2025-29 USA Hockey Playing Rules Changes
The USA Hockey Congress voted on the 2025-29 Playing Rules Changes at the 2025 Winter Meeting on January 19, 2025. See a video and written summary below of all accepted rule changes:
2025-29 USA Hockey Playing Rule Change Process
Note: Starting in 2025, USA Hockey will follow a new change schedule. All playing rule changes will be voted on during the 2025 Winter Meeting, and take effect starting August 1, 2025.
Per USA Hockey Bylaw 8.A.(2).(a), the USA Hockey Playing Rules shall undergo a rule change process every four years. All USA Hockey members may submit proposals during the submission period, and those proposals shall follow the following review process:
January 2 - March 31, 2024
Submission window is open for Rule Change Proposals.
April 1 - June 1, 2024
Initial rule change proposals are reviewed by the USA Hockey Playing Rules Committee and given initial decision as "recommended", "not recommended", or "referred" for feedback by appropriate USA Hockey council, committee or section. Once completed, these recommendations will be posted on the USA Hockey website and forwarded to the Board of Directors, Congress Representatives and Affiliate Presidents.
USA Hockey Annual Meeting - June 2024
Review and discussion by appropriate councils, sections and committees. With possible amendments approved by the USA Hockey Congress.
September 1, 2024
Updated proposals are posted on the USA Hockey website and forwarded to the Board of Directors, Congress representatives and Affiliate Presidents.
USA Hockey Winter Meeting - January 2025
Final review and discussion by appropriate councils, sections and committees. All proposals are voted on by the USA Hockey Congress for "acceptance" or "decline".
August 1, 2025
New playing rule cycle begins, and the 2025-29 Playing Rules take effect to all USA Hockey sanctioned games.
Updated Neck Laceration Protection Requirement
303(b) Goalkeeper’s Equipment
Requires HECC certified neck laceration protectors for all Youth, Girls and High School goalkeepers. With note allowing BNQ certified NLP’s for 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
304 Protective Equipment
Adds rule requiring HECC certified neck laceration protectors for all Disabled players under the age of 18 years old. With note allowing BNQ certified NLP’s for 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
304(g) Protective Equipment
Requires HECC certified neck laceration protectors for all Youth, Girls and High School players. With note allowing BNQ certified NLP’s for 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
BNQ Permitted through 2026-2027 Season
2027-2028 Season HECC Required
Fast Forward to 2:17 for Update Regarding Neck Laceration Protection