TORONTO, ON-The 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp (RDO) which started today in the Toronto metro area is looking at the Hybrid Icing rule developed for and used by the United States Hockey League since 2007. The rule is designed to reduce player injuries but keeps competition for the puck in icing situations. The two day development camp is testing a variety of rules and other changes in the two day session.
The Hybrid Icing rule is used by the USHL and many of the junior leagues who are partners with USA Hockey Official’s Development Program. The camp was conceived and organized by NHL VP of Hockey Business Development Brendan Shanahan. This is its first year of operation for the RDO camp.
USHL linesman Jesse Pletch a member of USA Hockey Officials Development Program is assigned to the camp in part to help to players, evaluators and other on-ice officials understand the rule. Thirty three player prospects are providing the game simulation action under which the Hybrid Icing and other rules are being tested.
Some of the other rules being tested include the elimination of icing by shorthanded teams in penalty situations, prohibiting line changes on offsides infractions and new overtime rules that reduce the number of skaters after three minute overtime segments. The current shootout process would only be used after teams fail to score at 4 on 4, 3 on 3 and 2 on 2. Another change being tested is the use of a third faceoff circle in the center of the rink in each zone.
The USHL and ODP supervisory staff developed the Hybrid Icing rule to help reduce the dangerous hits and frequent injuries to players racing for the puck in icing situations. There have been a number of high profile injuries to NHL players in icing situations. Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster missed almost the entire 2008-09 season with a broken leg in an icing situation.
The USHL’s rule on icing preserves the current criteria for icing — the puck is shot from the defensive side of the red line and must go completely over the goal line without a defensive player having a chance to play the puck. However, the determination of icing or no icing is determined by the linesmen who making the determination to call or waive off icing based on which player reaches the faceoff dot first. Ties result in the infraction being whistled down.
Development Camp management liked the hybrid rule so much after testing in the morning session that they expanded the testing into the afternoon sessions. Ken Hitchcock long-time NHL Coach who is guiding on the teams at the development camp said after watching the rule in action told the press that “It’s a competitive and safe way of playing,” said Hitchcock. “You would almost completely eliminate those big injuries that come and yet you’re still creating the competition for the puck and for me, it’s a real good idea.”
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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