A series of rule changes were approved at the meeting in Marbella ©IIHF

A series of rule changes has been approved by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) at the governing body's Semi-Annual Congress in Marbella.

The IIHF membership voted to give 11 major alterations the green light during the meeting in the Spanish resort.

The changes will not be used at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang or at next year's World Championships as they will come into effect from the 2018 to 2019 season.

It includes ensuring the goal crease at IIHF competitions is the same size as the one used in the National Hockey League.

Team staff will now be allowed to use electronic tablets on the bench for statistical and tagging purposes, while the rules for goals scored when the net frame is displaced have been relaxed.

The scope of video goal review technology has been expanded to include goaltender interference and goaltenders will now be penalised for covering a puck in certain cases where they are able to play it.

The changes come following a year-long process conducted by the IIHF Player Safety Committee.

A total of more than 100 minor and major alterations were received from member associations and IIHF committees.

An update on the status of the IIHF's
An update on the status of the IIHF's "Growing the Game" fund was also given to the membership during the Semi-Annual Congress ©IIHF

"We had so many technical people involved in this process to help form our recommendations with the submitted rule proposals," said IIHF vice-president and Player Safety Committee head Bob Nicholson.

"But what I liked most about this process was that all the big ice hockey countries had good discussions during the workshop.

"We will work with the IIHF staff to try and get the new IIHF rule-book out in April or May, so that the countries can get it translated."

An update on the status of the IIHF's "Growing the Game" fund was also given to the membership during the Semi-Annual Congress.

The development programme, initiated in conjunction with the IIHF's marketing partner Infront Sports & Media, allows member federations to apply for part of the fund to help the sport in their country.

Four separate projects from the National Federations in Germany, Hungary and The Netherlands were selected as the first recipients of the fund.

"The Growing the Game fund's mission is to achieve a long-lasting impact on ice hockey development throughout the world," said IIHF general secretary Horst Lichtner. 

"We would support with this money specific development projects and needs and strategic programmes that would bring ice hockey to a new level.

"Special consideration will be given to projects and initiatives that demonstrate innovative strategies and realistic targets."