all:
got this via USAFA Blue Line Club from Coach Serratore

> Subject: College Hockey rule changes
> Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 06:28:49 -0600
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> We are working on a newsletter and the new membership form but Frank sent
> this to us so I thought I would pass it along to you so you can read up on
> the new rule changes.  Hopefully, you will receive a paper mailing by
> mid-September for the BLC.  Enjoy the rest of summer and we will see you
> soon at the rink or through the newsletters.
> 
> Paula
> 
> 
> 2006 NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules Changes
> 
> Rule 2-3-a, Players in Uniform.
> 
> It was VOTED: "To allow 21 skaters and as many as three goalkeepers for
> exhibition games."
> 
> Rationale: The current rule book does not allow a team to dress more than 18
> players and up to three goalkeepers. This change allows schools to play more
> student-athletes and provide more participation opportunities.
> 
> 
> Rule 2-5, Change of Players - Faceoff Procedure.
> 
> It was VOTED: "To add a section to clarify what the proper faceoff procedure
> is. It will read: The official dropping the puck shall set the players and
> hold the puck at the beltline. When the players are legally set, the
> official shall drop the puck. The official will not present the puck or hold
> the puck away from the beltline."
> 
> Rationale: To create a national standard so that all faceoffs are conducted
> the same way. Previously, there was no written procedure.
> 
> 
> Rule 5, Officiating Systems. The committee voted to add the two-referee,
> two-linesman system to the rules book. The group believes this system should
> be utilized, when possible, in college play and plans to recommend one
> officiating system for all NCAA competition starting in 2008-09.
> 
> Rationale: To allow all leagues who wish to implement this system the
> ability to use it in selected games. The Division I Men's Ice Hockey
> Championship committee has also expressed interest in the system.
> 
> 
> Rule 6-14-a, Face Mask. Altered this rule to allow a minor penalty or major
> at the referee's discretion. Previously, the penalty for this rule was an
> automatic major penalty.
> 
> Rationale: Game officials are not using this rule properly and the committee
> believes giving some discretion will encourage better enforcement.
> 
> 
> Rule 6-18, Goals and Assists. A goal shall be allowed if the puck has been
> directed into the goal by an attacking player with the skate on the ice,
> unless a distinct kicking motion is used. When administering this rule, the
> puck must initially be legally propelled by a stick.
> 
> Note: A kicking motion includes any puck initially propelled by a skate.
> 
> Rationale: This clarification is in line with an interpretation the
> committee communicated during the season. The committee reviewed several
> video examples in this area and decided some additional clarification was
> needed.
> 
> 
> Rule 6-23-a, Hitting From Behind. Add the words "in open ice" to the end of
> this rule.
> 
> Rationale: This change makes it clear that a minor for hitting from behind
> may only be called in the open ice. If the infraction occurs into the boards
> or goal cage, a major and a game misconduct or disqualification must be
> called.
> 
> 
> In the note for 6-23:
> 
> The committee reminds coaches and players that the responsibility remains on
> the player approaching an opponent along the boards in this rule. While
> players turning to draw penalties are a concern, the positive change in
> behavior the committee observed outweighs this issue. Any penalty in
> relation to this rule along the boards or into the goal cage must be a 
> major penalty and a game misconduct or disqualification.
> 
> Rationale: In response to the crackdown on hitting from behind, it was
> requested that the committee make a statement regarding players turning to
> draw a hitting from behind penalty. The group plans to show examples of
> these penalties on its annual pre-season video.
> 
> 
> Rule 6-27-f, Icing. The committee VOTED: "The assistant referee or linesman
> shall have the discretion to waive off apparent icing infractions on
> attempted passes if those passes are deemed receivable.
> 
> Note: The purpose of this section is to enforce continuous action and all
> officials should interpret and apply the rule to produce this result."
> 
> Rationale: The survey indicated a high level of support for this proposal
> and the committee believes every effort should be made to eliminate
> stoppages in the game when appropriate.
