I'm wondering if anyone on the list is aware that this year there is a
new rule in USA Hockey (kids) that says that a player cannot finish a check
if:  he can avoid doing so;  and,  if the target of the check has gotten rid
of the puck (regardless of whether or anyone else has touched it).
 
     Has there been a corresponding rule change in the NCAA,  the discussion
of which I have been asleep for?   Does anyone know the rationale for this?
  Is it a prelude to something else to make the game even faster?   In
Canada  --  correct me if I'm wrong  --  don't they postpone the
introduction of checking until Juniors precisely to encourage a fast wide
open game?   Of course in Juniors they allow fighting,  too;  but that is
another topic  ....
 
     Since this is only peripherally related to college hockey I'd be
interested in receiving private mail on this topic.   Needless to say I have
a kid who experienced this first hand and for the first time (twice!) in the
championship game of a tournament,  no less!   Until then I had never heard
of it.   No laughing from those of you with kids in the MBHL:-):-)
 
     -- Dick Tuthill
 
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