New Goalie Pad Regulations

[hockeychamp01]

I've heard that there are new goalie pad regulations next year....any thoughts?

[goalzilla]

I believe they will have to begin using 11" the upcoming season. My daughter has always used 11" so the transition will not effect her. It will be interesting to see how it effects players who have played in 12" the majority of their career. It may only be 1", but the size change will be noticable to those currently in 12", they should see a benefit in improved mobility.

[neutralregroup]

They may not actually enact any official "rule". When across-the-board changes like this have happened in the past, the levels below college have simply waited for the manufacturers to adjust, knowing that the issue will take care of itself. Once the manufacturers stop making the over-sized equipment, they won't be available anymore, and the problem solves itself without having to make new rules.

I have bigger issues with the size of the catcher glove (some kids don't even know if they have the puck, and use this glove more as a blocker!) and the fact that some goalies are wearing chest/shoulder/arm pads that make them immobile. Whatever happened to the athletic kid making acrobatic saves? Ahhhh, the good old days!

[Game Misconduct]

I say we go back to the 40 pound, brown leather, deer hair filled pads. Then see how good these goalies are. j/k

As earlier post said, the limitation will take effect slowly, and mostly with the manufacturer...

[observer]

I think NeutralRG & GM are wrong but I'll let a goalie parent confirm.

The rule to 11" was changed last year in the NHL and includes smaller gloves too. Last season at youth and high school they were allowed to continue to use 12" pads, and non-conforming gloves, but am pretty sure the new rules will be enforced this year. If I'm not mistaken last year was the phase in year and this year we'll see the smaller pads and gloves on all goalies.

[gmom29]

I think NeutralRG & GM are wrong but I'll let a goalie parent confirm.

The rule to 11" was changed last year in the NHL and includes smaller gloves too. Last season at youth and high school they were allowed to continue to use 12" pads, and non-conforming gloves, but am pretty sure the new rules will be enforced this year. If I'm not mistaken last year was the phase in year and this year we'll see the smaller pads and gloves on all goalies.

This is my understanding also that it to take place this 09/10 school year
We switched last year to give her some time with the new pads. I think I also saw it on the mshsl site under rule changes. if I can find it again I will post it.

[Puck Bag]

There was a thread on this last year but I cannot find it.

[2inNet]

This found on CBC sports:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ourgame ... hange.html

Not only specs out pads, but catch gloves and blockers. Change in Canada taking place with this coming season. I can only assume that USA Hockey is adopting same (or very similar) standards

[royals dad]

I say we go back to the 40 pound, brown leather, deer hair filled pads. Then see how good these goalies are. j/k

As earlier post said, the limitation will take effect slowly, and mostly with the manufacturer...

And no more composite sticks, curved blades, or body armor for the skaters?

As I understand equipment rules will be changing to no thigh boards out side of the breezers/pants. New pads have these already designed with more of a wraparound the thigh style, Vaughn the maker of my daughters pads sells a retro fit version that costs about 40 bucks. This does open the 5 hole a bit in a butterfly position, especially if pads are not +1 or +2 sized.

I had heard there may be an added rule with the danglers as well that does not allow it to be affixed tightly to the mask.

[hockeychamp01]

one of the goalie girls i know just recently bought new pads that included the new regulations. the wrap around thigh pad is much different than the previous model, overall she says that it actually is more comfortable because it doesn't get stuck in her breezers. the pads may be skinnier but we will all just have to adapt like we always do when the next wave of technology comes along.....

[brookyone]

Pad size needed to be dealt with (downsized) for the college game for sure. Some 'tenders pads were getting ridiculous. A certain UMD 6' goalie wore what resembled aircraft carriers strapped to her legs. As did a few other of the larger women. It definitely decreased the lateral movement required by the UMD goalie on many scoring attempts. An advantage for her...and intended I'm sure. She didn't excel at lateral movement.

I think they wanted to give shooters a little better chance...wanted more scoring to add excitement. I don't know any high school goalies that could handle the monsters I'm referring to.

I always get a chuckle when I see old NHL film clips featuring the likes of Ceasar Maniago and others of his era. Their pads appear equally comical for their comparative tinyness. It almost looks as though they aren't wearing any.

[MNHockeyFan]

I always get a chuckle when I see old NHL film clips featuring the likes of Ceasar Maniago and others of his era. Their pads appear equally comical for their comparative tinyness. It almost looks as though they aren't wearing any.

Also if you've seen clips of early MN Boys HS Tournament action, same thing. The goalies really had to move around to stop most pucks, with the shooters having lots of net to aim at. Not saying we'd ever want to go back to the way it was, but over the years the huge pads, blockers and gloves have tilted things too far in the goalies' favor, and athleticism has taken a back seat to size.

[GundersonDC]

Beng a HS coach I called contacts at the State HS league about my goalies as they have 12 inch pads and below was the response from the board on MN state HS league on the pad changes...

"There will be a 3 year phase in to the smaller 11” pads. Thus she can continue with the current pads through 2012-2013 according to Craig Perry at MSHSL.

joe