NHL Introduces New Rules

Hockey fans Josh Denlinger (right) and Adam Wiland (left) show off the pride of their favorite hockey teams.

By Taylor Bosley
Staff Writer    

As the 2013-2014 NHL season started just a few weeks ago players not only had to worry about their opponents on the ice, but also the new rule changes being implemented this season.

Hybrid icing is a term college hockey fans will be familiar with.  It is now one that all NHL fans must get accustomed to.  Hybrid icing is putting an end to traditional icing that has been in the league since 1937.  

In traditional icing, the play would be brought back to a team’s defensive end if their player shoots the puck the length of the ice from behind the center red line and the other team chases it down to the other end of the ice.

When it comes to hybrid icing, the linesman will have the discretion to blow the play dead if the opposite team that shot the puck the length of the ice will reach the faceoff circle first.   

The goal for hybrid icing is to cut down the amount of injuries that are a result of the hits that come from the hits into the board after the puck is touched.  When two players are skating as fast as they can, the hit that is the result of that can be punishing and at times season or even career ending.  

Along with hybrid icing, players who have played under 25 NHL games must wear a visor.

Another uniform rule is the “no tuck rule.”  This one is a little more controversial.  This rule means players will no longer be able to tuck their jersey into their pants, which was previously not enforced by referees.      

Big name players Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Alex Semin of the Carolina Hurricanes said they do not agree with the rule in an interview with the Washington Post.