Is fighting legal in hockey?

Question

what are the rules on fighting. i saw this one video where the guy gets knocked out in one punch. but when they were about to fight, the refs didnt do anything about it

Answer 1

In the NHL it is legal, however in the NCAA and down it is illegal and gets you a game misconduct.

Answer 2

CDN24fan has it right.

It's a 5-minute major penalty for fighting (in the NHL); by fighting, this involves fisticuffs, as defined by removal of gloves.  

Officials will typically allow two willing fighters to fight until one of them signals that they're done, or one of the fighters is in a vulnerable position.

Answer 3

In pro leagues, it's semi allowed. It's not technically allowed, but the penalty is a 5 minute major for both parties if it's a mutual decision to fight, so it happens a lot because it has no bearing on penalty status. It happens a lot less in college and many rec leagues because there are suspensions for it in addition to game misconducts.

It's one of those things that's been a part of the game for a long time due to the emotions in the game, and it helps prevent cheapshots and such, so it's not going away anytime soon.

Answer 4

If you get in a fight you have to go sit in the "pretty little box".  

Answer 5

The players are allowed to fight.  Occasionally the referees break it up before it gets going, but for the most part they let them go.  When players fight they each get a five minute major penalty.  If they just drop the gloves but no punches are thrown, they each get a roughing minor.  The fights only last until the refs stop them, which is usually when either someone gets knocked out, thrown to the ice, or the players get too tired and just kind of hold on to eachother.

Answer 6

Depends on how you define legal.

It is not illegal in the sense that it is not against the law. The NHL has the power to police itself in this situation. The NHL has rules covering this that assure there are consequences for fighting. The combatants are penalized for it, there are fines that can be issued for cheap shots, etc.

To take fighting out of hockey you'd have to make a whole lot of corresponding changes as well to prevent injuries from high sticks, flagrant elbows etc. Fighting is one way players police themselves during the course of the game. A necessary evil.

Answer 7

Fighting is illegal but unlike any other major sport, the refs let them fight it out before penalizing them.  If a player fights too much, they will get tossed from the game and get suspended for at least one game.

Answer 8

Some forgot to mention that you cant fight unless you drop your gloves and your opponent drops his gloves too....  if the opponent doesnt drop his gloves you cant fight him without facing a suspension.

Answer 9

Yah its legal, and it only happens if both guys want to, because you have to both drop your gloves...and that means a fights gonna go down and refs stand around waiting for someone to win or "win" & break it up.

Gotta love it!

Answer 10

No it's not legal..If you fight you have to sit in a "Penalty box" for 5 minutes.If the referee says you started the fight he can assess an "Instigator penalty" which means more minutes and or thrown out of the game.Ridiculous I know...The jobs of the refs are to make sure no one else jumps into the fight,if they do they are given a "game misconduct" for being the "Third man in".Also when the fight is over to make sure the players don't start cheap shotting the other player by tying up their hands.

Answer 11

it is a lot more frowned upon (not by me) than it used to be.

true hockey fans, players, etc. refer to it as enforcing.

pu$$ies, the weakhearted, and those who dont understand the sport and its roots would say it is illegal and a form of senseless violence.  they are gravely mistaken.

Answer 12

It is not legal, you get a 5 minute fighting major penalty.  That said it is accepted and there are players whose role it is to fight when the need arises.

It is a little like driving over the speed limit, it is illegal and if caught we pay the fine but can still drive.  Fighting will rarely result in a suspension- loss of license, unless you are the instigator of the fight.

So yes it is illegal but a part of hockey, the officials let the guys tire themselves out before breaking up the fight or step in if one guy is truly getting his @$$ kicked and there is a risk of injury.