What is the difference between incidental body contact and body-checking?

The Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028 (Rule 7.3) define the two terms:

• Body contact is incidental contact of two opposing players in pursuit of the puck on the ice in the same direction. If the referee decides incidental contact occurred, no penalty is assessed.
• Body-checking is an attempt by a player to gain an advantage on their opponent with the deliberate use of the body. It happens when a player makes deliberate contact with an opponent with opposite-directional force, leaves their skating lane to make contact, or extends an arm, shoulder or hip after angling an opponent.

Steering is allowed. A player may steer or direct an opponent into the boards without touching or body-checking them. For example, a defender may close off the boards to force a puck carrier to slow down or move towards the middle of the ice. This is legal as long as the defender does not use their body to intentionally body-check, bump, push or shove.