Questions and answers about Rinkclock
Using Rinkclock is free with no account: a narrator reads a hockey period call by call while you keep the clocks, the box door and the game sheet, and every miss is marked with its rule. For the rules themselves, see the guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rinkclock?
A practice bench for the hockey timekeeper. A narrator reads a period call by call, you run the game clock and the penalty clocks, fill in a game sheet and open the box door, and Rinkclock marks every clock, release and sheet entry against the rules.
Who is it for?
Minor hockey parents taking a turn in the timekeeper's box, off-ice officials training for a clinic, paid junior timekeepers keeping their hand in, and association instructors who want to run a clinic night from a projector.
Is it free?
Yes, the core is. The daily period in either rule profile, the first scenario of every situation, the code sheet, every guide and your running totals are free with no account. Any paid plan adds both profiles on every mode, every scenario, live pace, full games, projection, the certificate and the history.
Which rules does it follow?
Two profiles: the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, including the 2026-27 change to Rule 4.2(b) on delayed minors and goals, and the USA Hockey Official Rules 2025-29. Every number the engine uses comes from the profile, and every mark cites the rule number.
Is Rinkclock official, or a certification?
No. It is a practice tool. Your league or region's certification course is still required where one exists, and the referee's call on the ice is final. Rinkclock is not affiliated with Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, the OMHA, the GTHL or any league, association or governing body.
What does the grader check?
After every call it compares your penalty clocks with the correct ones, including anything that should be waiting in the queue. At the end it checks every box door release to the second and every cell of your game sheet, and reports accuracy by situation.
How many scenarios are there?
66 authored scenarios across 11 situations, three per situation in each rule profile, plus a generated period every day and generated periods on demand.
What if my browser cannot speak?
Every call is also shown as a caption, and a browser with no speech voices gets the calls as text automatically. Speech uses your browser's own voices; on device voices are chosen first.
Where is my progress stored?
Only in this browser's local storage. There is no account and nothing is uploaded. You can export your progress as a JSON file and import it on another browser. Player numbers and any name you type for a certificate never leave the browser.
Does it cover referee judgment calls?
No. What counts as a penalty, head contact and goaltender rules are the referee's calls. Rinkclock covers the timekeeper's side: the clocks, the queue, the release and the sheet, once the referee has reported the penalty.
Does it copy an official game sheet?
No. The sheet is Rinkclock's own layout with the fields every penalty record needs. Your league's sheet or app may look different; the information is the same.
Was Rinkclock called something else?
Rinkclock was called BoxClock until October 2026. Same tool, same maker, your saved work and Premium are unchanged.
Not sure where to start? Try the free daily period, or read how to run a hockey clock.
Last reviewed . First published .