Situation 1
May a Referee assess a major plus game misconduct penalty for roughing in lieu of a major plus game misconduct penalty for fighting?
No. Rule Reference 640(a).
A major plus game misconduct penalty for roughing may only be assessed when a player body checks an opponent after the whistle; delivers a body check to an opponent who is physically engaged with one or more other players; for a late avoidable body check to an opponent who is no longer in control of the puck; for a check delivered where there is no effort to gain possession of the puck and the player delivering the check has their stick above their knees; or when a goalkeeper delivers a body check to an opponent. In each instance, the major plus game misconduct, or match, penalty shall be assessed if the player recklessly endangers their opponent.
Situation 2
How much pushing and shoving should the Referee allow after the whistle before assessing penalties?
The spirit and intent of this rule is to eliminate ALL unnecessary pushing and shoving between players after the whistle. USA Hockey is directing officials to strictly enforce rules pertaining to scrum situations. Rule Reference 640(a and Note).
Officials should enforce any unnecessary contact after the whistle with a strict penalty standard. When at all possible, the aggressor should be identified and assessed an additional minor penalty in order to hold them accountable for starting the situation.
Oftentimes, officials will only assess penalties after several warnings or after a player retaliates, in which case they go back and assess one minor penalty to each player, even though they had no intention of assessing the first penalty until the retaliation occurred. This approach discredits the officials and will only create more problems later in the game.
Situation 3
What is the USA Hockey interpretation of illegal body checking to a player who is no longer in control of the puck?
Any avoidable check delivered to a player who is no longer in control of the puck. Rule References 640(b) and Glossary.
A player who has released a shot or pass is no longer considered to be in control of the puck. They are considered to be vulnerable or defenseless and no longer eligible to be body checked.
An avoidable check is when the player delivering the check has an opportunity to avoid contact once it is realized the opponent no longer has control of the puck. If the check is deemed to be unavoidable, the player delivering the check still has an obligation to minimize contact and not endanger a vulnerable or defenseless opponent.
The concept of “finishing the check” is one that is meant to intimidate or punish the opponent and has no place in youth hockey. Provided this check is avoidable, it must be penalized in every instance.
Situation 4
What degree of force is needed in order to assess a penalty for making avoidable physical contact with an opponent after the whistle?
No force is needed. Rule Reference 640(c).
The key is avoidable and unnecessary contact, regardless as to how much force is used. There is no purpose for making any deliberate contact with the opponent during a stoppage of play and this action must be penalized strictly.
Situation 5
A player delivers a body check with their stick waist high even though the stick does not contact the opponent. Should the Referee assess a penalty for Roughing?
Yes. Rule Reference 640(d).
The location of the stick at waist height indicates that there was no effort to gain possession of the puck, so therefore the check is deemed to be illegal even though the stick did not contact the opponent. The primary focus of a body check must be to gain possession of the puck and, therefore, the stick must be below the knees. A minor, major plus game misconduct or match penalty must be assessed.
Situation 6
Two or more opposing player are physically engaged in an effort to gain possession of the puck along the boards. A player who is not physically engaged makes no effort to gain possession of the puck and instead delivers a body check to an opponent who is physically engaged. What penalty, if any, should be assessed?
A penalty for Roughing. Rule References 640(e and Note).
Players who are physically engaged to win possession of the puck are considered to be vulnerable or defenseless and therefore are not eligible to be body checked. A minor, major plus game misconduct or match penalty shall be assessed in every instance when a player delivers a body check to an opponent who is physically engaged for possession of the puck with two or more players.
Situation 7
Is a goalkeeper allowed to body check an opponent?
No. Rule Reference 640(f).
Just as a goalkeeper is not considered “fair” game, a goalkeeper is not allowed to step up and deliver a check to an unsuspecting player. There are times when it is acceptable for a goalkeeper to engage in “competitive contact” with an opponent in an effort to gain possession of the puck, but a goalkeeper delivering a body check to an opponent with no effort to gain possession of the puck is unacceptable. A minor, major plus game misconduct or match penalty for Roughing must be assessed.
Situation 8
May a match penalty be assessed under the Roughing rule?
Yes. Rule Reference 640(g).
A match penalty may be assessed if a player is deemed to have recklessly endangered an opponent by delivering a late hit, a check after the whistle, a body check with no effort to gain possession of the puck, a check to an opponent who is physically engaged for possession of the puck or a goalkeeper delivering a body check. In each instance, if the opponent is considered to be vulnerable or defenseless, a match penalty for reckless endangerment must be considered based on the degree of force used to deliver the check.
