NCAA division removes the high sticking rule for 2025-26 season

The WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association), a Div 1 women's hockey conference in the NCAA, has approved effectively the removal of the high sticking rule for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Officially the league is calling it an "experimental unlimited high-sticking rule" that will allow players to play the puck with their stick, at any height, during regulation and overtime play. The rule will not apply to shootouts or penalty shots. High sticking another player, however, is still a penalty.

"There is a strong interest in this concept from the league's coaches, and it has been discussed for years," said WCHA Commissioner Michelle McAteer in a prepared statement. "Many believe it's a skill that can increase scoring chances and puck possession time. We anticipate we will see this utilized in the offensive zone for tips and redirects to increase scoring chances. Also, players will likely try to bat pucks down that are being flipped out of the defensive zone and through neutral ice." 

The rule likely wouldn't fly at the NHL or other professional levels as players are more exposed. Players in the WCHA must wear full cages or full clear "fishbowl" style facial protection.

"First of all, we want more scoring in hockey," said Minnesota Head Coach Brad Frost at the WCHA Media Day. "This is an opportunity to have that. Secondarily, and maybe most important for me is it seems like any time there is a potential high stick goal, the referee will either call it a goal or wave it off, and they have an eighth of a second to make that decision. Even if they go back to review, it is still really hard to decide whether that was a high stick or not because of the angles of the cameras, because everything happens so quickly, because of the quality of the cameras."

Ohio State Head Coach Nadine Muzerall at the WCHA Media Day stated, "We will see how it looks." "I am not worried that kids will be swinging around their stick like they are fencing or something. It’s going to be highly skilled players. I am not too concerned about it. I think we will be able to be safe in that environment, and we will just see how it goes."

Color me skeptical...

The first time someone takes a baseball bat swing at a puck and ends up connecting with a goalie and I think we'll see this rule walked back. Thoughts?