INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has announced proposed changes to its Division I transfer rules in hopes of providing “clarity in the transfer environment.”
The biggest change proposed would eliminate the blanket rule prohibiting student-athletes from transferring more than once without penalty. Right now, the only way a student-athlete can transfer more than once without penalty is by graduating with a degree and enrolling in graduate school with a new program.
On the flip side, the NCAA is proposing an “entry window” for student-athletes to enter the transfer portal that would open that day after the NCAA tournament field is announced and remain open for 60 days.
In 2023, the women’s hockey transfer window would be March 6-May 4. The men’s hockey transfer window would be March 20-May 18.
Schools who accept transfers who were receiving financial aid at their previous school will have to over their new player financial aid through the completion of the student-athlete’s five-year eligibility period or through undergraduate graduation, whichever comes first. The exception to the rule will be if the student transfers again, or signs a professional contract. Transfer student-athletes will also continue to count against a school’s roster and scholarship limits, unless the player is medically disqualified, exhausts eligibility, transfers or turns pro.
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The new transfer rules were developed by the NCAA Division I Transformation Committee and endorsed this week by the NCAA Division I Council. The proposal will go before the NCAA Division I Board of Directors next month.
NCAA hockey rule changes approved
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee approved rule changes sent its way by the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee last month, including to overhauling of video reviews.
Reviewable plays such as goaltender interference, offsides and high sticking that leads to a goal will now require a coach’s challenge. If the play is not reversed, the challenging team will lose its timeout. Teams can continue to challenge plays without a timeout, but will be assessed a delay of game minor penalty for every unsuccessful challenge.
“Referees will continue to have discretion to review most aspects of the scoring of a goal and player action where a major penalty is being considered,” the NCAA wrote .
Other rules changes that were approved:
- In nonconference games where a game is tied after overtime, the host school’s conference policy on shootouts will be followed. Shootouts were previously not allowed in nonconference games.
- Not all contact to the head and checking from behind penalties will carry an automatic game misconduct or game disqualification. Officials now have the option of just calling a five-minute major without ejecting a player.
- College will not use the NHL rule for offside plays. The skate does not have to be touching the blue line. A player is onside if the skate is over the blue line.
- The provision that nullified video review of a potential offside play if the defending team gained possession and control of the puck was removed.
- Intermissions can be 12 or 15 minutes in length, but not 18.
- Players are not allowed on the ice before the start of the pregame process. Also, non-starters must proceed directly to the bench after intermissions.
- When the defensive team high sticks the puck in the defensive zone, the defensive team will not be able to change its players. This is consistent with hand passes in the defensive zone.
- Cover the puck in the crease is now a reviewable play via a coach’s challenge.