Rule 601. Abuse of Officials and other Misconduct

(Note) In the enforcement of this rule the Referee has, in many instances, the option of imposing a bench minor penalty, minor penalty or a misconduct penalty. In principle the Referee is directed to impose a bench minor penalty in respect to the violations which occur on or in the immediate vicinity of the players' bench but off the playing surface, and in all cases affecting non-playing personnel or players. A minor penalty or misconduct penalty should be imposed for violations which occur on the playing surface or in the penalty bench area and where the penalized player is readily identifiable.

An infraction covered under Rules 601(a) through 601(c) which occurs after the game shall be initially penalized under Rule 601(d).

1. Any player who challenges or disputes the rulings of any Official or endeavors to incite an opponent (including taunting) or create a disturbance during the game shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. If the player persists in such challenge or dispute, he shall be assessed a misconduct penalty, and any further dispute by the same player will result in a game misconduct penalty being assessed.

   For Juniors only - The penalty following the misconduct shall be a game ejection, but under this rule a player may also be assessed a game misconduct penalty along with or in lieu of a game ejection.

2. Any player who shoots the puck after the whistle has been blown shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct if, in the opinion of the Referee, the player had sufficient time after the whistle to refrain from taking such shot.

3. If any player is guilty of any one of the following, his team shall be assessed a bench minor penalty:
   1. In the vicinity of the players' bench, using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person or using the name of any Official coupled with any vociferous remarks.

   2. In the vicinity of the players' bench or penalty bench, throwing anything into the playing area during the progress of the game or during a stoppage of play.

4. If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a misconduct penalty:
   1. Using obscene, profane or abusive language to any person on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

   2. During a stoppage, intentionally knocking, throwing or shooting the puck out of reach of an Official who is retrieving it.

   3. Deliberately throwing the stick, or any other equipment, out of the playing area at any time.

   4. After being penalized, not proceeding directly and immediately to the penalty bench and taking his place on the penalty bench, or to the dressing room, when so ordered by the Referee (gloves, stick, etc., shall be delivered to him at the penalty bench or dressing room by a teammate).

   5. Entering or remaining in the Referee's crease while the Referee is reporting to, or consulting with, any Game Official including Linesmen, Game Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer or Announcer except for the purpose of taking his place on the penalty bench.

   6. Interfering in any non-physical manner with any Game Official including Referee, Linesman, Game Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeperor Goal Judges in the performance of their duties.

5. If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a misconduct or game misconduct penalty (or For Juniors only - a game ejection):
   1. Touching or holding the Referee, Linesman, or any other Game Official with his hand or stick.

   2. Continuing or attempting to continue a fight or altercation after he has been ordered by the Referee to stop, or resisting the Linesman in the discharge of his duties.

   3. Intentionally banging the boards, protective glass, dasher boards or goal with a stick or any other instrument at any time. (If the offense is committed in protest of an official's decision, a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct plus a misconduct or game misconduct shall be assessed the offending player.)

6. If any player is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty:
   1. Persisting in any course of conduct for which he has previously been assessed a misconduct penalty.

   2. Using obscene gestures, or racial/ethnic slurs, on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

7. If any player is guilty of any of the following, he shall be assessed a match penalty:
   1. Deliberately inflicting physical harm to a Game Official in any manner or attempting to do so.

      (Note) Any game official assessing a match penalty under Rule 601(g.1) shall file with their USA Hockey District Referee-In-Chief a written game report within 48 hours of the incident.

   2. Deliberately injuring an opposing Team Official in any manner or attempting to do so.

   3. Behaving in any manner which is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game, including spitting at an opponent, spectator, game or team official, or verbally threatening a Game Official with physical harm.

      (Note) For Juniors only - Actual injury under (g.1) or (g.2) is a Gross Misconduct II penalty.

8. If any Team Official is guilty of any one of the following, his team shall be assessed a bench minor penalty:
   1. Banging the boards with a stick or other instrument at any time.

   2. Using obscene, profane, or abusive language or abusive gestures (including taunting) to any person or using the name of any Official coupled with any vociferous remarks.

   3. Throwing anything into the playing area from the vicinity of the players' bench during the game or during a stoppage of play.

   4. Using threatening or abusive language or gestures or similar actions designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.

   5. Interfering in any non-physical manner with any Game Official including the Referee, Linesman, Game Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper or Goal Judges in the performance of their duties.

9. If any Team Official is guilty of any of the following, he shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty (or For Juniors only - a game ejection and/or a game misconduct penalty and may be subject to a fine not to exceed Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00)):
   1. Using obscene gestures, or racial/ethnic slurs, on the ice or anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

   2. Persisting in any course of conduct for which he has previously been assessed a bench minor penalty.

10. If any Team Official is guilty of any one of the following, he shall be assessed a match penalty:
    1. Deliberately inflicting physical harm to a Game Official in any manner or attempting to do so.

       (Note) Any game official assessing a match penalty under Rule 601(j.1) shall file with their USA Hockey District Referee-In-Chief a written game report within 48 hours of the incident.

    2. Deliberately injuring a player or Team Official in any manner or attempting to do so.

    3. Behaving in any manner which is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game, including spitting at an opponent, spectator, game or team official or verbally threatening a Game Official with physical harm.

       (Note) For Juniors only - Actual injury under (j.1) or (j.2) shall be a Gross Misconduct II penalty. In addition, the Team Official may be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) for a Gross Misconduct or Two Thousand Dollars ($2000.00) for a Gross Misconduct II.