Glossary
The same word can mean different things in different codes. Each definition below is our plain-English summary with its rule number.
Misconduct
- USA Hockey
A 10-minute penalty with immediate substitution (some youth games use shorter times set by the governing body). When it comes with a minor or major, another player also goes to the box to serve that time. A second misconduct in the same game becomes a game misconduct.
USAH 404(a) and Note pp. 86-87 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
A 10-minute removal with an immediate substitute, unless a minor or major is also assessed. A goalkeeper serves his own misconduct while a replacement goalkeeper plays.
NFHS 4-4-1 to 4-4-3 p. 23 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
A 10-minute removal with an immediate substitute. Persisting in the action that drew the misconduct brings a game misconduct.
NCAA 21.1-21.3 pp. 38-39 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA: ACHA plays the NCAA Men's Division I rules.
NCAA 21 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Game misconduct
- USA Hockey
Not yet verified for this code.
- NFHS
Removal for the rest of that game; a substitute replaces the player immediately. Check your state association for any further suspension.
NFHS 4-5-1 p. 23 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
Removal for the rest of that game only; the player may play the next game. Three game misconducts in a season bring a one-game suspension, and one more game for each after that.
NCAA 22.1-22.2 p. 39 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Not yet verified for this code.
Second major in a game
- USA Hockey
A second major in the same game brings a game misconduct with a two-game suspension.
USAH 403(b) p. 85 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
A second major in the same game brings a game misconduct.
NFHS 4-3-4 p. 23 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
New in 2026-28: a second major in the same game brings an automatic game misconduct; a substitute replaces the player after the 5:00.
NCAA 20.4; 22.3 pp. 38-39 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 20.4 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Match penalty
- USA Hockey
Removal for the rest of the game plus 5:00 (or the designated time) served by a substitute in the box; recorded as 10 minutes. USA Hockey only.
USAH 405(a) and Note p. 88 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
NFHS has no match penalty; the closest penalty is game disqualification.
NFHS 4-6 p. 24 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
NCAA has no match penalty; the closest penalty is game disqualification.
NCAA 23.1 pp. 39-40 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 23.1 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Game disqualification
- USA Hockey
USA Hockey has no disqualification penalty; its closest equivalent is the match penalty.
USAH 405 p. 88 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
A major penalty plus removal for the rest of the game and the next game, progressive through the season. A substitute serves the major; the player may not stay on the bench.
NFHS 4-6-1; 4-6-2 p. 24 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
Removal for the rest of the game plus a five-minute major served by a substitute. Suspensions are progressive and carry into the next season; exhibition games do not count toward serving them.
NCAA 23.1 pp. 39-40 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Not yet verified for this code.
Coincidental minors
- USA Hockey
Equal numbers of minors at the same stoppage are substituted immediately; they never create 4-on-4 play.
USAH 402(f) p. 85 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
Equal numbers of coincident minors are substituted immediately; the players come out at the first stoppage after their time ends.
NFHS 4-2-7 p. 22 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
With nothing else on the clock or called, one minor to one player on each side at the same stoppage is served without substitution: the teams play 4-on-4.
NCAA 19.1 p. 36 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 19.1 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Coincidental majors
- USA Hockey
Majors and match penalties offset each other at the same stoppage, with immediate substitution.
USAH 403(c); 405(b) pp. 85-88 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
Equal numbers of coincident majors are substituted immediately.
NFHS 4-3-3 p. 23 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
At one stoppage, majors are cancelled first and then minors.
NCAA 19.4 p. 38 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 19.4 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Bench minor
- USA Hockey
A minor charged to the team. A non-penalized skater who was on the ice when the foul happened serves it, never the goalkeeper.
USAH 402(b) p. 84 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
NFHS assesses it as a minor with captain's choice of players: a skater on the ice at the whistle serves it, and it is not charged to him.
NFHS 2-2-6; 4-2-8 pp. 12, 23 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
A minor charged to the team, served by any player except a goalkeeper, chosen by the coach through the captain.
NCAA 17.1 p. 36 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 17.1 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Time differential (late-game major vs minor)
- USA Hockey
No equivalent: a minor and a major at the same stoppage are both served.
USAH 402-403 pp. 84-86 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
- NFHS
No equivalent in NFHS Rule 4.
NFHS Rule 4 pp. 22-26 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
- NCAA
In the last 5:00 of regulation or in overtime, one player's minor against one player's major puts the 3:00 difference on the clock (1:00 for a double minor), served as a major.
NCAA 19.3; Appendix G pp. 37-38, 138 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
- ACHA
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 19.3 ACHA additions p. 2 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)