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NEW HEAD CONTACT RULE TO BE IMPLEMENTED
FOR 2011-2012 SEASON
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For additional information visit Hockey Canada Website.
Charlottetown - The game of amateur hockey will see some significant changes this coming season. At the recent Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting in Calgary, the membership adopted a new rule for head checking. Hockey Canada has called for rule changes to protect players from any contact to the head, both accidental and intentional.
"In minor and female hockey, a minor penalty will be assessed to any player who accidentally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with their stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment. If the contact is intentional then it’s a double minor. A match penalty will be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent under this rule," stated Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson.
Hockey Canada first implemented a head-checking rule in 2004-05 but is asking for clearer, more defined guidelines in time for the 2011-2012 season. The adopted changes have been a result of a more concentrated focus on head injuries and concussions in the game. It is believed that reducing the direct and indirect blows to a players head will help reduce the number of head injuries and concussions in the game.
“Instituting such a change will not reduce head injuries in its entirety,” stated Hockey PEI President Gene Power. “However, this new rule emphasis should certainly help reduce the number of instances in our game and provide a much safer and enjoyable environment for our players. We anticipate the full support of our members and ask for their patience as we introduce this new playing rule.”
Hockey Canada has launched an awareness campaign for players and coaches and has produced videos to help educate people on how to reduce head contact. More information can be found at www.hockeycanada.ca
Below is the wording included in the Hockey Canada Rule Book, outlining when the penalty is to be called and what penalty is to be assessed.
Rule 6.5 – Head Contact
(a) In minor hockey and female hockey, a minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who accidentally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with his stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment.
(b) In minor hockey and female hockey, a double minor penalty or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee and based on the degree of violence of impact shall be assessed to any player who intentionally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with her stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment.
(c) In junior hockey and senior hockey, a minor and a misconduct penalty, or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence of impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent in the head in any manner.
(d) A major and a game misconduct penalty, or a match penalty shall be assessed any player who injures an opponent under this rule.
(e) A match penalty shall be assessed any player who deliberately attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent under this rule.
Note: All contact above the shoulders (neck, face and head) is to be called Head Contact under one of the above (In minor hockey and female hockey).
Clarifications on Head Contact for junior hockey and senior hockey only
Referees should be aware of the tragic consequences of head injuries and concussions and strictly enforce the rule. It is the responsibility of players, team officials and referees to make every attempt possible to reduce the incident of this frightful injury. Team officials can teach players legitimate methods of checking an opponent, while players can be educated to the dangers of checks to the head. The referee has the responsibility to penalize players who contact an opponent in the head. If the referees are consistent and strict in calling infractions that may lead to concussions, then along with the cooperation of players and team officials, these type of fouls and the chances of a player suffering such injuries can be significantly reduced. The Head Contact penalty is based on the “degree of violence of impact” and can be defined in three categories: minimal, moderate and severe.
Minimal impact would be called under other appropriate rules – elbowing, high-sticking, roughing, roughing after the whistle, etc. A glancing blow or minimal impact to the head where a penalty is warranted.
Moderate impact would be a more significant degree of violence without injury that warrants a minor and misconduct penalty under the Head Contact rule.
Severe impact would be a high degree of violence, with or without injury, which warrants a major and game misconduct or a match penalty, at the discretion of the referee under the Head Contact rule.
What previously may have been considered a legal check with a shoulder check to the head shall now be penalized as Head Contact if moderate or severe impact is made. These Head Contact infractions can occur anywhere on the playing surface as a result of the initial contact to the head. Head Contact could also be the result of an open ice hit, with or without the fouled player’s head being down. Body checking has not be been removed from the game, but high hits or targeting the head shall be penalized. A fight is still to be called a fight, not Head Contact. Referees are to strictly enforce penalties that call for infractions as a result of low hits as these types of infractions may increase. The penalty signal for Head Contact will be patting flat (open palm) of the non-whistle hand on the side of the head.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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