Martin, the new Commissioner, has sent out the proposed rule changes that could be effective Summer Session 2010. I’ll just touch on the main points…

• If, at the end of the three (3) regular twelve (12) minute periods, the score shall be tied, each team shall be awarded one point in the League standings.
• Overtime period is reduced to three (3) minutes running clock with the team scoring first declared the winner and being awarded an additional point.
• During this overtime period  players are not allowed to make changes after the whistle, they are only allowed to change “on the fly”.
• Shoot-Outs:
  • A shoot-out will commence for all games that are not decided with an overtime period. Previously, this was reserved for playoffs only.
  • Players who score a hat-trick are eligible to participate in the shoot out.
  • All players are eligible to participate in the shootout unless they are serving a penalty.
  • Each team can use only one Upper Tier player in the shootout. If one of the teams does not have Upper Tier player participating in the game, then the opposite team’s Upper Tier player is not eligible to participate in the Shootout.
  • Each team will be given three shots, unless the outcome is determined earlier in the shootout.
  • After each team has taken three shots, if the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a “sudden death” format. No player may shoot twice until everyone who is eligible has shot.
• The general rules for a penalty shot were laid out, including: The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. Does this mean they’ll actually call penalty shots now? Who knows.
  
• The fines/suspensions for different offenses were laid out. The only one that concerned me was: Abuse of officials – game misconduct = one to five weeks suspension + 25 dollar fine. I’m wondering what this includes? Back talking, Cursing, who knows?
• Mercy Rule Option - The losing team by 6 goals will be given an option of a running clock. This decision can be overruled by the referees in case the game is going out of reach with too many penalties and the losing team is not acting appropriately.
• The Sunday D-Leagues have been re-organized. You check out the new order here.
• Players coming into the game late must wait until the end of the period.  Then he together with his captain will contact the referees and scorekeeper to sign his name on the score sheet based on the late check-in paper.
• 3 penalties in one game won’t be assessed as game misconduct penalty anymore, which is inconsistent with USAH rules. It will be assessed as a CAHL game-ejection penalty.

Overall I’m pretty satisfied with the changes that are being made. What do you guys think?