Champions Hockey League updates penalty rules and format for 2023-24
The IIHF announced Wednesday the European Champions Hockey League will be adjusting its rule book regarding how penalties are handled moving forward.
The 2023/24 @championshockey will start with a new format featuring 24 teams and new on-ice rules this Thursday.🏆
Read more at https://t.co/ldDBa42X8a ⤵️https://t.co/CHvuWQ21sw pic.twitter.com/AwhF4aCARU
The Champions League has suggested that such changes will assist in the future development of the sport, as well as increase excitement for the fans. Primarily the following three innovative rule changes will now be implemented for the upcoming season:
Minor penalties dealt the same as major: A team which caused a minor penalty will remain shorthanded even if the opposing team scores a goal.
Serving delayed penalties: A minor penalty will be served even if a goal is scored while a delayed penalty is pending.
Shorthanded goal erases current minor penalty: If a shorthanded team scores, the minor penalty against will end.
One thing to keep an eye on with these rule changes is their overall impact on the game, along with how teams may adapt their strategies on the ice due to these new rules being put into place.
Champions Hockey League CEO Martin Baumann spoke about the rule book modifications for next season and the excitement surrounding the adjustments.
“We’ve come up with three simple, but efficient changes that have high potential to add extra excitement to the game,” he said in an IIHF release. “Since the CHL is a pan-European competition which teams play in addition to their national leagues, it was important to create rules which can be implemented without significant effort regarding training and education of game officials, teams and other relevant parties.”
Baumann also highlighted that the changes to the rules are non-intrusive and easy to understand, giving them the right balance of innovation, excitement, and credibility.
The Champions Hockey League season begins on Aug. 31 with 24 teams from 11 leagues participating and vying to win the European Trophy.
All 24 participating teams have been placed into four groups:
Group A: Tappara, Ilves, Red Bull Munich, Växjö Lakers, Red Bull Salzburg, Geneva-Servette
Group B: Lukko, EHC Biel-Bienne, Ocelari Trinec, ERC Ingolstadt, HC Bolzano, SkellefteĂĄ AIK
Group C: Pelicans, HC Inssbruck, Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, Färjestad, Dynamo Pardubice, Adler Mannheim
Group D: HC Kosice, Aalborg Pirates, Vitkovice Ridera, Stavanger Oilers, Rouen Dragons, Belfast Giants
The teams in each group will play one another to determine the overall regular season standings. From there the top 16 teams as per the overall rankings will advance to the playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season, with the CHL championship game being slated for Feb. 20, 2024.