Rule 9.5 – High-Sticking – Junior/Senior

Rule 9.5 – High-Sticking – Junior/Senior

High-sticking is when any player carries their stick above the normal height of the shoulders. A high-sticking penalty may be assessed regardless of whether or not contact occurs.

  1. In Junior and Senior divisions, a Minor penalty will be assessed to any player who contacts an opponent above the normal height of the shoulder with their stick.

    At the discretion of the referee, a double Minor penalty may be assessed for an accidental high-stick, with a minimal degree of violence, that causes injury.

  2. No Major penalty may be assessed for high-sticking. Any high-sticking infraction that warrants a Major penalty, whether for degree of violence or injury, should be penalized under Rule 7.7 (b) – Head Contact – Junior/Senior.

  3. No Match penalty may be assessed for high-sticking. Any high-sticking infraction that warrants a Match penalty should be penalized under Rule 7.7 (c) – Head Contact – Junior/Senior.

  4. No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for a high-sticking infraction.

  5. No Game Misconduct penalty may be assessed for a high-sticking infraction.

INTERPRETATIONS 

 

Interpretation 1

Rule 9.5 (a) 

Players are responsible for their stick at all times. 

In Junior and Senior divisions, where a player high-sticks the puck and then, on the follow through, hits an opposing player above the shoulder and no injury has resulted, assess a Minor penalty for High-sticking. 

This interpretation would also apply on a follow through of shooting the puck. 

Interpretation 2

Rule 9.5 (a) 

In Junior and Senior divisions, where a double Minor is assessed for an injury for an accidental high-stick, Officials must ensure that this penalty is only assessed for minimal or glancing contact. The double Minor penalty must not be substituted for actions which warrant a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty. 

The following attempted restraining fouls should be considered accidental high-sticks: 

    1. When a hooking action, whereby the stick accidentally slides up from the upper body to the head or neck area, causes injury, a double Minor will be assessed.
    2. When an attempted lifting of the opponent’s stick, which results in accidental contact to the head or neck area, causes injury, a double Minor will be assessed.
    3. When a player, while losing their balance and/or falling, accidentally clips an opponent with their stick to the head or neck area, causing injury, a double Minor will be assessed. 

      The following acts will be considered “negligent” use of the stick and, if injury results, a Major penalty and Game Misconduct for Rule 7.7 – Head Contact – Junior/Senior will be assessed: 
    4. When a slashing action glances off the upper body and deflects upwards to make contact with the head or neck area, causing injury, a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty will be assessed.
    5. When a cross-checking action glances off the upper body and deflects upwards to make contact with the head or neck area, causing injury, a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty will be assessed.
    6. Although restraining fouls with the stick would normally be perceived to be accidental in nature, any aggressive, reckless, negligent or forceful action of the stick (e.g. pitchfork action in lifting the stick or hooking an opponent) that results in contact to the neck or head area, causing injury, will result in a Major penalty and Game Misconduct being assessed.