Ice Hockey Receivable Pass Memorandum from the NCAA

MEMORANDUM

 October 2, 2006

TO:   All NCAA Head Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Coaches, Conference Commissioners and Supervisors of Officials.

FROM:   Col. James Knowlton, chair

NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules Committee.

SUBJECT:        Rules Bulletin.

During the recent preseason clinics, several questions were raised concerning some new rules and possible interpretations. The committee is providing the following bulletin to assist in the understanding of the rules as officials and teams prepare for the season.

1.      Receivable pass. To review, the new rule, which is covered in Rule 6-27-f on page HR-75 of the 2006-08 rules book, reads:

 "The assistant referee or linesman shall have the discretion to wave off apparent icing infractions on attempted passes if those passes are deemed receivable."

Listed below are several questions that were asked as well as the clarifications the committee has made:

a.   Can a receivable pass negate icing anywhere on the ice? Answer: No. The attacking player who is in position to receive the pass must be over the center red line. If the attacking player is on the defending side of the center red line, icing shall be called, because even if the attacking player touches the puck, it results in an icing infraction.

 b.      How do you define a receivable pass? Answer: A receivable pass is one which: 1) Is in the close proximity of the player (within the reach of the stick and in front of the player); and 2) Is a pass which the player has a reasonable ability to catch. A good rule of thumb is to use a similar standard that is used in relation to defensemen in icing situations. This is a judgment call by the assistant referees and linesman.

c.   What if an attacking player chooses not to play the puck? Answer: Assuming the pass is deemed to be receivable icing shall not be called in this situation.

d.   Does the puck have to be on the ice? Answer: Not necessarily, but the pass still must be receivable. A pass that hops over the attacking player's stick, if deemed receivable, is not icing. However, a slap shot or pass from the defenseman that is a foot off the ice is not receivable. In most cases, a puck off the ice will be icing.

e.   What if an infraction of the rules will occur by the attacking team touching the pass? Answer: Icing shall be called in this situation. For example, defenseman A1 passes the puck to player A2 near Team A's bench during a change in players. If A2 plays the puck, Team A will have too many men on the ice. Icing must be called in this situation, even though the pass may be deemed receivable.

f.    Is there a verbal command with this rule? Answer: Officials are reminded to make an immediate judgment and use strong verbal commands on all icings, but particularly in this new area. Communication is critical so no unfair advantage is gained with this rule.

In closing, there will be a learning curve for officials and teams with the application of this rule. According to recent discussions with the National Hockey League, this rule comes into play once or twice per game, so the effect will be limited. Please keep in mind that this rule is intended to eliminate some whistles and to encourage continuous play, not to give the offensive team an unnecessary advantage.

2.      Interpretation concerning on-ice strength. On the NCAA rules test, one question gave two answers for the following situation:

Teams are at full strength when A1 receives two minor penalties, A2 receives a minor penalty, and B1 receives a minor penalty. At the ensuing face-off the on-ice strength, excluding goalkeepers, will be, and which player(s) penalty time goes on the clock if any?

The committee's interpretation is that this answer is to have Team B receive a 5-on-4 power play for four minutes.

Correction to interpretation listed in 2006-08 rules book. On page HI-5, an interpretation for Rule 3-3 listed in the rules book is incorrect. This interpretation should have been eliminated from the new rules book. As a reminder, coaches may not issue a challenge with regard to goalkeeper equipment. Game officials are asked, however, to report any potentially illegal equipment to their conference office.