Yahoo Sports ECHL Adopts Rule Changes for 2024-25
Leading up to the 2024-25 season, the ECHL has made several important changes that will help the developmental league become better aligned to the AHL and NHL.
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A couple of changes were adopted at the annual ECHL Summer Meetings in Las Vegas this past June, while others were voted in at last week’s Board of Governors Meeting in Phoenix.
The Two-Referee System
After two seasons of the league using two referees for 25% of its games, the Board of Governors voted in June to increase that system to 50% this season.
Both the AHL and NHL are already using the two-referee system for all games. It’s possible the ECHL could eventually adopt this policy for all its games, but will be content with a gradual increase for now. It would certainly benefit the players, especially those who get called up to either the AHL or NHL, making the adjustment easier for them.
Increased Roster Sizes
Coaches will love this new policy, also adopted by the board at the June summer meetings. ECHL teams may now expand their rosters by one skater to 18 instead of 17.
This replaces the limit of 17 skaters and two goalies, which has been in effect since the 2022-23 season.
Coaches now have the option of using four full forward lines and three defensive pairings, something they couldn’t do with 17 skaters. The AHL and NHL both allow for 18, so this should create a smoother process for the other two leagues as they send players up and down.
Other changes were implemented last week at the Pre-season ECHL Board of Governors Meeting in Phoenix.
3-Day Injured Reserve
A 3-Day Injured Reserve spot has been added, in addition to the 14-Day Injured Reserve and the two Reserve spots. One Player can be placed on 3-Day Injured Reserve at any one time while an unlimited number of players can be placed on 14-Day Injured Reserve.
Saturday Transactions
The deadline for Saturday transactions during the Season has been extended from 3:00 p.m. ET to 5:00 p.m. ET. Sunday’s deadline will remain at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Digital Lineup Cards
It’s a bit surprising this process wasn’t added sooner. Beginning with the 2024-25 season, coaches will now submit their game lineups digitally immediately upon the completion of pre-game warmups.
The following changes were made to the ECHL Rule Book:
Rule #63.7 Delaying the Game (No line change)
In the event that the goal post is displaced accidentally by a defending skater or goalkeeper, causing a stoppage in play, the ensuing faceoff shall be conducted at one of the end zone faceoff spots in the defending zone. The offending team shall not be permitted to make any player substitutions prior to the faceoff.
Rule #76.4 Faceoffs
When a team commits an icing infraction, any faceoff violation by either team will not result in the center being removed. The center of the offending team will be warned by the linesmen that they have committed their first faceoff violation, and any subsequent violation will result in a bench minor penalty for delay of game - faceoff violation being assessed.
Rule 75.3 Bench Minor Penalty (iv)
When a player on the bench is sitting on the boards, the referee shall warn the offending team and a bench minor penalty shall be assessed for any future violations in that game following the warning.
As a developmental league for the AHL and NHL, these adoptions are important steps in bringing the ECHL game more in line with the upper two leagues. The smoother the transition for players shuttling to and from each league, the better. More work to that effect needs to be done, but this is definitely a major step in the right direction.
