Trapezoid Coming to College Hockey, Too
CHN Staff Report
A trapezoid for goaltenders and legal hand passes in the defensive zone were among the rule changes approved during this week’s meeting of the NCAA Division I ice hockey rules committee.
This is the first year the various levels, men’s and women’s Division I and III, were split into separate committees. All D-I men’s rules must be granted final approval by the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Oversight Committee, which meets later this summer.
In addition, all levels aligned on a requirement for cut-resistant equipment to be worn, starting in 2027-28. This is equipment specifically meant to protect the neck, wrist and ankle. It is currently allowed, but not required. For the 2026-27 season, it will be a recommendation. The issue will then be examined with equipment manufacturers, with the intention of making the equipment required for the 2027-28 season, the NCAA said.
“Some other levels of hockey have moved to mandate equipment intended to enhance student-athlete safety,” said Canisius coach Trevor Large, chair of the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Rules Subcommittee. “The committees at all levels believe this is an important step forward as our sport evolves.”
The trapezoid will be added, matching what the NHL has done for a couple decades. That means a goaltender cannot play the puck behind the goal line, except when it’s inside the trapezoid area, which extends back directly from the goal net.
Among ideas not approved were changes to use of technology on the bench. NHL coaches are allowed the use of tablets for coaching purposes and replays. But that idea was not agreed upon for NCAA games.
“There is not consensus on the use of video at this point,” Large said. “The committees are supportive of ensuring both teams have access to equitable video feed, which we believe is a step in the right direction.”
Embellishment and diving was reviewed. Though there were no new rules approved along these lines, the committee decided to put forward its strong recommendation to all leagues to encourage their officials to stringently call the rules as written in the rule book.
There were also no changes made the to the current overtime format.
Among other changes:
* Hand passes will be allowed in the defensive zone.
* Both players taking a faceoff must have the blades of their sticks flat on the ice before the puck is dropped.
* A timeout will not be permitted by a team that is not able to change its players (e.g., after an icing).
* In women’s ice hockey, players will be allowed to play the puck with their stick above their shoulders, anywhere on the ice, and a goal that is scored this way will count.