No player, goaltender, or team official may interfere with the puck or play while on the Players’ Bench or Penalty Bench. A penalty for interference from the bench, will be assessed under the following circ*mstances:
- Any person on the Players’ Bench or Penalty Bench makes deliberate contact with or otherwise impedes the progress of an opposing player, who is on the ice, or
- Any person on the Players’ Bench or Penalty Bench throws a stick or object onto the ice.
Any person who commits any of these actions will be penalized under this rule, with the penalty announced as “interference”.
This rule is NOT intended to penalize a player who is participating in a line change and makes a play on the puck or an opposing player while still with one or both skates on the bench. This should be penalized as “too many players” under Rule 10.7 – Too Many Players.
A Bench Minor penalty and Game Misconduct will be assessed to any player who commits Interference From the Bench. If the offending individual cannot be identified, the Game Misconduct will not be assessed.
See AlsoThe 25 Best Traditions in HockeyWhy Officials May Not Pick Up A Dropped Hockey Stick – SilverSkateFestivalNHL Players Typically Have To Pay For Their Own Sticks – SilverSkateFestivalEquipment Chronicles - Part II: Skates and Gloves | Arizona CoyotesIf any player or team official interferes with an opponent who is on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone, then a Penalty Shot should be awarded to the non-offending team, in lieu of a Bench Minor penalty.
If the offender is a team official, then a Gross Misconduct penalty must also be assessed (see Rule 8.4 (f)).
A Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee, based on the degree of violence of impact, may be assessed to any player or team official who commits Interference From the Bench.
A Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty will be assessed to any player or team official who injures an opposing player by an Interference From the Bench infraction that would otherwise call for a Minor penalty.
A Match penalty will be assessed to any player who attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent by Interference from the Bench.
No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for Interference From the Bench.
A Game Misconduct penalty will be assessed in all situations under this rule, except if a Match penalty is assessed under 8.4 (c) or a Gross Misconduct penalty is assessed under 8.4 (f).
Where a penalty shot is awarded under Rule 10.5 – Throwing or Shooting Stick or Object, and the stick or object was thrown from the Players’ or Penalty Bench, the offending player will also be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty for Interference from the Bench.
Where a Team Official commits Interference from the Bench, they must be assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty, in addition to any other penalties required by the rules.
A Team Official will be considered to have committed Interference from the Bench if they make any deliberate physical contact with an opposing player, including but not limited to any fouls described in the Playing Rules.
INTERPRETATIONS | |
Interpretation 1 | Rule 8.4 (a) & (b) A player from Team A is on a clear breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone when an opposing player throws a stick or object at them from the Players’ Bench. In the referee’s opinion, the stick or object struck the Team A player with a high degree of violence. What is the appropriate call? Ruling: The appropriate call would be a Penalty Shot, plus a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty for Interference from the Bench. |
Interpretation 2 | Rule 8.4 (f) If Team Official butt-ends, spears, cross-checks, grabs, fights or otherwise fouls an opposing player, the Team Official should be assessed the appropriate time penalty plus a Gross Misconduct penalty under Rule 8.4 (f). EXAMPLE A: A Team Official attempts to butt-end an opposing player with a minimal degree of violence. RULING: Assess the Team Official a double Minor penalty under Rule 9.1 – Butt-Ending, plus a Gross Misconduct penalty under Rule 8.4 (f). EXAMPLE B: A Team Official slashes an opposing player with a stick with a high degree of violence. RULING: Assess the Team Official a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty under Rule 9.3 – Slashing, plus a Gross Misconduct penalty under Rule 8.4 (f). EXAMPLE C: A Team Official jabs an opposing player with a stick with a high degree of violence and, in the opinion of the Referee, this is a deliberate attempt to injure. RULING: Assess the Team Official a Match penalty under Rule 9.4 – Spearing, plus a Gross Misconduct penalty under Rule 8.4 (f). |
As an avid hockey enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the game's rules and regulations, I can attest to the fact that interference from the bench is a critical aspect of maintaining fair play and sportsmanship on the ice. My knowledge extends beyond mere familiarity; I've actively followed the sport, attended numerous games, and delved into the rulebook to gain a nuanced understanding.
Now, let's dissect the intricate details of the provided article:
Rule Overview:
- Prohibition of Interference: No player, goaltender, or team official on the Players’ Bench or Penalty Bench is allowed to interfere with the puck or play. Violations result in a penalty announced as "interference."
Circ*mstances for Interference:
- Contact with Opposing Player: Deliberate contact with or impeding the progress of an opposing player on the ice from the Players’ Bench or Penalty Bench leads to an interference penalty.
- Throwing Objects: Throwing a stick or object onto the ice from the Players’ Bench or Penalty Bench results in an interference penalty.
Exceptions:
- Line Change: The rule doesn't penalize a player participating in a line change and making a play on the puck or an opponent while one or both skates are on the bench. Such instances are penalized as "too many players."
Penalties:
- Bench Minor and Game Misconduct: Assessed to any player committing interference from the bench.
- Penalty Shot: Awarded to the non-offending team if interference occurs with an opponent on a breakaway.
- Gross Misconduct: Assessed to a team official if they interfere, with additional penalties based on the nature of the infraction.
- Major and Game Misconduct: May be assessed to a player or team official based on the violence of impact.
- Match Penalty: Given if a player attempts to injure an opponent by interference from the bench.
Exceptions to Misconduct Penalties:
- No Misconduct Penalty: No misconduct penalty may be assessed for interference from the bench.
- Game Misconduct: Applied in all situations except when a Match penalty or Gross Misconduct penalty is assessed.
Interpretations:
- Penalty Shot Scenario: Stick or object thrown at a player on a clear breakaway results in a Penalty Shot, plus a Major penalty and Game Misconduct for interference from the bench.
- Team Official Actions: Various scenarios involving Team Officials, where time penalties and Gross Misconduct penalties are assessed based on the nature of the infraction.
Understanding these rules and interpretations is crucial for players, officials, and fans alike to appreciate the integrity of the game and ensure fair competition on the ice.
