Flyers star becomes first player to receive new penalty after NHL rule change
Flyers star becomes first player to receive new penalty after NHL rule change
Joseph McBride Sat, September 26, 2026 at 2:15 AM UTC
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Trevor Zegras was penalized for his jersey tuck (Image: Getty)
Philadelphia Flyers star Trevor Zegras became the first player since 2013 to be penalized for a jersey tuck violation during NHL preseason.
The NHL is cracking down on equipment rules this season, with players obliged to have their jerseys untucked at the start of a shift. Alexander Ovechkin, who is currently facing backlash for appearing in a Russian political video, once called the rule "kind of stupid," and several other players have opposed it.
Zegras received a penalty for 'improperly wearing equipment' during Thursday's 2-0 preseason win over the Boston Bruins, as his jersey was tucked on the ice. It comes after an NHL star's father was tragically killed in a brutal bear attack.
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In the second period of Thursday's Flyers-Bruins game, with Philadelphia leading 1-0, play was halted when Zegras was penalized. The Flyers star protested with officials but was forced into the box.
While the jersey tuck rule has been in effect for some time, it goes unpunished, and several players often skate onto the ice in violation of the policy. However, the NHL is cracking down on it this season, and Zegras learned the hard way.
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The NHL has already warned players that if equipment is not worn properly on the ice, they will be penalized. This includes neck guards, visors, helmets, and jerseys, though if a jersey slips during a shift, then it's acceptable.
Rule 9.5 states that, "All protective equipment, except gloves, headgear, and goaltenders' leg guards, must be worn under the uniform. Should it be brought to the attention of the referee that a player is wearing, for example, an elbow pad that is not covered by his jersey, he shall instruct the player to cover up the pad, and a second violation by the same player would result in a minor penalty being assessed.
Rule 9.5 governs all protective equipment, including pants. Players are not permitted to tuck their jersey into their pants in such a manner where the top padding of the pants and/or additional body protection (affixed to the pants or affixed to the player's body) is exposed outside the jersey.
"The back uniform number must not be covered or obstructed in any fashion by protruding pads or other protective padding." The last time the NHL cracked down on the jersey rule was during the 2013-14 season, and Zegras wasn't impressed.
After the game, Zegreas posted two pictures of himself on Instagram, playing in a tucked-in jersey throughout his youth. Fans also supported him, noting that he'd played that way throughout his NHL career, and that the rule had been last enforced before he joined the league.
"I started the game with it tucked; that's how I usually play," Zegras said to reporters. "Must have just went back down the bench and came out and forgot."
Source: “AOL Sports”
