NCAA Approves Rule Changes
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July 10, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
The NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules Committee has approved final changes to playing rules as well as identified two points of emphasis for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
Points of Emphasis
The rules committee identified two points of emphasis for the upcoming season:
1. Protection of the puck carrier
The committee believes game officials have held a strong standard of obstruction fouls away from the puck carrier in recent seasons as requested. In reviewing how the game is being called at other levels, it has become apparent that more emphasis needs to be placed on the puck carrier and allowing players to showcase offensive creativity and skill.
By moving to the two-referee, two-linesman system, the committee believes referees will be in proper position to more strictly enforce rules in this area. Officials are instructed to call fouls when the puck carrier's hands or arms are impeded or held and not require the puck carrier to fight through such actions to continue an advantage gained.
2. Faceoff protocol and interference
There are two major faceoff issues the committee believes require additional focus. The first area of concern is the faceoff protocol itself. When put in place for the 2004-05, the faceoff protocol was intended to keep the game moving and to discourage unfair tactics from delaying the game. As a reminder, at a stoppage of play, the visiting team has five seconds to make personnel changes after the referee identified the faceoff location. The home team then has eight seconds to change players. When the referee signals the end of the change, the linesman blows the whistle and must drop the puck in no more than five seconds. This standard has slipped in recent seasons and the committee believes a renewed emphasis here is important.
The second area the committee believes must be addressed is interference and obstruction that occurs immediately after a faceoff restarts play. This interference is sometimes subtle and difficult to detect, but often leads to scoring chances by the offense or easy zone clears by the defense. With the two-referee, two-linesman system, the committee again believes this is an area of focus that will benefit by the second referee having responsibility for these fouls.
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