USA Hockey Rules Questions and Answers |Fall 2025/2026
Update | 100% Correct
Question 1
During a penalty shot attempt, the goalkeeper deliberately dislodges the goal when the shooter is at the top of the faceoff
circles. What penalties, if any, should be assessed?
Correct Answer
A second attempt shall be awarded and a minor penalty for delaying the game shall be assessed to the goalkeeper. Rule
References 406(d), 610(e) and 409(d). The play must be stopped immediately in this instance.
Question 2
The goalkeeper is assessed a minor plus misconduct penalty. How are these penalties served?
Correct Answer
Two, one "substitute" and one "additional", players will need to be placed on the penalty bench. Rule References 402(c),
404(a), and 407(a). A player on the ice at the time of the original infraction serves all of the goalkeeper's penalties as a
"substitute." An "additional" player, who can be any player (non-goalkeeper) who is not then assessed or serving a
penalty, also enters the penalty bench in order to return to the ice when the minor penalty expires. If the minor penalty
terminates upon the scoring of a goal by the opponents, the "additional" player returns to the ice, and the misconduct
portion (served by the "substitute" player) of the goalkeeper's penalty begins immediately.
Page 1 of 34
,Question 3
Does the Referee have the authority to prohibit teams from proceeding through the "hand shake" line following an
unusually rough or chippy game?
Correct Answer
Yes. Rule Reference 502(a).
Question 4
A player is assessed a minor penalty and then their team is assessed a bench minor penalty during the same stoppage of
play. The player's Coach requests that the player also serve the bench minor penalty? Should the Referee permit this?
Correct Answer
No. Rule Reference 402(b). Because the bench minor penalty is assessed to the team and not to an individual player, the
Coach must designate a non-penalized player who was on the ice at the time of the infraction to serve the bench minor
penalty. The team will then play short-handed by two players for two minutes, unless a goal is scored that would
terminate a minor penalty.
Question 5
What are the penalty options for boarding?
Correct Answer
minor plus a misconduct, major plus a game misconduct, or match.
Page 2 of 34
,Question 6
In Junior A Tier 3 hockey, what are the penalty options for fighting?
Correct Answer
major penalty plus a game ejection
Question 7
During the game, through injuries and penalties, a team is unable to place four players on the ice. Can the game proceed?
Correct Answer
No. Rule References 201(a) and 408(a). Any time a team is reduced to below four players on the ice during a game for
any reason, the game shall be forfeited. Players in the penalty bench with delayed penalties are not permitted to
participate in the game (on the ice) or leave the penalty bench until their penalties expire.
Question 8
In Junior hockey, what are the penalty options for boarding?
Correct Answer
minor, major, major plus a game, or match.
Question 9
What are the penalty options for charging?
Correct Answer
Minor plus a misconduct, major plus a game misconduct, or match.
Page 3 of 34
, Question 10
Are there any instances in which a bench minor penalty does not have to be served by a player on the ice at the time of the
infraction?
Correct Answer
No. Rule References 402(b). Bench minor penalties must be served by a non-penalized player who was on the ice at the
time of the infraction. In those rare occasions when a bench minor penalty is assessed and there are no players on the ice
(e.g. before the start of the game, during intermissions, during a penalty shot, etc.), the team may designate any non-
penalized player, except a goalkeeper, to serve the bench minor penalty.
Question 11
In Junior hockey, are hand passes in the D zone allowed?
Correct Answer
yes
Question 12
In junior hockey, what is the height that a player can have his stick at for tipping a shot for a legal goal? What is the
determining factor?
Correct Answer
Crossbar. Determining factor is where the puck made contact with the stick.
Page 4 of 34
Update | 100% Correct
Question 1
During a penalty shot attempt, the goalkeeper deliberately dislodges the goal when the shooter is at the top of the faceoff
circles. What penalties, if any, should be assessed?
Correct Answer
A second attempt shall be awarded and a minor penalty for delaying the game shall be assessed to the goalkeeper. Rule
References 406(d), 610(e) and 409(d). The play must be stopped immediately in this instance.
Question 2
The goalkeeper is assessed a minor plus misconduct penalty. How are these penalties served?
Correct Answer
Two, one "substitute" and one "additional", players will need to be placed on the penalty bench. Rule References 402(c),
404(a), and 407(a). A player on the ice at the time of the original infraction serves all of the goalkeeper's penalties as a
"substitute." An "additional" player, who can be any player (non-goalkeeper) who is not then assessed or serving a
penalty, also enters the penalty bench in order to return to the ice when the minor penalty expires. If the minor penalty
terminates upon the scoring of a goal by the opponents, the "additional" player returns to the ice, and the misconduct
portion (served by the "substitute" player) of the goalkeeper's penalty begins immediately.
Page 1 of 34
,Question 3
Does the Referee have the authority to prohibit teams from proceeding through the "hand shake" line following an
unusually rough or chippy game?
Correct Answer
Yes. Rule Reference 502(a).
Question 4
A player is assessed a minor penalty and then their team is assessed a bench minor penalty during the same stoppage of
play. The player's Coach requests that the player also serve the bench minor penalty? Should the Referee permit this?
Correct Answer
No. Rule Reference 402(b). Because the bench minor penalty is assessed to the team and not to an individual player, the
Coach must designate a non-penalized player who was on the ice at the time of the infraction to serve the bench minor
penalty. The team will then play short-handed by two players for two minutes, unless a goal is scored that would
terminate a minor penalty.
Question 5
What are the penalty options for boarding?
Correct Answer
minor plus a misconduct, major plus a game misconduct, or match.
Page 2 of 34
,Question 6
In Junior A Tier 3 hockey, what are the penalty options for fighting?
Correct Answer
major penalty plus a game ejection
Question 7
During the game, through injuries and penalties, a team is unable to place four players on the ice. Can the game proceed?
Correct Answer
No. Rule References 201(a) and 408(a). Any time a team is reduced to below four players on the ice during a game for
any reason, the game shall be forfeited. Players in the penalty bench with delayed penalties are not permitted to
participate in the game (on the ice) or leave the penalty bench until their penalties expire.
Question 8
In Junior hockey, what are the penalty options for boarding?
Correct Answer
minor, major, major plus a game, or match.
Question 9
What are the penalty options for charging?
Correct Answer
Minor plus a misconduct, major plus a game misconduct, or match.
Page 3 of 34
, Question 10
Are there any instances in which a bench minor penalty does not have to be served by a player on the ice at the time of the
infraction?
Correct Answer
No. Rule References 402(b). Bench minor penalties must be served by a non-penalized player who was on the ice at the
time of the infraction. In those rare occasions when a bench minor penalty is assessed and there are no players on the ice
(e.g. before the start of the game, during intermissions, during a penalty shot, etc.), the team may designate any non-
penalized player, except a goalkeeper, to serve the bench minor penalty.
Question 11
In Junior hockey, are hand passes in the D zone allowed?
Correct Answer
yes
Question 12
In junior hockey, what is the height that a player can have his stick at for tipping a shot for a legal goal? What is the
determining factor?
Correct Answer
Crossbar. Determining factor is where the puck made contact with the stick.
Page 4 of 34
