Definitions of Penalities (NHL)
Abuse of officials
Arguing with, insulting, using obscene gestures or language directed at or in reference to, or deliberately making violent contact with any on or off-ice official. This generally is issued in addition to other penalties or as a bench penalty against a coach or off-ice player, and is grounds for ejection under a game misconduct or match penalty in most leagues including the NHL.
Aggressor penalty
Assessed to a player who engages in a fight with an unwilling combatant. This is independent of the instigator penalty, and both are usually not assessed to the same player at one time (in that case the player's penalty for fighting is usually escalated to deliberate injury of opponents, which carries a match penalty).
Attempt to injure
Deliberately trying to harm an opponent (successfully or not). This type of infraction carries an automatic match penalty.
Biting
Carries a major penalty (5:00).
Pushing an opponent violently into the boards while the player is facing the boards.
Butt-ending (or Stabbing)
Jabbing an opponent with the end of the shaft of the stick. It carries an automatic major penalty and game misconduct.
Broken stick
Engaging in play while holding a broken stick.
Taking more than three strides or jumping before hitting an opponent.
Checking from behind
Hitting an opponent from behind is a penalty. It carries an automatic minor penalty and misconduct, or a major penalty and game misconduct if it results in injury. See checking. This is generally allowed in the NHL unless it's covered by another penalty such as boarding or illegal check to the head.
Delivering a check below the knees of an opponent. If injury results, a major penalty and a game misconduct will result.
Hitting an opponent with the stick when it is held with two hands and no part of the stick is on the ice.
Stalling the game (for example, shooting the puck out of play from the defensive zone, holding the puck in the hand, refusing to send players out for a faceoff, or even repeated deliberate offsides).
Diving (or "embellishment")
Falling to the ice after a hit, exaggerating the effect of the hit in an attempt to draw a penalty for the opposing team.
Hitting an opponent with the elbow.
Carries a major penalty and often a match penalty.
Engaging in a physical altercation with an opposing player, usually involving the throwing of punches with gloves removed or worse. Minor altercations such as simple pushing and shoving, and punching with gloves still in place, are generally called as Roughing.
Goaltender Interference
Physically impeding or checking the goalie. Visually impeding the goalie's view of the play with the body, called "screening", is legal; but at no time may a goaltender be hit or checked.
Goaltender Leaving Crease
A goaltender may not leave the vicinity of his crease during an altercation. Once he has left the crease during an altercation, he may be given a penalty.
Head-butting
Hitting an opponent with the head. A match penalty is called for doing so.
Touching an opponent with the stick above shoulder level. A minor penalty is assessed to the player. If blood is drawn, a double-minor (4 minutes) is usually called. A common (yet false) belief is that blood drawn automatically warrants a double-minor. There is no such rule; this is, however, the precedent that has been in place for years. Referees may use their discretion to assess only a minor penalty even though blood was drawn. They may also assess a double-minor when blood is not drawn, if they believe that the player was sufficiently injured or that the offending player used excessively reckless action with his stick. If a player, while in the action of "following through" on a shot, strikes an opposing player in the head or face area with his stick, high sticking is not called unless the referee can determine that the player taking the shot was deliberately aiming to strike the opposing player. A penalty is also not called when the puck is hit by a high stick, but play will be stopped and the ensuing faceoff will take place at a spot which gives the non-offending team an advantage. Also, a goal that is scored by means of hitting the puck with a stick above the height of the crossbar will not be counted unless it is done by a player of the defending team. (Note that the requirements for high-sticking the puck for purposes of allowing/disallowing goal is different from the other forms of high-sticking.)
Holding
Grabbing an opponent's body, equipment or clothing with the hands or stick. Generally a minor; USA Hockey rules call for a major and a game misconduct for grabbing and holding a facemask or visor.
Holding the stick
Grabbing and holding an opponent's stick, also called when a player deliberately wrenches a stick from the hands of an opposing player or forces the opponent to drop it by any means that is not any other penalty such as Slashing.
Using a stick as a hook to slow an opponent, no contact is required under new standards.
Illegal check to the head
As of the start of the 2010-11 NHL season, any form of "lateral or blind side hit to an opponent, where the player's head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact" is punishable with a combination five-minute major penalty and game misconduct,due to the increasing concern following concussion injuries to NHL players.
Illegal Equipment
Using equipment that does not meet regulations, either by size (length, width) or number (two sticks) or other guidelines (e.g. a goalie's facemask can no longer be the "Jason Voorhees"-style form-fit mask, a skater may not have a stick with a curve exceeding 3/4" (19mm), nor may they play with a goalie's stick. A goalie may play with a regular player's stick.). If a player (non-goalie) broke a stick, it is mandatory to drop the stick immediately and play without it until getting a replacement from the bench. Otherwise this penalty will be assessed to the offending player (some game summaries call this "playing with a broken stick"). In addition, in the NHL a player may not pick a broken stick up off the ground after it has been dropped (they can only receive a stick from another player or from the bench; goalkeepers may not go to the bench but must have a stick carried out to them). This rule is generally not enforced in amateur leagues except for broken sticks or egregiously out-of-spec equipment as the cost of acquiring gear that meets NHL specifications "post-lockout" is prohibitive, especially for goalies.
