Updated September 23, 1999
1999-2000 Rule Changes and Rule Emphasis from the CHA
Summary of 1999-2000 Playing Rule Changes
*NEW* Rule 9(c) - Players' Bench
Only players in uniform and a maximum of five team officials shall be permitted to occupy the players' bench. These individuals shall be registered and entered on the Official Game Report. A maximum of five team officials may be recorded on the Official Game Report.
*NEW* Rule 17 - Team Roster
Before the start of the game the Offical in charge of the Visiting Team must be the first to list her line-ups on the Official Game Report.
(No longer do the teams have to specify their starting line-ups.)
*NEW* Rule 19 - Change of Players
*(f) (Note 3)*
When a goaltender leaves her goal area, and proceeds to her players' bench for the purpose of substituting another player, she must be within 10 ft. (3.05 m) of the bench before the substitute may enter the game. If the substitute is made prematurely, the official shall stop the play immediately. There shall be no time penalty to the team making the premature substitution, providing their team has possession of the puck, but the resulting face-off will take place at the centre face-off spot, unless the offending team gains a territorial advantage, then the face-off shall take place where the stoppage occurred, unless otherwise stated in the rules. If the offending team does not have possession of the puck at this time, a Minor penalty will be assessed.
*Situation 6*
During a delayed penalty situation against Team "B", Team "A" is in possession of the puck in their defending zone. There is a stoppage of play for premature substitution of Team "A" goaltender.
Ruling: The face-off shall take place at the nearest neutral zone face-off spot outside Team "A" defending zone.
*NEW* SECTION THREE - EQUIPMENT
Measurement Guidelines -Situation 1All measurements are to be conducted at the referee's crease. Once a determination is made concerning the measurement of a stick or any equipment, the result will be demonstrated at the referee's crease, only to the Captain (or alternate) of the team to be penalized.
(No longer can you measure equipment or sticks in the Official's room.)
*NEW* Rule 21 - Sticks
*(a)*
... In the case of hollowed shaft sticks, the end of the shaft must have a protective cap as well as being covered to protect against injury. ...
*(b)*
The stick shall not exceed 63 inches (1.60 m) from the heel to the end of the shaft, and 12 1/2 inches (31.75 cm) from the heel to the end of the blade. ...
(Lengthened from 60 inches.)
*(f)*
When requested, the Referee shall take the stick to be measured to the Referee's crease at the penalty bench, where the appropriate measurement will be made using a tape measure or stick gauge.
(A dime just won't cut it anymore.)
*Situation 1*
Heel:
Is determined by extending the back side of the shaft and the base of the blade. The point that these two lines intersect shall determine the heel of the stick. The "heel" is one point used in determining the length of the shaft, length of the blade, and the curvature of the blade.Curvature:
The curvature is to be measured at any point along the straight line from the heel of the stick to any point at the toe of the blade. This measurement shall include variations from the top to the bottom of the toe of the blade. This measurement can be completed by using a tape measure or stick gauge.(General clarification.)
*NEW* Rule 23 - Goaltender's Equipment
*Situation 1*
The measurement is made with the pads on the goaltender and she shall be allowed 4 hits on each pad to bring them into alignment. The measurement is to be taken with the goaltender in the standing position and the pads not contacting any fixed object.
This measurement is taken by extending a tape measure at right angles from the outer edge of each pad at its widest point. The measurement may be taken anywhere throughout the length of the goaltender's pad.
(The goalie can now whack his pads up to 4 times each before the measurement is made.)
*Situation 3*
The measurement of the goaltender's blocker or catching glove shall be carried out by the Referee at the Referee's crease. The binding and/or stitching at the edges shall not be included in the measurement of width nor length. The measurement to be made must be specified, whether it is the width or the length to be measured. Keep in mind only one measurement per stoppage.
The blocker is measured with it being removed and it will include the distance of the curvature. The measurement shall be a direct line from the one edge, measured at right angles to the opposite edge. This measurement may be anywhere between the two edges and should include the widest point, following any curvature of the blocker.
The catching glove is measured with it being removed. The glove is allowed to retain the shape that it has developed when being worn by the goaltender and shall not be flattened. The length measurement will not include the depth within the webbing or pocket, it shall be a direct line from the bottom edge, measured at right angles to the top edge, which is a line to the furthest point of the mitt from the base of the glove. The width measurement is made at right angles to the opposite edge across the cuff area only.
(General clarification. Clear as mud?)
