fficials do have the opportunity to amend an original penalty within a reasonable time frame from the original occurrence.  It would fall under supplemental discipline. In some cases, referees check with the referee in chief to see if they gave the appropriate penalty.  In some cases, if an official later learns that a player sustained an injury, they may assess a match penalty after a game misconduct has been called. 

Suspensions

From the MAHA Annual Guide pages 55-56

XII. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS for Players, team officials, leagues, or others (except referees)

1. Hearings on all matters of suspension shall be conducted in the District in which the penalized player, coach, or team official was registered on the date the penalty was called. Upon receipt of notification of an incident involving possible or automatic suspension under these Rules or the USA Hockey playing rules for match penalties, a hearing shall be held in accordance with the rules of USA Hockey Bylaw 10 regarding suspensions and appeals. The Presiding Officer shall have the authority to appoint a temporary third member in the event of the unavailability of any member of the District Council. For the purposes of this Paragraph all “amateur hockey activities” shall include coaching, playing, refereeing and off-ice officiating at games or practices.

2. All match penalties must be reported by both the Referee and the Head Coach or League Director in place of Head Coach for Adult Leagues.
a. Within 24 Hours:
     i. Referee must report penalty to his/her District Referee-in-Chief by phone or electronic device. The referee must also submit an official game report via the game report website.
     ii. Head Coach must report the penalty, within 24 hours following the incident by phone or electronic device to the District Council Chairperson where the player or team official is rostered.
     iii. For Adult Leagues, the League Director must report the penalty including the player’s
complete name, address, phone, and email to the District Chair by phone or electronic
device.
b. Within 48 Hours:
     i. Referee must send an electronic copy of the original score sheet to the District Referee-in-Chief and the District Chairperson.
     ii. Referee must send the original score sheet to the District Chairperson of the affected district.
     iii. Referee must keep a copy of both the score sheet and game report for their records.
c. If the District Council Chairperson is unavailable, it shall be reported to another District Council Director in the proper District; (see list of District Directors and list of District Supervisor of Officials, MAHA Annual Guide).
d. The reporting referee shall personally attend or be represented at any hearing held concerning the penalty. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.
e. Violations of these rules may result in the suspension of the offending player, team official, or referee.

3. Any team that leaves the ice during the game in dispute of a registered referee’s decision shall forfeit the game by a 1-0score (regardless of the score at the time). The coach and/or manager of the team leaving the ice, shall be assessed a match penalty and be subject to a recommended suspension of not less than one year.

4. A player or team official receiving a match penalty is automatically suspended from all amateur hockey activities until a hearing is held by the District Council.

5. If, as a result of a hearing, the allegation of deliberate assault on a game official (referee, linesman, official scorekeepers, game timekeepers, penalty timekeepers, goal judges, statisticians, and public address announcers) is sustained, the player or team official shall be suspended for a minimum period of one (1) year, followed by probation for a period to bedetermined by the District Council.

6. All complaints of vandalism or destruction of public or private property by any player or team staff member shall be referred to their home District Council for disposition. If the home District Council finds that such vandalism or destruction was caused, it shall have the power to suspend players for a recommended minimum of one (1) year and staff members of the team for a recommended minimum of five (5) years. The District Council may, as a condition precedent or reinstatement of a player or staff member, require him or her to make reasonable restitution to the damaged property owner.

7. When a player, coach or manager receives a game suspension(s), he/she shall not be eligible to participate in the next game(s) that were already on the schedule of that team before the incident occurred.

8. The head coach of any team accumulating twelve (12) or more penalties during the same game, will automatically be suspended for the next game his/her team plays (USA Hockey - 404 misconduct penalties).If the head coach is not present at all during the game in which the team accumulates the twelve (12) or more penalties, the person on the bench responsible for the team (i.e.: who signed the score sheet prior to the start of the game) will be assessed the suspension.

9. A player who receives a game misconduct penalty will be suspended for one game. Upon receipt of a game misconduct, the player must immediately proceed to the locker room andeither: a) remain in the locker room for the balance of the game, or b) dress and leave the arena premises.

10. The MAHA District Councils shall have the power to suspend any member for conduct detrimental to hockey either on or off the ice. Violation of the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and written policies of USA Hockey or The MAHA may result in disciplinary action.

11. Abusive or threatening words or action toward any Officer, Director, appointed Officer or Game Official of this Association, opposing Team Official, opposing player or spectator shall be considered ungentlemanly conduct and the District Council shall have the power to suspend such person(s) after conducting a hearing on such matter.

12. In order to preserve as far as possible, the integrity of amateur hockey, any recourse to the courts or legal action by a member or individual before all of the rights of the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of this Association and USA Hockey shall have been exhausted, shall be ungentlemanly conduct entailing the immediate suspension and disqualification of any member or individual in accordance with USA Hockey Bylaw 10.

13. Any team personnel registered with another affiliate team of USA Hockey which plays in a Michigan League, receiving a match penalty in a game played in Michigan, is automatically suspended from all amateur hockey activities in Michigan, until a hearing is conducted in accordance with USA Hockey Bylaw 10. A. 3

14. Any disciplinary circumstance not elsewhere covered in these rules will be assigned by the President or by the Executive Committee to the proper District Council for a hearing. In circumstances where multiple Districts are involved, the Executive Committee may conduct he hearing.

15. Any suspension or other disciplinary action imposed as a result of a hearing may be appealed. See USA Hockey Bylaw 10.

16. Failure of the parent/legal guardian(s) of any registered player to comply with the MAHA S.T.A.R. Hockey Program Parent/Legal Guardian Code of Conduct shall become the disciplinary responsibility of the District Councils where the parent/legal guardian’s player is registered. District Council may refer matters back to the Association level when they deem appropriate. Upon resolution, all findings and actions are to be reported to the MAHA VP of Abuse & Appeals.

17. It is also highly recommended that the parent/legal guardian also view the MAHA S.T.A.R.Hockey Program video. This recommendation is especially important regarding parents who are new to the sport of ice hockey.

STANDARDIZED DISCIPLINE POLICY – MATCH PENALTIES

https://www.usahockeyrulebook.com/page/show/6669971-standardized-discipline-policy-match-penalties

The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) is committed to ensuring the safety of participants at all ages and skill levels. With the increasing availability of video provided by rink-based programs and partners and parent or club-affiliated resources, we are entering a trial period of utilizing video review specifically as a means of determining whether an on-ice action caught on video, but not penalized by officials, is deserving of a formal review process for potential supplemental discipline.  MAHA will NOT use video review for the purpose of changing any on-ice call.

Video submitted for potential review by MAHA will only be accepted/considered if presented by a member Association or Club (no individual or parent submissions will be accepted). This process shall be followed:

• Upon review by the Association or Club leadership, and determination that a request for further action is requested, the Association’s President or Club’s Manager must complete the “Video Review Request” form.
• Completed form must be sent  to VPOfficials@MAHA.org. Form must be submitted with a $100 check. If the video is accepted and supplemental discipline is assessed, the check will be returned. If the video does NOT result in a hearing to determine additional discipline, the $100 check will be considered a fine to the organization that submitted the video.
• Upon receipt, the Vice President of Officials will review and determine if the actions shown on video warrants further review.
• If further review is deemed warranted, a review process will be undertaken by a Video Review Committee (the VR Committee).
• The VR Committee will make a recommendation to the MAHA Executive Vice President, who will make the final determination on conducting a supplemental discipline hearing.
• Supplemental Discipline will not be imposed unless and until a hearing has been conducted with the player, coach or parent that is the subject of the request.
• Discipline administered by MAHA will be imposed immediately and the subject of supplemental discipline will retain all appeal rights as provided for in the MAHA Guidebook and USA Hockey Bylaw 10. Any discipline assessed will not be delayed while an appeal is in process.

Additional Info:  https://www.maha.org/miofficials

2022-23_Video_Review_Policy

Link to file a review:  https://maha.sportngin.com/register/form/044924831

Adopted 2019-20 Season

USA Hockey is committed to creating a safe and fair environment for all participants. Respect for the
game, the opponents, coaches and officials is a critical part of the environment that is created and it
covers several different aspects of sportsmanship and fair play. This initiative will encourage a change in
culture as to what is considered to be acceptable/unacceptable body checking and competitive contact
at all levels of play.

The following “points of emphasis” is not designed to replace our current rules/definitions, but instead
are intended clarify and update the existing rules/definitions to emphasize the key points to more clearly
outline what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable behavior. USA Hockey will also provide video
examples of these actions deemed “acceptable” and “unacceptable” to further illustrate expected
behavior. Please review the materials thoroughly so you can play a positive role in making our game safer.

COMPETITIVE CONTACT

Body “Competitive” Contact – Competitive contact is body contact between two or more skaters who are
in the immediate vicinity of the puck and who are in the normal process of playing the puck. These skaters
are reasonably allowed to lean into each other provided possession of the puck remains the sole object
of the contact. Body “Competitive” Contact is encouraged at all age classifications of play within USA
Hockey and provides the foundation for the skills necessary to advance to Body Checking classifications.
Acceptable examples of Body “Competitive” Contact Include:
Angling is a legal defensive skill used to direct/control the puck carrier to an area that closes the gap and
creates an opening that is too small for the puck carrier.
Physical Engagement is when two players who are in pursuit of the puck are allowed to reasonably lean
into each other provided that possession of the puck remains the sole objective of the two players.
Collisions occur when players are allowed to maintain their established position on the ice. A player shall
not be penalized if the intention is to play the puck and in so doing causes a collision with an opponent.
No player is required to move out of the way of an oncoming player to avoid an impact.

BODY CHECKING
A body check represents intentional physical contact, from the front, diagonally from the front or straight
from the side, by a skater to an opponent who is in control of the puck. The opposing player’s objective is
to gain possession of the puck with a legal body check and NOT to punish or intimidate an opponent.
Legitimate body checking must be done only with the trunk of the body (hips and shoulders) and must be
above the opponent’s knees and at or below the opponent’s shoulders. The use of the hands, forearm,
stick or elbow in delivering a body check is unacceptable and not within the guidelines of a legal body
check.
The primary focus of a body check is to gain possession of the puck and proper body checking technique
starts with stick on puck, therefore the stick blade of the player delivering the check must be below the
knees.
USA Hockey reminds coaches and players that these requirements are the responsibility of the player
delivering the body check. Under no circumstance is it acceptable to deliver a body check to a vulnerable
or defenseless opponent, an opponent who is not in possession and control of the puck or to use the
hands, stick, forearm or elbow in delivering a check to an opponent.Vulnerable or Defenseless – A skater is considered to be in a vulnerable or defenseless position when the
player is unaware, unprepared, or unsuspecting of an impending hit.
Infractions that occur as a result of a body check delivered to a vulnerable or defenseless player must be
penalized under the Boarding, Charging, Checking from Behind or Head Contact Rules. When done in a
dangerous, careless or reckless (unacceptable) manner where the player delivering the check has made
no effort to play the puck, the major plus game misconduct or match penalty provisions of these rules
must be assessed.
When two or more players are physically engaged for control of the puck along the boards, they are
considered to be vulnerable and defenseless. Any body check delivered by a skater to an opponent who
is physically engaged with another skater is considered dangerous, careless or reckless (unacceptable)
and must be penalized accordingly.
Late Avoidable Body Check – Any avoidable check delivered to a player who is no longer in control of the
puck. An avoidable check is when the player delivering the check has an opportunity to avoid contact or
minimize contact, once it is realized the opponent no longer has control of the puck.
The concept of “finishing the check” is an unacceptable action as it is one that is meant to intimidate or
punish the opponent with no intent to gain possession of the puck. The responsibility is on the player
delivering the check to avoid forceful contact (minimize impact) to a vulnerable or defenseless player
who is no longer in control of the puck.

