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Hey Ref

Hey Ref – Which rule book are we using tonight?

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

By Duncan Ryhorchuk

 

Did you realize that an official could officiate three different games on a weekend and use three different rulebooks? For example, in less than 48 hours, an official could work a Minnesota High School game on Thursday evening, a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference division III college game on Friday evening and a youth game on Saturday morning.  And regardless of whether it is boys or girls hockey the official would use three different rulebooks.

Youth hockey in Minnesota is sanctioned by USA Hockey, hence they use the USA Hockey rulebook. Minnesota high school hockey uses the National Federation of State High School Associations rule book and the MIAC falls under the NCAA and therefore uses the NCAA Ice Hockey rules and interpretations book. Each governing body is responsible for making their own rule changes and publishes their rulebook semi-annually.

For the most part, rules of the game are the same. Players must be properly equipped, the size of the nets are the same and the team that scores the most goals wins.

But what about offsides and icings? With offsides in youth  (USA Hockey), it is an immediate whistle. In high school and NCAA, they have the delayed offsides option.

But there is also a difference between high school and NCAA ruling on offside. If the puck is shot directly on net in high school, the whistle is blown; in the NCAA, it is not blown to stop play.

How about icing? Again two of the three divisions are the same. USA Hockey and Minnesota High School are the same with immediate icing calls. With the NCAA, they use a modified version of touch icing. There are still more rule differences between the three, such as a player being in the crease, hand passes and faceoff locations, amongst others.

Now wait, there is also the possibility that a top official could also work in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League, thus bringing in a fourth game and a fourth rulebook with more rule differences into a weekend.

Overall, the games are the same; players are equipped with two extensions of their bodies, the skates and stick, they propel a puck on a sheet of ice, attempting to score goals in an opponent net. The rule differences are put in for the reasons of safety of the players and the entertainment of the spectators. But you have to wonder why can’t all the rules be the same; it would make it easier for the officials, players and the spectators to enjoy the game.

 

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