Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras received one of the NHL’s most unusual penalties during a September 24, 2026 preseason game against the Boston Bruins: a two-minute minor because his jersey was tucked into his hockey pants.
The penalty was not the result of a new ban specifically created for jersey tucking. Instead, the NHL is placing renewed emphasis on existing equipment rules for the 2026-27 season. Players are expected to begin each shift with their jerseys untucked, and Zegras was penalized after officials had already warned him about the violation.
Why Did Trevor Zegras Get A Penalty For His Jersey?
Zegras was assessed a two-minute minor for an equipment violation at 9:51 of the second period of Philadelphia’s 2-0 preseason victory over Boston. His jersey was tucked into the back of his pants when he began his shift. [Flyers]
The NHL’s 2026-27 enforcement standard requires players to have their jerseys untucked when they begin a shift. If the jersey naturally rides or becomes tucked while the player is skating, that does not automatically produce a penalty. The player is expected to correct it before beginning the next shift. [Sportsnet]
Zegras had already received a warning earlier in the game. When he returned to the ice with the jersey tucked again, officials assessed the minor penalty. Zegras explained afterward that he normally plays with his jersey tucked and simply forgot about the warning when he returned for another shift. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
What Is The NHL Jersey Tuck Rule?
The rule comes from the NHL’s regulations governing protective equipment rather than a standalone rule saying that players can never tuck in their jerseys.
Rule 9.5 requires most protective equipment to be worn underneath the uniform. If an official determines that a player’s equipment is not being worn according to league regulations, the player can be instructed to correct it. A subsequent violation can result in a minor penalty. [NHL]
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association also revised Rule 9.5 as part of their 2025 agreement. The language provides for a warning, followed by a delay-of-game minor if the player fails to correct the equipment issue. Further violations can escalate to misconduct penalties. [NHL/NHLPA]
For 2026-27, the league has told teams that proper equipment use will be an officiating emphasis. That includes jerseys as well as equipment such as helmets, visors and neck protection. [Sportsnet]
NHL Jersey Tuck Rule Explainer Infographic
Can An NHL Player’s Jersey Become Tucked In During Play?
Yes. The important distinction is when the jersey becomes tucked.
Under the NHL’s current enforcement approach, a player is expected to begin a shift with the jersey untucked. If the jersey rides up or becomes tucked during normal play, officials are not supposed to penalize the player simply because that happened. The player needs to fix the jersey before beginning the next shift. [Sportsnet]
That is why Zegras’ situation resulted in a penalty. He did not merely have his jersey become tucked during the action; he began another shift with it tucked after officials had already warned him.
Why Does The NHL Care If A Jersey Is Tucked In?
The rule is tied to the NHL’s broader requirement that protective equipment be properly covered by the uniform. A tucked jersey can expose the upper padding of a player’s hockey pants or other protective equipment and potentially obscure part of the player’s uniform number. [Scouting The Refs]
The league’s enforcement is therefore technically an equipment issue rather than a fashion rule. Players can still have a jersey become displaced during normal hockey action; they simply need to have it properly positioned when they begin their next shift.
Was The Trevor Zegras Jersey Penalty A New NHL Rule?
No. The underlying equipment rule has existed for decades. What changed was the NHL’s decision to emphasize enforcement again.
The league conducted a similar crackdown during the 2013-14 season. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who was well known for playing with his jersey tucked into his pants, publicly criticized the enforcement at the time. The emphasis eventually faded, and jersey-tuck penalties became extremely rare. [Scouting The Refs]
According to Scouting The Refs, Zegras’ penalty was the first recorded NHL jersey-tuck penalty in roughly 13 years. The previous known calls came during the league’s 2013 crackdown. [Scouting The Refs]
What Happens If A Player Keeps Tucking In His Jersey?
The NHL’s enforcement process is progressive. A player can first be warned to correct the equipment problem. Continuing to begin shifts with the jersey improperly tucked can then result in a two-minute minor. Further violations can lead to a misconduct. [Sportsnet]
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said after the Boston game that Zegras would have to use his jersey tie-down to help keep the sweater in place. Tocchet stressed that Philadelphia could not afford to take that kind of penalty once regular-season games began. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Did The Zegras Penalty Hurt The Flyers?
No. Boston did not score on the resulting power play. Philadelphia also had to kill part of a five-on-three disadvantage after Jett Luchanko was called for hooking later in the period, but the Flyers kept the Bruins scoreless and won 2-0. [Flyers]
The bigger significance of the Zegras penalty was what it demonstrated for the rest of the NHL: the league’s renewed equipment enforcement is not merely a preseason suggestion. Officials are prepared to penalize players who continue to start shifts with their jerseys tucked after receiving a warning.
