A Western Hockey League overtime experiment could have repercussions all the way up to the NHL.
Preseason WHL games will include a mandatory 3-on-3 overtime period, for the testing of a “No Return” rule. Once a team has gained the blueline, a player cannot deliberately carry, pass, or shoot the puck backward into the neutral zone.
The rule change would counteract an increasingly prevalent coaching strategy. Teams without a clear scoring chance in the offensive zone these days often retreat. This allows the puck-controlling team to change personnel and regroup, while defenders are trapped and tiring in their own zone. However, this strategy has muffled the fast-paced chaos which originally made 3-on-3 OT so popular.
Under the pilot rule, should a team retreat out of the opponent’s zone, play would immediately be whistled down (unless the opposing team collects the puck first). The resulting faceoff would occur in the defensive zone of the offending team with no line change permitted.
WHL Rule Change Requires Majority Vote Of League GMs
All 2026 WHL preseason games, regardless of final score, will feature “No Return” 3-on-3 overtimes, to allow all clubs the opportunity to pilot the rule. WHL general managers will then vote whether to implement “No Return” for the 2026-27 WHL regular season.
“What we’re concerned about,” says WHL commissioner Dan Near, “is repeated, deliberate exits, slowing down the game. There’s three scenarios (for the GMs to vote on). Proceed with it as it was tested, proceed with modifications, (or) don’t go ahead with it.”
Near says support for the rule change among general managers “isn’t unanimous.” It might be with fans. Recall any overtime games you’ve attended or watched on TV, and the buzzkill from teams deciding to play keep-away instead of attacking for a winning goal.
This will of course affect the local junior teams, the Seattle Thunderbirds and Everett Silvertips. But you can be sure the NHL will be keeping tabs on the experiment as well.
Note: The ‘Tips and T-Birds will get their first chance to try out the new rule when they meet for the start of the WHL preseason, Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 pm in Everett.
Earlier WHL:
— Tips Are Tops; Everett, MVP Kraken Prospect Win WHL Title
Earlier Kraken:
— Glenn’s Gems; Brighter Kraken Nights Will Be Lit By Emerging Stars
