Rules

Penalties in Hockey: Full List

March 1, 2026
Penalties in Hockey
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A penalty in hockey is a tool that keeps a game within manageable boundaries: it reduces injury risk, stops obstruction and intentional delays, punishes dangerous physical plays and actions that go beyond sportsmanlike behavior. Most often, the punishment is time in the penalty box, which means the on-ice lineup changes and a power play/penalty kill appears. The overall logic in IIHF international rules and North American rulebooks (NHL/USA Hockey/NCAA) is similar, but the details—from wording to automatic sanctions—depend on the specific league.

Table of Contents

How Hockey Penalties Work During a Game

In most competitions, penalties are called by the referee. Linesmen mostly handle offsides, icing, and faceoff procedures, and their involvement in penalties is limited by the rulebook: in some leagues they record certain procedural moments, in others they relay information to the referee about serious incidents the referee may not have seen.

A player who receives a penalty goes to the penalty box and does not participate in play until the penalty expires. Returning sometimes happens “on the fly,” but not always: coincidental penalties, misconduct categories, and certain procedural rules can tie the return to the first stoppage or change the order in which teams get back to full strength.

If a team cannot replace the penalized player, it plays shorthanded (penalty kill), and the opponent gets a power play. This isn’t just “plus one skater”: the geometry of puck possession changes, it’s easier to hold the puck and find shots from central and close-in areas.

On a delayed penalty, the referee raises an arm, but the whistle will go when the offending team gains clear control of the puck—under the criteria of the specific rule set. The non-offending team often pulls the goalie and plays 6-on-5 until the stoppage; that’s a common tactic, but not a mandatory choice.

PIM (penalty minutes) is a stat that sums penalty time. It’s useful as a discipline indicator, but across leagues misconducts and rare categories can be recorded differently, so “between-league” comparisons aren’t always accurate.

Types of Hockey Penalties: Time, Substitutions, and the Effect of a Goal

Types of Hockey Penalties

Names and automatic “add-ons” differ between IIHF and North American rules, but the category logic is recognizable.

Minor — 2 minutes

The most common format. The team plays shorthanded for 2 minutes. In many widely used rule sets, a minor ends early if the power-play team scores.

Bench minor — 2 minutes

Assessed to the team, served by a designated player. Typical reasons: too many men, certain versions of delay of game, and procedural violations.

Double minor — 4 minutes (2+2)

Two minors back-to-back for a single infraction. A common scenario is high-sticking with injury: in the NHL this typically results in a double minor; in IIHF the logic is similar, but the criteria may be worded differently. On a power-play goal, usually only the current two-minute segment ends.

Major — 5 minutes

For more dangerous or severe incidents (depending on the league—fighting, serious stick fouls, a dangerous hit). In the common model, a major is not cut short by a goal: the shorthanded time lasts the full 5 minutes.

Misconduct — 10 minutes

A player is removed for 10 minutes, but the team usually replaces him on the ice immediately, so there is typically no shorthanded situation. Often paired as “2+10”: the two minutes create the penalty kill, and the ten is an individual punishment.

Game misconduct — ejection for the rest of the game

The player is removed for the remainder of the game. Often it’s an add-on to a 2- or 5-minute penalty: another player serves those minutes, while the offender leaves the bench right away. Grounds for a game misconduct differ between IIHF and North American rules.

Match penalty — ejection + 5 minutes to the team

Typically used when an action is classified as an attempt to injure or deliberate/reckless endangerment under the wording of the specific rule set. The player is removed for the rest of the game, and the team receives 5 minutes shorthanded. In the typical model, a goal does not reduce those 5 minutes.

Gross misconduct — a rare disciplinary category

Not present in every rules system and used rarely. In the NHL it formally exists but is extremely uncommon. Where gross misconduct is used, it usually relates to extreme forms of behavior the rules consider critically harmful to the game (for example, spitting, obscene/insulting gestures, severe insults; some forms of discriminatory language may be handled under separate provisions).

When Does a Penalty End After a Power-Play Goal?

In many modern rule sets, a power-play goal ends the current minor. A double minor is two 2-minute blocks, so a goal usually wipes out only the current block. A major and the 5 minutes assessed to the team on a match penalty, in the common model, are not reduced by goals.

