The tuck rule in ice hockey stipulates how jerseys must be worn over protective equipment.

NHL Rule 9.5. All protective equipment, except gloves, headgear, and goaltenders' leg guards must be worn under the uniform. Should it be brought to the attention of the Referee that a player is wearing, for example, an elbow pad that is not covered by his jersey, he shall instruct the player to cover up the pad and a second violation by the same player would result in a minor penalty being assessed.
Rule 9.5 governs all protective equipment, including pants. Players are not permitted to tuck their jersey into their pants in such a manner where the top padding of the pant and/or additional body protection (affixed to the pant or affixed to the Player's body) is exposed outside the jersey. The back uniform number must not be covered or obstructed in any fashion by protruding pads or other protective padding."^[1]

Players who had been spotted tucking their jerseys into hockey pants include Patrice Bergeron,^[2] Alexander Ovechkin, Kris Letang, Pavel Datsyuk, and Wayne Gretzky.^[3]

Rule Description

The NHL decided to newly enforce uniform policies starting with the 2013-14 season.^[4] As a result, players are not allowed to tuck their jerseys into their pants, expose their elbow pads, or make any other modifications to their jerseys.

Violations of this rule (which is called the jersey tuck rule) are as follows:

1. A player who doesn't follow the jersey tuck rule will be issued a warning on the first offence.
2. A player who commits the offence a second time will be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game.
3. A player who commits the offence a third time will receive a misconduct.
4. A player who commits the offence a fourth time will receive a game misconduct.

It is unclear if the minor penalty will be called under delay of game or delay of game/equipment violation.^[3] As of 2013, NHL Department of Hockey Operations and referees are still figuring out on how the penalty will be called.

Enforcement

Although these policies have existed since 1964, they weren't enforced until GMs voted to enforce it in the 2013-14 season.^[4] Some reporters suggested that enforcing uniform rules was NHL's attempt to reduce freak accidents where a player's body was cut by skate blade^[5] while others said the league was laying down rules for eventually selling ad space on jersey that would display prominently on the entire jersey.^[3] In a September 2013 pre-season game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Alexander Semin became the first player penalized for this infraction.^[3] After receiving an official's initial warning in that game, his jersey became tucked in again after scoring the second goal in that game. He received the minor penalty 15 mins later for violating the tuck rule a second time in the game. In response, Semin later stiched his jersey to his pants.^[5] However, by early October in the same year, it was reported that the NHL’s hockey operations department would relax on enforcing the tuck rule.^[6] The penalty would not be enforced if the jersey was tucked in while skating as long as the jersey was untucked at the beginning of a shift.

The rule brings NHL in line with other hockey leagues and tournaments, such as the Olympics.^[3]

Reception

Reactions by NHL players and coaches were overwhelmingly negative to the tuck rule. Alexander Ovechkin called the rule "stupid".^[3] Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates also disagreed with the rule, citing that superstar players like Wayne Gretzky and Ovechkin tucking in their jerseys were part of their identity.^[7] Toronto Maple Leafs players Joffrey Lupul questioned the rule while Morgan Rielly said he wasn't aware of this rule until the Semin's penalty. Boston Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron, often seen with his jersey tucked underneath his protective pants, said he didn't do it intentionally but felt that it could become an issue during regular season games.^[2]

References