This is an article from the NCAA News about the changes to the NCAA rules
by the Men's Ice Hockey Committee.
ICE HOCKEY SEEKS CONSISTENCY WITH NEW SITE PROCEDURES
Citing inconsistency in pregame and game procedures, the NCAA Men's Ice
Hockey Rules Committee has adopted several measures to provide uniformity
from site to site.
At its annual meeting May 6-8 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the committee
created a common time schedule and game protocol to be used for each game,
regardless of site.
It is the sense of the committee that a uniform or consistent structure
would benefit both teams, officials and game personnel.
The committee voted that teams, as part of the game protocol, must adhere
to the following guidelines:
Upon entering the ice for warm-ups, teams must proceed directly to and
remain in their designated half of the ice. Teams must warm up in the half
of the ice they will defend in the first period.
When both teams are to leave the ice through a common exit, the team whose
players' bench is closest to the exit shall leave the ice first. On-ice
officials may hold or direct players at their discretion.
Upon re-entering the ice for team introductions, players must proceed
directly to and remain in their designated half of the ice. At the
five-minute mark, both teams must be assembled on their respective goal
lines.
As starters are introduced, they shall proceed to their respective
bluelines, followed by the remaining team members (the goalkeeper may stay
in the crease area). Players shall remain stationary on the blueline for
the completion of the national anthem. Players may huddle at their
respective goal only before the start of the game.
Upon the referee's direction, starting players shall line up for the
face-off; remaining players shall proceed directly to their respective
benches.
For subsequent periods, starting players shall remain in their half of the
ice and proceed to the center-ice face-off positions. All remaining players
shall proceed directly to their benches.
To ensure adherence to the game protocol, the committee voted that a bench
minor penalty shall be assessed against a team not complying with the
guidelines.
In a related matter, the committee voted to increase the length of
intermission between each period from 12 to 15 minutes. The intermission
will commence when the referee signals the timekeeper to start the clock.
Player safety and conduct
In addition to the development of the game protocol, the committee took
action on issues relating to player safety and conduct -- specifically,
charging and use of the mouthguard.
Adamant about reducing the risk of player injury, the committee cited
charging as a point of emphasis and revised its definition to state that
charging shall mean the action of a player who, as a result of distance
traveled, shall check an opponent violently in any manner.
Previously, a player was considered to have charged an opponent if two
steps or strides were taken by that player.
Regarding the mouthguard, the committee voted to add it to the list of
equipment that cannot be challenged.
At its 1996 annual meeting, the committee voted that a player who does not
wear the mandatory protective mouthguard will receive a misconduct penalty
and be replaced on the ice for an initial violation of the rule. For a
second violation by the same player in the same game, a game misconduct
penalty will be assessed.
Other highlights
Men's Ice Hockey Rules Committee
May 6-8/Hilton Head, South Carolina
In addition to charging, cited holding the stick, hitting from behind
and ethical behavior as points of emphasis for 1997-98.
Recommended to the NCAA Administrative Committee that commercial,
institutional and conference logos and/or names be allowed in the ice only
in the neutral zone. (Rule 1-2-b-Note)
Adopted the face-off markings currently used by the National Hockey
League. The markings require that, 1 foot from the outer edge of the
face-off spot, two lines shall be drawn parallel with the sideboards. The
lines shall be four feet in length and 18 inches apart. Parallel to the
end boards, commencing at the end of the line nearest to the face-off spot,
a line shall extend 2 feet,
10 inches, in length. All lines shall be 2 inches in width.
Determined that jerseys that are white, gold, yellow or light blue are
examples of light-colored jerseys that cannot be worn by the visiting team.
(Rule 2-1-b Note)
Determined that an assistant referee can stop play to report a goal to
the referee. (Rule 5-4-c-10)
Adopted the following time schedule as part of game protocol (Rule 7):
Put 60 minutes on the clock and start exactly one hour before game.
43:00 -- Notify teams that five minutes remain before they are to take the
ice for warm-up.
39:00 -- Officials take ice for warm-up.
38:00 -- Home team takes ice for warm-up, followed by visiting team.
24:00 -- Horn sounds, signaling one minute remaining in warm-up; team
captains meet with
officials.
23:00 -- Both teams off ice.
15:00 -- Starting lineups submitted.
10:00 -- Notify teams that three minutes remain before they are to take the
ice.
8:00 -- Officials take ice.
7:00 -- Home team takes ice, followed by visiting team.
6:00 -- Horn sounds, signaling teams to assemble on their respective goal
lines.
5:00 -- Starting lineups announced; national anthem.
0:00 -- Timekeeper puts 20 minutes on clock; game starts.
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Deron Treadwell ([log in to unmask])
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