The NHL changed the game when they implemented the Hooking Penalty in 2018. The rule essentially puts a cap on how far behind the defender can be when the player with the puck crosses the blue line. While there are some differences from week to week, the general theme is quite simple: As the puck moves closer to the net, the goalie’s net exposure increases and the opposing team gets more opportunities to score. Let’s take a closer look at how the Hooking Penalty affects the game and how you can utilize it to your advantage.
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Why Do I Get A Hooking Penalties?
In the 2017-18 NHL season, there were a total of 947 penalties assessed, meaning the referees threw out almost 10 penalties per game. That’s the highest rate since 1970-71 and it was mainly due to a reduction in faceoffs won by the opposition. The Hooking Penalty is the NHL’s answer to this issue. When the puck makes a sideways move towards the net, the referee has no other choice but to call a penalty.
The rule was implemented to reduce the number of faceoffs lost by the defense and increase scoring chances. Since the puck can’t be controlled in the middle of the ice, the play becomes more open and more opportunities to score are created. Additionally, as the opposing team’s defensemen have to stay close to their own net, they become more vulnerable to counterattacks because they can’t quite close out on the play. This also provides a greater scoring opportunity for the offense.
How Does The Hooking Penalty Work?
When a player hooks, it means that they stay behind their opponent beyond the imaginary orange line (the slot on the ice) when the puck is in their zone. They’re not allowed to touch it once the puck crosses the line, or else they’ll receive a major penalty and a game ejection. In many ways, it’s similar to a holding call in basketball. Unfortunately, many goalies have abused the rule, so the NHL made changes in 2020 to address the issue. Here’s the revised rule as of January 2021:
When an attacking player receives the puck from the defense, and while controlling the puck, a trailing player does one of the following:
- Hooks the player with the puck
- Meets the puck with his/her stick blade and knocks it away
- Picks it up in the corner and quickly brings the puck behind the opposing goal line
- Turns the puck over to a teammate (not behind the net)
- Blends defensively with the puck close to the opposing goal line
- Stays behind the last player on the attacking team (not in front of the net) when the puck is in the defending zone
- Does not enter the zone (not in front of the net) until the puck is out of the defending zone
- Stays out of bounds on the play, except for the puck (does not touch it)
- Stays out of bounds after the puck is lost (does not return for it)
- Stays in bounds (does not cross the line) after clearing the puck (does not return for it)
- Does not skate toward the puck (does not approach it)
- Does not chase after it (does not follow it) closely
- Does not enter the zone quickly enough to prevent the puck from touching the net (does not close out quickly enough on a play)
A leading player is one who initiates contact with the puck, either by hitting it or by sweeping it away with their skate. A trailing player is one who follows closely behind.
When Do I Get A Hooking Penalty?
If the puck is in the offensive zone when it’s initially received by the attacking player, they’ll receive a minor penalty and the referee will give them a good chance to correct their error. If the player then hooks the puck while it’s in the air, they’ll receive a minor penalty and a chance to correct their error. If a player misses the puck while attacking and it rolls out of the attacking zone, they’ll receive a hooking penalty.
Penalties are assessed based on how the play started. If a player does any of the above listed actions while the puck is in their zone, they’ll receive a minor penalty. If a player hooks the puck while it’s in the air and it eventually goes into the net, they’ll receive a minor penalty. If they do any of the above-listed actions with the puck out of the zone (even if the play started in the zones), they’ll receive a major penalty. If a player continues to pick up minor penalties after 30 minutes of play, it’s considered a repeat offender policy violation.
The rules are fairly straightforward: If the puck is in the offensive zone when it’s initially received by the attacking player, they’ll receive a minor penalty. If the player then hooks the puck while it’s in the air, they’ll receive a minor penalty. If a player misses the puck while attacking and it rolls out of the attacking zone, they’ll receive a hooking penalty. If a player does any of the above-listed actions with the puck out of the zone (even if the play started in the zones), they’ll receive a major penalty. If a player continues to pick up minor penalties after 30 minutes of play, it’s considered a repeat offender policy violation.
What Happens If I Get A Hooking Penalty?
If a player is accidentally hooked, it’s a minor penalty. If they deliberately hook another player, it’s a major penalty. If they cross the line with the puck, it’s a major penalty. If they cross the line without the puck, it’s a minor penalty. If they’re assessed a minor or major penalty while in the zone, they’ll have the option of sitting out the penalty or serving it immediately. If the player accepts the penalty, the referee will initiate a review process to determine whether or not the hook was accidental.
Once the review process is complete, the officials will decide whether or not the player will get a game misconduct. If the penalty is for hooking, the officials may rule the player ineligible to play in the NHL for a period of time. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the penalty. A player who gets a game misconduct for hooking will automatically be suspended for at least three games.
Reducing The Hooking Penalties
Earlier this year, the NHL implemented several changes to reduce the number of Hooking Penalties and increase scoring. Among other things, the league made it a major penalty to cross the line with the puck, reduced the time in which a trailing player is considered to be a “trailing force” behind the puck, and increased the distance the defending team must keep from the net when the puck is in the air while defending against a sniper attack. If the defending team chooses to play a quick penalty circle to retrieve the puck, the offense is given a chance to regroup and counterattack. This creates an even more open play environment and more scoring opportunities are created for everyone.
The changes were a direct result of the Hooking Penalty and the NHL felt that these changes would make the game more exciting for the fans. While not every player liked the new changes, many felt that they helped make the game more exciting. The Hooking Penalty is an important tool to have in your toolbox when you’re playing hockey. Just make sure to keep your eyes open for puck-related infractions so that you can effectively use this tool. Otherwise, you might just find yourself on the wrong end of a very unfortunate play indeed.