High-sticking
IIHF Rule Book
60.1HIGH-STICKING A “high stick” is one which contacts an opponent above the shoulders, provided their shoulders are at waist level or higher. Players must be in control and responsible for their stick. However, a Player is permitted “accidental contact” on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal “windup or follow through” of a “shooting motion”, or “accidental contact” on the opposing center who is bent over during the course of a “face-off”. A wild swing at a bouncing puck would not be considered a normal “windup or follow through” and any contact to an opponent above the height of the shoulders shall be penalized accordingly. For situations involving “high-sticking the puck”: ➔ Rule 80 – High-sticking the Puck. 08
60.2MINOR PENALTY Any contact made by a stick on an opponent above the shoulders is prohibited and a minor penalty shall be imposed.
60.3DOUBLE-MINOR PENALTY When a Player makes contact with their stick on an opponent’s neck, face or head (above the height of the opponent’s waist) so that “injury results”, in the manner of drawing blood or otherwise, the Referee shall assess a double-minor penalty. Referees making this call shall have the option (but not the obligation) to review video of the play for the purpose of confirming (or nullifying) their original call on the ice, and, in particular, whether the stick causing the apparent injury was actually the stick of the Player being penalized. ➔ Rule 18.4 – On-ice Video Review of Double-minor Penalties for High-sticking.
60.4MAJOR PENALTY AND GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTY The Referee, at their discretion, may assess a major penalty and an automatic game misconduct penalty if, in their judgment, the Player recklessly endangers their opponent by “high-sticking”. Such assessment of reckless endangerment shall be based on the severity of the infraction, severity of the contact, the degree of violence and the general reprehensibility involved.
60.5PENALTY SHOT This rule is described under Rule 24.8 – Infractions Note: When a penalty shot is awarded for high-sticking that causes an injury, regardless of the outcome of the shot, the penalized player must still serve two-minutes of the original four-minute penalty.
60.6AWARDED GOAL This rule is described under ➔ Rule 25 – Awarded Goal STICK INFRACTIONS
60.7DISCIPLINARY MEASURES If deemed appropriate, Supplementary Discipline can be applied by the Proper Authorities at their discretion. ➔ Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline.