DOHOPs Report: Increased Protection for Goalkeepers

Original text by Lyle Seitz from the video:
The Department of Hockey Operations (DOHOPs) is issuing this directive to heighten enforcement standards and increase awareness regarding physical contact with goalkeepers, particularly when such contact occurs inside the goal crease or the blue paint. Goalkeepers are in a uniquely vulnerable position during play. The league standard must reflect enhanced protection, especially when contact is avoidable or forceful.

Recent questions have referenced decisions made during the Olympic Games. The ICE Hockey League standard remains independent and unchanged. Clearly, we are not the Olympics. We do not operate with three starting goalies per team. We, for the most part, have one. We are not a short international tournament. For us, we are a professional league played over several months. And we are not a playoff one-game elimination format. For us, each playoff round is a series.

Roster structure, season length and competitive integrity require a consistent and protective standard for goaltenders throughout the season and playoffs. The ICE Hockey League maintains its own standard and that standard has not changed. In a recent incident that occurred in the Olympics that has been asked about, contact occurred between an attacking player and a goalkeeper.

Just to be clear, under ICE Hockey League standards, this action would be deemed a check to the head if head contact is involved, and in this case it is. The goalkeeper, whether inside or outside the crease, is not fair game to be checked. Head contact on a goalkeeper will be assessed strictly and may result in a major penalty and or supplementary discipline.

The presence of puck possession or a net drive does not justify contact through the goalkeeper. Going forward in the win2day ICE Hockey League, avoidable contact inside the crease must result in a penalty. An opposing player in puck possession driving a net is not a green light to drive through a goalkeeper.

Forceful, careless or reckless contact may result in a five-minute major penalty and be misconduct. Deliberate contact with a goalkeeper will be subject to supplementary discipline review and avoidable post-whistle contact with a goalkeeper will be treated with zero tolerance. The following is a practical standard for players and officials.

Attacking players must make a clear and reasonable effort to avoid contact when entering the crease area. An easy reference and determine whether a penalty standard should apply. Would the same player take the same lane and make the same contact on his own goalkeeper? If the answer is no, then we cannot expect that because it's the opposing goalkeeper, such contact is permitted.

For the game officials, you're expected to establish a standard early in the game and then consistently throughout the game. Protect the crease consistently. Apply the same criteria regardless of score, time or game importance. Prioritize goalkeeper safety in all judgment calls involving crease contact. The win2day ICE Hockey League remains committed to player safety, fairness and consistent officiating standards. As game actions have recently evolved, we expect player behavior to adjust accordingly within a fair and clearly enforced framework.

The protection of a goaltender is a fundamental component of that framework. This directive serves as a formal notice that the enforcement standard is firm, consistent and fully supported by the Department of Hockey Operations.