COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The USA Hockey Board of Directors today voted to amend a recently passed playing rule that mandates the use of a lightweight puck in certain youth ice hockey age classifications for both boys and girls. The amendment now makes the rule applicable for all Eight-and-Under age classifications, as opposed to 10-and-Under and younger divisions.
The official USA Hockey playing rule - 306(b) - will go into effect immediately for the 2003-04 season and now reads as follows:
"For all teams consisting entirely of youth {boys' or co-ed] or girls' players who are eight years old or under, it is required that the puck weigh between four ounces and four-and-one-half ounces and be blue in color. It is strongly recommended that all teams consisting of youth or girls' players who are 10 years old or under use the lightweight blue puck."
Use of the blue lightweight puck, which is approximately two ounces lighter than the standard black puck, was mandated by USA Hockey primarily because it more readily promotes the development of on-ice skills for younger players. The lighter puck is easier to shoot, pass and stickhandle for players in the earlier stages of physical development. The original rule was passed in June by the Board of Directors during the USA Hockey Annual Congress.
Further study will be
conducted by USA Hockey to monitor results of usage of the lightweight puck
within the 10-and-Under age classifications (boys and girls).
This is a change from what was approved by the Board of Directors in June but the situations stated in the Rule Interpretation Handbook for 2003 - 2005 are correct so please review them carefully before the season begins. You should be able to get your copy of the New Rules Interpretation Handbook at your seminar.