Section 9 - League Play
9.1 Gate Fees. The Board shall determine the gate fees payable for admission to all League games, whether regular season or playoff.
9.2 Penalty for Failure to Pay Gate Fees. Any player caught entering an arena without paying shall be suspended for four regular season games on the first offence and indefinitely for a repeated offence. Any spectator caught entering an arena without paying may be suspended by the Board or a Special Committee for such period of time as is determined by the Board or Special Committee.
9.3 Passes.
- (a) Registered Team Officials will be admitted free of charge to all games upon presentation of their League Pass. The League Office will issue League Passes to Team Officials following approval of their Registration Certificates. Trainers will be registered and issued a League Pass on presentation of an approved HTCP Certificate at the League Office. Each Team may register up to five Team Officials. Where five Team Officials are registered, at least three of the Team Officials must have obtained a coach’s or trainer’s certificate. A maximum of five Team Officials may appear on the bench at any game.
- (b) A League Pass for admission of a sixth individual or sponsor may be purchased for $140 at the League Office. Each Team is allowed to purchase only one League Pass and the holder of such League Pass is not allowed on the Team’s bench during a game.
- (c) Each Club is entitled to two complimentary League Passes, as designated by the Club. Additional League Passes for executives of a Club may be purchased at a cost of $140 each.
- (d) The issuance of League Passes is restricted to eligible applicants who are sixteen years of age or older at the time of application.
- (e) Any individual whose League Pass is used by another individual shall be suspended for a period of one year and be subject to a fine of $220.
9.4 Game Times.
- (a) The League’s schedule will specify the starting time for each game. A game may start prior to the scheduled starting time only when both Teams consent. In any event, no game may be started more than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time.
- (b) The playing time for all games shall be stop time as follows:
| AAA | A&AA |
| Minor Atom | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Atom | 12 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Minor Peewee | 12 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Peewee | 10 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 |
| Minor Bantam | 10 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 |
| Bantam | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Minor Midget | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Midget | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Juvenile | 20 | 20 | 20 | - | - | - |
- (c)
- (i) Three minutes are to be posted on the clock, for a warm up except for the Juvenile division in which 5 minutes will be posted on the clock
- (ii) The Game Officials shall be at ice level at game time and are to order the clock started as soon as both nets are pegged and available for the Teams to begin their warm up.
- (iii) When two minutes have elapsed, or four minutes for Juvenile, a Game Official will stand at centre ice and blow his whistle to let the Teams know they have one minute to get to their benches and get their starting lineup to centre ice. The clock shall keep running throughout the whole three minutes (or five minutes for Juvenile), at which time the buzzer will sound. If one Team is, or both Teams are, not lined up and ready to start the game, the Team that is least ready to begin shall be assessed a delay of game penalty. Game Officials have no discretion when assessing this penalty and are directed to do so in every instance that a violation occurs.
- (iv) The timekeeper shall then set the time to the appropriate first period length for the age group.
- (v) Once the starting lineups are finally ready, the referee will drop the puck at centre ice to start the game.
- (vi) From the start of the third period onward, if the spread in the score is five goals or more at any time, the game shall be running time. If the goal spread in the score reverts to a three goal difference, the game clock will return to stop time unless the score becomes a five goal spread again, in which case the running time will resume.
9.5 Limit on Number of Games. No Team shall play more than three games in a calendar day.
9.6 Notice for League and Playoff Games. As a general rule, a minimum of 48 hours notice of any league or playoff game will be given. However, where circumstances are beyond League control, Teams must be prepared to play any game on 24 hours notice. Notification by fax transmission or e-mail is acceptable providing it has been confirmed by a telephone call as a backup.
9.7 Minimum Number of Players. All Teams must have a minimum number of 12 players in uniform for all regular season and playoff games by the start of the third period. Failure to comply shall result in a mandatory penalty of $10 per player short of the minimum player requirement being levied against the offending team. The game result will stand.
9.8 Uniforms.
- (a) For all regular season and playoff games, the HOME team must wear light or white coloured sweaters and the VISITING team must wear dark coloured sweaters. Matching team socks in team colours must be worn at all times (Note: not applicable to goaltenders). The referee will make the final decision if teams are unable to resolve any sweater conflict.
