Aggressor

A player who attempts to continue a fight by throwing or attempting to throw punches or by continuing the grappling action with their opponent with the intent of intimidation or punishment of that opponent.

Altercation

Any situation involving at least two players with at least one player to be penalized

Attacking zone

The area of the ice in which a team is attempting to score on the opposing team's goal. The boundary of the attacking zone is the closest blue-line. 

Attempt to injure/deliberate injury

An attempt to injure or deliberate injury is any action by a player or team official who by the use of a stick, skate or other object, or by using their body, hits or attempts to hit an opposing player, team official, or game official with the intention of causing injury. For the purposes of this rule, “intent” is determined by considering the deliberate nature of the action on the part of the offending individual, as well as the reasonable expectation that this action would cause injury to another person, whether or not injury occurs.

Bench Minor penalty

A two-minute time penalty, to be served in the Penalty Bench by any player of the offending team, who was on the ice at the time of the infraction. 

Boarding

Where a player checks or pushes a defenseless or unsuspecting opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to hit or impact the boards violently or dangerously.

Body-checking

An attempt by a player to gain an advantage on the opponent with the deliberate use of the body. Body-checking results when a player makes deliberate contact with an opposing player with opposite-directional force, when a player leaves their skating lane to make contact, or when a player extends an arm, shoulder, or hip to maximize physical contact after angling an opponent.

Breakaway

Any situation in which a player is in full control of the puck in the neutral or attacking zone, having no opposing player between themselves and the opposing goaltender (or goal, if the goaltender has been removed). 

Broken stick

A stick that, in the opinion of the Referee, is unfit for normal play. 

Butt-ending

Any action where a player uses or attempts to use the shaft of their stick, above the upper hand, to check or jab an opponent. 

Captain

A player, other than the goaltender, who is selected to represent their team with the officials. Wherever the word "Captain" appears in the Playing Rules, it refers to players who have been designated as a Captain or Alternate Captain on the Official Game Report

Charging

A player who jumps to check an opponent, builds up speed by taking two or more strides immediately prior to making contact, travels an excessive distance with the sole purpose of delivering such a hit, violently and unnecessarily checks an opponent in any manner, or delivers a body check to an opponent’s blind side. 

Checking from Behind

Any action where a player is pushed, body-checked, high-sticked, cross-checked, or hit in any manner from behind. 

Clipping

Any action where a player uses their body to make contact below an opponent’s hips.

Coach

The person primarily responsible for directing and guiding the actions of their team. Along with the Manager, they are responsible for the conduct of their players in the arena, before, during, and after the game. 

Coincidental penalties

Where time penalties of equal duration are assessed to different teams at the same stoppage of play, these penalties will be considered coincidental. 

Control

Where a player is in the act of propelling or controlling the movement of the puck with their stick, skate(s), or glove(s). Once the puck is no longer within reach of the player, that player is deemed to no longer have control.

Cross-checking

Any action where a player uses the shaft of the stick, between the two hands, to check an opponent.

Defending zone

The zone of the ice in which a team is attempting to defend their goal against the opposing team. The boundary of the defending zone is the closest blue-line.

Delay of game

Any action where a player or team deliberately causes a stoppage of play or delays the restart of play

Delayed off-side

A situation where an attacking player(s) has preceded the puck across the attacking blue-line, but have not yet played or attempted to play the puck, and the defending team can bring the puck out of the zone without delay or contact by an attacking player.

Delayed penalty

Where a Referee has raised their arm to indicate a team will be penalized but is waiting for the offending team to gain possession and control of the puck before stopping play.

Diving

Any action where a player tries to draw a penalty against an opponent where no foul occurred, with the intention of deceiving the Referee. 

Embellishment

Any action where a player is fouled but makes the impression of a foul look more serious than it truly was, with the intention of deceiving the Referee. 

Encroachment

Any situation where a player, other than the centre, stands with a skate inside the face-off circle, on the face-off circle, or in the area between the hash marks. It is acceptable for the player's stick to be inside the face-off circle but not in the area between the hash marks. This also applies to players who are in motion while a face-off is taking place, before the puck is legally dropped. 

Face-off

The action of the referee or linespersons dropping the puck between the sticks of two opposing players to start or resume play. A face-off begins when the officials indicate the location of the face-off and the officials and players take their appropriate positions. The face-off ends when the puck has been legally dropped.

Fighting

Where at least one player punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly or when two players wrestle in such a manner as to make it difficult for the Linespersons to intervene and separate the combatants. 

Game

A meeting of two teams playing for a specific length of time, for the purpose of declaring a winner, based upon which team scores more goals. The game consists of regular playing time and overtime, if required. 

Game Ejection penalty

A non-timed penalty that does not result in the offending team playing shorthanded. The offending player will be removed from the game. 

Game Misconduct penalty

A non-timed penalty that does not result in the offending team playing shorthanded. The offending player will be removed from the game. 

Gathering

Where one or more players of one team come in close contact with one or more opposing players, in such a manner as to create the possibility of penalties being assessed against one or more players.

Goaltender

A person designated on the Official Game Report, who is identified by the use of special equipment and privileges to prevent the puck from entering the net.

Goal crease

The half-circle of space designed for the protection of the goaltender. The lines of the crease are considered part of the crease. 

