Puck Resting on Top Shelf of Net Now Unplayable in High School Ice Hockey

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 22, 2025)  —  In a situation when the puck rests on top of the goal netting between the crossbar and goal frame during a high school ice hockey game, it shall now be considered unplayable and result in immediate stoppage.

The addition of Rule 9-8-4 was one of three changes recommended by the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Committee for the 2025-26 season. The rule also clarified that a puck on the outside of the goal netting below the crossbar shall remain considered in play by both teams.

The committee’s proposed rules changes were compiled at its annual meeting held April 28-30 at The Alexander in Indianapolis and have since been approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“The primary reason for stopping play when the puck is on top of the net is for the health and safety of players and the goalkeeper,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services and editor of the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book. “The committee did not want to see sticks coming up high trying to knock the puck off the shelf. The proximity of the goalkeeper always is sensitive, so there could be sticks coming in high in the direction of the goalkeeper and the committee did not want that in high school ice hockey.”

Language was also added to Rule 3-8 stating that no player or goalkeeper shall wear any audio (microphone) or video (camera) device during a game.

Finally, in Rule 5-4, an editorial alteration was made to the title of the section by changing “linesman” to “linesperson.” The NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book had already replaced gender-specific language throughout the book, and the change is consistent with the rest of the rules.

A complete listing of the ice hockey rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org in the near future. Users can click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Ice Hockey” to find the changes.

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, more than 32,000 boys participate in ice hockey in 1,641 high schools across the country, and more than 9,600 girls participate in the sport in 785 schools.