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The NHL Board of Governors on Wednesday adopted a series of rule changes regarding faceoffs and icing that were recommended by general managers and approved by the competition committee.
A change to Rule 76.2 will place the first faceoff of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
A change to Rule 81.1 states that “any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck.”
The amended rule further states that “unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player.”
There was little interest around the league to adopt no-touch icing, which is used in NCAA play, but the rule change likely is in response to the broken leg suffered by Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster on March 19, when he crashed into the boards while chasing San Jose rookie Torrey Mitchell for the puck.
In addition, a change to Rule 85.5 provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
A change to Rule 76.2 will place the first faceoff of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
A change to Rule 81.1 states that “any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck.”
The amended rule further states that “unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player.”
There was little interest around the league to adopt no-touch icing, which is used in NCAA play, but the rule change likely is in response to the broken leg suffered by Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster on March 19, when he crashed into the boards while chasing San Jose rookie Torrey Mitchell for the puck.
In addition, a change to Rule 85.5 provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
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