- (b) Sweaters must be complete with numbers and must be available at game time as called for by the League schedule. Failure to comply with Rule 9.8(a) will result in the offending team being assessed a fine of $50.
- (c) All team uniforms used in recognized competition by minor hockey players registered on Registration Certificates are required to have a standard sized Canadian flag embossed, stitched or affixed in similar manner to the left chest or sleeve area of the sweaters in such fashion that the flag is clearly visible. Any Team that is found by the Board or a Special Committee to be deliberately abusing the sock/sweater rule will be dealt with by the President.
9.9 Game Officials Fees. The fees payable to Game Officials shall be determined annually by the Board. Game Officials fees shall be paid by Teams at the arena box office prior to games. Game sheets will not be released until both teams have paid the Game Officials fees.
9.10 Completion of Game Sheets. Prior to each game, a Team Official shall complete the game sheet listing the players and Team Officials participating in that game. (Note: A Team Official who will not participate in a game by being on the bench during the game should not be listed on the game sheet). The Head Coach of the Team is responsible for ensuring that the game sheet has been correctly completed in accordance with the requirements of this Rule 9.10 and , even if the game sheet has been completed by another Team Official, shall verify such correctness by signing the game sheet in the box provided for verification. Players who are affiliated players should be designated as “AP” or “API”, as appropriate. Each Team shall be permitted to designate one captain and up to three alternate captains. Players who are designated as the captain or alternate captains shall be designated on the game sheet as “C” or “A”, as appropriate. While a Team may use pre-printed team lists, the Head Coach shall ensure that players who do not participate in the game are crossed off on the list and that a team list is affixed to every sheet that comprises the game sheet. Players and Team Officials not participating in a game should not be listed on a game sheet except in the case of a player who appears to be late and is expected to arrive and participate in the game, in which case, such player's name should in accordance with Rule 9.12 be included on the game sheet prior to the game commencing). Players or Team Officials who are suspended should be listed as such in the appropriate location on the game sheet. Team Officials who are participating in the game by being on the bench should be prepared to present their Team Official card for verification to the Game Officials.
A team Official who is not on the bench at the commencement of a game may not join the bench until a stoppage of play during which a Game Official has been notified of the Team Official joining the bench. When that team Official joins the bench with the consent of the Game Official, the Team Official's name shall be added to the game sheet. Any failure to comply with the requirements of this Rule 9.10 with respect to the completion of a game sheet shall result in a suspension of the person who was the Head Coach for that game, which suspension shall be for a period of four games.
9.11 Identification of Illegitimate Player. If a Team suspects that a player in a game is not, in fact, the player listed on the game sheet, the referee will, immediately upon notification of such suspicion by the Team Captain or Alternate Captain, require that player to write his name and birth date on the back of the game sheet and then forward same to the League Office. Failure to sign as requested shall be noted on the game sheet by the referee, and the offending Team Official(s) and each player involved shall be subject to a game misconduct penalty.
9.12 Adding Player’s Name to Game Sheet. Where a player is late and the player’s name has been included on the game sheet prior to the game, the player will be permitted to participate. When the player’s name has been inadvertently omitted from the game sheet, the Game Official shall permit the name of such player to be added to the game sheet before the game has ended, provided that the player was in uniform and on the ice or the players’ bench at the start of the game.
9.13 Supply of Pucks. It is the home team’s responsibility to supply ample pucks in proper condition at all games. Failure to comply with this rule shall result in a two-minute bench minor penalty being assessed.
9.14 No Suturing on Bench. Suturing or the administration of any form of medication to a player by any Team Official (including a trainer), other than a medical doctor or a parent, is forbidden. Any violation of this regulation may result in the immediate suspension of the administering individual and an accompanying fine to the Club concerned, the amount of which will be determined by the Board or President.
9.15 No Non-Carded Individuals on Bench. Except in the case of injury to their child, non-carded individuals are not permitted under any circumstances on the Team’s bench during a game. Where it is found that a non-registered individual is on the bench and is participating in the game, the game shall be recorded as a 1-0 victory in favour of the non-offending Team except in the case of a game won by the non-offending Team, in which case, the actual score shall stand. Further, the Team Official found responsible for permitting the non-registered individual to be on the bench will be suspended for six games.
