Can Goalies Check Players in Hockey?

Hockey is a very physical game with body checks being dished out by all players in every area of the rink. However, while goaltenders are protected from being hit by opposing players there’s no rule in the NHL which bans goalies from body checking a player as long as the opponents is in possession of the puck.

It’s very rare though as body checking an opponent could lead to injury. This is why most netminders use their sticks when checking opponents with sweep checks and poke checks.

Can Goalies Bodycheck Players?

The NHL rules allow a goaltender to body-check an opponent as long as the opponent is in possession of the puck. All other body-checking rules apply to goaltenders such as interference and charging.

Can Goalies Poke Check?

Poke checking is a valuable skill for a netminder as it allows them to legally dislodge the puck from an attacking player’s stick with their own stick. Goaltenders often practice this move as well as sweep checking and using their stick to lift the stick of opponents.

Can a Goalie Push a Player Out of the Crease?

Opposing players aren’t allowed to intentionally or unintentionally impede the movement of a goaltender inside or outside of the crease without being assessed a minor penalty for goalie interference. If a player is standing inside of the crease area it’s perfectly legal for the netminder to initiate contact and push them out of the way.

Can Hockey Goalies Get Penalties?

Hockey goaltenders can be assessed penalties. However, if a goalie receives a two-minute minor, five-minute major or 10-minute misconduct penalty it may be served by a teammate who was on the ice at the time of the infraction while the goaltender remains in the game. The penalty minutes are charged to the goalie’s statistics though.

In the case of match penalties and game misconducts, which result in the ejection of a player, the goaltender must serve their own punishment and will be ejected from the game just like any other player.

Hockey goalies must abide by the same rules as all other skaters and there are also specific rules which apply to goaltenders only.

For example, a netminder can be assessed a minor penalty when leaving their goal crease area during an altercation between other players on the ice. If the altercation is taking place in or near the crease however, the goalie may move out of the way by leaving the crease area without receiving a penalty.

In addition, goalies must have the permission from a referee to visit the players bench for any reason during a stoppage in play. Without permission, the goaltender could be assessed a delay of game penalty.

Goaltenders may not participate in the play on the opposing side of the centre red line. If a netminder crosses the centre line and plays the puck or checks an opponent it will result in a minor penalty.

Also, goaltenders can receive a minor penalty if they play the puck in certain areas of the ice behind their goal line. Known as the trapezoid, there is a lined-off area behind each net where netminders are allowed to play the puck with their stick. If they play the puck in the corners or any area outside of the trapezoid they will receive a minor penalty for delay of game.

Are Goalies Allowed to Fight Players?

As long as the NHL allows fighting in the game, goaltenders are basically treated like all other players, which means they can fight anybody else on the ice and receive a five-minute major penalty for it. And like all other players, if a netminder is involved in three fights in one game they will then be ejected from the contest.

If two goalies leave their creases to fight each other, they will likely be tossed from the game for leaving the crease as well as being hit with major penalties for fighting.

Can Players Hit the Goalie Outside of their Crease?

If a goaltender leaves the crease they don’t suddenly become fair game for body contact. Some slight incidental contact is usually allowed by officials but body checking a goaltender anywhere on the ice is against the rules and will result in a minor penalty. If an opposing player is pushed into the crease by a defender though it usually won’t result in a penalty if the goaltender is run into.

Why Can’t You Check a Goalie?

The goaltender’s job is to stop the puck and most leagues want to offer them as much protection from opposing players as possible. They don’t want goaltenders to be injured while doing their jobs and they don’t want to see goalies being knocked to the ice while opposing players deposit the puck into an unguarded net.

If goaltenders know they won’t be hit by the opposition it enables them to confidently play the puck in the crease area and stand in front opposing shots.

Final Thoughts

Safety is the name of the game in the NHL and most other hockey leagues these days and they don’t want to see their star goalies getting injured. Rules are in place to protect them from most physical contact and the layers and fans appear to be happy with them so it’s doubtful you’ll see netminders becoming fair game anytime soon.

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Jamie

Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.