Mega-Thread: Timeline of Rule Changes

[tarheelhockey]

The first post of this thread has a specific purpose: to consolidate some of the work that has been done on this forum to document the history of rule changes.

Beyond the OP, perhaps this thread can exist as a repository for new research and discussion of the topic.

Essential information:
NHL Records
Rules changes - 1910-1930 | Historical Website of the Montreal Canadiens

Links to prior research and discussion:

The Halifax Rules Project
St.Paul's School Ice Hockey Rules For 1875, 1883, and 1885
PCHA Rules for 1913-14
NHL Rules and Rule Changes 1926-27 thru 1966-67 Goalies
NHL Rules and Rule Changes 1926-27 to 1966-67 Assists
1945 NHL One Assist Rule
C.A.H.A. Rule changes over the years
The NHL's Power Play Rule Change of the mid-1950s
1958 C.A.H.A. / NHL Rules Debate
1959 NHL Rule Changes
1956 Dink Carroll Column, New PP Rule and 1956 Olympic Team
1958 Pre Season C.A.H.A. Rules Directive
1970 NHL June Meeting - Plante's Latest Mask and Rule Changes
Proposed "free shot" rule for 1974-1975 NHL season
Players/Events That Caused A Rule Change

Click to read more...

 

[Theokritos]

Great work to collect those threads.

 

[Sanf]

I have somewhere in my notes a collection of some rule changes from roughly from 1910 to 1930. I can try to compile them at some point. Someone can correct if I´m wrong with these. These are gathered from papers not from rule books.

Few easy to find changes are ofcourse the goaltender stopping the puck in any manner rule. Sometimes referred as Clint Benedict rule. It is true that Benedict mastered that "cheating" and it did affect in NHL rules. But it was widely known problem. It created lot of stoppages in hockey and in tight games it created lot of arguements. Goaltender were supposed to be penalized from it, but that very rarely happened.

Timeline of that rule change that I have is... (And someone correct if I´m wrong)
1916 PCHA allowed goalkeeper to stop the puck in any manner.
1917-1918 NHL season (1918) NHL did the same
1922 CAHA adapted the rule though it may be that some local associations and leagues may have take longer time to take the rule in use.
I do not know when the rule came in use in International hockey, but it may have been as late as in 30´s.

And ofcourse the always popular goaliepad ruling. It started to be bit of problem and surely some of the pictures I have seen goalies have quite monstrous pads.
1923 Goaltenders pads must not be wider than 16 inches while lying flat. Also masks were allowed. Goal crease which was briefly use was disbanded. (CAHA)
1923 At the same time PCHA already went with a maximum of 12 inches pads. (Also goalie coulnd´t go behind the net)
1925 Goalie pads from 14 inches to 12 inches. (So in 1924 it may have gone to 14 inches.) Also goalie was allowed to throw the puck behind the net. (CAHA)
1927 Goalie pads from 12 inches to 10 inches (CAHA and also NHL took the rule)

 

[Oheao]

Strange how 18 skaters only became a thing in 82-83.