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View Full Version : League Gives Ok To New Rules On Shootout, Diving



HAF
09-16-2006, 01:41 PM
http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/news.asp?idNews=21770

Thursday, September 14, 2006
LEAGUE GIVES OK TO NEW RULES ON SHOOTOUT, DIVING

The NHL Board of Governors approved a variety of rule changes pertaining to the curvature of players' sticks and increased the punishment for diving Thursday.

The maximum curve of a player's stick was increased to three-quarters of an inch. The previous max had been one-half inch.

During regulation time or overtime (but not shootouts), a player found to have a stick curved in excess of the allowed maximum amount will be assessed a minor penalty and a $200 fine for the first offense. A second offense in the same season would be accompanied by a minor penalty, plus a fine of $1,000. A third offense in the same season would draw a game misconduct penalty and an automatic one-game suspension. The suspension would double in length for any subsequent violation in the same season.

During shootouts, an opposing team may request measurement of a shooter's stick prior to the shooter's attempt. If the stick is found to be legal, the complaining team will forfeit its next shootout attempt and the player listed for the challenging team’s next attempt will not be permitted to participate until all other eligible players have participated. The team will be fined $5,000 and the team’s coach will be fined $1,000. If the stick is illegal, the offending player will become ineligible to participate in the shootout and the team will forfeit that shootout attempt. The team will be fined $5,000 and the player will be fined $1,000.

In addition, the home team will also be give the option of shooting first or second in the shootout.

The board also approved enhanced measures against "diving" and embellishment of actions in the attempt to draw a penalty. The first such infraction will result in a warning letter being sent to the player or goalkeeper. A second infraction will be accompanied by a $1,000 fine. A third infraction will result in a telephone hearing with the Director of Hockey Operations and a possible one-game suspension. The length of the suspension will double for any subsequent violation.