PWHL Announces Rule Changes Ahead Of 2026-27 Season Including Legal High Sticking Of The Puck

The PWHL has announced rule changes for the 2026-27 season and unveiled their rulebook for the upcoming 180 game season. The changes include "updates for the 2026-27 season to improve player safety, game flow, and the application of the league’s body-checking standard."

“The PWHL has made a significant commitment to ensuring a consistent, world-class standard of officiating that is reflected in this dedicated group and a product of the strengthened pathways for training, communication, logistics and performance development under the leadership of our officiating department,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “Player safety and innovation have been at our forefront since the league’s inception, and we believe these objectives are represented in this season’s rule updates.”

The biggest change to the PWHL rule book will include legalizing high sticking of the puck. It's a rule that was piloted last season by the WCHA at the NCAA women's hockey level. The NCAA chose not to adapt the rule nationally this season.

The new rule states that "Batting the puck above the normal height of the shoulders with a stick is permitted."

This includes high sticking a puck to members of your own team. The PWHL also clarified players can legally cradle the puck above shoulder height (lacrosse style), except for during penalty shot or shootout attempts.

Clarification around legal forms of bodychecking have also been expanded.

"In the PWHL, a form of body checking is permitted with no penalty assessed, except where it is described in situations that are illegal," the league wrote.

Those illegal situations will include "when a player delivers a blindside check to a defenseless opponent," "a player launches upwards, extends or drives an arm, or leaves her feet to make contact immediately before or during contact," or if "a player deliberately steps or skates into an opposing player with excessive force."

Finally, the PWHL has also mandated neck protection for all players.

"All players (including goalkeepers) must wear cut-resistant protection in the neck area with a minimum cut-level protection score of A4, and a score of A5 preferred, in accordance with the ANSI/ISEA standard," the PWHL wrote, also stating neck protection must be worn during all games and in pre-game warm-up.