What counts as charging or a blindside hit, and how is it penalized?

Under Rule 7.4 of the Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, a player charges when they:

• jump to check an opponent;
• build up speed by taking two or more strides immediately before contact;
• travel an excessive distance with the sole purpose of delivering a hit;
• violently and unnecessarily check an opponent in any manner; or
• deliver a body check to an opponent's blind side.

Penalties: a Minor penalty (7.4 a). The referee may assess a Major and Game Misconduct based on the degree of violence, and must do so if the player is injured on a check that would otherwise be a Minor. A Match penalty applies if the opponent was unable to defend themselves or the player deliberately attempted to injure.

Interpretations: "jumping" means the player's feet leave the ice before contact. If the feet come off the ice after contact during an otherwise legal check, it is not charging. A blindside hit is an open-ice body check delivered from an angle of approach outside a 90 degree peripheral point of view of a vulnerable opponent, whether or not they have the puck.