*NEW* Rule 24 - Protective Equipment
*(b)*
While on the ice, including pre-game warmups, all players, including goaltenders, shall wear a CSA approved hockey helmet, to which a CSA approved facial protector must be securely attached and not altered in any way. ...
For violations during pre-game warmups, the Referee shall report the infraction on the official game report to the President.
*(b) Note 4*
... Any goaltender on the bench, as a minimum, is required to properly weal the same protective head equipment as the players. For a violation of this rule, a warning shall be issued to the team. The second and subsequent violations by the same team will result in a Bench Minor penalty being assessed against the offending team.
*Situation 22*
In cases where a player's chin strap is not securely fastened, the linesman shall remove the player(s) from the ice prior to the commencement of play.
Only that player or players shall be allowed to be substituted.
This same procedure would also apply concerning other items involving protective or dangerous equipment (Example- sweater sleeves pulled up, exposing elbow pads).
*NEW* Rule 25 - Dangerous Equipment
*(b)*
No player is permitted to wear a sweater or pants modified or altered to gain an advantage or compromise safety.
*(e)*
For a violation of this rule a warning shall be issued to the team. Any subsequent violations to any player on the same team shall result in a minor penalty to the offending player.
*NEW* Rule 26 - Puck
... it is recommended the official CHA puck be used, with the exception of Novice and below, where it shall be one inch (2.54 cm) thick and three inches (7.62 cm) in diameter and may weigh not less than 4 ounces (113.4 g) and be clearly identified.
(Teams novice age or below will use a lighter puck.)
*NEW* Rule 27(b) - Penalties
Any player or team official may be assessed penalties at any time before, during, or after a game, when an offense is committed on the ice or off the ice before entering the dressing rooms. Any altercations occurring off the ice must be reported to the President on the official game report by the Referee. ...
(The game starts when the Referee pulls into the parking lot, and ends when he drives away.)
*NEW* Rule 35 - Penalty Shot
*(b)*
The goaltender must remain in her goal crease until the designated player touches the puck at centre ice, and in the event of a violation of this rule, the player designated or selected to take the shot shall be entitled to take the shot over again.
(No longer does the goalie have to wait for the player to cross the blue line before he can move.)
*(f)*
If, while the Penalty Shot is being taken, any player of the opposing team shall have by some action interfered with or distracted the player taking the Shot, and because of such action the shot should have failed, a second attempt shall be permitted and the Referee shall assess a Misconduct penalty to the player. If the interference is from a team official, a game misconduct shall be assessed.
*Situation 3 #4*
A player of the opposing team who distracts a player taking a Penalty Shot is to be assessed a Misconduct penalty (whether a goal is scored or not) and if the Penalty Shot fails, another attempt is awarded - Rule 35(f). If it were a team official involved, the penalty assessed would be a Game Misconduct rather than the Misconduct.
*Situation 13*
After having been penalized for the first infraction during a Penalty Shot, if a goaltender commits an infraction calling for a Minor or Major penalty during the second attempt, she shall be assessed a Misconduct plus an automatic Game Misconduct penalty (Rule 31(c)).
*NEW* Rule 42 - Linesmen
*(d)*
Linesmen shall point out the offender and report to the Referee at the first stoppage, their version of any infraction of the rules which incurs a double minor penalty for Rules 49b (Head-butting), d (Grabbing/pulling hair or head/facial protection), f (Butt-ending) and g (Spearing), as well as any infraction which incurs a Major or Match penalty, or any conduct calling for a Bench Minor, Misconduct, Game Misconduct or Gross Misconduct penalty.
(Linesmen can now report double minors to the Referee. That doesn't mean he necessarily has to call them, however.)
*Situation 2*
Linesmen should report the following infractions to the Referee, at the first stoppage of play:
...
5. An infraction of the rules which incurs a Double Minor penalty for Rules 49(b), (d), (f) & (g), as well as any infraction which incurs Major or Match penalty or any Bench Minor, Misconduct, Game Misconduct, or Gross Misconduct penalty.
*Situation 4*
Question:
Can a Linesman report a Double Minor penalty for spearing, butt-ending, head butting, or any situation involving grabbing of hair, facial protector, helmet, or chin strap?Answer:
Yes, the Linesman shall report the foul to the Referee at the first stoppage of play and the Referee may assess the penalty.
*NEW* Rule 47 - Abuse of Officials, Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Misconduct
*(f)*
... A team official who is assessed a penalty under this Rule shall be assessed a Game Misconduct immediately for the first infraction.
