On April 2, 1972, Bobby Hull scored his 50th goal of the 1971-72 season while his seven-year-old son, Brett, watched on TV A mere 18 years later, on February 6, 1990, Brett Hull scored his 50th goal of the year for St. Louis en route to a new record for goals by a right winger (72). Brett's 50th goal marked the first time in NHL history that a father-son tandem had recorded 50-goal seasons.
NHL hockey has evolved steadily throughout its long history. Each year, the NHL Board of Governors examines potential rule changes. Usually, these changes are subtle, but over time, hockey continues to change. A complete list of rule changes or seasons changed is not shown below, just the highlights.
1900
Referee Fred Waghorne introduces the modern faceoff, dropping the puck between the players' sticks rather than placing it on the ice and risking injury.
The Canadian Amateur Hockey League adopts use of the goal net.
1911-12
The NHA switches to six-man hockey, as it eliminates the "rover" position.
1913-14
In the NHA, goalies are not allowed to leave their feet to make saves-and risk penalties for doing so. Also, assists are recorded for the first time.
1918-19
To speed the game's action, the NHL adds two bluelines and permits forward passing between the two bluelines.
The NHL also institutes new rules prohibiting substitutions for penalized players: three minutes for minors, five for majors, and no substitution for players assessed match penalties.
New statistics are introduced. Assists are tracked (along with goals) to compose scoring totals.
1921-22
An NHL rule change eliminates the split-season schedule and institutes a playoff between the top two finishing teams. Also, the NHL reduces minor penalties from three minutes to two and puts a 20-minute limit on overtime.
1923-24
After the Cleghorn/Couture episode of the previous year, the NHL redefines actionable match fouls, assesses new fines, and mandates presidential review for possible further punishment.
The game's first individual trophy is introduced when Dr. David Hart, father of Canadiens coach Cecil Hart, dedicates the Hart Trophy for the NHL's most valuable player.
1924-25
The season is expanded from 24 games to 30, which will lead to player insurrection during the later stages of the campaign.
1925-26
Rule changes include: delayed penalties to ensure four skaters on the ice at all times; no more than two players are allowed to remain behind the blueline after the puck leaves the defensive zone; and a faceoff results from excessive puck-ragging.
The regular-season schedule grows from 30 games to 36.
1926-27
The NHL divides into two divisions, Canadian and American, and lengthens the schedule to 44 games.
The demise of the Western hockey leagues results in the Stanley Cup coming under the exclusive control of the NHL.
1927-28
In the interest of encouraging offensive play, rules are adopted to allow forward passes in the defensive and neutral zones.
A goal net designed by Art Ross, with a double-curved back and flax netting (to better catch pucks), is adopted for use in the NHL.
The Good Ol' Hockey Game
The NHL should institute some new rules to bring its fans back.
Make hockey hair mandatory. Even on the bald players.
Place an unfed Barry Melrose in each penalty box.
Give Winnipeg its team back, and then immediately take it away on national TV. Make sure everyone points and laughs.
Three words: On-ice cheerleaders.
Bring back those lasers and exploding robots that Fox used to jazz up its coverage. Seriously, how are we supposed to understand hockey without lasers and exploding robots?
Instead of overtime, have players engage in hot dog–eating contests.
Paint the red line orange, and the blue lines green. The Shreveport Mighty Lasers did this for an exhibition game and it was totally awesome.
Rename the Nashville Predators the Nashville Pussy-Eaters.
Attach a large, spiked mace to the end of every hockey stick.
First period, one puck. Second period, two pucks. Third period, three pucks. Overtime—everybody gets one. First team to a hundred wins.
Officially change "fuck" to "puck" and "ass" to "ice," and start using the words in your daily life. "Sorry I'm late for dinner, Aunt Shirley—there was a pucking iceload of traffic today!"
If a fan catches a puck in his teeth, that counts as a goal for the home team.
Instead of a crease, goalies have to piss out their territory, as seen in the animal kingdom.
Make the backup goalies put I'M THE BACKUP GOALIE across the forehead of their masks.
Get Isaac Hayes to be the PA announcer whenever possible. "Goal scored by the very sexy Mmmark Mmmiller, mmm. His second of the game. Daaamn."
If a player breaks one of those goddamned $500 sticks on his goddamned first shot, make him eat the goddamned thing, goddammit! Goddammit!
Every fan in attendance gets one free beer for every goal scored. And one free eight ball for every penalty.
