Dear Parents…

Hockey penalties can seem confusing at first, but understanding the basics will help you follow the game and support your young player more effectively.Penalties in hockey are divided into several categories:Minor Penalties (2 minutes): These include tripping, hooking, slashing, holding, and interference. The offending player serves time in the penalty box while their team plays short-handed.Major Penalties (5 minutes): More serious infractions like fighting or checking from behind result in major penalties. The player must serve the full 5 minutes regardless of goals scored.

Misconduct Penalties (10 minutes): These are typically for unsportsmanlike behavior. The team does not play short-handed during a misconduct.Game Misconducts: Result in ejection from the game.Understanding these basic penalty types will help you appreciate why certain calls are made and how they affect the flow of the game. Remember, referees are focused on player safety first and fair play second.