skip navigation

2021-25 USA Hockey Rule Changes

By KH, 11/01/21, 9:30PM CDT

Share

Every four years, USA Hockey’s Board of Directors votes on proposed rule changes.

All LIHA parents, players, and coaches should review, at minimum, the preface (25 pages) of the USA Hockey Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey for 2021-25.

These rule changes will affect how officials call games, so it's important for LIHA members to be informed.

Frequently Asked Questions about New Rules

Major Playing Rule Changes Summary Video (9 minutes)

Playing Rule Change Summary (11 pages)

Points of Emphasis (6 pages)

Standardization of Discipline with Match Penalties (2 pages)

First, the rule book language has been updated to emphasize the principles outlined in the “Declaration of Safety, Fair Play and Respect.” These include eliminating hits that are meant to punish or intimidate an opponent or where there is no effort to win possession of the puck.

Additionally, the offside rule eliminates tag-up offside at all Youth and Girls levels of play. Immediate offside is now applied at all levels except High School and Adult classifications.

Another notable rule change is that players may not ice the puck while on the penalty kill, with High School and Adult classifications being excluded.

The final major notable rule change is changing “body contact” to “competitive contact,” incorporating language from the Declaration of Safety, Fair Play and Respect. This is to emphasize any contact within the sport as being competitive in nature, with aims to possess the puck, and is encouraged at all levels of play.