Imagine a hockey player losing their stick, watching the puck slide toward an open net, and tossing a glove across the ice in a desperate attempt to stop it. It’s an unusual move, but would it actually be a penalty?
Yes, throwing your glove in hockey can result in a penalty, and the consequences can be surprisingly severe. Depending on the situation, officials may assess a minor penalty, award a penalty shot, or even award a goal.
Both the NHL and USA Hockey have rules addressing thrown equipment, although the details aren’t always identical. Here’s how those rules work and why keeping your gloves on your hands is usually the better decision.
Is It Illegal to Throw Your Glove in Hockey?
Deliberately throwing a glove during play can result in a penalty under both NHL and USA Hockey rules. Gloves fall under the broader category of equipment covered by rules against throwing sticks and other objects.
Under NHL Rule 53, Throwing Equipment, officials consider where the equipment was thrown, whether it was directed toward the puck or another player, and where the play occurred. Those details determine which penalty applies.
Accidentally losing a glove is different. A player might have one knocked off during contact or lose it while battling along the boards. Simply having a glove fall onto the ice isn’t automatically a penalty for throwing equipment. The important distinction is whether the player deliberately threw it.
What Happens If You Throw Your Glove at the Puck?
Throwing a glove toward the puck can have serious consequences, particularly when it happens in the defending zone.
Under NHL Rule 53, deliberately throwing a glove, stick, or another piece of equipment toward the puck generally results in a minor penalty when the puck is outside the offending team’s defending zone. The equipment doesn’t necessarily have to touch the puck for a violation to occur.
When a defending player throws equipment toward the puck in their own defending zone, the opposing team can be awarded a penalty shot if no goal is scored on the play. The rule prevents players from using loose equipment to interfere with scoring opportunities. A penalty shot can also result when equipment is thrown toward an opposing player on a breakaway, provided the conditions specified in the rule are met.
An even more unusual situation occurs when the defending team has removed its goaltender. If a player illegally throws equipment toward the puck and prevents an obvious and imminent goal with the net empty, officials can award a goal under the applicable rule.
These situations are rare, but they demonstrate how seriously hockey treats interference involving thrown equipment. They’re also a good example of why hockey has some surprisingly specific rules. We’ve explored several other unusual situations in our article, The Weirdest Rulebook Situations That Actually Happen in Hockey.
Can You Throw Your Glove at Another Player?
Throwing a glove toward another player can also result in a penalty. Under NHL Rule 53, deliberately throwing equipment toward an opposing player can result in a minor penalty. More serious penalties may apply when the action involves dangerous conduct or an attempt to injure.
For example, a frustrated player who removes a glove and throws it toward an opponent after a confrontation could be penalized even if the glove doesn’t cause an injury. In youth hockey, officials also consider player safety and sportsmanship when evaluating these situations. Throwing equipment toward another player creates an unnecessary risk and can lead to additional disciplinary consequences.
Hockey allows plenty of physical competition, but using equipment as a projectile isn’t part of legal play.
What If a Goalie Throws Their Glove?
Goaltenders are allowed to use their catching gloves to stop the puck, but that doesn’t mean they can remove one and throw it across the ice.
A goalie can legally catch, cover, or deflect the puck with a glove being worn. Deliberately throwing that glove toward the puck, however, falls under the rules governing thrown equipment. Under NHL rules, a goaltender who throws equipment toward the puck in the defending zone can cause the opposing team to receive a penalty shot when the applicable conditions are met.
Accidentally losing a glove during a save is different from deliberately throwing it. Officials must determine whether the equipment came loose naturally or was intentionally used to interfere with play. The same basic principle applies to skaters and goaltenders: equipment is meant to be worn and used legally, not launched toward the puck.
Is Dropping Your Gloves the Same as Throwing Them?
Hockey fans frequently hear the phrase “dropping the gloves,” particularly when watching NHL games. However, dropping gloves before a fight isn’t the same violation as deliberately throwing equipment toward the puck or another player.
Dropping gloves alone doesn’t automatically establish that a fight has occurred. Officials evaluate the players’ actions and assess penalties based on what happens during the confrontation.
