The American Hockey League announced Friday that video review and coach’s challenge rules will be expanded across the league starting this season. The new rules were approved by the Board of Governors this week.
From the AHL’s announcement:
- Beginning this season, the video review process will be expanded to include reviews for possible offside infractions on plays resulting in goals. Offside reviews must be initiated by a coach’s challenge.
- A team’s first failed coach’s challenge will result in a bench minor penalty for delay of game. Subsequent failed challenges in the same game will result in double-minor penalties. Previously, failed challenges resulted only in the loss of a team’s timeout.
- Video review may now be used to award a goal for a puck entering the net on a continuous play unaffected by a referee blowing the whistle after losing sight of the puck.
The AHL has use of Spiideo cameras throughout all 32 arenas in which its team plays, allowing for expanded replay opportunities. Previously, offside was not a reviewable infraction and not something a coach could challenge. With the expanded technology, that will now be possible, avoiding controversial close calls in critical games.
The AHL also can use the expanded video for the Player Safety Committee.
The other big change is adding a penalty to failed challenges. Now the league will have escalating penalties should the coach’s challenge fail. It’s a minor for the first failed challenge and a double-minor for subsequent failed challenges. That will force coaches to be extremely judicious with their challenges, especially in close games.
The AHL season begins Oct. 2 with a slate of eight games including the first ever matchup for the Hamilton Hammers, who will be on the road against Belleville to kick off the 2026-27 season.
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