Rule 62. Interference

(NOTE)
A strict standard of interference must be adhered to in all areas of the rink, WITH EMPHASIS ON INTERFERENCE IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE.

a. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.

b. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who restrains an opponent who is attempting to forecheck.

c. A minor penalty shall be imposed on an attacking player who deliberately checks a defensive player who is not in possession of the puck.

d. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent's hand, or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it.

e. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who knocks or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or other debris towards an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could cause him to be distracted. (See also Rule 81(a) - Throwing Stick.)

f. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player on the players' bench or penalty bench who, by means of his stick or body, interferes with the movements of the puck or any opponent on the ice during the progress of the play.

g. If, when the goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, any member of his team (including the goalkeeper) not legally on the ice, including the Manager, Coach, or Trainer interferes by means of his body, stick, or any other object with the movements of the puck or an opposing player, the Referee shall immediately award a goal to the non-offending team.

h. When a player in control of the puck on his opponents side of the center red line and having no other to pass than the goalkeeper is interfered with by a stick or any part thereof or any other object thrown or shot by any member of the defending team including Manager, Coach, or Trainer, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending team.

NOTE 1 Body Position:
Body position shall be determined as the player skating in front of or beside his opponent, traveling in the same direction. A player who is behind an opponent, who does not have the puck, may not use his stick or body in order to restrain hisopponent, but must skate in order to gain or reestablish his proper position in order to make a check.

A player is allowed the ice he is standing on (body position) and is not required to move in order to let an opponent proceed. A player may block the path of an opponent provided he is doing so by skating in the same direction. Moving laterally, and without establishing body position, then making contact with the non-puck carrier is not permitted and will be penalized as interference. A player is always entitled to use his body position to lengthen an opponent's path to the puck, provided his stick is not utilized; his free hand is not used and he does not take advantage of his body position to deliver an otherwise illegal check.

NOTE 2 Possession of the Puck:
The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately, following his loss of possession.

NOTE 3 Restrain:
The actions of a player who does not have body position, but instead uses illegal means (e.g. hook with stick; hold with hands) to impede an opponent who is not in possession of the puck. Illegal means are acts which allow a player to establish, maintain, or restore body position, other than by skating.

NOTE 4 Pick:
A pick is the action of a player who checks an opponent who is not in possession of the puck and is unaware of the impending check/hit. A player who is aware of an impending hit, not deemed to be a legal battle for the puck, may not be interfered with by a player delivering a pick. A player delivering a pick is one who moves into an opponent's path without initially having body position, thereby taking him out of play.

NOTE 5 Free Hand:
A free hand is the one that is not evident holding the player's own stick. Free hand use isa permitted to fend off an opponent or his stick, but may not be used to hold an opponent's stick or body.

NOTE 6 Stick:
Any reference made to the use of the stick implies any portion of the stick. It is generally accepted that the blade or end of the shaft are used in stick restraining tactics.