Sports

Rules have changed in the WHL.

The Western Hockey League has adopted several rule changes for the upcoming 2007 - 2008 season. These changes will keep the WHL consistent with the changes the NHL has put into place for their upcoming season.

Starting with the pre-season schedule, the following rule changes will be used:

• 1. The home club shall have the choice of shooting first or second in the shoot-out.
  
• 2. The term “Gross Misconduct” has been eliminated from the Rule Book. Any act that would have been assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty previously will now receive a Game Misconduct penalty.
  
• 3. A player may be awarded a penalty shot if he is fouled on a clear breakaway outside his defensive zone (i.e., anywhere in the neutral zone or in the attacking zone). Previously, a penalty shot was awarded only when a player was on a clear breakaway and was fouled on the attacking side of the center line.
  
• 4. Referees have the discretion to assess a major penalty and game misconduct when an injury results from an act of interference. Previously, only a minor penalty could be assessed for interference.
  
• 5. All face-offs must be conducted at one of the nine face-off dots painted on the rink. Previously, there were instances, such as when a puck left the playing surface, which caused the face-off to occur on unmarked ice.
  
• 6. The WHL will not have a measurement for stick curvature for player’s or goaltender’s sticks.

The complete 2007-08 WHL Regular Season and Exhibition schedules are available on the WHL website.

Link: WHL website