Understanding Ice Hockey Rules: What is a Ten Minute Misconduct?

Anybody who has ever watched a game of ice hockey knows that no everyone is known for keeping their cool. Hockey can be a very emotional sport and tensions often arise on the ice. However, when players cross the line and either say or do things that go against the spirit of the game, they are often assessed a ten minute misconduct penalty. This is a unique type of penalty in ice hockey because only a player is penalized, not the whole team. Additionally, it is the longest type of penalty a player can receive in ice hockey, aside from being ejected from the game.

The unique thing about a ten minute misconduct penalty is that it only affects the player, not the player's team. The player receives the ten minute penalty, but it does not appear on the score clock and the team does not have to play shorthanded. This means the team will continue play with the same number of players on the ice that it had before the penalty was assessed. Potentially, the penalty can go even longer then ten minutes because the player is not allowed to leave the penalty box until the first stoppage of play after the penalty has expired. So, theoretically, if the penalty expires and there is no stoppage of play until the end of the period, the player will not be able to return to the game until the next period.

A misconduct is a ten minute penalty that is often assessed to a player when he or she continues arguing with a referee about a call. Initially, a player will often receive a two minute unsportsmanlike penalty, but if he or she does not stop, the penalty escalates to a misconduct penalty. Players can also receive a misconduct penalty in addition to a minor or major penalty. For example, according to USA hockey rules, if a player checks an opponent from behind on open ice and the check does not result in an injury, then he or she will receive a two minute penalty for checking from behind and a ten minute misconduct penalty, essentially giving them a twelve minute penalty.

Sources:

USA Hockey Rules

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