Rule 7.4 – Charging

Charging is when a player:

1. Jumps to check an opponent.
2. Builds up speed by taking two or more strides immediately prior to making contact.
3. Travels an excessive distance with the sole purpose of delivering such a hit.
4. Violently and unnecessarily checks an opponent in any manner.
5. Delivers a body check to an opponent’s blind side.

A “charge” may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.

1. A Minor penalty will be assessed to any player who charges an opponent.

   Note 1: A blindside hit will be defined as an ‘open-ice body check that is delivered from an angle of approach outside a 90° peripheral point of view of a vulnerable opponent, whether or not the player has the puck. Should an open-ice body check be delivered from within a 90º angle of approach and the check is otherwise legal in all other aspects, then no penalty would be assessed.

2. At the discretion of the Referee, based on the degree of violence of the impact, the Referee may assess a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty for charging.

   If a player is injured, as the result of a charging infraction that would otherwise call for a Minor penalty, a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed.

3. A Match penalty will be assessed to any player who charges an opponent in such a way that they are unable to defend themselves or who deliberately attempts to injure an opponent by charging.

4. No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for charging.

5. A Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed any time a Major penalty is assessed for Charging, as detailed under Rule 7.4 (b).