(Note) USA Hockey is committed to providing a safe and fair environment for all participants. While the vast majority of players participate within the rules and respect the game and their opponents, USA Hockey recognizes the need to hold those players and coaches deemed to be repeat offenders accountable for their actions.
(a) Any player who receives their third major penalty during the same season for any combination of aggressive infractions listed below shall receive an additional three game suspension. For any player who receives their fourth major penalty in this category, the player shall receive an additional five-game suspension. Any player who receives their fifth major penalty in this category during the same season shall be suspended until a hearing is conducted by the proper authorities (USA Hockey Affiliate). These designated game suspensions shall be in addition to any other suspensions imposed through the official playing rules. The aggressive infractions that fit into this category are:
Rule 603 Boarding
Rule 604 Body Checking (Competitive Contact categories)
Rule 606 Butt-Ending
Rule 607 Charging
Rule 608 Checking From Behind
Rule 609 Cross-Checking
Rule 611 Elbowing
Rule 619 Head-Butting
Rule 620 Head Contact
Rule 621 High Stick
Rule 622 Holding an Opponent (Grabbing Facemask)
Rule 627 Kicking
Rule 628 Kneeing
Rule 634 Slashing
Rule 635 Spearing
Rule 639 Tripping/Clipping/Leg Checking/Slew Footing
Rule 640 Unnecessary Roughness (Roughing)
(Note) A separate progressive suspension rule for Fighting is covered under Rule 615(f) Fighting.
(b) Any team that receives three major penalties in the same game shall have its Head Coach suspended for the next game of that team. For any subsequent game where that team receives three or more major penalties in the same game, the Head Coach shall serve a three-game suspension. For a third game with three or more major penalties by the same team during the same season, the Head Coach shall be suspended indefinitely until a hearing has been conducted by the proper authorities (USA Hockey Affiliate).
(Note) The role of the Official is to enforce all playing rules at all times and they are expected to strictly enforce playing rules that fall under the aggressive infraction category. Players and coaches must be held accountable for dangerous actions and the onus is on them to teach
and play the game within the rules. Officials are required to submit a game report no later than 24 hours following the game for any major penalty falling in the aggressive infraction category, game misconduct or match penalty that is assessed.
(c) Any coach who receives their second game misconduct penalty in the same season for a violation of Rule 601 shall automatically receive an additional three-game suspension.
Any coach who receives their third game misconduct penalty in the same season for a violation of Rule 601 shall automatically be suspended from USA Hockey activities until a hearing is conducted by the Proper Authority.
