Thus the term "layed the lumber on 'im" was born. :D
You used to be able to stick-check a guy, forcibly lift a guy's stick to steal the puck, or thwack yours across his to prevent him from controlling a pass or take a shot, etc, back in the wooden stick days, without getting a penalty.
But in today's game
if his pussy $200 stick breaks
if your stick touches his sissy hands with those short sissy gloves they wear
if he tucks your stick under his arm and fakes a hook
if he accidentally-on-purpose drops his stick when you thwack him
you end up in the box doing time.
Seriously, when I played the coaches all used to say "keep a solid grip on your stick for chrissakes!"... because if a guy knocked the stick out of your hands it was YOUR fault, not his. (as is the way it should be). Nowadays a guy can just float around the ice gingerly holding onto his stick (like a wimp) and basically inviting someone to tap his shaft.
Don't get me started on the diving.
Personally I think it's a blight on any sport but has no place in the sacred sanctity that is hockey.