Rule 613. Fisticuffs (Fighting)

1. A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who engages in fisticuffs. An additional minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who start or instigates fisticuffs.

   For Juniors only - An additional minor penalty plus a game ejection/game misconduct shall be imposed on any player who starts or instigates fisticuffs. A player who is assessed a major and game ejection for being an instigator/aggressor of an altercation will have on his record as being an instigator of an altercation for statistical and suspension purposes. A player who is assessed two game ejections/game misconducts for instigating fisticuffs shall be suspended for one additional game. This suspension shall increase with every two instigator penalties by one game. A player penalized as an instigator of an altercation who is wearing greater facial protection than his opponent shall be assessed an additional minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

   (Note) For Juniors only - An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any or some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game incident.

2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who, having been struck, shall retaliate with a blow or attempted blow. However, at the discretion of the Referee a double minor or a major penalty may be imposed if such player continues the altercation.

   (Note 1) The Referee is provided very wide latitude in the penalties which he may impose under this rule. This is done intentionally to enable him to differentiate between the obvious degrees of responsibility of the participants either for starting the fighting or persisting in continuing the fighting. The discretion provided shall be exercised realistically.

   (Note 2) Referees are directed to employ every means provided by these rules to stop ``brawling'' and should use Rule 601(e.2) ``Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct'' for this purpose.

3. A major penalty shall be imposed on any player involved in fisticuffs off the playing surface or with another player who is off the playing surface before, during or after the game.

   For Juniors only - A player involved in fisticuffs under this sectino shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty and shall be suspended for the next two games and may be subject to further discipline/suspensions. A team whose player(s) are involved in fisticuffs under this section may also be assessed further fines/suspensions.

4. A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who is the first to intervene in an altercation then in progress. This penalty is in addition to any other penalty incurred in the same incident. For Juniors only - The penalty for an infraction of subsection (d) is a game ejection, whether before or after the five minute remaining mark of the third period or any part of overtime.

5. Any player receiving a major penalty for fisticuffs shall automatically also be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

   For Juniors only - Any player receiving a major penalty for fisticuffs shall be ruled off the ice for five minutes, during which time no substitute shall be permitted. A player who receives a second major penalty for fighting in the same game shall be assessed a game ejection penalty under this section. During the regular season or playoffs, any player or goalkeeper who receives a major penalty for fighting with less than five minutes remaining in the third period or in any part of overtime shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty which carries an automatic suspension for the next two scheduled games. For pre-season or exhibition games, any player or goalkeeper who receives a major penalty for fighting with less than five minutes remaining in the third period or in any part of overtime shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty which carries an automatic suspension for the next scheduled game. when fisticuffs occur with less than five minutes remaining in the third period or in any part of overtime and an instigator penalty is assessed, the Referee shall waive any automatic game ejection/game misconduct penalties and assess a misconduct penalty to the non-offending player in lieu of the automatic game ejection or game misconduct penalty.

6. When an altercation occurs on the ice, at the signal of the Referee, all players (non-participant), excluding goalkeepers, must proceed immediately and directly to their respective players' bench. Goalkeepers must remain in the immediate vicinity of their goal crease. See Rule 407(d) (Goalkeeper's Penalties).

   Except for Juniors - A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player, excluding goalkeepers, who fails to move to the players' bench when so instructed by the Referee.

   For Juniors only - The Referee shall report to the League any player who does not immediately proceed to his players' bench when ordered to do so. Failure of a player to immediately report to the players' bench will result in a One Hundred Dollar ($100.00) fine per occurrence plus Twnety Five Dollars ($25.00) per player.

   A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player, including a goalkeeper, who removes his glove or gloves and/or drops his stick during an altercation and who is not a participant in the original altercation. A game misconduct penalty may be added to the minor penalty if, in the judgment of the Referee, the player is the instigator of a subsequent altercation. This penalty shall be in addition to any other penalty incurred in the same incident.

7. For Juniors only - A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who is assessed a major penalty following the original altercation. Notwithstanding this rule, at the discretion of the Referee the automatic game misconduct may be waived and a game ejection may be assessed if the opposing player was clearly the instigator of the altercation. Any player(s) who engages in fisticuffs other than during the actual playing of the game (including stoppage of play) shall receive an automatic game ejection/game misconduct penalty.

8. For Juniors only - Any team whose players become involved in an altercation other than during the periods of the game may be fine up to One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00), in addition to any appropriate penalty that may be imposed upon the participating player(s) by supplementary discipline or otherwise.

9. For Juniors only - Any player who would be deemed to be involved in any post/pre-game altercation or post/pre-period altercation and is assessed a game misconduct shall be suspended for the next two games and may face further suspension.

   (Note) In the case of an altercation taking place before the start/after the period/game, the fine(s) and/or suspensions under this rule shall be assessed only in the event that an altercation commences before the period has started or after the period has terminated.

10. For Juniors only - A player who deliberately removes any equipment other than his stick, gloves and helmet during an altercation shall receive an automatic game ejection/game misconduct penalty in addition to any other penalties incurred.