How many players are allowed on a ice rink?

For each NHL team there is: 2 Goalies, 6 Defense-men, and 12 Offense-men in a game on the ice and also the bench.

But in the NHL there are 6 people allowed on the ice for each team (Including Goalie)

2 Goalies 18 Skaters... Not necessarily having to be broken up into offense or defense as a team can play with only 5 defense men or three full forward lines with an extra skater.