NFHS 2026-27

Coincident minors: substitute right away, release at the next stoppage

Rule numbers: NFHS 4-2-7

Picture a whistle where Team A and Team B are each tagged with the same number of minors. NFHS lets both benches send replacements out right away, so the on-ice numbers stay where they were. The penalized skaters still go directly to the box, and their two minutes begin at once. When their time has fully run out they keep waiting: the door opens for them only at the next whistle after expiry. Running their time on the penalty clock (or a stopwatch) still helps, because it tells everyone when each player becomes eligible.

On the ice
Strength unchanged; substitutes replace the penalized players.
Clock
Time the coincident minors; the players wait for the first stoppage after expiry.
Scoresheet
Both minors recorded.

Example

Nothing is on the clock when A4 and B9 tangle and each draws a roughing minor on the same whistle. Both coaches send out replacements, and the faceoff happens five aside. A4 and B9 sit for their two minutes and leave the box at the first whistle after that.

Common mistake: Dropping to four-a-side the way NCAA does, or letting the penalized skaters jump back on mid-play as soon as their time is up.

Sources

  • 2024-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, Rule 4-2-7, p. 22

Verified

Rule cycle NFHS 2026-27 season (rule and page cites from the 2024-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book; the 2025-26 and 2026-27 rule changes are listed separately and are not yet confirmed in a printed book) Book 2024-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, with the NFHS 2025-26 rules changes (nfhs.org) and the NFHS 2026-27 rules changes release Card of the week October 12, 2026

Check yourself

NFHS: with no other penalties, one player from each team gets a minor at the same stoppage. Strength?

Five skaters each, with immediate substitution

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