Ice Hockey UK (IHUK), together with England Ice Hockey (EIH) and Scottish Ice Hockey (SIH) – reaffirms that the deliberate use of a stick as a weapon has no place in our sport.
Ice hockey is fast and physical but there is – and must remain – a clear, non-negotiable line between competitive play and dangerous conduct that risks catastrophic injury.
Two recent incidents in fixtures under EIH and SIH jurisdiction involved forceful, two-handed stick strikes away from the puck.
Both governing bodies have taken significant disciplinary action in line with IIHF rules and domestic regulations, alongside mandatory education and return-to-play conditions.
While the level of sanction may vary by case and code, the principle is the same: stick-as-weapon behaviour will attract severe consequences.
We also ask our community to maintain standards of respectful conduct online and in venues. Robust debate is healthy; personal abuse and harassment are not.
IHUK, EIH and SIH will continue to work together on proactive education and consistent sanctioning to safeguard all participants.
Further information will be published by the respective federations.