Hockey Rule Changes to Allow Handling Puck, New Icing Call

Hockey's controversial rule concerning a player touching the puck with his hands has been changed to permit the player to knock the puck to the ice, but he cannot pass it to a teammate.

The NCAA's Ice Hockey Rules Committee accepted the proposed change at its meeting in the Hotel Kenmore over the weekend.

The Committee also accepted the following three rule changes:

1.) A pass from a defensive zone through a neutral zone must be completed. Touching or deflecting will not nullify an icing call.

2.) Arm-waving in front of a goalie constitutes interference.

3.) A goalie preventing an opponent from leaving the crease may have a goal scored against him allowed.