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League News
New Rule changes being implemented for 24-25
For some time, despite it taking place in the Maritime Junior Hockey League and QMJHL and Professional Leagues, when two players of opposing teams received penalties at the same time after a whistle, Nova Scotia Junior Teams still played 5 on 5 while their respective teamates sat out their minors in the penalty box. The 2024-2025 season will see a change as when such an occurence takes place, teams will have to lay 4 on 4 while the dual penalties are being served.
As well on icing calls, coaches will no longer be able to make line changes. One other change being implemented this year is:
In Junior or Senior divisions, where a player of the defending team, excluding the goaltender, unintentionally shoots, bats, throws, kicks or otherwise directs the puck outside the playing surface, no penalty will be assessed but the defending team may not make a line change.
Note 1: If the player deliberately shoots, bats, or throws the puck outside the playing surface, they must be penalized under Rule 10.1 (ii) – Delay of Game.
6.4 (b) In Junior or Senior divisions, where a face-off is occurring in the end-zone, following the calling of an icing or a time penalty, the attacking (non-offending) team will have the authority to choose the face-off location.
The attacking team must indicate their desired face-off location to the Referee prior to the start of the line change procedure.
With the Nova Scotia Junior League often playing such great wide-open hockey, the 4 on 4 situations should definetly provide for even more excitement while coaches could potentially think a little harder when it comes to iciing the puck knowing players who may have already been playing for 90 seconds will not be allowed to chnage on an icing call.