Rule 7.1 – Attempt to Injure or 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 player, as well as the reasonable expectation that this action would cause injury to another person.

1. A double Minor penalty will be assessed to a player who commits any of the following acts with a minimal degree of violence and without using such an action to gain an advantage or inflict punishment or injury:

   i. pulls an opponent’s hair;
   ii. grabs the facial protector, helmet, chin strap, or throat protector of an opponent;
   iii. head-butts or attempts to head-butt an opponent.

   Note 1: If the offender is a team official, then a Gross Misconduct must also be assessed. Such infractions must be reported as Rule 7.1 (f).

2. At the discretion of the Referee, based upon the degree of violence, a Major and Game Misconduct may be assessed for grabbing the hair, facial protector, helmet, chin strap, or throat protector.

   A Major and Game Misconduct will be assessed when a player grabs an opponent’s hair, facial protector, helmet, chin strap, or throat protector and injury results from an infraction that would otherwise call for a double Minor penalty.

3. A Match penalty will be assessed to any player or team official who deliberately attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent, official, team official or spectator in any manner not otherwise covered within the playing rules. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Head-butting an opponent with force, or injuring an opponent with this action.
2. Pulling an opponent’s hair or grabbing the facial protector, helmet, chin strap, or throat protector of an opponent with a moderate or high degree of violence and/or using this to gain an advantage or to inflict punishment or injury. (see Rule 7.10 (c) – Fighting)
3. Attempting to kick or deliberately kicking an opponent.
4. Using a helmet, facial protector, or any other piece of equipment as a weapon.

4. No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for an attempt to injure.

5. No Game Misconduct penalty may be assessed for an attempt to injure.

6. A Gross Misconduct penalty, in addition to a double Minor penalty, will be assessed to team official who head-butts or attempts to head-butt an opponent with a minimal degree of violence. If this action is done with a high degree of violence and/or injury occurs, a Match penalty must be assessed under subsection (c) of this rule, in addition to any other penalties they may incur based on the rules.