June 14, 2006

USA Hockey Board Of Directors Endorses New Standard Of Play And Rule Emphasis At Its Annual Congress; Coaches Use Of Helmets Also Mandated
 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey’s four-day Annual Congress concluded last Sunday (June 11) in Colorado Springs, highlighted by its Board of Directors’ unanimous endorsement of a new standard of play and rule emphasis beginning with the 2006-07 season.

“We accomplished a great deal during our Annual Congress,” said Ron DeGregorio, who was unanimously re-elected to another three-year term as president of USA Hockey. “Clearly the most significant step forward came with the adoption of our new standard of play and rule emphasis.”

The policy (which is outlined in its entirety here), focuses on five principles:

* The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.

* The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player’s progress.

* The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player’s progress.

* Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation to gain a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.

* Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

“As the leader of amateur hockey in the United States, we continue to focus on growing the game and making the game better,” said DeGregorio. “In mandating the enforcement of rules that particularly deal with the obstruction of a player in any fashion, our game will be better and we’ll attract more players and fans to the game.”

Another significant change came with the Board of Directors’ vote requiring all ice hockey coaches and instructors of registered USA Hockey youth/high school, disabled, girls’/women’s 19 & under and below programs properly wear an ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions, including practices, controlled scrimmages and coach and referee clinics (seminars).

“Every year there are injuries to coaches that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet,” said DeGregorio. “This legislation represents a positive step forward for the safety of our coaches.”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF USA HOCKEY’S ANNUAL CONGRESS

• The Board of Directors re-elected Ron DeGregorio as president, Walter Bush as chairman of the board and John Beadle as vice president/adult council chair. In addition, Dave Klasnick was elected as vice president/youth council chair, and Roger Mauritho and Joe Baudo were named director representatives to the executive committee. In addition, Jack McCatherin and Phil Verchota were elected directors at large.
• John Dotte, outgoing USA Hockey vice president and chair of the Youth Council, was recognized for his years of service to the organization at the Board of Directors meeting and was elected director emeritus by unanimous consent.
• Al Bloomer was appointed USA Hockey’s new National Coach-in-Chief. He replaces legendary Bob O’Connor, who had served in the position since 1994.
• Sites were selected for USA Hockey’s 2008 Youth and Girls’/Women’s National Championships. A complete list is available at usahockey.com.
• The Board of Directors voted to create a 12th district – the Northern Plains district -- effective with the 2007-08 season. The four-state Northern Plains district will include Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Montana and Wyoming are currently part of the Rocky Mountain District, while North Dakota and South Dakota are members of the Minnkota District. The action also includes changing the name of the Minnkota district to Minnesota in 2007-08.

NOTES: USA Hockey’s Annual Congress includes some 500 of its top volunteer leaders from across the United States that gather each year in Colorado Springs to review the state of the game and conduct the organization’s business … USA Hockey will announce plans for its women’s national program later in June.