The Referee notices that a team has three players with a “C” on their uniforms during the pre-game warm-up. How many players should the Referee allow to act as Captain?
One. Rule Reference 202(a).
In this situation the Referee should look at the game sheet to determine the Captain. If there is more than one Captain designated, the Referee must ask the Coach to appoint only one of the three players to act as the team’s Captain. The Referee must also inform the Coach that the other two players will be allowed to have Captain’s privileges, but they must be designated as Alternate Captains.
The Team Captain and the Alternate Captain(s) are incapacitated by reasons of injuries or are unavailable due to penalties and the Referee deems it necessary to convey a message to the bench. With whom shall the Referee communicate?
Any player on the ice with whom the Referee elects to converse. Rule Reference 202(a).
The Referee has the authority to select a player on the ice to convey the message to the bench. Failure of a team to have a captain available is not justification for a Referee to not communicate when doing so would assist in managing the game.
A team refuses to designate a Captain at the beginning of the game. Should the Referee assess a penalty?
No. Rule Reference 202(a).
The Referee must, however, remind the Coach of the offending team that no player has the privilege of discussing with the Referee any matters relating to the interpretation of the rules until a Captain is appointed. The Captain does not have to wear the “C” on their sweater.
May a goalkeeper be designated as a Captain or Alternate Captain?
Yes. However, the goalkeeper cannot exercise the privileges of the Captain during the game as outlined in this rule. Rule Reference 202(a).
There is no rule preventing a goalkeeper from being named a Captain or Alternate Captain as an honor by the team to show leadership. However, that goalkeeper may not exercise Captain’s privileges during a game. Doing so would unnecessarily delay the game if the goalkeeper were allowed to leave the goal area for any discussion and then go to the bench area to relay any message and finally back to the goal area and be prepared for the resumption of play.
There is a question of a rule interpretation. The Referee wants to explain the rule to the Captain, but notices that the Captain and both Alternate Captains are seated on the players’ bench. What should the Referee do?
If the Captain is still participating in the game (they are not removed from the game because of penalty, injury, etc.), they should be invited from the players’ bench to discuss the interpretation with the Referee. Rule Reference 202(a).
There is a question of a rule interpretation and the Captain comes off the bench to protest the decision of the Referee. What should the Referee do?
If the Captain leaves the bench for a discussion without being invited to do so, and makes a complaint or protest, they must be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under this rule. Rule Reference 202(b).
