Understanding Ice Hockey: What is the Attempt to Injure Rule?

Hockey is a very fast paced sport that is often full of emotion. Players get into the game and worked up, sometimes behaving in ways that have no part in ice hockey. Occasionally, players will attempt to injure another player, a very serious offense that should never happen. However, when it does, the ramifications are serious and involve suspensions and match penalties.

If any player at any point either intentionally injures or attempts to injure an opponent, then he or she will receive a match penalty. This is a very serious penalty and the consequences are severe. If a player receives a match penalty, then he or she must immediately leave the game. Additionally, the player cannot return to any other games until he or she has a hearing with the proper authorities. At the hearing, as appropriate punishment will be given.

Another way the attempt to injure penalty occurs in ice hockey is if a player is involved in an altercation and has something on his or her hands. If the player cuts or injures the other player in any way, then he or she will be assessed a match penalty. It can be very dangerous to players if someone hits them with an unknown item on their hands, because it can potentially lead to very serious injuries.

Yet another reason that a player may receive a penalty under the attempt to injure rule is if he or she head butts an opponent. While a head butt is not always a match penalty, it can lead to very serious injuries. At the very least, a player who head butts an opponent will receive a five minute major penalty in addition to a game misconduct.

Attempting to injure an opponent has no place in ice hockey and should never occur. However, it does sadly occur every once in a while. The penalties for these infractions are severe and attempt to help serve as a deterrent for harmful play. Players need to understand the consequences of their actions and realize that injuring another player is very serious and should not be done under any circumstances.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Composite Hockey Sticks