NHL Puts New Wrinkle in the Crease

New standards limiting the size of goaltending equipment will be implemented by the NHL for next season.

General managers this week approved the new criteria that define the maximum dimensions of a goaltender’s jersey, pants and chest and arm pads. The move comes after a season in which scoring was down and there were many complaints about the size and bulkiness of goaltenders’ equipment.

League officials and the NHL Players’ Assn. were involved in setting the new dimensions, with several active goaltenders participating in the discussions.

Glenn Healy and Curtis Joseph of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrick Roy and Craig Billington of the Colorado Avalanche and John Vanbiesbrouck of the Philadelphia Flyers were among the goalies who participated.

“We’re pleased we were able to work with the Players’ Assn. on these standards and we appreciate the goaltenders’ input on standards that will provide the shooters with a little more scoring space,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

Earlier in the off-season, the league made rule changes that made the goal crease smaller and moved the net two feet farther out.

The jersey may not be wider than 29 inches across at the chest, 30 inches across at the hips, nine inches wide at the wrist or 14 inches from the front of the shoulder to the back. No inserts or additions may be made and the jersey may not be longer than 32 inches and it may not cover any area between the legs.

The protection for the chest and arms must be more form-fitting and no raised ridges will be permitted on the front, sides or top. The pants legs may not be wider than 11 inches across the front of the thigh and no inside or outside ridges will be permitted.

Limits on the dimensions of catching gloves will be enacted on a transitional basis for next season with full implementation for 1999-2000.