Pre-game checklist (printable)

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Print it, fold it and keep it in your bag. Craft advice, not a rule; your assignor and league come first.

• Arrive with time to dress without rushing; sweater, black trousers, helmet with visor, and a neck guard if you are under 18 (501(c), p. 155).
• Find the scorekeeper: level, period lengths, curfew or not, local penalty lengths.
• Crew talk: goal-line coverage, signals between you, who talks to which bench.
• Check both nets and the ice; note anything you will need to report.
• Equipment walk during warm-ups: neck guards below Adult, mouthpieces where required, no helmet cameras.
• Count players on the sheet against players in warm-ups; ask about any goalkeeper changes.
• After the game: sign the scoresheet, write any reports the same day, and fill in your Bench Book.

Rules mentioned: 501(c), USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey. The rulebook (PDF)