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New goalie equipment rules

By Steve Carroll, USA Hockey's Minnesota District Goalie Coach-in-Chief, 09/25/09, 6:26PM CDT

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Rules go into effect for 2009-10 season.

Several changes pertaining to goalie equipment go into effect for the 2009-10 season, according to the USA Hockey rule book. (Rule 303). Changes to the current rule are underlined.

(a) With the exception of skates and stick, all the equipment worn by the goalkeeper must be constructed solely for the purpose of protecting the head or body, and he must not wear any garment or use any contrivance that would give him undue assistance in keeping goal.

(Note) Cages on gloves and abdominal aprons extending down the front of the thighs on the outside of the pants are prohibited. “Cage” shall mean any lacing or webbing or other material in the goalkeeper’s glove joining the thumb and index finger that is in excess of the minimum necessary to fill the gap when the goalkeeper’s thumb and forefinger in the glove are fully extended and spread and includes any pocket or pouch effect produced by excess lacing or webbing or other material between the thumb and forefinger when fully extended or spread.

Protective padding attached to the back or forming part of goalkeeper’s blocker glove shall not exceed 8 inches in width nor more than 15 inches in length at any point. The cuff of the goalkeeper’s catching glove shall not exceed 8 inches in width nor should the circumference of the glove exceed 45 inches.

The distance from the heel of the glove along the pocket and following the contour of the glove to the top of the “T” trap must not exceed 18 inches. The heel is considered to be the point at which the straight vertical line of the cuff meets the glove
.

Any bar or attachment (cheater bar) between the cuff and the thumb shall only extend from the cuff to the thumb in a straight line. Any other pocket, pouch or contrivance added to the glove by a manufacturer or otherwise is not acceptable and makes the glove illegal.

(b) The leg guards worn by goalkeepers shall not exceed 11 inches in extreme width and 38 inches in length as measured when on the leg of the player. The boot channel of the goalkeeper pad must be flat or concave in appearance with no additional attachments such as a puck foil.  The boot is the bottom of the pad that sits over the top of the skate. Calf protectors must follow the contour of the calf and ankle and can have a thickness of no greater than 1 1⁄2 inches.

The knee strap pad is not to exceed 1 1⁄2 inches in thickness and must be fastened to the inner risers and follow the contour of the inner knee.  All outer knee protection must be worn under the thigh guard of the pant or follow the contour of the leg.
 
(c) No raised ridges are allowed on the front edges or sides of the chest pad, the inside or outside of the arms, or across the shoulders.

Layering at the elbow is permitted to add protection but not to add stopping area. This layering, both across the front and down the sides to protect the point of the elbow shall not exceed 7 inches.

Shoulder cap protectors must follow the contour of the shoulder cap without becoming a projection/extension beyond or above the shoulder or shoulder cap.  This contoured padding must not be more than 1 inch in thickness beyond the top ridge of the shoulder and shoulder cap.

On each side, the shoulder clavicle protectors are not to exceed 7 inches in width and their maximum thickness is to be 1 inch.  This protection is not to extend or project above or beyond the shoulder or shoulder cap nor extend beyond the armpit.  No insert is allowed between the shoulder clavicle protector and the chest pad that would elevate the shoulder clavicle protector.

If when the goalkeeper assumes the normal crouch position, the shoulder and/or shoulder cap protection is pushed above the contour of the shoulder, the chest pad will be considered illegal.

(d) No internal or external or cheater padding is permitted on the pant leg or waist beyond that which is required to provide protection (no outside or inside ridges). All thigh pads must follow the contour of the leg and the maximum width of the thigh pad across the front of the leg is 10 inches.

(e) It is compulsory for all goalkeepers to wear helmets and full facemasks. Throat/neck protectors are recommended. No form fitted facemasks shall be permitted.

(f) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any goalkeeper using illegal equipment in a game. Any required measurement or other examination shall be conducted immediately.