From the WCHA …

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association will institute a new Official Time-out policy for all men’s regular season (including exhibition games) and first round WCHA Playoff games in 2009-10.

WCHA Men’s Official Time-out Policy (Effective for 2009-10 season)
There will be a total of three, 1:00 (one-minute) Official Time-outs per period for all WCHA men’s regular season (including exhibition games) and first round WCHA Playoff games.

Official Time-outs may not exceed 1:00 (one-minute) and there should be no more than three per period. It is recommended by the Association that the three, 1:00 (one-minute) Official Time-outs be taken at the first stoppages of play after the 15:00, 10:00 and 5:00 marks of each period. (Note: a penalty at 14:55 effectively cancels the 15:00 timeout if the break cannot be taken :05 (five) seconds early.)

Official Time-outs may NOT be taken during power-plays, and Official Time-outs are discouraged (but not prohibited) during even-strength shorthanded play. Official Time-outs also cannot be taken after icings. There will be no Official Time-outs taken during overtime periods.

During 1:00 (one-minute) Official Time-outs the two competing teams will be able to go to their respective bench areas. With :15 (fifteen) seconds left in the 1:00 (one-minute) Official Time-out, the television coordinator or the head minor official will let the referee know and the referee will then bring the two competing teams back out to the designated face-off spot. At the 1:00 (one-minute) mark of the Official Time-out, the puck will be dropped.

When a game is televised, the producer(s) of the telecast(s) or the producer’s representative MUST meet with the on-ice officials prior to the game to establish the need and mechanism for signaling Official Time-outs. When more than one telecast is involved, the home telecast has the right (which may be waived for to the visitors or third party) to initiate the signal for Official Time-outs. All telecasts MUST have a communication link for Official Time-out coordination.

When a game is NOT televised, the head minor official will meet with the on-ice officials prior to the game to go through the time-out protocol.

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