Utah Hockey Club 101: What Is Interference?
Jan 6, 2025, 3:46 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – With the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season now well underway, fans have had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the sport for several months. However, at times hockey can be somewhat of a confusing and complex game which requires more of an in-depth knowledge to fully understand.
As part of the hockey 101 series, the following is an explanation of interference, why it’s a penalty, and what that means for both teams.
Hockey 101: What is interference?
According to the NHL, interference is a minor penalty when a player impedes the progress of an opposing skater who does not have the puck.
While hockey is a physical sport that involves bodychecking, a player isn’t allowed to restrain or impede an opposing skater with any part of the body or stick if that skater isn’t in possession of the puck.
If a player does intentionally get in the way of an opposing skater that does not have the puck or attempts to set a pick on an opposing skater, they will be given a minor penalty for interference.
Interference can also be assessed in situations such as when a player makes no attempt to play the puck while facing-off, deliberately knocks the stick out of an opponent’s hand or prevents an opposing player from retrieving any piece of equipment they may have dropped.
The penalized player will then serve a two-minute minor penalty.
Related: Utah Hockey Club 101: What Is Goaltender Interference?
For more information and an explanation of rules, fans can visit NHL.com.
Utah Hockey Schedule
The Utah Hockey Club will now return home to face the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. The game can be viewed on TNT. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
