If you are not familiar with the sports of ice hockey and roller hockey, also referred to as in-line hockey, you might think that the only differences are the surfaces used for game play and the type of skates worn by the players. Although these are the most noticeable, there are several other common differences, including rink dimensions, equipment, length of playing time and team composition.
Playing Surface
The most obvious difference between ice hockey and roller hockey is the playing surface. The International Roller In-Line Hockey Committee, or CIRILH, dictates the acceptable surface types for roller hockey games. The rules state that the games must be played on a smooth, flat surface and the surface can include wood, cement, asphalt and a sport-tiled floor. Ice hockey is played only on ice.
Rink Dimensions
According to CIRILH rules, the width of a roller hockey rink can vary between 65 and 100 feet and the length between 130 and 200 feet. The CIRILH suggests that a rink with a length twice the width should be maintained. A rink size of 164 by 82 feet is optimal. USA Hockey rules state that an ice hockey rink must be 200 feet long and 85 to 100 feet wide. The rink is designed with rounded corners and must have a wall, called the "boards," made of wood or fiberglass, surrounding the rink.
Skates
Floor players in roller hockey must wear in-line skates equipped with three or four wheels. The goalie may wear skates equipped with five smaller wheels as long as they do not extend past the front or back of the boot. Ice hockey players cannot wear speed skates or figure skates; the skates must be approved by the rules committee.
Player's Stick
The rules dictate the dimensions of the sticks used in both sports. In roller hockey, the stick cannot be longer than 60 inches from the heel of the stick to end of the shaft. The length from the heel of the stick to the end of the blade cannot be more than 12.5 inches. The width of the blade must be between 2 and 3.5 inches at any point. In ice hockey, the length of the stick cannot be more than 63 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft. The blade size for ice hockey players measures a maximum of 12.5 inches in length and no more than 3 inches in width.
Goalie's Stick
CIRILH rules state that the blade of a goalie's stick cannot be longer than 39 cm, or approximately 15 inches. The width at the heel cannot be larger than 5.5 inches and at all other points along the blade it cannot be wider than 5 inches. In ice hockey, the rules state that the length of the blade cannot be longer than 15.5 inches. The width of the blade can be between 2 and 3.5 inches, and at the heel it cannot be wider than 4.5 inches.
Puck/Ball
According to the USA Hockey Inline rules, a puck or a ball can be used for roller hockey. If balls are used, they must classified as "no bounce" and be 2.5 to 2.75 inches in diameter with a weight between 1.75 and 3 oz. If a puck is used, it must be 3 inches in diameter, 1 inch thick and weigh between 3.5 and 6.5 oz. These pucks are made of plastic with hard nubs that reduce friction and allows them to glide along the surface. The puck used in ice hockey is made of rubber and has the same dimensions as roller hockey pucks; it can weigh between 5.5 and 6 oz.
Game Time
Roller hockey games are played in two 20-minute periods, with a five-minute break between. An ice hockey game consists of three 20-minute periods with a 15-minute break between periods.
Team Makeup
A roller hockey team is allowed to have a maximum of 14 floor players and two goalies on the roster. In ice hockey, the roster has a maximum of 20 players and is limited to 18 skaters. During roller hockey games, five players are allowed to play at any given time, including a goalie. In ice hockey, six players are allowed to play at any given time, including a goalie.
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