NHL Peachy: 2013-14 Season Information -- Rule Changes

RULE CHANGES/ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2013-14

APPROVED GOAL FRAME

Note – The bottom depth of the frame is moved from 44” to 40” and the side radius is reduced from 20” to 18”; resulting in 4” reduction per side. The total width of the bottom of the frame is changed from 96” to 88”. There is no change to the opening of the goal frame.

Rule 9 – UNIFORMS

As directed by the general managers, and to further the League’s initiatives in the area of player safety, there will be strict enforcement of how equipment is worn per Rule 9. See below for specifics.

9.7 Visors – Beginning with the 2013-2014 season, all players who have fewer than 25 games of NHL experience must wear a visor properly affixed to their helmet. Visors are to be affixed to the helmets in such a fashion as to ensure adequate eye protection.

Rule 11 – GOALKEEPER’S EQUIPMENT

Note – The new formula for vertical pad height (Limiting Distance Size) effective this season is Floor to Knee + 45% (reduced from 55%) of Knee to Pelvis + 4” (inch) skate allowance.

Rule 11.2 Leg Guards – The leg guards worn by goalkeepers shall not exceed eleven inches (11”) in extreme width when on the leg of the player. Each goalkeeper must wear pads that are anatomically proportional and size specific based on the individual physical characteristics of that goalkeeper. The League’s Hockey Operations Department will have the complete discretion to determine the maximum height of each goalkeeper’s pads based on measurements obtained by the League’s Hockey Operations Department, which will include the floor to center of knee and center of knee to pelvis measurements. Each goalkeeper will be given a Limiting Distance Size based on these measurements. The Limiting Distance Size will be the sum of the floor to knee and 45% of the knee to pelvis measurements plus a four inch (4”) allowance for the height of the skate. The Limiting Distance Size is a vertical measurement from the playing surface and will be measured with the Limiting Distance Gauge when inspected at the clearing house phase and during post game spot checks to ensure compliance. Any pads deemed too large for a goalkeeper will be considered illegal equipment for that goalkeeper, regardless of whether or not they would have fallen within previous equipment maximums. The minimum length of the boot of the pad is to be no less than seven inches (7”). The goal pad must have a defined boot channel with no inserts. The channel must be big enough so that the skate slots into it and is not resting on the pad. No attachments such as plastic puck foils are permitted. Pads can only be ten and one-half inches (101/2”) deep. The measurement will be taken from the front face of the pad to the last edge of the inner knee protection.

Rule 46 – FIGHTING

Note – The instigating an altercation with a face shield language from Rule 46.6 has been deleted. An additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will no longer be assessed.

46.6 Helmets – No player may remove his helmet prior to engaging in a fight. If he should do so, he shall be assessed a two minute minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Helmets that come off in the course of and resulting from the altercation will not result in a penalty to either player.

Rule 48 – ILLEGAL CHECK TO THE HEAD

Note – The NHL has amended the wording to NHL Rule 48.1. The on-ice officials’ standard of enforcement of this rule is unchanged.

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted.

In determining whether contact with an opponent’s head was avoidable, the circumstances of the hit including the following shall be considered:

(i) Whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponent’s body and the head was not “picked” as a result of poor timing, poor angle of approach, or unnecessary extension of the body upward or outward.

(ii) Whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position by assuming a posture that made head contact on an otherwise full body check unavoidable.

(iii) Whether the opponent materially changed the position of his body or head immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to the head contact.

Rule 81 – ICING

The attainable pass language from Rule 81.5 has been deleted. The officials are to wave off icing only if the player touches the puck.

HYBRID ICING

Note – Hybrid icing will be tested in the pre-season. A vote by the NHL Players’ Association prior to the regular season will determine if hybrid icing will be incorporated for the full 2013-14 season.

Rule: For the purpose of interpretation of the rule, there are two judgments required for “icing the puck”. The Linesman must first determine that the puck will cross the goal line. Once the Linesman determines that the puck will cross the goal line, icing is completed upon the determination as to which player (attacking or defending) would first touch the puck. This decision by the Linesman will be made the instant the first player reaches the end zone face-off dots with the player’s skate being the determining factor. Should the puck be shot down the ice in such a manner that it travels around the boards and/or back towards the end zone face-off dots, the same procedure shall be in effect in that the Linesman shall determine within a similar distance as to who will have touched the puck first.