A Shift From Old Veterans To Young Rookies

With 15 of its 23 players under the age of 25, the Blackhawks have directly experienced the shift in concentration, aided by the new rules, from old veterans to young rookies in the NHL.

The NHL’s Board of Governors on July 22, 2005, made it a primary objective to “reduce the scope of defensive tools a team may effectively employ.” The adjustment promoted “allowing skill players to use their skills,” essentially eliminating bigger players that lack skill but can fight on the ice.

The rule increased the number of young players drafted into the NHL, such as Patrick Kane, 20, a forward for the Blackhawks from Buffalo, N.Y., and Jonathan Toews, 20, a forward for the Blackhawks from Winnipeg, Canada.

Wisniewski said the new rules were helpful to him because there are no longer 6 foot 4 inch players on the ice who can’t skate.

Another rule change benefiting smaller players is the “instigator” rule.

The rule states that a player who instigates a fight in the last five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct, as well as an automatic one-game suspension. In addition, the player’s coach will be fined $10,000.

The enactment of this rule has decreased the number of bigger players, or “fighters” who lack a lot of skill.

“It helped me out a lot,” Wisniewski said.

At 5 feet 11 inches, he said, “I was always told I was too small.”