Coincidental penalties can produce 4-on-4 so that neither team gets a clean power play, but the exact setup depends on the penalty types and whether there are additional minors on top of the coincidental ones. With stacked penalties, rules typically do not allow a team to go below three skaters; if the next penalty would make the lineup even smaller, its time may start later—after one of the earlier penalties expires.

Penalty Shot vs. Awarded Goal: When Each Applies

A penalty shot is usually tied to the denial of an obvious scoring opportunity. The “obviousness” criteria and details (puck control, defender position, direction of the foul) are described differently in different rulebooks.

An awarded goal is rarer: it’s used where the rules treat a goal as virtually inevitable, but defenders or the goalie prevented a normal finish (for example, deliberately dislodging the net in a real scoring situation). The inevitability threshold and the list of scenarios depend on the rule set.

In practice, a penalty shot often replaces a minor, but that trade-off is not universal. If, beyond the denial, there was a separate dangerous action, extra sanctions may remain. Majors, match penalties, and misconduct-level penalties typically don’t disappear just because a shot is awarded.

Full List of Hockey Penalties (Infractions) and Typical Sanctions

The range of penalties almost always depends on severity: the same infraction can result in a minor, a major with a game misconduct, and in extreme cases a match penalty—if the rulebook allows that escalation.

Stick Infractions

High-sticking — stick contact to the head/face area. Often a minor; with injury a double minor is common; if the incident is especially dangerous, sanctions may be higher.

Slashing — a stick swing or chop at an opponent/their equipment. Officials evaluate force, wind-up, and consequences; the range runs from a minor to stricter options if there’s an injury.

Hooking — using the stick to restrain or pull an opponent off position. Typically a minor.

Cross-checking — using the stick with two hands as leverage against an opponent’s body. Can be a minor or a major depending on force and outcome.

Spearing — a dangerous jab with the stick; in many rule sets it’s treated as a serious infraction.

Butt-ending — striking with the end of the shaft; another dangerous stick action, usually with a high penalty level.

Holding the stick — restraining an opponent’s stick. Usually a minor.

Throwing the stick (or another object) — can lead to a penalty and, if an obvious scoring chance is denied, a penalty shot—depending on the situation and league rules.

Playing with a broken stick — in many rule sets a broken stick must be dropped immediately; continuing to play with it can lead to a penalty.

Illegal stick / stick measurement — what counts as illegal, and the measurement procedure itself, depend on the league; consequences vary from a minor/bench minor to more complex outcomes.

Obstruction (Interference and Holding)

Interference — contact with or blocking a player who does not have the puck, or actions that prevent him from taking a position. One of the most interpretation-driven infractions; typically a minor.

Holding — restraining with hands/body/stick. Usually a minor; dangerous elements can be penalized more severely under the rulebook.

Tripping and Dangerous Plays with the Legs

Tripping — a trip that causes a fall or loss of balance. Usually a minor; severe versions can be assessed more strictly.

Kneeing — an infraction with elevated injury risk; the penalty depends on severity and the rules.

Slew-footing — in different rule systems it may be a separate provision or handled through adjacent categories, but it’s almost always treated as a dangerous play.

Clipping / leg checking — terminology and boundaries depend on the rule set.

Dangerous Hits (Body Checking Infractions)

Boarding — officials consider distance to the boards, the opponent’s position, and the ability to avoid dangerous contact. The range goes from a minor to a major/game misconduct and higher if the rules allow.

Charging — excessive speed or another dangerous carry of momentum into contact.

Checking from behind — in many leagues considered highly dangerous, especially near the boards; sanctions depend on circumstances.

Head contact / illegal check to the head — criteria for principal point of contact, avoidability, and targeting can differ between IIHF and North American rules, but the general idea is the same: avoidable and dangerous contact to the head sharply increases the penalty.

Elbowing — ranges from a minor to harsher sanctions if there’s injury or a dangerous nature to the contact.

### Fighting and Altercations

Fighting — in the NHL it often results in a major to both participants without a classic power play; in IIHF and many leagues outside the NHL, the approach is stricter and can bring additional disciplinary consequences.

Instigator — a category typical of the NHL and some North American rules; in other systems similar logic may be structured differently.