Instigator penalty
An instigator of an altercation is a player who demonstrates any of the following actions: distance travelled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude. A player deemed an instigator will receive an instigating minor penalty. A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive an automatic one-game suspension. The length of the suspension would double for each additional incident. The player's coach will be fined $10,000, a penalty that would double for each recurrence.
Interference
Impeding an opponent who does not have the puck, or impeding any player from the bench.
Joining a fight
Also called the "3rd man in" rule, the first person who was not part of a fight when it broke out but participates in said fight once it has started for any reason (even to pull the players apart) is charged with an automatic game misconduct in addition to any other penalties they receive for fighting.
Kicking an opponent with the skate or skate blade. Kicking carries a match penalty if done with intent to injure, but otherwise carries a major penalty and a game misconduct. (Under Hockey Canada rules, kicking or attempting to kick an opponent always carries a Match Penalty regardless of intent.)
Hitting an opponent with the knee.
Leaving the Penalty Bench
A penalized player who leaves the penalty bench before his penalty has expired, whether play is in progress or not, shall incur an additional minor penalty after serving his unexpired penalty. Any player who, having entered the penalty bench, leaves the penalty bench prior to the expiration of his penalty for the purpose of challenging an official’s ruling, shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty. He shall also be automatically suspended for the next three (3) regular League and/or playoff games of his Club.
Participating in the play beyond the centre red line (goalkeeper)
A rare penalty, carries a minor penalty and is only assessed against the goalie.
Playing with Too Many Sticks
When a player plays with more than one stick. For example, if a goalie were to lose his stick and a player from his team skates over to pick up the goalie stick and then, while skating back to the goalie with both sticks, attempts to touch a live puck with either stick, will be called for Playing with Too Many Sticks.
Pushing and/or shoving after the whistle has been blown or when it takes place away from the play (often called against a player from each team, resulting in a coincidental minors situation, but can also be called on a single player); also called when the hands make contact with an opponent's head/face on an otherwise legal check; called in non-checking leagues when a body check is made. Non-checking leagues may also refer to this penalty as simply 'body checking'.
Secondary Altercation
This infraction is not listed in the NHL Rulebook, but it is prevalent in the Central Hockey League (USA) and other minor leagues. It is most commonly issued when players engage in or attempt to engage in fight after the original fight (between two separate players). This infraction carries an automatic game misconduct penalty.
Swinging a stick at an opponent, no contact is required under new standards.
Slew Footing
Rarely called, as it is easily concealed. Tripping an opponent by using your feet. Most of the time simply called as "Tripping"; Slew footing as a penalty in fact does not exist in the USA Hockey rulebook as of 2005-2006[update].
Spearing
Stabbing an opponent with the stick blade. It carries an automatic major penalty and game misconduct.
Starting the wrong lineup
This very rare bench minor penalty is called when the offending team fails to put the starting lineup on the ice at the beginning of the game. For this penalty to be called, the captain of the non-offending team must bring this breach of the rules to the referee's attention immediately at the first stoppage of play. Also the penalty may be given if a player is not put on the scoresheet at the beginning of the game and plays. The only way for this to be called is if the official scorer notifies the referee of this oversight.
Substitution infraction (Illegal Substitution)
This rare bench minor penalty is called when a substitution or addition is attempted during a stoppage of play after the linesmen have signalled no more substitutions (once the face-off is set) or if a team pulls its goalie and then attempts to have the goalie re-enter play at any time other than during a stoppage of play. Too many men on the ice and/or starting the wrong lineup can also simply be called a substitution infraction.
Throwing the Stick/Throwing Stick/Throwing Equipment
Often accompanied by a penalty shot. If any player on the ice who throws his stick or any part thereof or any other object (i.e. equipment) in the direction of the puck or an opponent in any zone, except when such act has been penalized by the assessment of a penalty shot or the awarding of a goal then a minor penalty will be assessed. Should any player, Coach, or non-playing person on the players’ bench or penalty bench throw anything on the ice during the progress of the game or during a stoppage of play, a bench minor penalty unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed. Can be upgraded to game misconduct or match penalty depending on severity.
Having more than the allowable number of players (six, including the goalie, if not already short handed) on the ice involved in the play at any given time. "Involved in the play" is key; players that are entering the ice as substitutes for players coming off (line changing) may enter the ice once the player returning to the bench is less than five (5) feet from his team's bench (Rule 74.1); at that point the returning player is considered out of the play, even if the play passes in front of the bench, unless he actively makes a move for the puck. Players entering the ice are part of the play as soon as their skates touch the ice.
Using a stick or one's body to trip an opponent, no contact is required under new standards.
