of a factor?....
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NHL to crack down on penalties to improve play
October 03, 2001
New York (Ticker) ? The NHL will continue to crack down on penalties this season in an effort to improve the flow of play and further ensure the health of its players.
In a pair of releases issued Wednesday afternoon, hours before the start of the season, the NHL specified which penalties will be addressed and how players can prevent some injuries.
With scoring down, the NHL began its strict enforcement of the rules last season and will continue it in 2001-02. Among the infractions to be looked at will be slashing and blows to the head.
After introducing obstruction to the NHL vocabulary, the NHL saw a drastic rise in power plays last season. There were 11,282 man-advantage situations in 2000-01 ? over 2,000 more than the previous season.
Along with slashing and hits to the head, the NHL will crack down on line changes, delay of game and diving while continuing to enforce obstruction.
Obstruction was introduced in order to allow players without the puck to skate through the neutral zone unimpeded.
As was the case last year, slashing will not be tolerated. In the past, it was common and accepted to slash a player controlling the puck in the hands to free him from possession.
With concussions occuring at an alarming rate, the NHL has made an example of those guilty of delivering blows to the head and will continue to do so this coming season. The penalty, often the result of an elbow, can lead to suspension.
Such penalties were the focus of the NHL injury analysis panel, which made recommendations to the league based on information gathered over the course of the 2000-01 season.
Led by former NHL goaltender Dave Dryden, the panel recommended that the league continues to focus on reducing deliberate blows to the head. As a result, increased intention will be paid to ?cheap shot? infractions and intentional harassment of players.
The panel also suggested the league encourage, and not force, players to wear visors to reduce the number of facial and eye injuries. Also, chin straps will be required at all times so the helmet remains on the player?s head.
The NHL also will change the playing environment to help reduce injuries. ?Seamless? glass, which is in place at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, will be looked at to improve the walls? flexibility and ability to absorb contact.
Other matters being addressed are standardized 48-inch glass in front of the penalty box and timer?s benches and the improved quality of ice.
With ice surfaces being smoother in some arenas, especially hockey-only buildings, there will be strict restrictions for on-ice activity during pregame skates, intermissions and TV timeouts. Pyrotechnic displays also will be prohibited.
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NHL to crack down on penalties to improve play
October 03, 2001
New York (Ticker) ? The NHL will continue to crack down on penalties this season in an effort to improve the flow of play and further ensure the health of its players.
In a pair of releases issued Wednesday afternoon, hours before the start of the season, the NHL specified which penalties will be addressed and how players can prevent some injuries.
With scoring down, the NHL began its strict enforcement of the rules last season and will continue it in 2001-02. Among the infractions to be looked at will be slashing and blows to the head.
After introducing obstruction to the NHL vocabulary, the NHL saw a drastic rise in power plays last season. There were 11,282 man-advantage situations in 2000-01 ? over 2,000 more than the previous season.
Along with slashing and hits to the head, the NHL will crack down on line changes, delay of game and diving while continuing to enforce obstruction.
Obstruction was introduced in order to allow players without the puck to skate through the neutral zone unimpeded.
As was the case last year, slashing will not be tolerated. In the past, it was common and accepted to slash a player controlling the puck in the hands to free him from possession.
With concussions occuring at an alarming rate, the NHL has made an example of those guilty of delivering blows to the head and will continue to do so this coming season. The penalty, often the result of an elbow, can lead to suspension.
Such penalties were the focus of the NHL injury analysis panel, which made recommendations to the league based on information gathered over the course of the 2000-01 season.
Led by former NHL goaltender Dave Dryden, the panel recommended that the league continues to focus on reducing deliberate blows to the head. As a result, increased intention will be paid to ?cheap shot? infractions and intentional harassment of players.
The panel also suggested the league encourage, and not force, players to wear visors to reduce the number of facial and eye injuries. Also, chin straps will be required at all times so the helmet remains on the player?s head.
The NHL also will change the playing environment to help reduce injuries. ?Seamless? glass, which is in place at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, will be looked at to improve the walls? flexibility and ability to absorb contact.
Other matters being addressed are standardized 48-inch glass in front of the penalty box and timer?s benches and the improved quality of ice.
With ice surfaces being smoother in some arenas, especially hockey-only buildings, there will be strict restrictions for on-ice activity during pregame skates, intermissions and TV timeouts. Pyrotechnic displays also will be prohibited.
