Players clash on the ice in a rough-and-tumble play in the 5A ice hockey state championship. Valor Christian won 7-4.
Players clash on the ice in a rough-and-tumble play in the 5A ice hockey state championship. Valor Christian won 7-4. Credit: Heston Mosher

Three new rules will be in play when the 2025-2026 ice hockey season begins in Colorado.

The puck is unplayable if it comes to rest on top of the goal between the crossbar and the goal frame.

According to the National Federation of High Schools’ web page, the rule also clarifies the rules for pucks on the outside of the goal netting and below the crossbar. Play continues in this instance.

“The primary reason for stopping play when the puck is on top of the net is for the health and safety of players and the goalkeeper,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services and editor of the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, in the statement on the NFHS web page.

“The committee did not want to see sticks coming up high, trying to knock the puck off the shelf,” Schuster continued. “The proximity of the goalkeeper is always sensitive, so there could be sticks coming in high in the direction of the goalkeeper and the committee did not want that in high-school ice hockey.”  

Another rule will keep goalkeepers from wearing audio and video devices during games.

The last rule changes the word “linesman” to “linesperson.” The federation’s rule book replaced gender-specific language earlier.

According to the most recent NFHS athletic participation survey, more than 32,000 boys participate in ice hockey in 1,641 high schools across the country, and more than 9,600 girls participate in the sport in 785 schools.

Fifty schools field boys teams that compete in seven conferences in Colorado, according to MaxPreps. Seven schools field girls teams, according to MaxPreps. Those teams are in the southern end of the Denver metropolitan area, Castle Rock and one district team from Colorado Springs.

For more updates and rule changes, visit CHSAANow.com.

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