Notwithstanding the above, at the discretion of the Referee, a Gross Misconduct penalty may be assessed for a first infraction to any player or team official.
(Note): Officials must complete a game report and report to the President any penalty incurred under this section of the Rule.
(No more Bench Minor to the coach for arguing your call.)
*Situation 8*
In cases where a single minor penalty has been assessed and the penalized player is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct, the referee is encouraged to assess the additional minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, if a teammate on the ice is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct, the Referee is encouraged to assess a Misconduct penalty in this situation.
(Remember this one. We now have a guideline for when to call a 2 and when to call a 10.)
*NEW* Rule 48 Situation 5 - Adjustment of Equipment
A delayed penalty is signaled against Team "A". Team "B" goaltender proceeds to his players bench.
RULING:
1) If the goaltender substitution has not been completed, the goaltender must not continue to the players bench, unless he is within the 10 ft. (3m) area of his players bench.
2) In situations of penalties after the whistle, the goaltender must not proceed to the players bench.Officials are encouraged to intervene prior to the goaltender getting to the players bench. Thus avoiding having to penalize the goaltender or having to be replaced by the substitute goaltender.
*NEW* Rule 49 - Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury
*(f)*
... A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who uses the shaft of the stick above the upper hand to hold or hook an opponent.
(No longer a double minor.)
*Situation 7*
The hooking or holding of an opponent with the butt-end of a stick (usually in the chest or stomach area). Referees are encouraged to stop this type of infraction by calling a Minor penalty for butt-ending.
*NEW* Rule 50(a) - Boarding and Body Checking
... If a player is injured a Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct must be assessed.
*NEW* Rule 52(b) - Charging
A Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct shall be assessed any player who charges a goaltender while the goaltender is within his crease, or who injures an opponent as a result of a charge.
*NEW* Rule 55(e) - Delay of Game
If in the last two minutes of regular playing time or anytime in overtime, a team is penalized for any of the following infractions, a Penalty Shot shall be awarded against the offending team: Deliberate Illegal Substitution - 19(f); Protective Equipment - 24(c); Deliberately Knocking the Goal Net from its Position - 55(c); Refusing to Start Play - 78(a).
(Note): In overtime, a Penalty Shot shall be assessed under this rule, except in the case of Rule 78(a) - Refusing to Start Play, in which case a Penalty Shot and a Major Penalty shall be assessed.
*NEW* Rule 56(b) - Elbowing and Kneeing
A Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct shall be assessed any player who injures an opponent by elbowing or kneeing.
*NEW* Rule 57 - Face-offs
*(i)*
When a goal is illegally scored as a result of the puck being deflected directly off the Referee or Linesman DIRECTLY into the net, the face-off shall take place at the nearest end-zone face-off spot.
*Situation 5*
PROCEDURE:
The determining factor as to what end zone face-off spot a face-off will take place, is determined by the side of the ice on which the puck is shot, unless it is frozen on the ice by the goaltender, then the face-off will take place on the side of the ice the goaltender froze the puck.*Situation 6*
In the case of player movement in preparing for end zone face-offs, the attacking team must be first to take their position, the defending team has the right to set up their defence, subsequent to the attacking players taking their position.
For a violation of this rule, a warning shall be issued to that team, a subsequent violation during the same stoppage of play will result in a minor penalty for delay of game.
(This does not refer to who puts their stick down first. The visiting centre must always be the first to put his stick down.)
*Situation 15*
The Referee has signalled a delayed penalty on a player of Team "A". Team "B" shoots the puck into Team "A"'s end zone which results in the Linesman signalling a delayed off-side. Team "A" gains possession of the puck resulting in a stoppage of play for the delayed penalty.
QUESTION: Where is the resulting face-off?
ANSWER: The puck shall be faced-off at the point from which it was shot, in accordance with Rule 57 (g).
NOTE: This same principle would apply if the defending team is called for high sticking the puck in their defending zone during a delayed off-side.
*NEW* Rule 59 - Fighting and Roughing
*Situation 20*
... The rules specifically state that one player may be assessed a Major plus a Game Misconduct for fighting and the opposing player a Minor for roughing or perhaps not assessed any penalty, in this case the player receiving the major penalty would also receive an extra minor penalty as aggressor.
*Situation 21*
In a situation where 2 willing combatants each drop their gloves and square off to fight, the player of Team "A" knocks the player of Team "B" down with the first punch.
