It is the policy of USA Hockey that there shall be no Hazing of any Participant involved in any of USA Hockey’s Member Programs by any other Participant.

Hazing is any conduct that occurs within a context that is reasonably related to hockey and that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, humiliate, degrade or intimidate the person as a condition of joining or being socially accepted by a group, team, or organization. Purported consent by the person subject to Hazing is not a defense, regardless of the person’s perceived willingness to cooperate or participate. Examples of Hazing include:

a. Contact acts. Tying, taping or otherwise physically restraining another person; beating, paddling or other forms of physical assault. The activity known as “Locker Boxing” (fighting with helmet and gloves) is also a form of Hazing that can produce head trauma in children and young adults and is prohibited in any USA Hockey Member Program.

b. Non-contact acts. Requiring or forcing the consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs or other substances, including participation in binge drinking and drinking games; personal servitude; requiring social actions (e.g., wearing inappropriate or provocative clothing) or public displays (e.g., public nudity) that are illegal or meant to draw ridicule; excessive training requirements demanded of only particular individuals on a team that serve no reasonable or productive training purpose; sleep deprivation; otherwise unnecessary schedule disruptions; withholding of water and/or food; restrictions on personal hygiene.

c. Sexualized acts. Actual or simulated conduct of a sexual nature.

d. Criminal acts. Any act or conduct that constitutes hazing under applicable federal or state law.

e. Exclusions. Conduct may not rise to the level of Hazing if it is merely rude (inadvertently saying or doing something hurtful), mean (purposefully saying or doing something hurtful, but not as part of a pattern of behavior), or arising from conflict or struggle between persons who perceive they have incompatible views and/or positions. Hazing does not include professionally accepted coaching methods of skill enhancement, physical conditioning, team building, appropriate discipline, or improved athletic performance. In ice hockey, for example, activities that do not constitute Hazing include directing or allowing a younger player to pick up pucks or move nets after practice or bring or fill water bottles, or giving older players first preference in team assignments, responsibilities, accommodations, facilities, or equipment.

Any conduct defined as Hazing in the SafeSport Code that is not expressly included in the definition of Hazing above, is prohibited and shall be a violation of this Policy.

While other team members are often the perpetrators of Hazing toward their teammates, it is a violation of this Policy if an Adult Participant knows or should know of the Hazing but takes no action to intervene or report on behalf of the targeted participant(s).

A USA Hockey Participant who engages in Hazing that occurs within a context that is reasonably related to hockey is subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited, to suspension, permanent suspension and/ or referral to law enforcement authorities.