The OHL's board of governors approved a series of six playing rule changes for the 2025-26 season, as well as three notable hockey operations changes.
It also adopted new initiatives in player experience and officiating development, which it says will be announced in the coming weeks.
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RULE 38.4: EXPANDED COACH'S CHALLENGE/VIDEO REVIEW
Coach’s challenges may be issued in the following scenarios, regardless of remaining timeouts:
- Scoring plays involving potential interference on the goaltender
- Potential offside play leading to a goal
- Missed game stoppage event in the offensive zone leading to a goal (ie; missed high stick by attacking team in offensive zone)
- Penalty situations for delaying the game (ie; puck over glass)
- team may only challenge if a penalty is assessed on the play
An unsuccessful coach’s challenge will result in a minor penalty for delaying the game.
In the final minute of regulation and throughout overtime, the video goal judge will initiate the review of any scenario that would otherwise be subject to a coach’s challenge. The rule adjustment makes the challenge system more similar to what's seen in the NHL.
Previously, a coach’s challenge was only available for use on potential instances of goaltender interference leading to a goal if the challenging team had a timeout remaining.
RULE 52 - SLEW-FOOTING
Effective for the start of the 2025-26 season, players may now be assessed a four-minute double-minor for slew-footing. The player committing the foul will be further assessed a match penalty if the opposing player lands dangerously on the ice or into the boards.
Should the opposing player land dangerously on the ice or into the boards, a match penalty will be assessed. All slew-footing infractions trigger a post-game review for possible supplementary discipline by the OHL Department of Player Safety.
In the Barrie's 2024-25 home-opener, then-Colt Riley Patterson was assessed a match penalty for slew-footing North Bay defenseman Wyatt Kennedy. Patterson was later suspended for two games.
Previously, a player guilty of slew-footing an opponent could only be assessed a match penalty, or have the infraction entirely overturned by way of video review.
RULE 63.8: DELAYING THE GAME
If a defending skater or goalie dislodges a goalpost, causing a stoppage in play, the ensuing face-off would occur inside the defending team’s zone. No line changes would be permitted.
RULE 75.2: UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - SITTING ON THE BOARDS
Any player who sits on the boards with a skate exposed during play will be warned by the referee, as will their team. After one warning, a minor penalty will be assessed for a subsequent violation.
The league says this change was made in the interest of player safety.
RULE 76.4: FACEOFF VIOLATIONS AFTER ICINGS
On a faceoff following an icing, both centremen will receive a warning following a faceoff violation. A the second violation by that same centreman will result in their team being assessed a minor penalty.
On all other faceoff scenarios, either centreman will be ejected from the faceoff circle following an infraction without warning. On a team’s third faceoff violation, they will be assessed a minor penalty.
Previously, on a faceoff following an icing call, the defending centreman would receive a warning for a faceoff violation, and the second infraction committed by the defending centreman would result in a minor penalty. The centreman for the attacking team would be ejected following his first faceoff violation.
RULE 84.4 - SHOOTOUT SCRAPE
Ice cleaning crews will be the only ones will remove snow from the goal crease area without the need of the ice resurfacing machine during the break between overtime and a shootout..
Previously, the ice resurfacing machine would make four passes to clean 22-24 feet of the ice surface during that time. This quickens the pace of the added gameplay.
HOCKEY OPERATIONS: ENHANCED VIDEO TECHNOLOGY
The OHL has partnered with Spiideo to enhance its video review process in all 20 arenas. The benefits of this new partnership include:
- Seven consistent angles in all buildings
- Faster incident analysis and decision-making
- Improved official coaching and development through objective visual feedback
- Enhanced supplemental discipline process
It says phase 1 of the integration is near completion as installation continues across the league.
HOCKEY OPERATIONS: OVERAGE PLAYER REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY
In previous seasons, OHL teams could only sign and register an overage player if they had spent the previous season on a Hockey Canada or USA Hockey player's registration certificate.
Now, teams have the ability to also register an overage player who spent the previous age-19 season in either the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
HOCKEY OPERATIONS: PLAYER SAFETY - CUT-RESISTANT MATERIAL
Mandatory cut-resistant materials worn on the throat, groin, wrist and ankle must be at the category of A-5 or greater, with the exception of BNQ-certified throat protectors.
After an incident in 2023 in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) that led to the death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson, the CHL requires all players 18-years-old or younger to wear neck protection in all games and practices.
