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What happens if a player gets a match penalty for helmet removal? (9/1/2023)

USA Hockey has established suspension range recommendations for match penalties. These suspension ranges shall serve as a means to create consistency in the application of suspensions involving players or team officials assessed match penalties.

The Head Coach shall notify the District 4 Chair within 24 hours of the match penalty call.

In all instances where a player or team official has been suspended for a period of time as a result of a match penalty, the player or team official shall be prohibited from participating in all USA Hockey activities for the length of the suspension. The required game(s) suspensions shall include the next regularly scheduled games that appear on the schedule of their team at the time of the incident. A player or team official who is rostered on multiple USA Hockey registered teams must serve the suspension in full before they are permitted to participate on any other USA Hockey registered team, unless otherwise specified by the proper authorities as determined by the Affiliate.

Match penalties assessed under the below rule have a recommended range of a 3 - 5 Game Suspension:
Rule 615(c) Fighting (Helmet Removal)
 

The District Chair after receiving and reviewing the match report will notify the head coach of the decision to apply the summary suspension process.

The player may return to USA Hockey activities when the suspension is completed.