There are rule differences between USA Hockey, NC$$, High
School Federation, the NHL, and international hockey, but at the
moment, the only rule book that I have is the 1993-95 USA Hockey
Official Playing Rules.  And I quote:
 
Rule 636          Throwing Stick
 
(a)  When any player or Team Official of the defending team
deliberately throws or shoots a stick or any part thereof or any
other object at the puck in his Defending Zone, the Referee shall
allow the play to be completed and if a goal is not scored, a
penalty shot/optional minor shall be taken by the player
designated by the Referee as the player fouled.
 
    If, however, the goal being unattended and the attacking
player having no defending player to pass and having a chance to
score on an "open goal,", a stick or part thereof or any other
object is thrown or shot by any memebr of the defending team,
thereby preventing a shot on the "open goal," a goal shall be
awarded to the attacking team.
  (Note 1)  If the officials are unable to determine the person
against whom the offense was made, the non-offending team,
through the Captain, shall designate a player on the ice at the
time the offense was committed to take the shot.
  (Note 2)  For the purpose of the rule, an open goal is defined
as one from which a goalkeeper has been removed for an additional
attacking player.
 
(b)  A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the ice
who throws his stick or any part thereof or any other object in
the direction of the puck in any zone, except when such act has
been penalized by a penalty shot or the awarding of a goal.
  (Note)  When a player discards the broken portion of a stick by
tossing it to the side of the rink (and not over the boards) in
such a way as will not interfere with play or an opposing player,
no penalty shall be imposed for so doing.
 
 
    Now after reading this, small wonder that most of the board
members of USA Hockey are attorneys.
 
 
john hack