> 
> 
> Rule 6-29-c, Goal Crease. Altered this wording to read: "A player of the
> attacking team may stand on the goal crease line or in the goal crease, or
> skate through the goal crease while the attacking team has possession of the
> puck, unless, in the opinion of the official, the player is physically or
> visually preventing the goalkeeper from defending the goal."
> 
> Rationale: This adjustment clarifies that the goalkeeper, first and
> foremost, must be allowed to play the position while in the crease. Any
> physical contact or visual screening while an attacking player is in the
> goal crease must not be allowed.
> 
> 
> Rule 8, Game Protocol. By mutual consent of the competing teams, the game
> protocol may be altered for special presentations (e.g., senior night,
> jersey retirement, anniversary celebrations, etc.). The home team must give
> the visiting team reasonable notice to prepare for this adjustment prior to
> the game.
> 
> Rationale: Allows flexibility for presentations that enhance the
> institution's presentation of the game.
> 
> 
> 
> POINTS OF EMPHASIS
> 
> 
> Hitting From Behind.
> 
> Much as the committee's focus on obstruction fouls changed player behavior a
> few years ago, dangerous hits from behind lessened considerably with last
> year's focus on these penalties. The committee considered intermediate
> penalties (e.g., minor and misconduct, major only, game and misconduct) but
> ultimately decided any lesser option would send the wrong message to
> officials, players and coaches. At the end of the season, players most
> certainly had more respect for their opponents in this area and had altered
> the means of contact as a direct result of the committee's focus on this
> penalty. Reckless checking from behind will not be allowed and the impetus
> remains on the player delivering the hit.
> 
> 
> Goal Crease.
> 
> The goal crease is, first and foremost, the goalkeeper's area. Last year's
> alteration to allow attacking players in the goal crease when a goal is
> scored was not intended to allow interference with the goalkeeper. The
> goalkeeper must be allowed to play the position. Therefore, attacking
> players are not allowed to enter the goal crease and disrupt the goalkeeper
> from playing the position (e.g., screening, minor contact). Officials have
> the option of stopping play and conducting a neutral zone faceoff or calling
> an interference penalty.
> 
> 
> Embellishment.
> 
> The committee is concerned with what seems to be an increase in players
> using deceptive tactics to draw penalties. While the focus on obstruction
> and hitting from behind may have contributed, embellishment must be
> penalized. When players gain an advantage and draw a penalty, they must
> trust officials to make the call and not embellish the penalty.
> 
> 
> 
> EXPERIMENTAL RULES
> 
> 
> Conferences and teams are encouraged to implement these rules 
> experimentally in exhibitions or in conference games.
> 
> 
> 1. When a team is shorthanded, that team is not allowed to ice the puck. 
> 
> 2. When icing is called, the team that iced the puck is not allowed to
> change its players.
> 
> Rationale: To allow institutions the ability to use these rules - which are
> currently being used in the NHL - and provide feedback to the committee. 
> 
> 
> 
> ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION
> 
> 
> The committee would like the hockey community to consider the following
> proposals and their possible affect on the game. The committee will 
> consider these topics starting with the 2008-09 season.
> 
> Eliminating ties. It is the committee's intent to develop a procedure to
> eliminate ties in the game, no later than the 2008-09 season. The committee
> will collect specific suggestions relating to this possible change (e.g.,
> RPI, procedures, shootout, etc.).
> 
> Officiating system. The committee intends to establish one officiating
> system for all levels of college hockey, starting 2008-09. To increase the
> options available for experimentation and discussion, the committee has
> added the two-referee, two-linesman system to the rules book.
> 
> Hand passes. The committee is asking for feedback to either eliminate hand
> passes all together or allow them in all areas of the ice to establish
> consistency.
> 
> Stick construction. The committee would like to explore the elimination of
> one-piece composite sticks. Rationale: These types of sticks break
> frequently and the committee is concerned that this creates potentially
> dangerous situations on the ice.
> 
> 

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