The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Ice Hockey Rules Committee announced changes Monday that will strengthen the language for checking from behind.
Players who push, charge, cross-check or body-check an opponent from behind in open ice will draw a minor and misconduct penalty. Players who deliver those hits from behind into the boards or goal frame will draw a flagrant violation and receive a game disqualification.
Dan Schuster, NFHS staff liaison to the hockey rules committee, said player safety was the main factor in the rules change.
"Because of the attention being given to dangerous play, the committee really took a hard look at the severity of injuries caused by these hits," he said. "The reason behind the rule is more about addressing a change of culture in high school hockey, and players, coaches, officials and fans need to understand the consequences of these hits."
Benilde-St. Margaret's sophomore Jack Jablonski was paralyzed by a check from behind into the boards during a junior varsity game in December. In the wake of his injury, the Minnesota State High School League made penalties for head contact, boarding and checking from behind five-minute majors.
DAVID LA VAQUE
Noon exhibition for Lynx The Lynx will play Chicago at noon Tuesday at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion in their final exhibition game. Guard Lindsay Whalen played on that court for the first 1 1/2 seasons of her college career before the Gophers moved to Williams Arena.
This will probably be the last game for two Lynx rookies, guard Julie Wojta of Wisconsin-Green Bay and forward Queralt Casas of Spain. Both are longshots to make the team. The WNBA champions have to cut their 13-player roster to 11 before their opener against Phoenix on Sunday at Target Center.