MSHSL: New Rules for Checking

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn - The Minnesota State High School League released new rules for three penalties Saturday. The new rules take effect Monday January 16 and will more severely punish players for checking from behind, boarding and contact to the head penalties. No longer will those penalties result in 2 minute minor penalties.

"In light of the recent events involving the injuries to hockey players, and previous discussions on how to improve safety in hockey, as well as other sports," said Craig Perry the Associate Directory with the Minnesota State High School League. "The MSHSL will be experimenting with several rule changes to the penalty structure in hockey for at least the remainder of the 2011-2012 season."

The definition of the new rules are as follows:

Checking from behind
5 min major and a 10 minute misconduct.
If the check is considered flagrant or causes the player to go head first into the boards, a game misconduct penalty is added to the major. Anytime a player is checked from behind a penalty must be called.

Boarding
5 minute major penalty
If flagrant or the check causes the player to crash headfirst into the boards, the penalty is now a 5 minute major and a game disqualification.

Contact to the Head
Any contact to the head or neck area is a 5 minute major penalty.
If the contact is considered excessive or flagrant, the penalty is a 5 minute major and a game disqualification.