The NHL Injury Analysis Panel was created in order to improve player safety through rules analysis and enforcement, equipment standardization and the playing environment.
The panel, which is comprised of NHL and team executives, NHL players and NHL Players' Association executives, team physicians and trainers, on-ice officials, equipment managers and manufacturers, submitted a list of recommendations to the NHL's Board of Governors and general managers based on information gathered during the 2000-01 season.
The Board of Governors and general managers approved all recommendations, which will be implemented during the 2001-02 season.
The list of recommendations, as released by the NHL:
Rules Enforcement
The NHL will continue to focus on reducing deliberate blows to the head and injuries occurring above the shoulder through the strict and consistent enforcement of the existing rules involving aggressor and stick infractions and, through the assessment of appropriate supplementary discipline sanctions. Any blow to the head delivered by an extended hand, elbow, forearm or stick will be penalized.
Increased attention will be paid to "cheap shot" infractions and the intentional physical harassment of players.
Equipment Standardization
Players will be encouraged to wear visors in an effort to reduce the number of facial and eye injuries. Educating players and team personnel about the merits of wearing a visor will be accompanied by the strict enforcement of rules regarding contact with the head and face.
All players will be required to wear a chin strap adjusted so as to ensure the helmet remains on the player's head at all times.
A player must be issued a new certified helmet at the beginning of every season to ensure the helmet's protective effectiveness.
Equipment manufacturers are to create protective gear for the elbows and shoulders for the 2002-03 season that covers exposed hard-plastic surfaces with softer padding in order to provide optimal protection to both the wearer and the opponent.
A process will be developed pursuant to which the League will set guidelines for players' sticks and other equipment. The initial focus of the study will be on the shot velocity the sticks can generate and the breakability of the sticks.
Playing Environment
Increased focus on "seamless" glass; experimentation of new structural systems are in place at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas in an effort to improve its flexibility and ability to absorb contact.
Standardizing the glass in front of the penalty and timer's benches to a height of 48 inches.
Improve the quality of ice through experimentation with water mixtures, ice-making procedures and maintenance. Players and on-ice officials will evaluate each venue's ice quality throughout the season to determine the most effective practices, nd monthly summaries of ice reports will be submitted to Club GMs and arena managers.
The strict enforcement of time restrictions for on-ice activity for pre-game skates, intermissions and TV time-outs to ensure premium ice quality.
Pyrotechnic displays will be prohibited prior to and during the game. Laser shows will be permitted when no smoke/mist is used.
Injury Analysis
Injury reporting will include the compilation of video clips of every concussion for the purpose of analysis and research.
