Rule Change

[iceage]

I recently read that the penalty for "puck handling" has been changed to a face-off in the defensive end of the offending team (same as the penalty for a high stick). Does "puck handling" refer to a hand pass or grasping the puck?

[nickmon3]

My guess is you can hand pass it but not grasp it.

[gopher16]

The rule change applies to the hand pass. It is now treated the same as playing the puck with a high stick. As for grasping the puck, that results in a stoppage and the face off is at 1 of the 9 designated dots on the ice (closest to the infraction). If it occurs in the offensive zone, it comes out to the neutral zone. All face offs in HS hockey now must be held at 1 of the 9 dots on the ice. (same as college).

[hiptzech]

The rule change applies to the hand pass. It is now treated the same as playing the puck with a high stick. As for grasping the puck, that results in a stoppage and the face off is at 1 of the 9 designated dots on the ice (closest to the infraction). If it occurs in the offensive zone, it comes out to the neutral zone. All face offs in HS hockey now must be held at 1 of the 9 dots on the ice. (same as college).

Highsticking, hand pass, and grasping all go to the defensive zone...