CHARLOTTE, NC – The renamed South Division of the American Hockey league is where the Charlotte Checkers will ply there trade for the 2012-13 season. The competition in that division will come from Houston Aeros, Oklahoma City Barons, San Antonio Rampage and the Texas Stars. The schedule for the league will be issued in August with the season beginning October 12.
There are a number of rules changes, the main one being that there will be a video goal review system allowed for the up coming season. Also Rule 67.2 Handling the Puck. A minor penalty will be given if a player places his hand over the puck to conceal it or to prevent an opponent from playing the puck.
Rule 76.4 Face Offs. Both players are prohibited from batting the puck with their hand to win the face off. Violation of this rule will result in a minor penalty for delay of game. The Board has approved a test of a variation of Rule 81, Icing. At the request of the NHL, that will, in the event of a potential icing violation, complete the play should a defending player be the first to reach the end zone face off dots and provided the puck crossed the line at that point. This test will end on November 19, 2012.
For the 11th straight season the AHL has had six million fans watch the games during the 2011-2 season. The American Hockey League, formed in 1936, provides the NHL with over 88% of its players.
Eddie.Mitchell@ProHockeyNews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
