What is a too-many-men penalty in ice hockey?
A · Advanced · Fouls · 5 of 11An extra player on the ice during a change brings a bench minor. Players may leave the bench only to change or at the end of a period; the first two to leave during a fight get game misconducts. A penalised player who leaves the box early serves an extra minor, and a goal scored while they are illegally on is disallowed.
How it works
- Changes: the player leaving must be within 1.5 m of the bench before the new one comes on.
- Too many players: a bench minor if the extra player plays the puck or makes contact, or is plainly on the ice.
- A goal: scored by a team with too many players is disallowed.
- Late in the game: if a too-many-players minor cannot be served in time, a penalty shot.
- Premature goalkeeper change: no penalty, but a face-off at centre or nearer the offending team.
- Leaving the bench: a bench minor for any purpose other than a change.
- During an altercation: the first two players off either bench get game misconducts.
- Penalty box: leaving early is an extra minor; leaving to dispute a call is a game misconduct.
- Illegal entry: a player who enters illegally to stop a breakaway brings a penalty shot or awarded goal.
The glossary has the too many players on the ice, the illegal substitution, the premature substitution, the players' bench, the penalty box and the bench minor penalty.
Tricky cases
A player is hit by the puck while changing. Too many players?
No. Accidental contact during a change is not penalised.
A player returns from the box early because of a timekeeper's error. Penalty?
No extra penalty, but they must serve the time left, and a goal by their team while they were on is disallowed.
The goalkeeper comes off for an extra attacker too early. Penalty?
No time penalty; play is stopped and the face-off moved.
A player with one skate on the bench and one on the ice. On or off?
A player leaving is off with one skate off; a player coming on is on once both skates are on the ice.
Why the rule exists
Changes on the fly would be open to abuse without a tight rule. Keeping players on the bench during fights stops brawls from growing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Too many players | Bench minor | IIHF 74 |
| Leaving the bench | Game misconducts in fights | IIHF 70 |
| Premature substitution | No time penalty | IIHF 71 |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 68, 70, 71 and 74. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.