1997 NHL Rulebook - Playing RulesRule 86. Time-Outs
Each team shall be permitted to take one thirty-second time-out during the course of any game, regular-season or playoffs. This
time-out must be taken during a normal stoppage of play. Any player designated by the Coach will indicate to the Referee that
his team is exercising its option and the Referee will report the time-out to the Game Timekeeper who shall be responsible for
signalling the termination of the time-out.
NOTE 1: All players including goalkeepers on the ice at the time of the time-out will be allowed to go to their respective
benches. Only one team is allowed a time-out per stoppage and no time-out will be allowed after a reasonable amount of time
has elapsed during a normal stoppage of play.
NOTE 2: For the purposes of this rule, a commercial stoppage in play is deemed to be an "official time-out" and not charged to
either team.
