NEW NHL RULE: Explaining illegal and legal Hits to the Head (HD)

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NEW YORK — Beginning with tonight’s games (March 25th 2010), the National Hockey League will implement a new rule prohibiting “a lateral, back-pressure or blind-side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact.”

Under the new rule, the NHL Hockey Operations Department is empowered to review any such hit for the purpose of Supplementary Discipline.

“We believe this is the right thing to do for the game and for the safety of our players,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said after receiving unanimous approval from the Board of Governors as well as the endorsement of the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee and the NHLPA Executive Board. “The elimination of these types of hits should significantly reduce the number of injuries, including concussions, without adversely affecting the level of physicality in the game.”

Duration : 0:6:36


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25 Responses to NEW NHL RULE: Explaining illegal and legal Hits to the Head (HD)

  1. NKP514 says:

    An excellent video. …
    An excellent video. If only the NFL were as clear when changing rules. I didn’t like this rule when I heard about it, but this video convinced me.

  2. theawsomestdude says:

    yeah but its hockey
    yeah but its hockey

  3. Stridh93 says:

    i like this new …
    i like this new rule… just in time :P

  4. SteveO1887 says:

    haha, stevens hits …
    haha, stevens hits would still be legal to all you haters out there

  5. brandensimmons1987 says:

    very good rules by …
    very good rules by the NHL

  6. TheHockeyfan9 says:

    @11DNA11 and risk …
    @11DNA11 and risk being disabled for life?
    That wouldnot be smart

  7. TheHockeyfan9 says:

    Keep your head up. …
    Keep your head up. Simple hockey. Learned it in Novice.

  8. MrStartingGun says:

    I don’t like this …
    I don’t like this rule. I think all head hits should be illegal. I don’t think a player should have to think about whether his brain is about to be scrambled eggs before looking across to take a pass, or reaching forward to intercept a pass or pick up a loose puck. The onus should be on the hitter: if you can’t find a clean hit without hitting head, back off. But no, we NHLers are a tough bunch and are willing to sacrifice the likes of Eric Lindros for the cause.

  9. Myskomunken says:

    Good rule, should …
    Good rule, should have been there sooner.

  10. nhlkennedy says:

    Im very happy with …
    Im very happy with the new rules, in the videos, im happy they showed examples, i always thought the neil hit on drury was dirty and should have got suspended, also the cooke hit.

  11. liammunky says:

    @josh17beaton


    @josh17beaton

    How are those hits clean??????
    Did you not watched the begining of this video???

  12. connor11reimer says:

    I hate when a …
    I hate when a bigger guy hits a littler guy with a shoulder to the head, and people thinks its illegal. Like the mitchel toews hit.

  13. ilylac says:

    good rule, cherry …
    good rule, cherry might not like it.

  14. TheVladinator16 says:

    Ok, I don’t have a …
    Ok, I don’t have a problem with this new rule. I was worried they were going to make all head hits illegal. But hits like Kronwall’s, where he destroyed Havlat with a hit to the head from straight on, are still legal (as long as he doesn’t leave his feet). I’m glad they specifically showed Stevens head hit on Lindros and said it’s still legal as well.

  15. dShroppy says:

    once the players …
    once the players get a better feel for what’s legal or illegal, this rule will really pay off

  16. bodenga says:

    good to know that …
    good to know that illegal hits to the heads are illegal. thanks NHL

  17. PREMONITIONonICE says:

    Excellent.
    Excellent.

  18. Pat12151215 says:

    @elibsf Especially …
    @elibsf Especially Wisniewski’s hit on Seabrook….

  19. BleedingRangersBlue says:

    I agree with this …
    I agree with this rule, I hate these types of hits. I like the physical play, but to hit someone from behind or one of those hits it’s really not worth the suspension. With a player like Ovechkin your a key player for your team. I hate how some players think there untouchable. I’m not pointing out any players but I’m sure we all know who they are.

  20. wookierocker123 says:

    so if im not …
    so if im not mistaken, its legal if you can see it coming?

  21. chihiro602 says:

    FINALLY.
    FINALLY.

  22. JayGOS117 says:

    Mate, I’m feeling …
    Mate, I’m feeling that…He’s akilled player with a physique any player would love…but he bends the rules…and they’ve snapped. I hope he’s remembered for his skill, not changing the impetus of hockey…but that’s up to him. I’ve seen many ‘naughty’ players but that Campbell hit gave me massive PO’s, y’dig?

  23. larsogjacob says:

    I like the new rule
    I like the new rule

  24. josh17beaton says:

    Bell on Aflie… …
    Bell on Aflie…clean
    Neil on Drury…clean
    Richards on booth..clean

  25. kovalev274life says:

    i tohught this was …
    i tohught this was betman 2 seconds in the vid lol