The Time For No-Touch Icing Has Arrived

When will the NHL implement no-touch icing? Earlier this week we had yet another instance of injury related to the current icing rule. Check out the video below where Darcy Tucker of the Colorado Avalanche is pursuing the puck against Matt Greene of the LA Kings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv43KuZ-IqY

Fortunately Greene was able to continue playing but he was really lucky.

Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck across at least two red lines, the opposing team's goal line being the last. When icing is called, the officials stop play. Play is resumed with a face-off in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction. In international competitions, the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), and the Central Hockey League (CHL), play is stopped for icing once the puck crosses the goal line. This is called automatic or no-touch icing. In the NHL and AHL, however, a player on the opposing team other than the goalie must touch the puck to cause a stoppage in play.

There are two solid reasons I believe no-touch icing should be implemented.

First, serious injury will be prevented. Look at some of the major injuries over that past few years due to an icing-related chase for the puck. Minnesota's Kurt Foster broke his leg, Calgary's Al MacInnis dislocated his hip, Dallas' Mark Tinordi broke his femur, Edmonton's Marty Reasoner damaged his knee and foot, the former San Jose Shark (and current Bruin) Marco Sturm dislocated his ankle and broke his leg and Florida's Mike Wilson dislocated his shoulder and broke his arm. You may also remember former first rounder Pat Peake of the Washington Capitals. Peake's career ended in a sprint for the puck with Pittsburgh's J.J. Daigneault. His heel shattered in 12 places - he was done at age 24.

Second, the tempo of the game will be quicker. The average duration of a game will decrease and will appeal to hockey's fan base.

The NHL, in its infinite wisdom, will sit on this until a really serious injury occurs. For once I ask the NHL to be proactive and preemptive. General Managers also have some ownership on this one - make a move for no-touch icing to be implemented next season.