Some pretty significant rule changes were announced in the NHL. Since NCAA hockey often follows the NHL's lead in these matters, I thought it appropriate to pass along a summary. It will be interesting to see if the offsides rule is changed back to the old way in college puck as well. Info is quoted from Mercury Mail Sports Wrap <[log in to unmask]>: ********** NHL APPROVES RULES CHANGES FOR UPCOMING SEASON The National Hockey League's Board of Governors, which met in New York Wednesday, approved a series of rules changes for the 1996-97 season, one of which should increase the number of faceoffs in each game. The board essentially abolished the delayed offsides rule, requiring that all players be clear of the attacking zone before a puck is shot into that zone. The ability to "tag" and return into the zone was removed and defensive players can legally be checked only when they reach the neutral zone or offsides will be called and play stopped. Today's move is designed to increase the amount of play in the neutral zone. According to another new rule, "any concerted or widespread conduct by the fans which results in the littering of the ice with any type of object will not be tolerated. A two-minute delay of game penalty may be assessed against the home team." The new rule, aimed primarily at Florida fans who pelted the ice with plastic rats following goals last season, will not apply to fans who toss hats onto the ice to celebrate a hat trick. The league adjusted its high-sticking rule, exempting players who strike an opponent "if the act is committed as a normal backswing or follow-through of a ... shooting action." The high-stick standard also was changed from waist to shoulder level. Also, players who receive a major elbowing or charging penalty that results in an injury to an opponent's head or face also will be assessed a game misconduct. ********** -==-John R. Nash-==-Dept of Chemistry, [log in to unmask] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.