RULING: Assess each player 5 minutes for fighting plus a Game Misconduct. There is no instigator nor aggressor penalty assessed, as both players were willing combatants.
NOTE: This is only applied where both combatants are willing to fight. In a situation where a player is blindsided or sucker punched, only the one player will be assessed the fighting major, plus a Game Misconduct, plus a Minor penalty for aggressor.
*NEW* Rule 60 - Goals and Assists
*(c)*
The goal shall NOT be allowed if the puck has been directed into the net as a result of a distinct kicking motion by an attacking player.
*(d)*
... The goal shall not be allowed if thrown or deliberately directed into the net by any part of the body of an attacking player other than his skate.
*NEW* Rule 61 - Handling the Puck
*(a)*
When a player simply closes her hand on the puck and immediately drops it to the ice, without gaining or attempting to gain an advantage by this action, play shall be allowed to continue.
*Situation 8*
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CLOSING YOUR HAND ON THE PUCK
1. A player closes her hand on the puck, and then throws the puck - stop play immediately and a Minor penalty must be assessed.
...
*NEW* Rule 65 - Icing the Puck
*(e)*
The "icing the puck" infraction shall not be called and play shall continue when:
(1) The puck has touched any part of an opposing player, her stick, or skates;
(2) The puck has touched the goaltender, her skates, or stick at any time before crossing the goal line.(The part about "the puck going through the crease" has been removed. Now, if the puck passes through the crease and crosses the goal line without entering the net, it is called icing.)
*Situation 9*
The puck is shot by a player standing behind the centre red line. The puck goes down the ice through the goal crease then over the goal line. ICING.
*NEW* Rule 73 - Passes and Off-side Passes
*Situation 6*
The puck is passes by a player behind her blue line to a teammate who has both skates over the centre red line, but who stops the puck with her stick back of the red line. NO OFF-SIDE PASS YET, as the puck has not yet crossed the centre red line. Should the player in this position now pull the puck over the centre red line, OFF-SIDE PASS. However, should the player put one skate on the centre red line, then pull back the puck over the centre red line while that one skate is still on the line, NO OFF-SIDE PASS.
*Situation 7*
The puck is passed by a player behind her blue line to a teammate who has both skates over the centre red line, but who stops the puck with her stick back of the red line. The player, in this position, now passes the puck across the ice to a player who is also over the centre red line. OFF-SIDE PASS. The same would apply if, in this position, the puck deflects off her stick and continues on over the centre red line.
NOTE: Stop play as soon as the puck crosses the centre red line.
*Situation 10*
A player standing with her skates back of her blue line has the puck on her stick which is over the plue line (puck and stick are over the blue line). While in this position, she passes the puck to a teammate who is over the centre red line. NO OFF-SIDE PASS. However, if when passed, the puck was either on or partially touching the blue line, OFF-SIDE PASS.
*NEW* Rule 75 (a) - Puck Out of Bounds or Unplayable
... The resulting face-off shall be where the puck last touched a player, her skates or stick, or an official, except when otherwise stated in the rules.
*NEW* Rule 84 Situation 1 - Time of Game
TIME-OUT GUIDELINES
...
5. The Referee should allow the calling of a time-out at a stoppage of play, at any time up to the point of dropping the puck for a face-off or a face-off violation.
6. Subsequent to the time-out, the line change procedure shall recommence.
1998-99 RULES EMPHASIS -- Also apply for 1999-2000
CHA Memo from Bob MacKinnon, Chairman of the Board
July 9, 1998Great strides were taken during the course of the past two seasons to raise the awareness of all members of the hockey establishment and the general public that abuse directed at our on-ice officials in any form is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. However, we can still improve in this area. Everyone involved in our game at every level must do everything possible to remove this ugly behaviour from our great game. Too many of our officials are turning away from the game due to this abuse that they have been subjected to time and time again.
Officials too must be part of the solution. Officials must be encouraged to assess the appropriate penalties to coaches and players who display disrespect for their decisions or who abuse them in any fashion. However, officials must also not use the ZERO TOLERANCE initiative as a barrier to communication. In fact, officials are encouraged to communicate more with coaches when it is deemed appropriate and will be of benefit to all concerned.
Emotion is an inherent trait in our game. But it must be vented in the appropriate manner. It cannot be directed at the on-ice officials, nor should it be directed at the players in any form of harassment or abuse. With all of us working together, we can eliminate the ideology that it is okay to direct abuse at our on-ice officials.