Whenever there's a fight, crosscut it with graphically violent footage from When Animals Attack!
If a player is caught with an illegal blade, force him to hot box the penalty box by doing blades.
People love the Zamboni, so let's make it part of the game. It'd be like watching a life-size game of Arkanoid pinball.
Mandatory smoking during intermission for players. Mario Lemieux did it, Guy Lafleur did it—why can't the players from "the New NHL" do it?
The Gary Bettman Dunk Tank. Before the Stanley Cup finals, one lucky fan would be selected to shoot pucks at the commish. But instead of getting dunked into water, Bettman would get dunked into horse piss, and instead of being dunked, he would be drowned.
1928-29
The NHL now permits forward passing in the defensive and neutral zones and into the attacking zone from the neutral zone. However, forward passing is still not allowed in the offensive zone.
A minor penalty will now be assessed to any player who delays the game by passing the puck into his own defensive zone.
Regulation ties will now result in a 10-minute, non-sudden-death overtime period.
1929-30
A new NHL rule allows forward passing in all zones, while another rule permits players to kick the puck-although not into the goal. Also, goalies may no longer "freeze" the puck; they must clear it immediately after a save.
High-sticking penalties are introduced, as the league tries to reduce its inherent violence.
An "off-side" rule is written. It prohibits an attacking player from preceding the puck into the enemy's zone.
The NHL's scoring skyrockets from 642 goals in 1928-29 to 1,301 goals in 1929-30.
1930-31
The NHL introduces the use of a four-sided scoreboard clock in some arenas, and it sanctions the use of farm teams by several NHL clubs.
1931-32
The eight-team league continues its divisional format but extends the schedule to 48 games in an attempt to generate income.
1932-33
The league mandates that if a goalie is called for a penalty, a teammate can serve the time for him.
Prior to the start of the season, the NHL experiences another "mini strike" when a salary cap is placed at $70,000 per team - and $7,500 for the highest paid player.
1933-34
To further enhance scoring, the league mandates that only three players (including the goalie) may occupy the defensive zone.
For the first time ever, visible time clocks are required in all of the NHL's arenas.
The NHL changes its on-ice officiating format. Two referees replace the one-referee, one-linesman system.
1934-35
The NHL adopts the use of a penalty shot, awarded to any player who is tripped and prevented from a clear shot on goal. The penalty shot is to be taken from within a 10-foot circle 38 feet from the goal.
1937-38
The NHL adopts a rule calling for a faceoff to ensue when the puck is shot from the defensive side of center past the offensive goal line (icing).
Penalty shots will be awarded if anyone but the goalie falls on the puck within 10 feet of the goal.
1938-39
The NHL's penalty-shot ruling is changed, as shooters are now allowed to skate in on the goalie.
The NHLs two-referee system is abandoned, as the league returns to the old one-referee, one-linesman system.
1939-40
The NHL adopts a rule concerning a substitute who replaces a goalie who's serving a penalty. The sub may not don any goaltending equipment other than a goalie's stick and gloves.
1940-41
The NHL mandates the use of between-periods ice flooding to improve the quality of the league's ice surfaces.
1941-42
The NHL adopts a split minor/ major policy on penalty shots. The minor penalty allows a 28-foot "free" shot; the major penalty allows the player to skate in on the goalie.
The league adds a second linesman to each game; each contest now has one referee and two linesmen.
1942-43
The NHL suspends regular-season overtime to better meet wartime train schedules.
Teams are limited to 14 players. The 12-player minimum is abolished.
The regular-season schedule is expanded by two games, to 50.
1943-44
The "modern age" of hockey begins, as the NHL introduces the center red line to speed up the game and reduce off-sides.
Delayed penalties are instituted. Action is not stopped until the "guilty" team touches the puck.
1946-47
Based on informal hand gestures originated by Hall of Fame referee Bill Chadwick, the NHL adopts official signals to indicate penalties.
The NHL mandates that linesmen from neutral cities be hired for every game.
The NHL's regular-season schedule is expanded from 50 games to 60 games.
1947-48
The league introduces several measures, including awarding goals and penalty shots and assessing major penalties, to eliminate stick throwing.
In a rule change, goaltenders will no longer have to face a penalty shot if they commit a major penalty. Instead, they will be represented in the penalty box by a teammate.
The NHL season is expanded to 70 games.
1950-51
The NHL rules that each team must provide an emergency goaltender for every game, for use by either team, in case of injury or illness.
