Below are the major 2002 - 2006
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Rule Changes:

Rule 102 - The Boards
The height of the boards, measured from the top of the ice surface, must be no lower than 1.17 meters and no higher than 1.22 meters.

Rule 106 - Nets
For protection of spectators, nets must be fitted in the end zones above the Plexiglas.

Rule 172 - Music
No music will be allowed during a time-out. The use of air horns and whistles by spectators or others attending a match, will also be prohibited.

Rule 223 - Players Helmet
Players must also wear their helmet during the pre-game warm up.

Rule 227- Mouth Guard
All players are recommended to wear an approved mouth guard. All players age 20 or younger, not wearing a full face mask, must wear an approved mouth guard.

Rule 233a - Goalies Blocker
The maximum length of a goalies blocker is 41cm.

Rule 233b - Goalies Catcher
The maximum length of a goalies catcher is 41cm.

Rule 234 - Goalkeepers Helmet and Full Face Mask
All goalkeepers face masks must be constructed in a way that does not allow a puck to go through.

Rule 235 - Goalkeepers Leg Guards
The maximum width of goalkeepers leg guards is 30.5cm.

Rule 240 - Uniforms
Shirts (including the sleeves) and socks must be of the same colour.

Rule 260 - Measuring of Equipment
The referee can measure equipment at his own initiative at any time of the game. A goal cannot be disallowed as result of measuring equipment. During each break only one item of equipment is allowed to be measured.

Rule 401 - Starting Line
This rule has been deleted, so teams do not have to provide a starting line anymore.

Rule 414 - Change of Goalkeeper during play
This rule has been deleted.

Rule 415 - Change of Goalkeeper during a break
Goalkeepers are not allowed to go to their players bench during a break, unless his/her team has requested a time-out or he/she needs to be replaced.

Rule 442 - Face-off Procedure
During any center ice face-off, the visiting team center shall be the first one to place his/her stick onto the ice.

Rule 490 - Stopping/Passing the Puck with Hands
A player is allowed to stop, bat or pass the puck with his/her hands, unless he/she passes or intentionally redirects the puck to his/her own teammate.

In the event of such an infraction, the referee shall stop the game and the face-off will be conducted at the place of the infraction. If the offending team gains terrain advantage of this pass/redirection, the face-off will be conducted there where the referee stopped play.

In case the pass is concluded in the attacking zone of the offending team, the face-off shall be conducted in the neutral zone near the attacking blue line.

Rule 491 - Kicking the Puck
Kicking the puck is allowed in all zones. A goal cannot be scored as a result of kicking the puck, unless the puck
deflects from the stick of an attacking player.

Rule 492 - High Sticking the Puck
If a player high-sticks the puck in his/her attacking zone, the face-off will be conducted in the neutral zone near the attacking blue line.

If a player high-sticks the puck in his/her own defending zone or the neutral zone, the face-off shall be conducted at the place of infraction unless the offending team gains terrain advantage. In this case the face-off will be conducted where the referee stopped play.

Rule 503 - Major Penalty
Each player assessed with a major penalty (5) will have to go to his/her dressing room as a result of the automatic game misconduct penalty. A replacement on the ice is allowed after 5 minutes.

Rule 506 - Gross Misconduct Penalty
This rule has been deleted .Infractions against opponents for the following infractions, 520-Boarding, 522-Charging, 524-Clipping, 525-Cross Checking, 526-Elbowing, 530-High Sticking*, 536-Kneeing, 537-Slashing and 539-Tripping, the offending player will be assessed a minor penalty (2), major penalty plus automatic game misconduct penalty (5 + Game) or a match penalty.

*If the high-sticking infraction with injury is accidental, the referee can assess a double minor penalty (2+2).

Rule 533 - Hooking
Hooking must be penalized by either a minor penalty (2 min) or a major penalty plus automatic game misconduct penalty (5 + Game).

Rule 540 - Checks to the Head or Neck
Any player checking his/her opponent to the head or neck shall be penalized with a minor penalty plus misconduct penalty (2 + 10), a major penalty plus game misconduct penalty (5 + Game) or a match penalty.

If a player injures his/her opponent as a result of checking the head/neck the referee must assess a match penalty. As a new signal for this rule, the referee must move his/her hand with the palm towards the side of the head.

Rule 551 - Abuse of Officials by Players
A player who challenges or disputes the ruling of any official during the game shall be assessed a misconduct penalty (10).

If this player persists in such conduct he/she shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty. Any player who intentionally touches a game official with his/her hands or stick, holds a game official or pushes a game official with his/her hands, stick or body, hitting a game official or spitting at a game official, shall be assessed a match penalty.

Rule 551 - Abuse of Officials by Team Officials
If any team official uses obscene, profane or abusive language to any official or interferes in any manner with any of the officials of the game, his/her team shall be assessed a bench minor penalty (2.

If this team official persists in such conduct, he/she shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

If any team official holds or strikes a game official, makes travesty or is detrimental to the conducting of the game, or spits at any game official, a match penalty shall be assessed.

Rule 552 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct By Players
If any player makes travesty or is detrimental to the conducting of the game, or spits to any other person, he/she shall be assessed a match penalty.

Rule 553 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct By Team Officials
If any team official uses obscene, abusive language to any person or bangs the boards with a stick or other object at any time, his/her team shall be assessed a bench minor penalty.

If this team official persists in such conduct, he/she shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

Rule 555 - Illegal or Dangerous Equipment
For every second (3rd, 4th etc) violation of this rule involving any player of that team, after previously being warned by the referee, a misconduct penalty (10 min) shall be assessed to the offending player.