What Happens when a Player or Coach Refuses to Start Play in Ice Hockey?

One rule that is often a cause of confusion in ice hockey is the refusal to start play rule. As the name suggests, this rule comes into play when a player or coach refuses to begin play when the referee signals the start. This situation often occurs when a player of coach gets very upset during the hockey game for some reason, and thinks the best course of action is to simply refuse to listen to the referee. However, this situation warrants very serious penalties, as it is extremely detrimental to the game.

If one team refuses to start play for any reason after the referee has signaled it to begin, then they will first receive one warning. If the team does not comply with fifteen seconds of the warning, then the referee will issue a two minute bench minor penalty to the team. At this point, the coach or captain will have to choose one player from the ice to serve the penalty on behalf of the team. If the team still refuses to return to play even after the bench minor penalty has been assessed, then the next step is for the referee to suspend the game and issue the head coach a match penalty. This is an extremely severe penalty, as the coach will be suspended from future games until he or she meets with the proper authorities who will impose some sort of penalty. The suspension can last up to thirty days before the hearing takes place, which is why the penalty is so severe and should only be given out in extreme circumstances.

The same rules apply to teams that refuse to go on the ice before the start of a game or at the start of a new period. The same order of penalties is used, meaning that teams will first receive a two minute bench minor penalty. If the team refuses to come out for up to five minutes, then the referee will have no choice but to suspend the game and issue the head coach of the offending team a match penalty.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Hockey Helmet