Goalkeeper's major or misconduct: a teammate serves it
Rule numbers: NCAA 28.1 NCAA 28.2 ACHA Additions 28.2
Under the 2026-28 rules, adopted for all ACHA divisions, a goalkeeper is not sent to the penalty box for a major or misconduct. A teammate who was on the ice when play was stopped serves it immediately, designated by the coach through the captain, and cannot be switched. Goalkeeper minors were already served by a teammate who was on the ice at the moment of the foul. If a goalkeeper's major plus game misconduct coincides with a major or game misconduct to the other team, no one has to serve the goalkeeper's penalties, since the goalkeeper has been ejected. The penalties are still charged to the goalkeeper. This is the opposite of NFHS 4-8-2.
A goalkeeper shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an offense which incurs a major or misconduct penalty
- On the ice
- The goalkeeper stays in net unless ejected; a skater sits.
- Clock
- Post the time under the serving skater's number.
- Scoresheet
- Charge the goalkeeper; note the server.
Example
An ACHA goalkeeper takes a misconduct. The coach names a skater who was on the ice when play stopped, and that skater sits the 10 minutes.
Common mistake: Sending the goalkeeper to the box, as in high-school hockey.