While 3-on-3 overtime has been quite effective at breaking ties since it was first introduced in the mid-2000s, over the last few years it has evolved into a puck-possession game that many have derided as boring. The Champions Hockey League has made a rule change to try to remedy that.
Starting in the 2025-26 season, the CHL will will institute what it is calling a “no return” rule, which will function similar to basketball’s “over-and-back” rule, using the attacking blueline in place of the mid-court line.
“The ‘no return’ rule will prohibit teams in control of the puck in the attacking zone from retreating into the neutral zone during overtime,” the league’s press release says. “Should the rule be infringed, play will be stopped and the ensuing face-off will take place in the offending team’s defending zone.”
“When 3-on-3 overtime was introduced, it quickly became a fan-favorite due to its quick transitions and odd-man rushes ultimately leading to frequent scoring chances,” said CHL sport director Fadri Holinger. “However, we’ve seen a steady rise in puck possession-based strategies, with teams constantly leaving the offensive zone, leading to fewer decisive moments. With the ‘no return’ rule, we want to restore the pace, unpredictability and excitement that 3-on-3 play was meant to deliver. We are confident that it will further increase the excitement for the good of the game.”
In recent years, many have called for a similar rule to be instituted in the NHL and IIHF, which both use 3-on-3 overtime to break ties. The CHL will now provide a model that can be observed, and possibly eventually be adopted in other competitions.
IIHF Proposal: 3-on-3 Hockey at the 2030 Winter Olympics?
Several interesting tidbits of news came out of the IIHF’s recent semi-annual congress in Rhodes, Greece – such as a <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/new-format-for-womens-world-championship-beginning-in-2026">new format for the Women’s World Championship</a> and assigning <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/usa-to-host-u-18-worlds-in-2027-2029-potential-upcoming-deal-between-iihf-usa-hockey-nhl">two upcoming U-18 World Championships to the USA</a> – but perhaps the most intriguing was of an imminent proposal to introduce 3-on-3 hockey tournaments at the Winter Olympics – possibly as early as 2030.
“We are pleased to support this initiative together with the CHL,” said Kim Pedersen, IIHF sport director and member of the CHL Sport Committee. “The ‘no return’ rule will provide valuable insight into how it can enhance the dynamics of 3-on-3 overtime and the IIHF will closely monitor its implementation, as well as the data and findings gathered throughout its evolution at the highest European club level.”
This is not the first time the CHL has pioneered change through experimental rules. Since 2023-24, power plays have not been cancelled by a power-play goal – instead, they are cancelled by a shorthanded, or “jail-break” goal. These rules are now used by the Professional Women’s Hockey League and might eventually spread to other leagues as well.
It will be interesting to see the effect the ‘no return’ or ‘over-and-back’ rule has on 3-on-3 overtime.
The 2025-26 CHL season begins on Aug. 28.
Champions Hockey League Regular Season Draw Complete; 2025-26 Matchups Known
The Champions Hockey League regular-season draw was held on Wednesday
in Stockholm, Sweden on the off-day between the end of the group
stage and the quarterfinals.