USHL announces preseason testing for 3-on-3 OT, no icing during penalty kills

ushl boxBy @MichaelCaples –

The United States Hockey League announced today that they will have a few rule changes for the 2014-15 season, and that they are testing some more elaborate changes during their preseason play.

The league is currently analyzing the effects a 3-on-3 overtime format would have; during their USHL Fall Classic Week, all games will finish with 3-on-3 overtime sessions no matter what happened in regulation.

(Italics/indentation indicate quoted material from press release)

The competitive environment of the Fall Classic contests, plus having the large number of NHL and collegiate scouts at the event, will allow the League to gather data and input on the alternate overtime format.  The USHL previously experimented with the 3-on-3 overtime during the 2013 preseason.

Also during their Fall Classic Week, the league is removing the ability for a shorthanded team to ice the puck while on the penalty kill. If they do ice the puck, the face-off will take place in their own zone, but they will be able to make a line change.

Both rules are designed to create more offensive situations and both are being examined by professional leagues as potential rule changes in future seasons.  The experimentation by the USHL will provide a sampling that can be reviewed by those leagues, including the NHL.  Previous rule implementation by the USHL has been accepted by the NHL and NCAA, most notably the “hybrid icing” that was created by then USHL Referee-in-Chief Scott Brand in 2007 and been part of the USHL ever since.  The forward-thinking rule has significantly decreased dangerous situations for players and reducing the risk of injury while still maintaining the pace of play.

Other changes already approved for the 2014-15 season include:

Allowing teams to dress 21 players for USHL contests

Previously, the maximum number of players that could dress for a League game was 20.  The pilot program is designed to allow teams additional opportunities for player development and getting young players game experience.  As with previous seasons, the exception to the rule is for USHL games that include Team USA, as both teams in those matchups will be allowed to dress a maximum of 22 players.

Players who lose their helmet must immediately put the helmet back on (with the chin strap fastened) or head right to the bench for a line change

Failure to follow the rule can result in a two-minute minor penalty.  The rule is another step by the USHL to increase player safety, and it follows the lead of the American Hockey League (AHL) which has adopted the rule.

Implementation of the NHL’s ROW – total number of regulation plus overtime wins – as the league’s first tiebreaker for playoff spots