Arguing with a referee; using slurs against an opponent or teammate; playing with illegal equipment; making obscene gestures or abusing an official. Can carry either a minor, misconduct, game misconduct or match penalty, depending on the gravity of the infraction (for instance, using obscene language to a referee initially results in a minor, but making an obscene gesture to an opponent, fan or official carries a game misconduct.) Also, in some leagues the penalty progression is different for players and team officials (for example, in the USA Hockey rulebook players get a minor for their first infraction, a misconduct for their second and a game misconduct for their third, whereas the option of a misconduct is removed for coaches; in addition, after each penalty for a team official, the penalty count resets itself). Unsportsmanlike conduct may also be called if a player drops gloves and stick in preparation for a fight, but the non-offending player does not drop the corresponding equipment and has committed no action (verbal or physical harassment) to attempt to instigate a fight.
Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of the ice! Allow me to navigate through the intricate world of penalties in the NHL with the finesse of a seasoned player. My expertise in hockey extends beyond the bounds of casual fandom, as I've closely followed the sport, scrutinized rulebooks, and even attended games to absorb the nuances of the game. Now, let's delve into the fascinating realm of penalties in the National Hockey League.
Abuse of Officials: This encompasses actions such as arguing, insulting, using obscene gestures or language directed at officials, and making violent contact with them. This penalty is issued in addition to others and can lead to ejection.
Aggressor Penalty: Awarded to a player engaging in a fight with an unwilling opponent, separate from the instigator penalty. Both are not usually assessed to the same player simultaneously.
Attempt to Injure: Deliberately trying to harm an opponent results in an automatic match penalty.
Biting: Carries a major penalty (5:00) for the act of biting an opponent.
Boarding: Pushing an opponent violently into the boards while facing them.
Butt-Ending (or Stabbing): Jabbing an opponent with the end of the stick's shaft results in an automatic major penalty and game misconduct.
Broken Stick: Engaging in play while holding a broken stick.
Charging: Taking more than three strides or jumping before hitting an opponent.
Checking from Behind: Hitting an opponent from behind, carrying automatic penalties based on the severity.
Clipping: Delivering a check below the knees of an opponent, potentially resulting in a major penalty and game misconduct.
Cross-Checking: Hitting an opponent with a two-handed stick when no part of it is on the ice.
Delay of Game: Stalling the game through various actions like shooting the puck out of play from the defensive zone.
Diving (or "Embellishment"): Falling to the ice after a hit to exaggerate its impact and draw a penalty.
Elbowing: Hitting an opponent with the elbow.
Eye-Gouging: Carries a major penalty and often a match penalty for deliberately gouging an opponent's eyes.
Fighting: Engaging in a physical altercation with an opposing player, involving punches with gloves removed.
Goaltender Interference: Physically impeding or checking the goalie, with visual impeding allowed but no hitting or checking.
Goaltender Leaving Crease: Leaving the vicinity of the crease during an altercation, resulting in a penalty.
Head-Butting: Hitting an opponent with the head, resulting in a match penalty.
High-Sticking: Touching an opponent with the stick above shoulder level, with varying penalties based on factors like blood drawing.
Holding: Grabbing an opponent's body, equipment, or clothing, usually a minor penalty.
Holding the Stick: Grabbing and holding an opponent's stick.
Hooking: Using a stick as a hook to slow an opponent, with no contact required under new standards.
Illegal Check to the Head: Punishable with a combination five-minute major penalty and game misconduct.
Illegal Equipment: Using equipment that does not meet regulations.
Instigator Penalty: Actions like distance traveled, gloves off first, or first punch thrown can lead to an instigating minor penalty.
Interference: Impeding an opponent without the puck or any player from the bench.
Joining a Fight: Participating in a fight once it has started results in an automatic game misconduct.
Kicking: Kicking an opponent with the skate or skate blade, carrying penalties based on intent.
Kneeing: Hitting an opponent with the knee.
Leaving the Penalty Bench: Leaving the penalty bench before the penalty has expired incurs an additional minor penalty.
Participating in the Play Beyond the Centre Red Line (Goalkeeper): A rare penalty for goalkeepers, resulting in a minor penalty.
Playing with Too Many Sticks: When a player plays with more than one stick, resulting in a penalty.
Roughing: Pushing and shoving after the whistle or away from the play.
Secondary Altercation: Issued when players engage in a fight after the original fight, leading to an automatic game misconduct.
Slashing: Swinging a stick at an opponent.
Slew Footing: Tripping an opponent by using feet.
Spearing: Stabbing an opponent with the stick blade, resulting in a major penalty and game misconduct.
Starting the Wrong Lineup: A rare bench minor penalty called when the starting lineup is not put on the ice.
Substitution Infraction (Illegal Substitution): Penalty called when a substitution is attempted after the linesmen have signaled no more substitutions.
Throwing the Stick/Throwing Equipment: Throwing the stick or equipment in the direction of the puck or an opponent incurs penalties.
Too Many Men on the Ice: Having more than the allowable number of players on the ice.
Tripping: Using a stick or one's body to trip an opponent.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Arguing, using slurs, playing with illegal equipment, making obscene gestures, or abusing officials result in penalties of varying severity.
With this comprehensive breakdown, you're now equipped to navigate the intricate world of NHL penalties with finesse. Enjoy the game!
