RULES & REGULATIONS

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All athletes must wear at minimum a hockey helmet and skates during competition.  Extra gear will not be provided for participants.

All challengers must release the puck prior to crossing the infraction lines.  Athletes may choose to shoot through the lines or in a fixed position, but the release point must be behind the shooting zone or the attempt is disqualified.

Challengers may request three (3) practice shots, but it must be requested and confirmed by the shot judge prior before first release.  Practice shots will not be scored.

The Knights of Columbus Hockey Challenge is open to all boys and girls in your community, between the ages of 10-14. 

Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant of their first initial competition. Paperwork that determines age eligibility of participants should not be collected or copied.

It is the responsibility of the participating association to confirm age fairness of their competing athletes. 

Setting a station is simple.  Using a standard chalk block, snap shooting zone areas starting at a point beginning three feet to the side and twelve feet away on each side of the net.  

Preview outline below.

Additionally, snap a line directly in front of the net fifteen feet away for the Judge and 

Tie Breaker line.

Event organizers must provide a clear understanding of the points system to ensure fair competition among all contestants.

The competition is designed for players ages 10 to 14 to demonstrate the most important skill in hockey — shooting accuracy on goal. Each player will be allowed a limited number of shots, 12 feet away from either side.  Contenders may not switch sides once a side has been selected.

Depending on the size of your association, the number of shots allowed in the first round should be between 10-15 shots per contender.

Less prelim shots may lead to faster flow of contestants, but more tiebreaker shootouts.

District, State and National levels will be conducted at the discretion of the Knights of Columbus organization.

All challengers will be judged using the official Knights of Columbus Hockey Challenge entry form/score sheet provided below.  Score sheets must be filled, signed and handed to the event judge the moment of competition. 

All finalist entry form/score sheets must be provided to local Knights of Columbus officials for submission or by an official registrant of the association.  

Finalist winners progress into various levels of competition.  Finalists unable to attend next level events are to  inform their association and cede registration to the runner-up finalist. 

Each challenge event is to confirm a clear Finalist and Runner-Up for advancing contests.

In the event of a tie, challengers are to shoot from the Judge line 15 feet away from the middle of the net.  Each contestant is offered up to 5 shots in the first tie breaking round.  If a tie still exists, each contestant is allowed a single shot each until a clear winner emerges.

Each participating youth hockey association should complete their associations challenge within the registration deadline of February 1st, 2026.

Each association is allowed to register one male and  female finalist per age category to compete in the finals event.

The finalists of each competition will advance into the Hockey Challenge Championships held March 27th and 28th in Fargo, ND at the Scheels Arena.  

Our program will assist associations in offering awards towards Finalists at each level of competition.

All awards are provided by the Knights of Columbus organization free of charge.