Walleye believe ECHL rule changes for 2024-25 will improve play

Toledo Walleye players and coaches are praising two new rule changes made by ECHL officials they believe will improve overall play next season.

At its annual board of governors meeting this month, the ECHL approved the implementation of two new rules.

League officials have increased the roster size from 17 skaters up to 18 for regular-season games.

The league also increased the use of the two-referee system to 50 percent of all regular-season games for next season.

“It will help all day long,” said standout Walleye forward Brandon Hawkins.

ECHL teams will now be allowed to dress 18 skaters and two goaltenders per game. Those numbers are the same as those lineups used in both the NHL and American Hockey League. The ECHL’s previous limit of 17 skaters and two goaltenders had been utilized since the 2022-23 season.

Walleye coach Pat Mikesch believes the changes will allow for smoother play.

“I think it will allow a much better flow to the game,” Mikesch said.

In previous seasons, ECHL teams would generally have three full forward lines along with two extra skaters for regular season games.

“Sometimes when you’re one forward short, you're trying to figure out how you’re going to play those guys, and where you’re going to use them,” Mikesch said. “So I think having the four full lines will put a little better flow into the game for us.”

Hawkins explained the addition of another forward will allow players to have a bit more time to recharge. With three forward lines, players logged much more ice time.

“To have that extra line will give you a little more rest instead of being sent right back out there,” Hawkins said. “That will help, especially when you’re going 100 miles per hour in different situations. To have that extra line will give you a little rest.”

The changes also will allow ECHL coaches to avoid having to make additional healthy scratches, an often difficult decision to not allow an otherwise healthy player to dress due to the limited roster numbers.

“When you’ve got that player on the roster who is healthy and wanting to play, it's tough to make those decisions on who gets into the lineup,” Mikesch said. “Now having that one extra player I think for us as coaches that will help with those decisions.”

It also will allow greater flexibility if an injury occurs.

“It’s always tough, because you’re trying to figure out who to send out for a shift if a guy isn’t ready to go in,” Mikesch said. “It just gives us a much better flow.”

Hawkins acknowledged it's been difficult to see players that deserve to be in the lineup get frustrated in the past due to the roster limitation.

“It’s tough to see that guy be out of the lineup when they deserve to be in it,” he said. “Now he’ll be in the lineup.”

The increase from one referee to two in more games also is an improvement. In the last two ECHL seasons, just 25 percent of regular season games utilized two referees. Each team will now play 18 home games during which the two-referee system is used.

The ECHL has used a two-referee system for all playoff games since 2015-16.

The NHL has used a two-referee system since 1998. The AHL, which is one step above the ECHL, has used two referees since 2011.

“Anytime we have the two-referee system, I’ve always been in favor of it,” Mikesch said. “It puts people in a position to make the right calls at the right time.”

From a player’s perspective, the additional referee helps prevent unnecessary cheap shots or post-whistle shenanigans from taking place.

“To me, it should be two referees for all games,” he said. “You want more eyes on the ice at all times. There’s the little behind-the-play stuff and dirty plays that they can miss. [With two refs], you don't have to worry about them missing the questionable stuff as much.”

A simple lack of available refs has prevented the ECHL from using two referees in all of its games. There are fewer and fewer people signing up to do the difficult job of officiating across all levels, in every sport.

The ECHL also is a developmental league for players and referees, as well. The change will give those officials a chance to replicate the experience at higher levels where two-referee systems are used for every game.

“They will miss some things, because we’re all human,” Hawkins said. “The league will be better now with the two refs.”

Mikesch said some ECHL games can be tight, physical, and chippy, while others are wide open and cleanly played.

“There are games where the one official had complete control. And that's really not an issue,” Mikesch said. “I think a lot of times it depends on what the game is like. Sometimes you’d really like to have a second guy in there.”

CHARITY EVENT: The 14th annual Andrew Gulch Memorial Golf Outing will take place Aug. 10 at Bedford Hills Golf Club.

The unique, hockey-themed charity golf outing features Walleye players. Since 2011, the event has raised more than $148,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The funds go toward research into 43 muscle diseases, including ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The event was established by the Gulch family, who are longtime Walleye fans, to honor the memory of Andrew Gulch. In 2002, Andrew passed away as an infant from unknown causes. Several years later, Andrew’s mother, Jackie, and older brother, Nick, were diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy.

“The Gulch family is fantastic,” said Hawkins, who will have a foursome in the tournament. “They put on such a great event for such a great cause. There will be plenty of past and present Walleye there.”

For more info go to myotonic.ejoinme.org/AGM2024 .