What are the penalties for fighting?

Question

Accepted Answer

A fight occurs when at least one player punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly, or when two players wrestle in a way that makes it difficult for the linespersons to intervene and separate them. When a fight occurs, all other players must immediately return to their players' benches. Referees have wide latitude under this rule, to be exercised rationally.

Major plus Game Misconduct to any player who fights an opposing player (Rule 7.10 (b)). A Minor penalty may not be assessed for fighting.
Minor to a goaltender who leaves the crease during a fight, recorded on the Official Game Report as "Leaving the Crease" (Rule 7.10 (a)). With the referee's permission a goaltender near the crease may go to the bench.
Match penalty, in addition to others, to a player wearing a ring, tape or other material on the hands who uses it to gain an advantage or inflict punishment or injury in a fight (Rule 7.10 (c)).
Misconduct to any player who does not immediately return to the bench (or the neutral area the referee designates) and stay there until called back. At least one player must have received a Major and Game Misconduct for fighting for this to apply (Rule 7.10 (d)).
Game Misconduct to a player who joins in a fight, acts as a peacemaker, or takes part in another or secondary fight during the same stoppage (Rule 7.10 (e)).
Gross Misconduct to any player, goaltender or team official who fights with a team official, joins a fight involving a team official or intervenes as a peacemaker in one (Rule 7.10 (f)).

If a player makes no attempt to retaliate other than to protect themselves and, in the referee's opinion, does not engage in the fight, only the opponent receives the Major and Game Misconduct, plus an additional Minor as the instigator under Rule 7.11 (a). The protecting player may receive a Minor for roughing or perhaps no penalty at all (Rule 7.10 Interpretation 2).

Source: Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, Rule 7.10. https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/Officiating/Downloads/2026-28-hc-rulebook-e.pdf