Due to the nature and speed of the game, hockey players sometimes have to break the rules to slow the opposition down. When a player is caught fouling an opponent it results in a visit to the penalty box, which is also known as the “Sin Bin.”
In ice hockey terms, PIM simply stands for penalty infraction minutes and is designated as a statistic to individual players as well as a team. For instance, Alexander Ovechkin may finish the season with 121 PIM while his team the Washington Capitals could end up with 778 PIM.
Are PIMs Considered A Good Stat to Have in Pro Hockey?
In general, a high PIM total isn’t considered a good stat to have since it means you’ve served a considerable amount of time in the penalty box and have likely left your team shorthanded numerous times. However, it all depends on the specific game situation, the time of the infraction, and the type of penalty taken.
Some penalties are considered good ones by head coaches as they may have saved a goal and your squad may have an effective penalty-killing unit. Also, if you’re trying to inspire your team and engage in fisticuffs with an opponent and both receive the same penalty time, your efforts may be appreciated.
This is especially true if the player is one of the opponent’s better performers as it means they’ll be sitting in the penalty box rather than causing your team trouble on the ice.
What Type of Hockey Players Have the Most Penalty Minutes?
Players who receive the most PIM are typically those who are known as tough guys, enforcers, or agitators as it’s usually their job to get under the opposition’s skin. They often do this by playing borderline illegal hockey.
They may be known as “dirty” players around the league due to their tactics and in years gone by were often referred to as “rats” or “goons.” Enforcers are usually players who see their penalty minutes quickly add up as they often engage in fights with opposing enforcers.
Which NHL Player has the Highest PIM Stats Ever?
Forward Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams currently holds the NHL record for most career PIM. Williams served 1,155 penalties during in 962 regular-season games from 1974-75 to 1987-88 for a total of 3,971 PIM. When it comes to total penalties served though, forward Dale Hunter was called for 1,347 penalties in 1,407 regular-season games between 1980-81 and 1998-99 and served a total of 3,565 PIM.
What are the Different Types of Penalties?
There are different types of penalties in the sport of hockey with the length of each corresponding with the seriousness of the illegal infraction. When a goaltender is assessed a penalty other than a match or game misconduct, the infraction may be served by a teammate who was on the ice at the time the penalty was called.
Minor Penalties
A minor penalty is two minutes in length and assessed for the game’s most-common infractions such as tripping, holding, elbowing, slashing, interference, roughing, high sticking and cross-checking etc. When serving a minor penalty, the player is allowed out of the penalty box to rejoin their team if the opposition scores with the man advantage. The full two minutes will be added to the individual’s PIM total though even if they serve just 10 seconds for example.
Bench Minor Penalties
These are similar to minor penalties but are called against a team rather than individual players. The most common example is a penalty for too many men on the ice. This type of infraction may be served by anybody on the team except a goaltender and it doesn’t result in any PIM against an individual. It does show up on the team’s PIM stats however.
Double Minor Penalties
A double minor is two minor penalties assessed to a player at the same time. It’s usually for the same infraction, but on some occasions a player could receive a two-minute minor two different infractions on the same play such as roughing and tripping for instance. Double minors for the same infraction are generally called for roughing or high sticking.
When a player is judged to be bleeding due to a high stick the perpetrator is assessed a double minor. If the opposing team scores with the man advantage during the first two minutes of a double minor, the first penalty ends but the offending team must serve the full second minor unless they concede another goal before it expires.
Major Penalties
A major penalty is five minutes and is called for offenses that are deemed more dangerous or serious such as spearing, butt-ending, and fighting. A referee could assess a major penalty for infractions that usually incur minor penalties, such as boarding if it was deemed to be a dangerous play. While high sticking and boarding penalties usually result in a minor or double minor penalty, a referee may assess a major or match penalty if the infraction was deemed deliberate.
Players who receive a major penalty must serve the full five minutes no matter how many goals their team concedes while shorthanded. All major penalties other than those for fighting, will be reviewed on video by the on-ice officials. They can then uphold the original call or modify it by assessing the player either a minor or double minor for the infraction.
Match Penalties and Misconducts
A match penalty results in a player being ejected from the game due to a serious and deliberate infraction while a misconduct penalty is 10 minutes in length. A match penalty is typically accompanied by a five-minute major but the player’s PIM total will be assessed 10 minutes. The offender is automatically suspended from further games until the league rules on the incident. Like a major penalty, all match penalties are reviewed by the on-ice officials and the original call can be modified to a minor or double minor penalty.
Players who are assessed misconduct penalties must serve the full 10 minutes but their team doesn’t play shorthanded unless they receive a minor or major penalty on the same play. In this case, a teammate must serve the minor or major penalty. A game misconduct results in the player being ejected from contest with 10 minutes PIM are added to their stats.
Players who receive three major penalties in a game are automatically assessed a game misconduct. Other offenses resulting in a game misconduct include: fighting off of the playing surface, spitting at an opponent, intervening in an altercation, obscene gestures or language, persisting in continuing with an altercation, and removing their jersey before an altercation.
Penalty Shots
A penalty shot is the least common of ice hockey penalties. It’s awarded when a player is fouled from behind when there’s nobody between them and the goaltender and it results in their scoring opportunity being lost. In this case, the player who was fouled must take the penalty shot.
In addition, a penalty shot may be called if a defending player other than the goalie places his hand over the puck in the goal crease. In this instance, any player on the ice at the time may take the penalty shot.
Read our related post “What Does SOG Mean in Hockey?” here.
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.
