The stick.

Check out the USA Hockey Rulebook Preface, page xii.

“The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.”

“The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede the player’s progress.”

Now here is the way the Preface should read: “The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.”

That’s it. Forget about hedging with the second sentence about impeding the player’s progress. The stick should simply be used to play the puck, and that’s it.

I bring this up after watching a “friendly” B-level butcher league game last week. I use the term “watching” because there was nothing for my partner and I to do. No penalties. No controversies.

But the thing is, these guys rarely used their sticks to play the puck. Oh sure, the puck carrier was using his composite to propel the rubber in a desired direction, but every other player was using their respective blades to tap, slash, tug and swat whoever happened to be possessing the puck at the time.

Sure, I can hear you saying, “So quit complaining and call a penalty, Mr. OS.”

It’s not that simple. See, these guys have grown up in a hockey society that basically allows all of the above activity, so long as there’s no injury, loss of puck possession or obvious intent to injure. You see it in the pros, college and at most higher-level games. No one keeps their stick on the ice, particularly during backchecking or chasing a puck carrier. The lumber is pretty much a defensive extension of a player’s arms. And us veteran officials know the score. We start calling penalties for this readily-accepted stick-work and soon, we’ll be looking for new nighttime work.

The problem really occurs when these higher-level players compete in lower-tier leagues, and suddenly the benders start taking exception. Before you know it, us refs have to determine whether that tap on the shin guards is going to precipitate retaliation from the victim. Higher-caliber guys that skate right through these actions don’t realize that newer players, fresh from rulebook perusals, think they have been disrespected, and suddenly, tempers flare.

But it doesn’t have to be like this. In fact, the stick should be limited to playing the puck at all levels and it’s time USA Hockey and the American hockey communities make this the new zero-tolerance issue during coach, player and referee training. 

In fact, this would make officiating easier for us veterans. I mean, how many times has OS seen a guy tugging at a puck carrier’s beer gut who then grabs the blade of the stick for his own protection. Naturally, the defender screams to OS that “my stick is being held.” Which of course, results in OS’s retort: “What’s your blade doing up in his ribs to begin with? Last I read, your stick is supposed to be on the ice.”

The stick. Hockey is one of the few sports where the open carrying of a lethal weapon is specifically allowed. That’s fine. Usually.

But now it’s time for our governing bodies to really make a point of prohibiting generally-accepted stick-work for the 2018-19 season.

Just like head contact, checking from behind and zero tolerance.

Get rid of the “stick not allowed to impede” language.

Keep it simple. The stick will be limited to only playing the puck.

Questions and comments can be sent to editor@letsplayhockey.com, via Twitter @OSpeaking or through the Let’s Play Hockey Facebook page.

Photo: Mike Thill