Throwing a stick out of the playing area: game misconduct
Rule numbers: NCAA 55.5 NCAA 55.1 NCAA 55.2
A player may not throw a stick or part of a stick from the playing surface; a broken stick must be dropped to the ice immediately. The 2026-28 change list raises that penalty to a game misconduct. Keep the throwing rules apart. Throwing a stick or object toward the puck or an opponent is a minor, unless a penalty shot or awarded goal applies. Tossing a broken piece to the side of the ice, not over the boards, without interfering with play is not a penalty. Intentionally throwing any object on the ice is a minor and game misconduct for a player, or a bench minor and game misconduct for a coach or other bench person. A player may get a replacement stick only at the bench or from a teammate on the ice.
It must be dropped to the ice immediately.
- Scoresheet
- Game misconduct under 55.5; no time is posted for it.
Example
A5's stick snaps on a one-timer and he flips the shaft over the glass into the stands. That is a game misconduct. Had he dropped it, or slid it to the side of the ice, there would be no penalty.
Common mistake: Calling a ten-minute misconduct from the old book, or penalizing a player who properly cleared a broken blade to the side of the ice.
Sources
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 55.1-55.2, p. 65 (PDF p. 68)
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 55.5, p. 66 (PDF p. 69)
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Major Rules Changes (55.5), p. 7 (PDF p. 10)
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