skip navigation

2022-23 ATO | WEEK 5

By USA Hockey Officiating Program, 09/30/22, 6:45AM MDT

Share

QUESTIONAs a player is raising up his stick to take a shot, a defending player caught up to him. The attacking player hit the opponent behind him in the face-mask with his stick swing. The player taking the shot was called for high-sticking. What are your thoughts on this?

ANSWER: Under the USA Hockey Playing Rules, all players are responsible for maintaining control of their stick at all times and a player may not make stick-contact with an opponent above the height of the shoulders. While some non-USAH sanctioned leagues do not penalize stick contact during the back-swing and follow-through of a shot, this does not apply to the USA Hockey Playing Rules.

 

QUESTIONIf a player with the puck is cut in the face by an accidental high stick by a defender while challenging for the puck, is a major penalty always assessed? When is a minor vs a major penalty assessed for such an incident (blood vs no blood, intent vs no intent)? I do not see a good explanation of the difference in your casebook situations or video examples. Does your answer change if the stick that caused injury was not above the shoulder of the defender.

ANSWERUnder the USA Hockey Playing Rules, all players are responsible for controlling their sticks at all times, and it is illegal to make stick-contact with an opponent above the height of the shoulders.

With that being said, any high-stick contact that draws blood would be considered "reckless endangerment" to the opponent and result in Major plus Game Misconduct penalties (or a Match penalty if the contact is determined as intentional).

 

QUESTIONMy helmet is HECC certified. However, the sticker fell off. Can I still use it to officiate games?

ANSWERRule 501.c in the USA Hockey Playing Rules states,

“All On-Ice Officials shall wear black trousers and an official sweater with the current USA Hockey officiating crest on the left chest of the sweater during all games. Any other crest that is worn must be located on either arm of the sweater. The wearing of nameplates shall be regulated by each League. Each official is required to wear a black hockey helmet, with chin strap properly fastened, and a half-shield visor properly attached to their helmets.”

USA Hockey Officials are not required to wear a HECC Certified hockey helmet during games.

 

QUESTIONA goalie is in their crease, in the butterfly position, and makes a save. The subsequent rebound pops into the air and the attacking player attempts to bat the puck out of the air. The attacking player misses the puck and hits the goalie in the face with his stick. No call on the play. When the referee on the ice was asked about it he basically said that is part of the risk of playing goalie. Why is it an automatic penalty when a skater is hit in the face and not a goaltender?

ANSWER: The USA Hockey High Sticking rule is pretty specific about contact occurring above the “normal height of the shoulders”. With that being said, a Slashing penalty could be assessed for this type of dangerous contact. Players (and Goalkeepers) are always expected to maintain control of their sticks at all times.

 

QUESTIONPlayers and student coaches "17 and Under" are required to wear shielded helmets. The USA Hockey Official's Manual states "USA Hockey strongly recommends that all officials wear a half-shield visor..." Does that apply to underage officials?

ANSWERRule 501.c in the USA Hockey Playing Rules (which overrules the Basic Officiating Manual) states,

“All On-Ice Officials shall wear black trousers and an official sweater with the current USA Hockey officiating crest on the left chest of the sweater during all games. Any other crest that is worn must be located on either arm of the sweater. The wearing of nameplates shall be regulated by each League. Each official is required to wear a black hockey helmet, with chin strap properly fastened, and a half-shield visor properly attached to their helmets.

 

The USA Hockey Playing Rules are now available as a mobile device app! Check your Apple, Android, or Windows app store to download this playing rule app free of charge.

Check out the USA Hockey mobile-friendly online rulebook application! Enter usahockeyrulebook.com into your mobile device’s web browser to gain instant access to the USA Hockey Playing Rules (must have mobile or internet service).

The USA Hockey Playing Rules Casebook and other educational material can be found under the OFFICIALS tab at USAHockey.com.