Mouth Guard Policy

The All players, except goaltenders, must wear mouth guards at all times, whether or not play is in progress. All mouthguards must be COLOURED.

As soon as a player steps onto the ice without a mouth guard, a 2 min. minor penalty plus a misconduct penalty (protective equipment) is to be assessed. Wearing a mouth guard improperly ex. sticking halfway out the mouth is to be called. NO WARNINGS are to be issued in this instance. The rule is cut and dry. NO MOUTHGUARD = MINOR & MISCONDUCT PENALTY.

NOTE The only instance in which the referee wouldn’t penalize is if the player is hit and the mouth guard falls out, then the same process should take place as it does for a lost helmet or chinstrap undone. Player either puts the mouth guard back in or leaves the ice.

This is NOT an appeal play, the referee must call it: however, the teams may bring it to their attention. Linesmen cannot make this call but should point it out to the referee.

The teams are all aware of this and are watching each other, so referees must ENFORCE this rule strongly and appropriately at ALL TIMES regardless of the score or situation. There is no game management with regards to this rule. It is a safety issue.