the dimensions of the ice rink are straightforward. But the only thing is that there are two major rules of the dimensions.
The Games of the Olympiad is used for international ice hockey competitions, while the rules used in the North American games are governed by the NHL. Basically, the Olympic Games and the NHL rules of dimensions are similar. The dimensions of the Olympic Games are 30 meters wide and 61 meters long with a corner radius of 8.5 meters.
Like we said earlier, the dimensions of the Olympic Games are employed in international competitions. The dimensions of the NHL are 60.96 meters × 25.9 meters with a corner radius of 8.5 meters which is the same measurement as the Olympic Games. There’s a 3.4-meter distance between the nearest goal line and the end boards.
The Table Below Contain The Ice Thickness, Rink Length And Width Of The NHL And International Ice Hockey.
| Parameters | NHL | International Ice Hockey |
| Ice Thickness | About one inch | One inch |
| Rink Length | 200 feet | 197 feet |
| Rink Width | 85 feet | 98.4 feet |
Hockey Rink Dimensions And Size
Like we said earlier, the Olympic Games and the NHL rules of dimensions are similar, but there are still some differences. The standard ice hockey rink size for the NHL is the same as the North American rink size. The Olympic Games or International rink size is a little different. The International or Olympic Games rink ice surface is 98.4 feet wide and 197 feet long.
However, the National Hockey League, NHL’s rink ice surface measures 85 feet in width and 200 feet in length. An NHL ice hockey rink is considerably smaller in width but it’s a bit longer than an international or Olympic Games ice hockey rink. You should know that the style of play will be influenced by the changes in the size of the rink. Players will get a more wide-open style of play with more time and space on a wider hockey rink.
Historical Hockey Rinks In The World
We’ve prepared a list of some of the famous and historical hockey rinks in the world.
1. The Boston Garden
The two famous hockey players, Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr are among the greatest to ever play in the Boston Garden which is known to be shorter than the standard size. From 1928 to 1995, an ice hockey team called the Bruins used this ice rink as their home ground.
2. Montreal Forum
Some of the greatest players of the game like Ken Dryden, Rocket Richard, and Guy Lafleur all played in the Montreal Forum. Most importantly, the record of 22 NHL titles that the Canadians holds today had all of their home games played in this rink.
3. Maple Leaf Gardens
From 1932 to 1999, all the Toronto Mapie Leaf’s home games were played in the Maple Leaf Gardens.
FAQs
We’ve compiled a list of the frequently asked questions and answers about the ice hockey rink dimension.
What Is The Outdoor Or Backyard Hockey Rink Size?
Depending on the space available outside, an outdoor rink can be built on your preferred size. But the truth is most outdoor rinks are smaller than professional rinks. A rink that measures 88 by 44 feet is ideal for teens and older kids, while a rink that measures 46 by 20 feet is suitable for young skaters.
How Thick Is Hockey Ice?
A well-built ice rink for professional use is about one inch thick. About 10,600 gallons of water are required for making an ice sheet as large as 200 feet long and 85 feet wide.
How Long Is A Hockey Rink?
The length of an ice hockey rink is 60 meters or 197 feet for the International/Olympics Games rink, and a bit longer, at 61 meters or 200 feet for the NHL rink.
Are NHL Rinks All The Same?
Yes! All the rinks in the NHL must have a standard size surface of200 feet long and 85 feet wide with a radius of the corners measuring 28 feet. Every professional team in the NHL must build their rinks according to these standard dimensions. The same goes with the college ice hockey teams.
Are High School Hockey Rinks The Same Size As NHL?
Like we said earlier, the standard ice hockey rink size is 85 by 200 feet, but there’s an exception for lower-tier leagues like high school and children teams. Some teenagers and high school teams are allowed to use smaller and shorter ice rinks.
How Big Is The Offensive Zone In Hockey?
The offensive zone, otherwise known as the attacking zone, is a 75 feet area beyond the second blue line to the far end of the ice rink where an offensive player normally shoots to score a goal. However, the neutral zone is typically the 50 feet area between the two blue lines.
Final Words
The National Hockey League’s rink ice surface measures 85 feet in width and 200 feet in length while the International or Olympic Games rink ice surface measures 98.4 feet wide and 197 feet long. As you can see, the International or Olympic Games ice hockey rink is considerably wider but it’s a bit shorter than an NHL ice hockey. We’ve reached the closing chapter of this informative article. We hope you were able to find good resources in your quest to know ice hockey rink dimensions. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks
