Hockey Penalties: Types & Referee Signals Explained

For new and seasoned fans alike, the intricate system of penalties in hockey is fundamental to understanding the game's flow, strategy, and outcomes. This is especially true for followers of the Edmonton Oilers, a team whose high-octane style and superstar talent like Connor McDavid often place them at the center of pivotal penalty calls during crucial Stanley Cup Playoffs moments. Mastering this terminology not only deepens your appreciation for the sport but also clarifies the strategic battles, such as a lethal Power Play versus a stalwart penalty kill, that define the NHL postseason. This glossary deciphers the essential penalties and the referee signals that communicate them to players, officials, and the crowd at Rogers Place and beyond.

Minor Penalty

A two-minute penalty, the most common infraction in the National Hockey League. It results in the offending player serving time in the penalty box and their team playing short-handed (down a skater) for the full two minutes or until the opposing team scores a goal. Common examples include tripping, hooking, and slashing. For a team like the Oilers, drawing a minor penalty can unleash their top-ranked man-advantage unit featuring Leon Draisaitl.

Major Penalty

A five-minute penalty assessed for more severe infractions, such as fighting or deliberate injury. Unlike a minor, the penalized team must serve the entire five minutes regardless of how many goals the opponent scores. This penalty significantly tests a team's defensive depth and goaltending, putting immense pressure on players like Stuart Skinner during an extended kill.

Misconduct Penalty

A ten-minute penalty where the player is removed from the ice for ten minutes, but their team does not play short-handed. A substitute serves the minor or major portion if one was also assessed. This penalty is often called for unsportsmanlike conduct or arguing with officials, and it can rob a team of a key player’s services for a critical stretch of the game.

Game Misconduct Penalty

This penalty results in the immediate ejection of a player or team official from the game. It is often tacked onto a major penalty for especially dangerous play. The ejected player’s team must provide a substitute for any accompanying time-serving penalty (e.g., a major), but the ejected individual cannot return.

Match Penalty

The most severe penalty, involving the immediate removal and suspension of a player for deliberately attempting to injure an opponent. The penalized team must place a substitute in the penalty box to serve a five-minute major, during which they play short-handed. The incident is automatically reviewed by the league for further disciplinary action.

Penalty Shot

Awarded when a player on a clear breakaway is fouled from behind, denying a reasonable scoring chance. A single shooter takes an uncontested shot from center ice against the opposing goaltender. This high-pressure scenario is a specialty for snipers like Connor McDavid, who can single-handedly swing momentum.

Boarding

Called when a player violently checks or pushes an opponent into the boards in a manner that makes the vulnerable player’s impact dangerous. The referee will signal this by striking the closed fist of one hand into the open palm of the other. This infraction can be called as a minor or major, depending on the violence of the hit.

Charging

Taking more than two strides or leaving one’s feet to deliver a hit to an opponent. The referee signal is a rotating closed fist in front of the chest. This penalty is designed to protect players from predatory, high-speed collisions that have no intent of playing the puck.

Cross-Checking

Occurs when a player holds their stick with both hands and drives the shaft into an opponent. The signal is a forward thrusting motion with both fists clenched. In front of the net, this is a common infraction as players battle for positioning, something Kris Knoblauch drills his team to avoid in defensive zones.

Elbowing

Striking an opponent with an extended elbow. The official indicates this by tapping the elbow of one arm with the opposite hand. This illegal check is dangerous and often results in head contact, leading to strict enforcement by officials.

High-Sticking

Making contact with an opponent above the shoulders with one’s stick. The signal is holding both fists, one above the other, at forehead level. If the action causes injury, it is typically a double-minor (four minutes). Accidental high-sticks that draw blood are also penalized.

Hooking

Using the blade or shaft of the stick to impede an opponent’s progress, often by pulling or tugging. The referee makes a tugging motion with both arms in front of the chest. This is a frequent call against defenders trying to slow down elite skaters like McDavid on the rush.

Interference

Impeding an opponent who does not have possession of the puck. The signal is crossing the arms fully in front of the chest with palms open. This includes actions like picking or body-checking a player away from the play, a strategic penalty sometimes taken to disrupt a developing attack.

Roughing

A broad category for minor, unnecessary physical contact after a whistle or away from the play. The signal is a pushing motion with the hands. It often involves shoving, grappling, or face-washing and is common in scrums around the net.

Slashing

Swinging one’s stick at an opponent, whether contact is made or not. The referee chops the side of one forearm with the opposite hand. This penalty protects players from dangerous stickwork and is called vigilantly, especially on slash attempts to the hands of skilled players.

Spearing

Jabbing an opponent with the blade of the stick. It is signaled by a two-handed jabbing motion. This is considered one of the most dangerous infractions and is almost always called as a major penalty and a game misconduct due to its high injury potential.

Tripping

Using a stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow to cause an opponent to fall. The referee extends one foot forward while sweeping the other hand, palm down, over it. It’s a common penalty when a defender is beaten and reaches out in desperation.

Too Many Men on the Ice

Called when a team has more than the allowed six players (including the goalie) actively involved in the play. The referee taps the top of their head repeatedly with an open palm. This bench minor is a costly mental error that can disrupt a team's rhythm.

Delay of Game

A minor penalty called for actions that stall the game, most commonly shooting the puck directly over the glass from the defensive zone without deflection. The referee places the non-whistle hand, palm open, across the chest. It provides a crucial Power Play opportunity, a situation where the Oilers historically thrive.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

A penalty for behavior deemed disrespectful to the game or officials, such as arguing a call excessively or using abusive language. The signal is placing both hands on the hips. This penalty can compound a team’s problems by adding an extra two minutes.

Holding

Grabbing and restricting an opponent’s movement with the hands or arms. The official clenches a wrist with the other hand. This is a common defensive tactic to slow down play, but when obvious, it draws a whistle, putting a team’s penalty kill to the test.

Kneeing

Making contact with an opponent using a knee. The referee taps the knee with the palm of the hand. This action is extremely dangerous to a player’s stability and ligaments and is penalized severely to protect player safety.

Instigator Penalty

Assessed to a player who clearly starts a fight, indicated by dropping gloves first or aggressively challenging an opponent. It results in a minor penalty for instigating, a major for fighting, and a ten-minute misconduct. This rule is designed to deter players from deliberately starting fights to change a game's momentum.

Face-off Violation

While not always a penalty, repeated or deliberate violations during a face-off (such as moving early or improper positioning) can lead to a minor penalty for delay of game. The center or offending player is usually given one warning before the penalty is assessed.

Goaltender Interference

Impeding the goaltender’s ability to move freely within the crease or make a save. The referee signals by placing the non-whistle hand, palm open, across the chest, similar to delay of game, but typically pointed toward the crease. This is a highly scrutinized call, especially in critical playoff games where a single goal is monumental.

Understanding penalties and their signals is crucial for appreciating the strategic depth of hockey. For the Edmonton Oilers, navigating this aspect of the rulebook is a key component of their team performance breakdown. A disciplined team avoids the box, while a skilled one capitalizes on the opponent’s mistakes. As the Oilers continue their pursuit in the Western Conference, their ability to excel in special teams situations—often dictated by these very penalties—will remain a cornerstone of any successful Stanley Cup run. For more on how penalties have shaped crucial moments, explore our Oilers playoff history.

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