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New Rule Adoptions
The following is a list of the many rule changes that took effect starting with the 1996/1997 NHL season.
[Sticks] [Major Penalties] [High Sticking] [Elbowing] [Charging] [Head-Butting] [Kicking] [Instigator] [Undressing] [Face-Offs] [Offsides]

Sticks

    The maximum stick length permitted under the NHL Rules will be increased from the existing 60" to 63" to accommodate the increased height of many NHL players

Major Penalties

    During the last five minutes of regulation time, or at any time in overtime, when a minor penalty and a major penalty are assessed to two opposing team players on the same stoppage of play, the three-minute differential shall be served immediately as a major penalty. This prevents a club from losing the differential it deserves on the play. In such an instance, the club of the play receiving the major penalty must place two players in the penalty box. The differential will be placed on the score clock as a three-minute penalty, and shall be served as a major penalty, meaning that an unlimited number of goals may be scored on the resulting power play.

High Sticking

    A player will be permitted accidental contact on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal back-swing or follow-through of a player's shooting action. Also, the high stick standard has been changed from waist to shoulder level.

Elbowing

    When a major penalty is imposed for an elbowing foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct will now be assessed.

Charging

    When a major penalty is imposed for a charging foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct will now be assessed.

Head-Butting/Butt-Ending/Spearing

    The new rules will see a double minor penalty on a player who attempts to head-butt, butt-end, or spear an opponent or a major game misconduct penalty on a player who head-butts, butt-ends, or spears an opponent. The referee may also still impose a match penalty.

Kicking The Puck

    The existing standard for allowing goals off a skate has been amended to allow all goals scored off a skate unless the gol is scored due to "a distinct kicking motion" by the player.

Instigator Penalty

    Rule 54(a) has been amended to permit a player who receives a penalty under Rule 54(a) to stay in the game on his first offense. The applicable penalties and/or suspensions are as follows:
    • Instigator of an altercation - 2 minutes (instigator), 5 minutes (fighting), 10 minutes (misconduct)
    • 2nd instigator in the same game - 2, 5, and a game misconduct
    • 3rd instigator in the same season - 2-game suspension (plus 2, 5, and a game misconduct)
    • 4th instigator in the same season - 4-game suspension (plus 2, 5, and a game misconduct)
    • 5th instigator in the same season - 8-game suspension (plus 2, 5, and a game misconduct)

Undressing In A Fight

    A player who engages in fistcuffs, and whose sweater is removed other than through the actions of his opponents in the fight or through the actions of the linesman shall receive a game misconduct penalty. Second, a player who engages in fistcuffs and who is not tied down and loses his sweater in that fight, shall receive a game misconduct penalty.

Face-Offs

    New oce markings have been instituted in the four face-off circles to place the players' feet properly, and the players will be required to line up with their skates inside these markings. Players will also be required to place their sticks on the ice prior to the drop of the puck (visiting team first) by placing them the the white portion of the face off circles presently in use.

Preceding Puck Into Attack Zone

    The league will revert to the "old" rule (last in effect in the 1986-1987 season) for delayed off-side situations, which is the rule actually described by the language of Rule 71(c). The purpose of Rule 71(c) was to allow play to proceed only in the event that the puck was intecepted "at or near the blue-line." The change will allow play to proceed in the event that an errant pass causes the off-side, or if possession is secured immediatly by the defending team. In all other cases, an intentional off-side will be assessed, and the resulting face-off will take place in the defensive zone of the club causing the face-off.

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