Yes, you can kick the puck in hockey – but you usually can’t score with a kick.

Can You Kick the Puck in Hockey?

Quick Scoop

In most modern hockey rulebooks (NHL, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada), players are allowed to use their skates to move the puck. The big restriction is around kicking the puck into the net :

  • You can kick the puck to yourself or a teammate.
  • You cannot score a goal with a clear “kicking motion” by an attacking player.
  • A puck that accidentally deflects off a skate (no deliberate kick) can count as a good goal.

So, skate = okay to play the puck; “soccer-style goal” = usually no goal.

The Basic Rule: Kicking vs. Scoring

Most rule sets separate two ideas:

  1. Using your skate to play the puck
  2. Using your skate to score a goal

1. Using Your Skate

  • USA Hockey explicitly allows kicking the puck, as long as it doesn’t result in a goal by the attacking team.
  • Hockey Canada states that kicking the puck is permitted in all zones.
  • This means players can:
    • Kick the puck along the boards.
    • Kick it to their stick.
    • Kick it to a teammate.

This is practical: in tight spaces or scrums, players use their feet constantly to free or control the puck.

2. Using Your Skate to Score

Rulebooks clamp down specifically on goals scored by a deliberate kick :

  • Hockey Canada: no goal can be scored as the result of a kicking motion by an attacking player; even if it deflects after the kick, the goal does not count.
  • USA Hockey: a goal is not allowed if an attacking player kicks the puck directly into the net or if the kicked puck deflects off any player before going in.
  • NHL language focuses on a “distinct kicking motion” :
    • If an attacking player propels the puck into the net with a distinct kick, the goal is disallowed.
* A puck that simply redirects off the skate (no clear kick) can be ruled a good goal.

So, the line is between directly kicking to score (no) and redirecting/deflecting with the skate (can be allowed).

When Is a Kicked Goal Allowed?

There are a few important edge cases.

Deflections off Skates

  • If the puck deflects off a skate without a deliberate kicking action, it can be ruled a good goal.
  • NHL examples:
    • Puck bounces off a player’s skate while they’re stopping or just standing there: often allowed.
* Puck is _directed_ with the skate but without a distinct “swinging” kick: can also be allowed.

Own Goals by Defenders

  • Hockey Canada notes that if a defending player kicks the puck into their own net, the goal counts.
  • That means: a defender’s mistake with their skate can still be a legal goal against them.

Equipment Kicks

  • NHL rules even cover players kicking equipment :
    • An attacking player cannot kick a stick, glove, or other equipment at the puck to propel it into the goal.

Is Kicking Ever a Penalty?

Kicking the puck itself is usually not penalized; kicking opponents is where the rulebook gets very strict.

  • USA Hockey Rule 627 defines kicking as deliberately using the skate in a kicking motion to propel the puck or contact an opponent.
  • Penalties:
    • A major plus game misconduct for using the skate to “push off” an opponent in a non-kicking motion.
* A match penalty if a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent or recklessly endangers them by kicking.

So: using your skates creatively on the puck is fine; using them on other players is extremely dangerous and heavily punished.

Different Rulebooks, Same Core Idea

While wording differs, the spirit is similar across major organizations:

[7] [7] [7] [9][5][1] [9] [9][1] [3] [3] [3]
League / Body Kicking the Puck in Play Kicked Goals by Attackers Defender Kicks into Own Net
NHL Allowed to kick puck to self/teammates. No goal if scored by distinct kicking motion or if kicked then deflects in. Counts as a good goal.
USA Hockey Permits kicking the puck in general play. No goal if an attacking player kicks the puck and it goes in directly or via any player. Generally counts if kicked in by defending team.
Hockey Canada “Kicking the puck will be permitted in all zones.” No goal can result from an attacking player’s kicking motion, even after deflections. Goal counts if a defending player kicks it into their own net.
(All table facts are drawn from the cited official/summary rule sources.)

Why This Is a Trending Talking Point

Recently, there have been multiple NHL goals reviewed for “distinct kicking motion,” sparking debate on social media and fan forums about consistency. Clips often show:

“Was he just redirecting the puck, or did he actually kick it?”

Fans argue over slow-motion replays where a player angles their skate, turns their leg, or makes a subtle swipe. Because the decision can swing a tight game, every close call turns into a mini-controversy, which keeps the question “can you kick the puck in hockey?” circulating as a hot topic.

Practical Takeaways for Players

If you’re playing under common North American rules (youth, beer league, or pro-inspired):

  1. Use your skates freely to control the puck.
    • Kick it to your stick, along the boards, or to a teammate.
  2. Avoid a soccer-style shooting motion toward the net.
    • Any obvious leg swing to score will almost certainly be waved off.
  3. Redirect, don’t swing.
    • Turning your skate to angle a pass or shot may still be okay as long as it’s not a clear kicking motion.
  1. Never kick an opponent.
    • Expect major or match penalties and ejection for any dangerous kicking.

Mini TL;DR

  • Yes, you can kick the puck in hockey during normal play.
  • You generally cannot score with a deliberate kick as an attacking player.
  • Accidental or non-kicking deflections off skates can count as good goals.
  • Kicking or attempting to kick opponents is a serious penalty.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.