In the NHL, fighting generally results in major penalties, although additional penalties can apply depending on the circumstances. USA Hockey takes a stricter approach. Under USA Hockey rules, fighting carries a major penalty and a game misconduct, meaning the offending player is removed from the game.
For youth hockey players, the distinction is important. Fighting isn’t an accepted part of the game simply because it’s sometimes seen in professional hockey.
Can You Throw Your Glove Into the Stands?
Throwing a glove into the stands might seem harmless, particularly after an exciting moment, but hockey’s rules also address equipment deliberately thrown outside the playing area.
Under NHL Rule 53, intentionally throwing equipment outside the playing area can result in a game misconduct penalty. That means the offending player is removed for the remainder of the game.
USA Hockey Rule 637 also addresses equipment thrown outside the playing area. The standard penalty is a misconduct, but throwing equipment in protest of an official’s decision or toward a spectator can result in a game misconduct.
The distinction matters because even when a player isn’t trying to interfere with the puck, throwing equipment can still violate the rules. For young players, it’s best to leave equipment on the bench or hand it to someone rather than tossing it into the crowd.
Are the Rules Different in Youth Hockey?
USA Hockey Rule 637, Throwing Stick/Object, addresses situations involving players or goaltenders who deliberately throw equipment during play. Like the NHL rule, the consequences depend on where the incident occurs and whether the equipment is directed toward the puck or another player.
Under USA Hockey Rule 637(a), deliberately throwing equipment toward the puck generally results in a minor penalty. When the violation occurs in the offending player’s defending zone, the rule provides for a penalty shot or an optional minor penalty, depending on the circumstances.
For example, imagine a youth hockey defenseman losing their stick while an opponent carries the puck toward the net. If the defenseman deliberately throws a glove toward the puck to disrupt the play, officials apply Rule 637 to determine the appropriate penalty.
USA Hockey also addresses equipment thrown toward a player on a breakaway. In qualifying situations, a penalty shot may be awarded. An awarded goal is possible when the goalkeeper has been removed and thrown equipment prevents an obvious and imminent goal, as specified in the rule.
These distinctions are important because youth hockey officials apply USA Hockey’s rules rather than automatically following NHL interpretations. Other governing bodies, including Hockey Canada, may have different requirements.
Why Does Hockey Have Rules Against Throwing Equipment?
At first glance, throwing a glove might seem like a creative way to stop the puck. After all, players can legally use their hands to knock down airborne pucks in certain situations.
The difference is that throwing equipment gives players an unfair way to interfere with play. A defenseman who loses their stick shouldn’t be able to compensate by launching a glove across the ice to prevent a scoring opportunity.
Safety is another consideration. Hockey gloves are designed to protect players while being worn, not to be thrown toward other people. Even padded equipment can create unnecessary hazards when used improperly. These rules help ensure that players rely on legal hockey skills rather than improvised ways to interfere with the game.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Hockey Gloves?
While deliberately throwing a glove can earn you a penalty, worn-out gloves present a different concern.
Hockey gloves take plenty of abuse throughout a season. Repeated contact with sticks, boards, and other equipment gradually wears down the palms, padding, and stitching. Over time, that deterioration can affect grip, comfort, and protection.
Players sometimes become so accustomed to their gloves that they overlook signs of wear. Torn palms, damaged padding, and loose seams are all reasons to take a closer look. If your gloves have seen better days, check out our guide 5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Hockey Gloves to learn what to watch for.
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The Bottom Line: Keep Your Gloves on Your Hands
Throwing your glove in hockey can result in a minor penalty, penalty shot, or awarded goal, depending on the circumstances. Deliberately throwing equipment toward another player can also lead to penalties, while accidentally losing a glove during normal play is a different situation.
Although NHL and youth hockey rules have some differences, both discourage players from using equipment to interfere with play.
The next time a player loses their stick or finds themselves scrambling to stop a scoring opportunity, they’re better off relying on their skating and positioning. A glove might seem like a clever last-second solution, but the rulebook has other ideas.