UHL announces rule changes and new alignments
Published on July 8, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.-The United Hockey League announced a few rule changes and revealed three newly realigned divisions for the fast approaching 2004-05 season. The changes were voted on and approved at the Board of Governors meetings that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada last month and in St. Louis on Tuesday, July 6.
The Rockford IceHogs will play in a five team Western Conference, the League announced Tuesday. The Hogs division will feature the rival Quad City Mallards and Missouri River Otters, along with the Fort Wayne Komets and the expansion Kansas City franchise. The UHL has featured a two conference format for the past three seasons, but will return to the three division set-up for the first time since 1999-00, the IceHogs inaugural season.
The other two divisions are the Central and Eastern Division. The Central will include five Michigan teams including the Flint Generals, Kalamazoo Wings, Muskegon Fury, Port Huron Beacons and expansion Motor City (Fraser) Mechanics. The Eastern Division features the Elmira Jackals, Adirondack Frostbite, Richmond RiverDogs and expansion Danbury Trashers.
There were four rule changes for the 04-05 campaign, including one change that will be in effect for exhibition games only. The center ice red line will not be utilized during all preseason exhibition games this season, eliminating the two-line pass. The red line, however, will be in effect during the regular and post season.
Other rule changes include automatic icing, an additional veteran and an increase in the salary cap to compensate for the increase of regular season games. Icing infractions will now be called once the puck has crossed the goal line, not when the defending player touches the puck. The Board of Governors also approved a seventh veteran on active rosters. Prior to this season, teams were allowed six veterans.
Due to the three division format, the playoff layout has changed as well. The top two teams from all three divisions will automatically qualify for the 2005 Colonial Cup Playoffs and two wildcards will be awarded to the next two teams with the highest point total. All three rounds of the playoffs will be a best-of-seven series.
The board also changed the UHL's Governor of the Year award to the Dr. Eric Margenau UHL Governor of the Year. Margenau, an original owner of the IceHogs, who recently retired after owning shares of the Frostbite and RiverDogs, has owned several teams in the UHL over the past 10 years.
Season Tickets Available: Season tickets for the 2004-05 season are now on sale. Ticket packages start at just $98 and there are great seats available. Be a part of the action all season long! For more information call (815) 986-6465 and ask to speak with a season ticket representative.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 8, 2004
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- UHL expands to Kansas City, Missouri - IHL 2
- UHL announces rule changes and new alignments - Rockford IceHogs
- UHL announces new divisional alignment, rules - Richmond RiverDogs
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