Jul. 1—The Western Hockey League on Tuesday announced several changes which will impact the 2026-27 season. Some of those changes are aimed at making travel conditions better for the players and team staff, while one has the potential to significantly alter overtime play.
Point of 'no return': During the WHL preseason, the league will test a pilot program of "no return" three-on-three during the overtime period.
Under the "no return" format, once a team has gained the blueline a player cannot deliberately carry, pass, or shoot the puck outside the blueline. Should this occur, play will immediately be whistled down (unless the opposing team collects the puck first) and the resulting face-off will occur in the defensive zone of the offending team with no line change permitted. The team benefiting from the offensive zone face-off will have the opportunity to select which circle the face-off occurs in.
The "no return" format directly combats highly conservative overtime coaching strategies where the objective is to survive overtime and get to a shootout rather than trying to win in the extra session.
All 2026 WHL preseason games, regardless of final score, will feature "no return" three-on-three overtime to allow all clubs the opportunity to pilot the rule.