Goaltender's skates

Skates specifically designed and designated for use by goaltenders. 

Gross Misconduct penalty

A non-timed penalty that does not result in the offending team playing shorthanded. The offending player will be removed from the game. 

Hand pass

Where a player makes a deliberate attempt to stop, knock down, push, or bat the puck with their hand and a teammate in the neutral or attacking zone gains control of the puck. 

Head Contact

Any action where a player makes contact with an opposing player's head. 

Heel of the stick

The point where the shaft of the stick and the blade of the stick meet. 

High-sticking

The act of a player carrying their stick or any part of their stick above the normal height of the shoulders.

Holding

Any action by a player that restrains an opposing player, thereby impeding their progress whether or not they are in possession of the puck, or their ability to pass, shoot, receive, or otherwise propel the puck. 

Hooking

Any action of using the blade of the stick in a “pulling or tugging” motion to impede the progress of an opponent. 

Icing

Where a team shoots the puck from behind the centre red line and it travels the full length of the ice, past the goal line, without touching any player. 

Injury

When assessing whether or not an "injury" has occurred, for the purposes of determining whether the Referee should assess a Minor or Major penalty, an "injury" will be deemed to have occurred if the player appears to require attention from a medical professional (doctor, dentist, etc.).

Instigator

A player who, by their demeanour or physical or verbal actions, is responsible for starting, causing, or attempting to start or cause a fight 

Interference

Any action where a player interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, delivers a “late hit” to an opponent, deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent’s hand, or prevents an opponent who has lost or dropped their stick from regaining possession of it

Interference with the goaltender

Any action of an attacking player who, by means of their stick or body, interferes with or impedes the movements of the goaltender by actual physical contact.

Jersey tie-down

Required in Junior A/Senior hockey only. A strap that connects the player's jersey to their pants to avoid the jersey coming off in a fight. 

Kneeing

Any action where a player makes contact with an opponent where the knee is the principle point of contact

Last two minutes

Where the rules reference the “last two minutes of regular playing time”, this refers to any point at or after the game clock reads 2:00. 

Major penalty

A five-minute time penalty, to be served in the Penalty Bench by a player of the offending team who was on the ice at the time of the infraction. A player who is assessed a Major penalty must also be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty. For this period of time, the offending player's team will play shorthanded. A Major penalty must be served in full.

Maltreatment

Any action that causes or has the potential to cause physical, psychological, or sexual harm to another person. 

Match penalty

A five-minute time penalty that also results in the offending player being removed from the game.

Minor penalty

A two-minute time penalty, to be served in the Penalty Bench by the player who committed the infraction (except for a goaltender). For this period of time, the offending player's team will play shorthanded. Minor penalties may end early if the team with superior on-ice strength scores.

Misconduct penalty

A non-timed penalty that does not result in the offending team playing shorthanded. The offending player will be removed from the ice for a period of 10 minutes of playing time. 

Neutral zone

The area of the ice between the two blue-lines. 

Off-ice officials

Officials appointed to assist the on-ice officials in the conduct of the game. They are under the control of the Referee during the game and include the Official Scorer, Game Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, and Goal Judges. 

Off-side

Where a player, not in possession and control of the puck, precedes the puck into their attacking zone and participates or attempts to participate in the play in any manner.

On-Ice Officials

The Referee(s) and Linespersons. Where the term "officials" is used, it will refer to the on-ice officials, unless otherwise stated. 

Penalty shot

Awarded to the non-offending team, in lieu of a Minor Penalty. Where a player or team is awarded, a penalty shot, the Referee will place the puck on the centre face-off spot and the designated player will, on the Referee’s whistle, play the puck from there and will attempt to score on the goaltender.

Players

The members of the team physically participating in the game. The goaltender is considered a player, except where explicitly stated because special rules or privileges apply to them.

Players in uniform

Players registered on the Official Game Report and wearing the appropriate equipment to participate in the game.

Possession

The state of a player, except the goaltender, who is the last one to have come in contact with the puck. A goaltender must have control of the puck before they are considered to have possession.

Protective Equipment

Equipment worn by a player for the sole purpose of preventing injury. 

Roughing

Any action where a player is guilty of unnecessary rough play with an opposing player.

Shorthanded

Where a team is below the numerical strength of their opponent. 

Slashing

Any action where a player hits an opponent with a stick while holding the stick with one or both hands.

Slew-footing

Any action where a player uses a leg or a foot to knock or kick an opposing player’s feet from under them, or pushes another player’s upper body backward with an arm or elbow and at the same time, with a forward motion of their leg, knocks or kicks that player’s feet from under them.

Spearing

Any action where a player pokes or attempts to poke an opponent with the toe of the blade of the stick.

Sudden victory

Sudden victory refers to an overtime period which will end immediately upon the scoring of a goal by either team. 

Team official

Up to five non-playing personnel, clearly identified on the Official Game Report, which may include the Coach(es), Manager, Trainer, Equipment Manager, Team Doctor, President, or other administrators within the team. 

Tied game

A tied game occurs when, at the end of three regulation periods, the teams have scored an equal number of goals. 

Time penalty

A penalty which results in a team playing with fewer than six players (including a goaltender) on the ice for a set amount of time.

Tripping

Any action where a player places their stick or body in such a way that causes an opposing player to trip or fall.