Increased Goal Scoring

The National Hockey League has recently noted an increase in goal-scoring, which many are attributing to the way that teams are now being trained to approach the “penalty kill.”

In simpler terms, many people are seeing a trend in that young hockey players are no longer
”icing,.” due to new regulations, when they find themselves shorthanded but are, instead, more often than not, making plays. Quite obviously, this is a result of USA Hockey’s decision to no longer allow icing by shorthanded teams in younger leagues (14 U and under).   

Differing Opinions

While some have grumbled about and had issues with this recent change, many feel that it is helping to encourage players to make more thoughtful plays. More players, according to coaches and other authorities who approve of the change, are developing better skills in terms of passing, touching, and even attacking.

And, while this rule may seem truly new to many, it has actually long been in effect at National Player Development Camps. USA Hockey simply decided, finally, that it’s time to make this an official rule.

Regardless of how you may feel about it, it’s time to own up to the new rule and to start making real preparations for it, both at an individual and a team level.

When rules change, no matter the opinion, the only answer is, at the end of the day, to learn how to live with them and, hopefully, one day, to appreciate them and the value that they bring to the table.