NHLSep 26
Flyers' Trevor Zegras penalized for tucked jersey in preseason win
An equipment warning turned into a minor penalty for Zegras as Philadelphia beat Boston, highlighting an officiating emphasis ahead of the regular season.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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Jersey tuck sends Zegras to the box
Trevor Zegras drew an unusual minor penalty Thursday night when his tucked-in jersey became an equipment violation during the Philadelphia Flyers' 2-0 preseason home victory over the Boston Bruins. Officials assessed the penalty in the second period after Zegras had already been warned about wearing his jersey inside his pants. The Flyers forward explained afterward that he began the game with the jersey tucked, as he normally wears it, and had it tucked again at the start of his shift following the warning.
Equipment rules under scrutiny
Rule 9.5 requires protective equipment to sit beneath the uniform, with exceptions for gloves, headgear, neck protection and goaltenders' leg pads. Rule 12.1 governs illegal equipment and provides for a warning before officials impose a minor penalty. Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said teams had been notified a few weeks earlier that officials would emphasize proper equipment use this season. He pointed to the fabric tie-down that attaches a jersey to a player's pants as a way for Zegras to keep the jersey in place, and stressed that Philadelphia cannot afford that kind of penalty once regular-season play begins.
A familiar enforcement debate
The NHL previously made tucked jerseys a focus in 2013-14, a crackdown that drew objections from some players. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin opposed that enforcement at the time, arguing that it limited players' individuality. For Zegras, Thursday's call made the renewed emphasis tangible: a familiar way of wearing his uniform resulted in a trip to the penalty box.
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