Minor plus misconduct: two players go to the box
Rule numbers: USAH 404(a) USAH 403(d)
A misconduct removes a player for 10 minutes, or the locally designated length, but the team may replace that player on the ice right away. When a player gets a minor plus a misconduct or game misconduct at the same time, the team must still serve the minor shorthanded, so 404(a) requires it to put an extra non-penalized player, not the goalkeeper, in the box immediately, and that player may not be changed. Only coincidental minors under 402(f) remove the requirement. Rule 403(d) applies the same idea to a major plus game misconduct in Youth, High School and Girls games; Adult teams are not required to send a substitute. A player whose misconduct has expired stays in the box until the next stoppage.
- On the ice
- The team is shorthanded for the minor only.
- Clock
- Post the minor for the extra player. The misconduct is not posted on the penalty clock (507(b) Note 2); the penalty timekeeper tracks it and releases the player at the first stoppage after it expires.
- Scoresheet
- Minor and misconduct both charged to the penalized player.
Example
Team B's #10 gets a slashing minor and a misconduct for continuing to argue. Team B sends #14, who was not penalized, to the box with #10. #14 returns when the two minutes end; #10 stays for the misconduct and comes out at the first stoppage after it expires.
Common mistake: Letting the penalized player serve both penalties alone, which leaves nobody to return when the minor ends.
Sources
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 404(a), p. 86 (PDF p. 120)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 403(d), p. 86 (PDF p. 120)
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