Please review the following information and VIDEO regarding the Rule Changes, good for all team staff and parents to know.
Hockey Canada Rules 2026 – 2028
Rule 4.2 (b) – Minor Penalties
Rule Change
If the opposing team scores a goal while a team is shorthanded because of (1) or more Minor or Bench Minor penalties or when a team
would otherwise become shorthanded due to a delayed Minor or Bench Minor penalty, the Minor penalty with the least amount of time
remaining will automatically terminate. In the case of a player who has received a double Minor penalty, their first Minor penalty will be
terminated.
Note 1: For the purposes of terminating penalties under this rule, a delayed Minor or Bench Minor penalty is treated as a penalty with two
minutes remaining.
If a team scores a goal while playing shorthanded and a delayed time penalty is signaled against the opposing team, the delayed penalty is
still assessed because the team that is scored upon is not shorthanded.
Interpretation 1 – Rule 4.2 (b)
When a goal is scored (excluding on a Penalty Shot) and time penalties are being served or signaled on delay, the Referee must ask the
following questions:
1. Is the team scored on playing shorthanded or to become shorthanded due to a
delayed time penalty?
2. Is it because of a Minor or Bench Minor penalty?
If the Referee answers YES to both questions, then the Minor or Bench Minor penalty with the least amount of time remaining would be
terminated. The only exception would be if the goal was scored during a Penalty Shot, in which case no penalty would terminate.
Note 1: In situations where time penalties are already being served, while an additional time penalty or penalties are on delay, officials must
factor that time penalty into their evaluation as to whether the team being scored on is shorthanded. When a delayed penalty is signaled on
the stoppage of play where a goal is scored by the non-offending team, officials should envision the delayed penalty time being placed on
the time clock. This will assist officials in identifying the minor penalty with the least amount of time remaining for termination
YOU TUBE VIDEO
RULE CHANGES 2026 – 2028