1951-52
The NHL rules that visiting teams will wear basic white jerseys during games, while the home teams will wear colored jerseys.
The goalcrease is enlarged from 3 x 7 feet to 4 x 8 feet, and the faceoff circles are expanded from a 10-foot radius to a 15-foot radius.
1953-54
The NHL's intraleague draft structure is revised, allowing teams to protect 20 (instead of 30) players. The claiming price is reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 per player.
1954-55
The NHL begins the practice of maintaining an "out-of-town" scoreboard at each arena.
The NHL rules for the first time that referees and linesmen are to wear the now-familiar "zebra-striped" shirts.
Teams begin to wear colored sweaters at home and white sweaters on the road.
1956-57
Due to the overwhelming success of the Canadiens' power play, the NHL amends the penalty rule. A penalized player may now return to the ice if the opponent scores a power-play goal.
In October 1956, a group of NHL players-led by Detroit star Ted Lindsay-meets at the All-Star Game and plants the seeds for an NHL players' association.
1959-60
The NHL passes a new rule prohibiting players from leaving the bench to join a fight on the ice.
1961-62
The NHL rules that penalty shots will now be taken by the player against whom the foul is committed rather than a designee.
1964-65
The NHL passes a new rule prohibiting body contact on faceoffs. It also mandates that, during playoffs, backup goalies must be on the bench and in uniform.
The NHL rules that teams must dress two goaltenders for every contest.
1966-67
The NHL rules that substitutions will now be allowed on coincidental major penalties.
The NHL's sponsorship of junior teams ends, and all players not on NHL lists are eligible for the amateur draft.
The expansion teams make up the West Division, while the "Original Six" comprise the East. Teams will play a 74-game schedule.
1968-69
One year after limiting draft eligibility to 20-year-olds (or older), the NHL adopts rules making players all over the world eligible for the NHL draft.
1971-72
In measures to reduce full-scale brawls, the NHL installs a rule to eject any player who joins a fight in progress.
1974-75
The NHL imposes an additional minor penalty to any player who does not proceed "immediately and directly" to the penalty box.
1976-77
The NHL adopts a new rule calling for an extra five-minute penalty and a game misconduct to any player clearly instigating a fight.
1983-84
The NHL adds one five-minute sudden-death period to regular season games ending in ties.
1985-86
Due to the brilliant five-on-five play of the Oilers, the NHL adopts a rule allowing substitutions (six-on-six play) in the event of coincidental minors.
1986-87
To speed the game, the NHL enacts a rule suspending delayed off-sides once the offending player leaves the opponent's defensive zone.
1991-92
The NHL adopts several rule changes in regards to the goalcrease. Also, video replays are employed to assist refs in goal/no-goal situations.
1992-93
The NHL expands from 22 to 24 teams by adding the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators. Also, the season is expanded to 84 games.
Helmet wearing is made optional in the NHL, but the league invokes stricter penalties for fighting and high-sticking.
1999-00
The NHL implements a new system in which each team plays 25 home and 25 road games using two referees.
In the aftermath of Brett Hull's Stanley Cup-winning goal (while he was partially in the goalcrease), the league institutes a no-harm, no-foul, no-video review standard.
The NHL rules that for regular season tie games, each team will receive a point in the standings. In the event of an overtime goal, the winning team will earn an additional point.
2000-01
After a season of partial use, the NHL turns to the full-time employment of the two-referee system, putting four officials on the ice for all games.
Sidebar: Dave Lawrence and Paul Spence. The Good Ol' Hockey Game. Stuff. 5/1/2006.
Passes from behind one blue line to the other are now legal.
Letting a defenseman pass from behind his net all the way to the other team's blue line shoutd really spread out the defenses and create some breakaways.
Goalies can only handle the puck within a restricted area behind their net or else it's a delay of game.
It's an unwritten rule that if a goalie is out playing the puck, you can't go hit him. The goalie could roam while handling the puck under the old rules – and nothing would happen to him. It eliminated offensive chances.
A five-minute four-on-four overtime follows tied games - and then it goes to a shootout.
Once it gets down to around five minutes left in a tied game, it will still get conservative because both teams will still receive one point for a tie. But whoever wins the overtime or shootout will get a second point.
The league will clamp down on obstruction, interference, hooking and holding.
Hockey's become like football where guys are holding people up. Now no one can touch you if you don't have the puck. It'll hurt the Devils and Stars – trapping teams known for plugging up the neutral zone - but it should open up the game for star players.
