What Happens If a Player Throws His Stick in Ice Hockey?

One situation that ice hockey players, coaches, and referees need to be aware of is what happens if a player throws his or her stick during the course of a game. While this situation doesn't occur very often, it is important that everyone knows that proper rules for the infraction. Players are not allowed to throw their sticks at any point during the course of a game, aside from gently tossing it away from play if the stick is broken. If a player breaks a stick during the course of play, then he or she must immediately drop it and cannot participate in play.

If an ice hockey player in his or her defending zone throws his or her stick at the puck, the referee will assess a penalty shot. This means that the other team will be allowed to have one player take one breakaway against the defending goalie in an attempt to score a goal. However, if the offending team has no goalie in the net for some reason, the referee can choose to award a goal instead of a penalty shot. If play is not in the defending zone and a player throws a stick at the puck, then the offending player will be assessed a two minute minor penalty, rather than a penalty shot.

If a player throws his or her stick out of the ice playing surface intentionally, then he or she will be given a ten minute misconduct penalty. However, if the player throwing the stick is doing it as a form of protesting a call made by the referee, then the offending player will be given a game misconduct penalty, rather than a simple ten minute misconduct. Additionally, a game misconduct penalty will be assessed by the referee to any player that throws a stick in the general vicinity of any spectators watching the game. A flying stick can cause very serious injury, especially is someone in the stands is not paying close attention and is hit by a flying stick. This is why the penalty goes straight to a game misconduct, because the action can result in such serious injury.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Hockey Helmet