Third man in / leaving the bench — a third player joining a fight and leaving the bench during an altercation are usually punished as severely as possible and almost always lead to additional disciplinary review.

Delay of Game Penalties

Puck out of play — in the NHL the classic model is a minor for shooting the puck directly out of play from the defensive zone without a deflection; in international rules the wording may differ.

Deliberate goal displacement — can lead to a minor, a penalty shot, or an awarded goal—depending on the situation and rule text.

Unjustified stoppage by goalkeeper — treated as an intentional stoppage when play could have continued under the criteria of the rule set; rarer and highly league-dependent.

Procedural delays — an improper change, delaying a faceoff, and other procedural violations; often a bench minor or league-specific sanctions.

Team Violations and Bench Penalties

Too many men on the ice — usually a bench minor. The rules include a change window, but criteria for impact on the play can differ.

Illegal substitution / illegal entry — an illegal change or leaving the penalty box early can result in a penalty and, if an obvious scoring chance is denied, a penalty shot—per the rulebook.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Actions Against Officials

Unsportsmanlike conduct — arguing with officials, provocations, demonstrative actions; the sanction range runs from a minor to misconduct-level penalties.

Abuse of officials — one of the most strongly protected categories: from a behavior penalty to ejection and severe consequences for threats or physical contact—depending on league rules.

Discriminatory / hateful language — often a separate provision or part of critically harmful behavior; usually punished as severely as possible.

Goalie Penalties: What’s Different

A goalie can receive penalties for many of the same infractions, but often doesn’t serve them personally: the team designates a skater to sit 2 or 5 minutes for the goalie (the exact procedure depends on the league). If the goalie is removed for the rest of the game, he leaves the match and the team dresses the backup.

Around the net, precise terminology matters. The goal crease is not a no-go zone, but an area where rules are especially sensitive to goaltender interference: contact, restricting the goalie’s movement, screening, and battles that affect the ability to play the puck.

Penalty Signals

Signals can differ in details across leagues, but most gestures are recognizable. Washout is not a penalty signal; it’s a procedural decision signal (for example, waving off icing or cancelling an offside).

Hockey Penalty Types: Quick Summary

Minor — 2 minutes; shorthanded; in many popular rule sets it expires after a power-play goal.  

Bench minor — 2 minutes; shorthanded; served by a designated player; in many popular rule sets it expires after a goal.  

Double minor — 4 minutes (2+2); shorthanded; a goal removes only the current 2 minutes.  

Major — 5 minutes; shorthanded; as a rule, not reduced by a goal.  

Misconduct — 10 minutes; usually no shorthanded situation (immediate replacement).  

Game misconduct — ejection for the rest of the game; often adds to 2 or 5 minutes served by another player.  

Match penalty — ejection for the rest of the game + 5 minutes shorthanded; as a rule, not reduced by a goal.  

Penalty shot — no time; a separate attempt; may replace a minor or come with additional sanctions—depending on the situation.

Hockey Penalties FAQ

Why does a player sometimes not come out exactly after 2 minutes?  

Because of coincidental penalties, the order in which lineups return to full strength, or a release only on the first stoppage rule in a specific situation—this depends on the rule set.

Why doesn’t a fight create a power play?  

In the NHL, fighting is often assessed as a major to both participants, so teams stay at even strength. In IIHF and many other leagues the approach is stricter, but symmetrical punishment logic is still common.

What happens if, on a delayed penalty, a team pulls the goalie and scores on itself?  

The goal is awarded to the opponent. In many widely used modern rule sets, the delayed penalty is usually cancelled after such a goal, but the exact scoring and procedural details depend on the league.

What’s the difference between a game misconduct and a match penalty?  

Both remove a player for the rest of the game. A match penalty is usually tied to classifying the action as an attempt to injure or deliberate/reckless endangerment and almost always adds a mandatory 5 minutes shorthanded for the team.

Are penalties the same in the NHL, IIHF, and USA Hockey?  

In the system skeleton, often yes (2 minutes, 5 minutes, misconducts, penalty shots). What differs are the wording and thresholds for dangerous contact, procedures for coincidental penalties, the approach to fighting, and which sanctions are automatic versus which are at the referee’s discretion.