hitting from behind penalty

Question
Last year I remember when hitting from behind was called the player received a penalty and automatic game ejection. This year the call was a penalty and 10 min misconduct. has the rule changed this year or has it always been open to interpretation?

Answer
Well, some hockey associations have a no checking from behind policy.  USA Hockey, from what I understand, has a program where you place a little stop sign on the back of the jersey's so when kids see them...they are not check this player.

But, If I am not mistaken, it has always been a call that is open to interpretation from the referees.  This why I have a problem with the system...sometimes.  The call is given depending in what associations have set down as a standard, and which referee is on the ice during the time of the infraction.

I don't know how many times, I have seen two kids going at it the corner, one kid turns his back, is check during the scuffle, and is called for checking from behind.

I would check with your association to see if they have set a standard for this policy and if so, what is it?  And do the referees know and understand this policy? Because some times the referees association for the city or state, go strictly by the black and white in the rule book, while other's see gray areas.

Example:  The other day, my player got a 2 min. penalty for high sticking the puck.  But, when I sent the captain to ask why, the referee said...that's what it says in the book...no High Sticking!

However, I will send this question out to a user group that I below too for referees and see what they think and I will get back with you.

Rob Lopez - CEO
Pass the Puck, Inc.
www.passthepuck.net

PS: I pulled out my USAH rule book.  Here what it says about Checking from Behind....

1.  A minor plus a misconduct shall be imposed on a player who runs or JUMPS INTO or Charges an opponent (note: if more than one stride is taken, it shall be considered "Charging")

When a player injures an opponen t as the result of "Charging" the Referee shall have no alternative but to impose a minor plus a game misconduct penalty on the offending player.

2.  A minor or a major penalty shall be imposed on a player who body checks or charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within his goal crease or privileged area.

A goalkeeper os NOT "fare game" just because he is outside his privileged area.  A penalty for interference or charging shoud be called in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper  Likewisw, Referees should be alert to penalize goalkeepers for tripping, slashing, or speraing in the vicinity of the goal.