Officials cannot allow REVERSE ABUSE to flourish either. This can be best described by officials who use the zero tolerance policy as a wall to communication, and at times, display abusive behaviour themselves thinking they are now immune from criticism. This, of course, is not the intent of the zero tolerance policy. Officials who themselves display abusive behaviour to others, will be disciplined. The branch Referees-in-Chief have indicated that they will investigate all reports of reverse abuse.
Related to abuse and reverse abuse is TRASH TALKING. A new rule has been established that relates to verbal taunts, insults, or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds. Officials are instructed to be diligent in applying this rule. There is no room in our game for this type of behaviour. Officials are also reminded to ensure that they write a game report any time they assess a penalty under this new rule. Administrators must track these penalties and consider supplementary discipline to repeat offenders.
The remaining rules the MUST continue to be emphasized are:
- CHECKING FROM BEHIND - We want to eliminate any contact from behind. It is a dangerous and cowardly act. If a player is ever in doubt, the player is being instructed to STOP. Officials are expected to err on the side of safety and penalize "borderline" checking from behind.
- OBSTRUCTION - Quite simply put, it was designed to allow the skilled players the opportunity to display their talents without being impeded by the less skilled player. Although a concerted effort by both the Officiating Program and the Coaching Program was made to deliver the message (using the NHL video), there are really four types of infractions that should be called and would satisfy the concerns raised by the "obstruction guidelines". They are:
1. Use of the stick to restrain or impede the progress of an opposing player not in possession of the puck. This is often easy to spot because the offending player stops skating and "waterskis" behind the player.
2. Use of the free hand to hold or impede an opposing player not in possession of the puck or to hold the stick of an opposing player.
3. Deliberate check or "pick" on a player not in possession of the puck. This usually results from the offending player not having body position on his or her opponent prior to contact.
4. Deliberately pushing an opponent over his/her attacking blue line causing an off-side and resulting in a stoppage of play.
These four examples are certainly not every example of obstruction, but are clearly the most prominent. If we eliminate these tactics from being taught in practices and continue to encourage officials to penalize these infractions, we will be successful in permitting the skilled player to play the game as it is intended.
- STICK WORK. Allowing a player to slash, spear, high stick, cross-check or butt-end an opponent should never be accepted. Stick work demonstrates a lack of skill, determination and respect and must be penalized accordingly.
- HIGH HITS (contact physically or with a stick to another players head area). High hits demonstrate a lack of respect and fair play and must be penalized.
- Restraining fouls, acts of HOLDING, HOOKING AND INTERFERENCE inhibit the development of skills. When enforcing these rules the official must concentrate on the fact the puck carrier must be given the opportunity to show his/her skills by creating space. This is also applicable to the non-puck carrier (obstruction guidelines).
- FACE-OFF ENCROACHMENT. The rules relating to face-off encroachment must be applied to the letter. Centres shall not be permitted to move (stick or body) prior the drop of the puck. Wingers (or defencemen) who enter the circle or who cross over to the opponent's side of the face-off location must not be permitted to do so. This must be enforced at EVERY face-off throughout the game. Use of the face-off restraining lines must be used as designed.
- ROUGHING AFTER THE WHISTLE. Any contact after the whistle is unacceptable. It causes delays and deteriorates the standard of play. The player first identified of being guilty of unnecessary rough play after the whistle must always be penalized. If the referee cannot overlook the retaliation, then the player first identified as causing unnecessary rough play after the whistle may be assessed four minutes while the retaliator is assessed two minutes. In some cases this may not be possible, however, the key factor is that the team guilty of the initial "roughing after the whistle" should end up shorthanded. By enforcing this at the first occurrence and every occurrence following in every game, it will help to eliminate this type of behaviour. Any late contact around the net or goaltender is very dangerous and should be penalized.
The enjoyment derived from playing hockey can be overshadowed by events or tactics that are intended to subvert the skill or safety of the participants. Canadian Hockey is aiming to eliminate these events and tactics through education and strict application of selected rules. In this way the "standard of play" is expected to rise as time passes.
It takes teamwork to bring about change. Coaches, managers, officials, owners, trainers, players, parents and administrators must take ownership to affect change regarding the rules emphasis for the 1998/99 season. We must all demonstrate awareness and support for the application of the rules, the spirit of the rules and the respect of the rules.
This page is dedicated to the memory of my Dad, H. JOHN MILLS, who taught me the qualities of being a good Official; Professionalism, Integrity, Dedication and Humour. I owe my Officiating success to him. - Rob Mills