BODY CONTACT CATEGORY
Non-check hockey does not mean no contact and the Body Contact Category game can be very physical.
USA Hockey strongly encourages legal body “competitive” contact to occur in all age classifications as
part of the skill progression that teaches legal body checking.
When determining whether a body check has occurred, the official must focus on whether the player is
attempting to play the puck and whether there is any overt hip, shoulder or forearm action used to initiate
contact and separate the opponent from the puck.
Legal body “competitive” contact occurs when players are focused on gaining possession of the puck and
are simply maintaining legally established body position. This most often occurs when two players are
physically engaged in front of the goal or along the boards.
Legal body “competitive” contact also commonly occurs when a player has established an angle on the
opponent and closes the gap to create an opening that is too small for the puck carrier. Additional
acceptable forms of body “competitive” contact include:
• A skater is entitled to the ice they occupy so long as they maintain their skating speed and body
position between an opponent and the loose puck.
• A skater is entitled to stand their ground and is not required to move if an opponent wishes to
skate through that area of the ice.
• A skater may block an opponent so long as they are in front of the opponent and moving in the
same direction.
• A skater can use their body position to force an opponent to take a less direct route to the puck,
so long as they do not use a hand or arm to hold or block the opponent.

BODY CHECKING CATEGORY
It is USA Hockey’s intent to create a safe environment for players to be able to develop their skills –
including body checking in age appropriate classifications – while also being able to physically compete
within the rules.
A player delivering a check to a vulnerable or defenseless player, who is not in control of the puck, will be
assessed a penalty for roughing. Officials are to pay particular attention to these examples when applying
this rule. These are intended as a guide and include, but are not limited to, the following:
• A player who is dangerous, careless or reckless (unacceptable) in delivering a check.
• A player who anticipates an opponent gaining possession or control of the puck but who makes
contact with the opponent before possession or control occurs.
• A player who delivers a late avoidable check to an opponent who has released a shot or pass and
is no longer in control of the puck.
• The use of the hands, forearm, stick or elbow in delivering a body check OR making contact with
the opponent after the whistle. If contact is made above the shoulders, this action must be
penalized as Head Contact. This includes any contact that occurs as part of a scrum situation
after play has been stopped.
• Two skaters who use competitive contact for position as they skate to a loose puck are within
their rights to do so, unless one uses theirstick, arm, or skates to obstruct their opponent’s ability
to skate to the puck.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
A bench minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed to any team whose players or team
officials commit the following actions while on the players’ bench:
(5) Banging the boards with a stick or other object, including skates or arms, at any time, including after
a body check regardless as to whether the check is being penalized.

SUMMARY
All USA Hockey members must demonstrate awareness and support for the application, spirit and the
respect of the rules in order for continued improvement in the game of hockey.
Coaches are expected to teach proper skills and hold their players accountable for illegal and dangerous
actions, regardless as to whether they are properly penalized, or not.
Parents are expected to support the decisions of the officials and support the coaches in teaching the
proper skills in a safe and positive environment.
Officials shall enforce a strict penalty standard according to the guidelines that have been established.
Players are expected to compete within the playing rules.
Administrators are expected to hold players, coaches, officials and parents accountable for their actions
in an effort to promote a safe and positive environment for all participants.
All members of USA Hockey share an equal responsibility to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld.
The onus to incorporate change is not only on the officials, but also on administrators, coaches, parents
and players, as well

https://www.usahockey.com/declaration

USA Hockey is committed to creating a safe and fair environment for all participants. Respect for the game, the opponents, coaches and officials is a critical part of the environment that is created. This Zero Tolerance Policy summarizes required actions to be taken when violations occur.