9.16 Defaulted Games.
- (a) If a Team defaults a game, a fine of $200 shall be levied, payable within 30 days to the League Office. Teams failing to pay fines within a reasonable time period may be removed from further competition and/or subject to whatever sanction is deemed necessary by the Board. Teams guilty of defaulting a game more than once in a season shall be reported to the President for further disciplinary action.
- (b) The score for a defaulted game shall be 1-0 for the non-offending Team.
- (c) The Team Officials of any Team deliberately defaulting a game for any reason shall be indefinitely suspended until the case is reviewed by the President.
9.17 Effect of an Ineligible Player or Team Official Participating in a Game. If any player or Team Official participates in a game while the player or Team Official is suspended or ineligible, then, in addition to any other penalties provided elsewhere in these Rules to the player or Team Official, the game shall be recorded as 1-0 win in favour of the opposing Team except in the case of a game won by the non-offending Team, in which case, the actual score shall stand. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the opposing Team won the game in any event, then the actual game score shall stand.
9.18 Effect of Dressing more than the Permitted Number of Players. If a Team dresses more than the maximum number of players permitted for a game, then, in addition to any other penalties provided elsewhere in these Rules to the Team Official or Team Officials responsible, the game shall be recorded as 1-0 win in favour of the opposing Team except in the case of a game won by the non-offending Team, in which case, the actual score shall stand. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the opposing Team won the game in any event, then the actual game score shall stand.
9.19 Only completed games, or games deemed to be completed are to be included in the standings.
Section 10 - Playing Rules
10.1 Hockey Canada Rules to Apply. Rules of the Hockey Canada shall apply except as varied from time to time by the League. A referee shall have full authority and the final decision in all matters under dispute. The referee’s decision shall be final on all questions of fact and not subject to appeal.
10.2 Protective Equipment
- (a) All players participating in regular season, exhibition, tournament or playoff games must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet with the chin strap properly fastened and a BNQ approved throat protector. All players must wear CSA approved full facial protectors properly affixed to the helmet and extending down to the chin. The straps of the facial protector shall also be fastened to the hockey helmet.
- (b) During the course of play, if a player other than the goalkeeper, loses his or her helmet he or she shall immediately retrieve and properly fasten the helmet or proceed directly to his or her players’ bench. Failure to comply shall result in a minor penalty being assessed. When a goalkeeper loses his or her helmet during the course of play, the referee shall immediately blow his whistle to stop play and signal a faceoff at the nearest faceoff point. If a goaltender is adjudged by the referee to have deliberately removed his helmet, the referee shall assess a two-minute minor penalty for “delay of game”. If this deliberate action occurs when an opponent is on a breakaway over the centre red line, or occurs during the last two minutes of regular playing time, a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending team.
- (c) If a player deliberately removes his or her helmet to fight or to challenge an opponent to fight, he or she will be assessed a gross misconduct.
- (d) Where a player wears a helmet and/or facial protector in an offset position during play, play shall be stopped and a misconduct penalty shall be assessed to the player.
10.3 No Jewellery. All players participating in any regular season, exhibition, tournament or playoff game shall not wear any personal jewellery during such game. Violations will result in the offending players’s Team being assessed a bench minor and the offending player being prevented from participation until such time as the jewellery is removed.
10.4 Removing a Face Mask Any player who during play or any stoppage of play, whether as part of any fight or altercation or otherwise, deliberately removes the helmet of an opponent (which for this purpose shall not include the opponent's helmut coming off as a result of a bodycheck), shall be assessed, in addition to any other penalties properly assessable to the player, a gross misconduct for removing a helmut (GRM62). Any player who as part of any fight or altercation removes his or her own helmet shall be assessed, in addition to any other penalties properly assessable to the player, a gross misconduct for removing a helmut (GRM62).
10.5 Zippered Pants Hockey pants with a zippered inseam shall be worn with the zipper completely closed. If a zipper is broken or if the inseam of the hockey pants is torn, then the player will be required to tape or otherwise repair the pants to produce the same effect as the zipper being closed or the tear being fully repaired. If player comes onto the ice to participate in a game with pants that do not comply with this Rule, the player shall be ordered off the ice as soon as a game official becomes aware of the problem. At that stoppage of play or the next stoppage of play (if this occurs during play), a warning shall be issued by a game official to both Teams. After such warning has been given by the game official to the Teams, any player who comes onto the ice to participate in the game with pants that do not comply with this Rule shall be assessed a minor penalty for illegal equipment.
