Head to Head: Hybrid Icing

The NHL hopes to prevent collisions like these between Andreas Lilja of the Adirondack Phantoms and Nicolas Deschamps of the Hershey Bears with the new hybrid icing rules approved for the 2013-14 season (Kyle Mace/Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Today we introduce a feature on Sweetest Hockey on Earth, Head to Head. Our Matt Trust and Kyle Mace will face off on a new topic. For our inaugural debate, we look at hybrid icing.

First off, Matt Trust takes on the side against hybrid icing

For myself and many others, the last day of September is such a positive note. Summer is officially behind us, postseason baseball is on the horizon, and professional hockey is geared to kick off their regular season.

But to put an end to all the positivity, news broke Monday evening that “Hybrid Icing” has been approved in the National Hockey League for the 2013-14 season.

I truly believe this rule can single-handily harm the NHL and provide another blow to its already struggling fan base. Ask yourself, what makes ice hockey the most beloved Canadian sport and an on-growing American sport? Many will answer “entertainment.” Hybrid icing diminishes one of the entertaining aspects of the game by eliminating foot races between opponents to touch the puck, after crossing the goal line.

In a time where teams are looking to win fans back after a horrible lockout that washed away half of last season, is cutting entertainment from ice hockey the right thing to do?

Of course there will still be foot races among opponents to the “imaginary line” slit through the face off dots, but does it become a tougher call for a linesman? Ties are more prone on foot races to an imaginary line compared to first stick to touch the puck. I also worry if linesmen will have the ability to position themselves properly in time to make an accurate judgement.

But lastly let’s not forget about the number one reason why such a horrendous rule has been implemented– Player safety. Rather than cracking down and penalizing players for enforcing contact against the boards during an icing sequence, the league has gone to higher measures.

The AHL did a test run of the hybrid icing during the 2012 portion of the 12-13 campaign. With the NHL’s adoption of the new icing used at the college hockey level, the American League will also permanently adapt to the rule for 2013-14.

Now Kyle Mace takes on the side in favor of the new icing rule

Hybrid icing is the right step for the NHL, AHL, and hockey everywhere. Back in 2010 at the NHL Research and Development Camp, the top hockey league in the world tested out the new concept. This “hybrid” icing involved two players that would have to race to an imaginary line for an icing call instead of racing to the goal line, which is only 11 feet from the end boards. With the new icing rule, the line which a player would have to cross is closer to 40 feet from the end of the rink.

Before the 2011 RDO Camp, the NHL’s Director of Player safety Brendan Shanahan said “I personally would like to see the hybrid more. I think it has strengths and some real weaknesses as well.” One of those strengths is reducing injuries caused from collisions at the end boards. Just last season in a game against the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen broke his heel bone after sliding into the end boards during a race with Troy Brouwer on a puck that was called for icing. Pikanen will be out for the whole 2013-14 season due to the injury.

Two places that have used hybrid icing for a few years now is the NCAA and the USHL. In 2007, the USHL introduced hybrid icing and one year later the NCAA picked up the concept. Both leagues have had success with this new form of icing, and with more players coming to the AHL and NHL from the NCAA and USHL, including Hershey’s Nate Schmidt and Nathan Walker, there will be no adjustment needed for the rule.

Despite all of this, there could be a few improvements like adding a line for where the race should end.

If fans are upset over this new rule, they should remember one thing; this was voted on by the players. They are the one playing the game that so many love and they are the ones that need to stay healthy for fans to continue to enjoy the game, making hybrid icing the best choice for the the game and more importantly, the players.

So what do you think? Are you for these new rules or do you like to see the race for the puck? Leave your opinion in the comments down below and they could be featured in another post.