What Does Icing Mean in Hockey? Explained

By Emma Wilson · January 17, 2026

What Does Icing Mean in Hockey?

In ice hockey, icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from their own side of the center red line across the opponent's goal line without it being touched or resulting in a goal. This rule exists to prevent teams from wasting time or gaining unfair territorial advantage by dumping the puck deep into the offensive zone. When icing is called, play stops and a faceoff occurs in the offending team’s defensive zone.

Understanding the Basics of Icing

Icing is one of the most frequently called infractions in hockey and plays a crucial role in maintaining fair play and game flow. It applies only when the puck crosses both the center red line and the opposing team’s goal line without interruption.

Conditions for an Icing Call

The puck must be shot from behind the center red line.
The puck must cross the opponent’s goal line without being touched.
The opposing team does not gain possession before the puck crosses the goal line.

Exceptions to the Icing Rule

Icing is not called in the following situations:

When a team is shorthanded due to a penalty (power play).
If the goalie leaves the crease to play the puck, even if they don’t make contact.
During delayed penalties when the non-offending team retains control.
If the puck enters the goal (a legal goal is awarded instead).

Types of Icing Rules Across Leagues

Different leagues apply icing rules with slight variations. The two main types are touch icing and no-touch (or automatic) icing.

League	Icing Type	Faceoff Location After Icing	Video Review for Icing?
NHL	No-Touch / Automatic	Defensive zone of offending team	Yes
AHL	No-Touch / Automatic	Defensive zone of offending team	Yes
IIHF (International)	No-Touch / Automatic	Defensive zone of offending team	Yes
USA Hockey (Youth)	Touch Icing	Defensive zone of offending team	No
College (NCAA Men's)	Touch Icing	Defensive zone of offending team	No

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that professional leagues like the NHL, AHL, and IIHF use no-touch icing for player safety and consistency, while amateur and youth leagues often retain touch icing to teach competitive pursuit. Video replay is standard in pro leagues to verify close calls, reducing human error.

Purpose and Impact of the Icing Rule

The icing rule serves several key purposes in modern hockey:

Prevents stalling: Stops teams from delaying the game by shooting the puck the length of the ice repeatedly.
Rewards aggressive defense: Encourages forechecking and pressure by penalizing long dumps.
Enhances player safety: No-touch icing reduces high-speed races into the boards, lowering injury risk.
Maintains game pace: Keeps play more balanced between offense and defense.

How Icing Is Enforced

When icing occurs, the linesman immediately blows the whistle and signals the infraction. A faceoff then takes place in the defending zone of the team that committed the icing. Additionally, that team cannot make a line change (substitution), which can lead to fatigue and create scoring opportunities for the opposition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Icing in Hockey

Why is it called icing in hockey?

The term "icing" comes from the act of sending the puck across the ice surface from one end to the other. Since the puck travels over the frozen (iced) surface all the way to the opposite end, the phrase “icing the puck” became common usage in hockey terminology.

Can you score on an icing?

No, a goal cannot be scored directly on an icing play. If the puck enters the net after being shot from behind the center line without being touched, it is disallowed and called icing. However, if the goalie or a defender deflects the puck into their own net, it may count as an own goal depending on league rules.

Do teams get penalized for icing?

Teams are not given a traditional penalty (like 2 minutes in the box), but they are penalized strategically. After an icing call, the offending team cannot substitute players, forcing tired skaters to stay on the ice and face a fresh opposing unit, increasing the chance of a goal against.

What is hybrid icing?

Hybrid icing, used in the NHL since 2013, combines elements of touch and no-touch icing. Linesmen determine based on who would reach the puck first—using an imaginary line near the faceoff dots. If a defending player reaches it first, icing is called automatically, even if no contact occurs. This improves safety while maintaining fairness.

When was icing introduced in hockey?

Icing was first introduced in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 1939–40 season as a response to teams stalling by shooting the puck the length of the rink. It was initially implemented to speed up gameplay and increase scoring chances.