Penalty Minutes In Hockey

In any game, it is always frustrating when your team receives a penalty. However, it is always part of the game as it is considered a punishment for violating the rules. In hockey, penalties are given based on any circumstantial situation. In the National Hockey League (NHL) penalties are being recognized according to its degree such as minor, double minor, major, misconduct, game misconduct and match.

Most penalties result in being placed in a penalty box for a certain period of time, during which a player is out of the game. The amount of penalty minutes varies depending on the severity of the offence. The offending team will then be short handed until the penalty expires and the penalized player is back in the game. These penalties are often attributed by the referee or by the linesmen. A system called "Penalties in Minutes" (PIM) is used to track and assessed the quantity and length of penalties that each team or player has committed. Some unacceptable moves in the game of hockey include charging, tripping, having too many players or high-sticking.

While many people believed that being penalized is a bad thing, others would say it could bring luck at some point. It is because it allows the player or the team to make use of the time while looking for some contributing factor in getting a score.

The all time NHL penalty minute leader is Tiger Williams who received a total of 3,966 PIMs in 962 games he played. Other most penalized players include Dale Hunter who has 3,565 PIMs followed by Tie Domi with 3,515 PIMs, Marty Mc Sorley who has 3,381 PIMs, Bob Probert with 3,300 PIMs then Rob Ray, Craig Berube, Tim Hunter and Chris Nillan who also got more than 3,000 PIMs. Penalty minute leaders are considered to be the most penalized players in the history of hockey. They hold the most number of PIMs in the penalty minute records.