NEW YORK (AP) -- The NHL will limit the height of goalie pads next season for the first time ever, forcing about one-third of the league's goaltenders to change their equipment.

The NHL announced Thursday that it was instituting a 38-inch limit on the length of goaltender pads. Previously, the only restriction was that the width not exceed 12 inches.

The league estimated that about one-third of goalies wore pads that exceeded 38 inches last season.

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