October 30, 2019

As the hockey season begins in full, we continue to receive reports of disturbing incidents involving
racial and other derogatory slurs, behavior which is reprehensible and has absolutely no place in our
game, especially around our children.
As you are all aware, USA Hockey has long had a Zero Tolerance Policy towards any type of abusive
conduct, specifically under Rule 601 (e.3), which states that anyone who uses language that is offensive,
hateful or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game, shall be
assessed a game misconduct penalty. For reasons which I cannot explain or understand, this penalty
does not seem to be enough of a deterrent to stop this conduct.
I am issuing a directive effective immediately that anyone assessed a penalty under Rule 601 (e.3) will
now receive an automatic Match Penalty, in lieu of the game misconduct penalty that currently exists,
and shall be immediately suspended until a hearing is conducted by the governing USA Hockey Affiliate
or junior league. The applicable Affiliate or junior league is required to conduct a hearing within 30 days
of the incident and the individual may be subject to further discipline.
Further, our on-ice officials have protocols in place that address situations where a player is accused of
saying something that violates Rule 601 (e. 3) but is not heard by the officials. While the officials cannot
assess a penalty in that circumstance, they are instructed to notify the coach of the offending team and it
is critical that the coach take immediate and appropriate action. Officials must also report the incident
through the game reporting system, and Affiliates must review all incidents, whether penalized or
unpenalized, to ensure proper application of the rules.
We also receive reports of racial harassment and discrimination among teammates; this behavior must
be addressed through submitting appropriate reports through our SafeSport Program.
Parents and coaches, please take the time to address these issues with your kids. Helping educate them
on these topics is an important part of our overall effort to eliminate any type of discriminatory
language or behavior from our sport.
While the vast majority of our hockey games are conducted in the spirit for which they were intended,
we must remove offensive, hateful or discriminatory language or behavior from our game. Please join
me in stamping it out and ensuring we have an environment that is free from discrimination of any kind.
Thanks for doing your part and I hope this will be the best and brightest hockey season for you and your
family.
Yours in hockey,
Jim Smith

Rule 405 | Match Penalties

https://www.usahockeyrulebook.com/page/show/1084481-rule-405-match-penalties

Rule 410 | Supplementary Discipline

https://www.usahockeyrulebook.com/page/show/1084487-rule-410-supplementary-discipline

https://www.usahockeyrulebook.com/page/show/1084489-rule-411-progressive-suspensions

Hockey is a fast, physical, intense sport played in a team environment that can provide many beneficial life lessons such as how to be a good teammate and a leader.  However, with the physical play of maturing youth and the turbulent emotional changes occurring at the same time some negative consequences exist.  The most serious consequence is injury.  Higher rates of injury are a by product of the game as youth ice hockey players grow and checking is allowed, however, many of these injuries could be avoided if violent and aggressive hockey were reduced and young players were taught to play  tough and clean hockey.

There are several strategies that have been implemented including harsher penalties, appropriate teaching of body checking, and Fair Play rules. These strategies should continue to be used; yet, we are not dealing with an important factor of  aggressive behavior - emotion.  Emotions such as frustration and anger are precursors to aggressive behavior.

The Playing Tough and Clean Hockey Program  teaches players to be emotionally tough and helps them to transfer program skills and lessons to the ice; significantly decreasing aggressive play, retaliations, and major aggressive behaviors.  The program allows for players to come up with ways to deal with their anger or aggression in ways unique to them while learning how to gain emotional control and toughness.  This is a great tool  to provide players ways to manage their emotions and reduce aggressive behavior. 

THE COACH'S ROAD PODCAST JANUARY 24 2022 EPISODE 84 - TOUGH AND CLEAN HOCKEY WITH DR. LARRY LAUER 

The Playing Tough & Clean Handbook

Playing Tough and Clean Hockey: Executive Summary and Study Info

KVHA Players who receive multiple game misconducts, or a match penalty will be required to complete the Tough & Clean handbook as part of their disciplinary process.