Hockey players are known for playing by the rules, but sometimes they have to break them in order to take away any advantage their team might need. Penalties happen when hockey players bend these regulations or break them altogether – which is why it’s important not only what type of penalty you get (a major/minor), how often your name appears on report cards postgame; all contribute towards cumulating PIMs over time for both seasons played under NHL Rules.
What’s PIM in hockey stats? It stands for Penalty Infraction Minutes but is more commonly referred to as just Penalties. The player accumulates time spent on-ice due both penalty box sentences and other off nights where they have been benched by the head coach because he felt like it would teach them a lesson or two about playing hard every single minute of gameplay–in essence creating a record that reflects true commitment levels.
Penalized versus non-penalized infractions
When you break the rules in hockey, it’s either a penalty or not. Non-penalties include icing infractions and offside while hand passes result in an automatic whistle by default (even if no player commits this violation). When you get penalized, it’s time for the penalty box. You will sit there and watch as your team plays shorthanded (with one less player) because of what happened on the ice.
There are many different types of penalties a player can get. The amount of time set for these PIMs will add to their cumulative total and the team’s as well.
Five Types of Penalties
Minor (2 minutes) – This is for the least serious type of penalty and involves penalties such as hooking, slashing, boarding, goaltender interference, delay of game, too many men on the ice. This is by far the most common type of penalty.
When a player is penalized, they have the option to leave their penalty box and return back onto ice or stay in place for an additional 2 minutes. A double minor will send you off for 4 total minutes.
Major (5 Minutes) – This is for a more severe type of minor penalty. For instance, it would be for high sticking that causes another player to bleed or fight or a dangerous type of body check.
Match (5 Minutes) – The player who committed the penalty will be kicked out for 5 minutes, but if it was intentional then they’ll get an additional 1-game suspension. Another member of their team takes over in his place.
Misconduct (10 Minutes) – The longest penalty was given, but unlike the other penalties; this team will be allowed to substitute another player in his place while he serves it. For instance, 10 minutes of misconduct could result from unsportsmanlike behavior and would merit a red card for both teams.
Penalty Shot – Penalty shots are unique in that they allow the player who has been tripped to take a breakaway on goal without any time constraints. This is often called when someone is pushed or trips over their own feet while trying for an easy opportunity at the score.
How many PIMs does a player get in a game or season?
The game of hockey has changed a lot since the days when players were constantly fighting and taking penalties. In fact, today’s NHL contains very few fights compared to what was happening decades ago–and this is due mostly because fans aren’t enjoying them as much anymore. Penalty minutes have also gone down over time as an effect – though not entirely sure why or how that happened exactly. Most players in a game will get zero PIMs with about half a dozen on each side getting between 2-4 minutes. If they get over 4, usually do to a fight that would be on the high side.
Top PIM in 2018-2019
| Player | Team | PIM |
| Evander Kane | San Jose | 153 |
| Tom Wilson | Washington | 128 |
| Antoine Roussel | Vancouver | 118 |
| Ian Cole | Colorado | 115 |
| Brendan Lemieux | New York Rangers | 108 |
| Zack Kassian | Edmonton | 102 |
| Wayne Simmonds | New Jersey | 99 |
| Brad Marchand | Boston | 96 |
| Kyle Clifford | Los Angeles | 96 |
| Sam Bennett | Calgary | 93 |
