NHL committee agrees with head-shot rule expansion

BOSTON (AP) - The NHL's competition committee agrees with a recommendation to broaden the league's definition of illegal hits to the head.

The committee's decision Monday is the next step in expanding the scope of Rule 48, enacted last year to outlaw blindside head shots.

The NHL Players' Association also will consider the change, and the league's board of governors must approve any formal rule change June 21.

The expected change will allow referees to call penalties for any hit to the head on a defenseless player. The current rule specifies penalties on hits coming from the blind side.

A panel of former players including Brendan Shanahan and Rob Blake recommended the change, but said they don't support outlawing all hits to the head.