Rule 3-3-1
CHANGE:  ART. 1 . . . Required equipment for goalkeepers shall include gloves, skates, stick, neck laceration protector, flapper-style throat protector, leg pads, padded hockey pants/hip pads, protective cup or pelvic protector, and chest and arm protector. In addition, HECC/ASTM full face mask and helmet with chin strap are required. Pants or socks shall be worn under leg pads to cover exposed skin on the legs. The headgear should be fastened in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, protecting the entire crown, front, temple and back of the head.  

The neck laceration protector and the flapper-style throat protector must be separate pieces of equipment, shall not be modified from their original manufactured state, and shall be worn as intended by the manufacturer. The flapper-style throat protector shall be properly attached to the helmet or face mask. 

PENALTY: MINOR.  

RATIONALE: The health and safety of participants is paramount in the rules-writing process for the NFHS. While it may not happen often, lacerations and impact to the neck area are very dangerous. Youth hockey in the U.S. now requires neck laceration protectors and several state high school associations also require neck protection. The NFHS continues its mission to create an environment for participants centered around health and safety. 

Rule 3-3-5 
CHANGE:  ART. 5 . . . If a goalkeeper's mask, helmet, neck laceration protector, flapper style throat protector, or glove(s) is displaced, or a skate blade is broken or displaced, play shall be immediately stopped. 

RATIONALE: The health and safety of participants is paramount in the rules-writing process for the NFHS. While it may not happen often, lacerations and impact to the neck area are very dangerous. Youth hockey in the U.S. now requires neck laceration protectors and several state high school associations also require neck protection. The NFHS continues its mission to create an environment for participants centered around health and safety. 

Rule 3-4-4
CHANGE:  ART. 4 . . . All players shall properly wear a neck laceration protector that shall not be modified from its original manufactured state, and shall be worn as intended by the manufacturer.  

If a player’s neck laceration protector is not being worn, or comes off while play is in progress, an official shall order the player to return to the player’s bench and play may continue. If the player does not comply, play shall be stopped and that player shall be penalized.  

PENALTY: MINOR. 

RATIONALE: The health and safety of participants is paramount in the rules-writing process for the NFHS. While it may not happen often, lacerations and impact to the neck area are very dangerous. Youth hockey in the U.S. now requires neck laceration protectors and several state high school associations also require neck protection. The NFHS continues its mission to create an environment for participants centered around health and safety. 

Rule 9-4-5 
CHANGE: ART. 5…Control of the Puck is the act of propelling the puck with the stick, hand or feet.  Control of the puck is not lost when contact with the puck is made by an opponent, the boards or the net, provided the player in control of the puck continues propelling the puck. 

 RATIONALE: The usage of the terms possession, control, and possession & control were all used previously and language was inconsistent at times throughout the book. Adding the definition of both "possession" and "control" will create consistency as well as continue the current interpretation of the rules. The intent of this change is not to change the interpretation of the rules, but simply clarify the language within the current rules.  

Rules Affected: 2-5-7; 4-7-9; 7-1-1,2; 7-9-1; 7-17-2; 9-6-1, 2b; 

Rule 9-4-6 
CHANGE: 

The last player to physically touch the puck with the stick or body shall be considered in possession of the puck.  NOTE: A player can have possession of the puck without control, but cannot have control of the puck without possession. 

RATIONALE:  The usage of the terms possession, control, and possession & control were all used previously and language was inconsistent at times throughout the book. Adding the definition of both "possession" and "control" will create consistency as well as continue the current interpretation of the rules. The intent of this change is not to change the interpretation of the rules, but simply clarify the language within the current rules.  

Rules Affected: 2-5-7; 4-7-9; 7-1-1,2; 7-9-1; 7-17-2; 9-6-1, 2b;