ACHA rule changes
| Rule | What changed | Applies from | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA 9.4 (ACHA additions) | Intentional helmet removal during play is a minor; a goalkeeper who removes the helmet or mask on a breakaway gives up an awarded goal. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 1 |
| NCAA 19.3 (ACHA additions Rule 19) | Last five minutes and overtime: major-versus-minor differential (3:00 or 1:00) served immediately as a major. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 2 |
| NCAA 20 (ACHA additions) | A player's second major in a game brings an automatic game misconduct. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 2 |
| NCAA 28.2 (ACHA additions) | A goalkeeper's major or misconduct is served by a teammate who was on the ice when play stopped. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 2 |
| NCAA 48.1 (ACHA additions) | Fighting means repeated punches (or a wrestle linespersons cannot break up); a single punch is roughing, but fighting in ACHA games should still be penalized as fighting. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 2 |
| NCAA 49 (ACHA additions) | A minor for an attempted or non-forceful head-butt; major and game misconduct reserved for forcible or egregious head-butts. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 2 |
| NCAA 50 (ACHA additions) | 'In open ice' removed from checking from behind. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 2 |
| NCAA 55.5 (ACHA additions) | Throwing a stick outside the playing area is a game misconduct. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 3 |
| NCAA 28.6 (ACHA additions 'Rule 55') | Goalkeeper leaving a stick, equipment or snow that stops an imminent goal: awarded goal. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 3 |
| NCAA 55.3 (ACHA additions 'Rule 59.1') | An object thrown at the puck or the puck carrier inside the defending zone brings a penalty shot. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 3 |
| NCAA 67.5, 67.6 (ACHA additions) | Deliberately displacing the net or removing a helmet during a breakaway: awarded goal. Goalkeeper freezes a dump-in from the attackers' own half: defending team cannot change and the attacking team picks the dot. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 3-4 |
| NCAA 79.3, 79.5 (ACHA additions) | Offensive language (expanded categories) and spitting are game disqualifications. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 4 |
| NCAA 81 (ACHA additions) | Full blade flat on the ice for face-offs; defending player sets first at non-center spots, visitor at center ice (all divisions). | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 4 |
| NCAA 84, 84.3/84.4 (ACHA additions) | No whistle for a hand pass in the defending zone; a line change is permitted after a defending-zone high stick (all divisions); face-off at the dot nearest the infraction with the least territorial advantage. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 4-5 |
| NCAA 86.1 (ACHA additions) | A player must control the puck with the stick before the skates enter the offensive zone. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 5 |
| NCAA 92.1, 92.2 (ACHA additions) | One time-out per team; one time-out per stoppage, no back-to-back time-outs, none after a face-off violation or for a team barred from changing; no extra overtime time-out. | 2026-27 | ACHA 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026; applies to all six ACHA divisions): http://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/2026-NCAA_ACHA-Additions-8_27_2026-UPDATED.pdf, p. 5 |
| ACHA Manual, Men's Division 1 Game Day Requirements item 13 | Every Men's Division 1 home game must use a four-official system; otherwise a fine can apply. | 2026-27 | ACHA Manual, 2026-27 Season (FINAL 8-10-2026): https://www.achahockey.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/ACHA_Manual_2026_27_Season-FINAL-8-10-2026-1.pdf, p. 45 (PDF) |
ACHA Rule of the Week cards explain many of these changes in more depth.