Section 11 - Playoffs
11.1 Rulings by Board or Special Committee. The Board, or a Special Committee, may make any special rulings that may be required during or in respect of playoffs. All Teams participating in OHF/Hockey Canada playdowns will be required to register 15 players. [Pg 24 - b]
11.2 Breaking Ties
- (a) All ties for first place or the last playoff position shall be resolved in accordance with paragraph (b) below. All other ties shall be resolved in accordance with the tie breaking procedures set forth in paragraphs (c), (d), (e) or (f), whichever is applicable, below.
- (b) If at the end of the regular schedule, two Teams are tied for either first place or the last playoff position, the tied Teams will play a one-game playoff to determine which Team is awarded first place or the last playoff position, as the case may be. If at the end of the regular schedule, more than two Teams are tied for first place or the last playoff position, the Teams will play a single-game elimination tournament to determine which Team will be awarded first place or the last playoff position. A coin toss will determine which Team will get a “bye” from the first game and will play the winner of an extra game between the other two remaining Teams. If more than two Teams tie for the last two playoff positions (similarly, if more than three Teams tie for the last three playoff positions, etc.), then the tie breaking formulas set forth below shall be used to determine all of the positions that are higher than the last playoff position and a playoff game or games in accordance with this paragraph (b) shall used to determine the final playoff position. In all of these cases, a coin toss will be used to determine the home team for each game.
- (c) When two Teams are tied for a playoff position at the completion of a balanced schedule:
- (i) the Team with the most wins shall be awarded the higher position.
- (ii) if still tied after (i) above, the Team having the most wins against the other shall be awarded the higher position.
- (iii) if still tied after (i) and (ii) above, utilizing all games of the regular schedule, add the goals for and the goals against together and divide the total into the goals for, with the Team having the highest percentage being awarded the higher position.
- (iv) if still tied after (i), (ii) and (iii) above, the Team that scored the first goal in the season series between the tied Teams is awarded the higher position.
- (v) if still tied after (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, a one-game playoff will be played to determine which Team is awarded the higher position.
- (d) When more than two Teams are tied for a playoff position at the completion of a balanced schedule:
- (i) the Team with the most wins shall be awarded the highest position.
- (ii) if all the Teams are still tied after (i) above, utilizing all games of the regular schedule played between the tied Teams, add the goals for and the goals against together and divide the total into the goals for, with the Team having the highest percentage being awarded the highest position.
- (iii) if all the Teams are still tied after (i) and (ii) above, a single coin toss will determine which Team is awarded the highest position.
Once this method determines the Team to be awarded the highest position, the tie-breaking process is repeated from the beginning with the remaining Teams to determine which Team is awarded the next highest position. If only two Teams remain, Rule 11.2(a) should be used to determine which Team is awarded the next highest position. If more than two Teams remain, then Rule 11.2(d) shall continue to be used until only 2 Teams remain tied.
- (e) When two Teams are tied for a playoff position at the completion of an unbalanced schedule:
- (i) utilizing the games between the two Teams, the Team that won the most games shall be awarded the higher position.
- (ii) if still tied after (i) above, utlizing all games of the regular schedule played between the two Teams, add the goals for and the goals against together and divide the total into the goals for, with the Team having the higher percentage being awarded the higher position.
- (iii) if still tied after (i) and (ii) above, the Team that scored the first goal in the season series between the tied Teams shall be awarded the higher position.
- (iv) if still tied after (i), (ii) and (iii) above, a one-game playoff will be played to determine which Team is awarded the higher position.
- (f) When more than two Teams are tied for a playoff position at the completion of an unbalanced schedule:
- (i) if the tied Teams have played an equal number of games against each other during the regular schedule, then the Team with the most wins in games between the tied Teams shall be awarded the highest position.
- (ii) if still tied after (i) above, utilizing all games of the regular schedule between the tied Teams, add the goals for and the goals against together and divide the total into the goals for, with the Team having the highest percentage being awarded the highest position.
- (iii) if still tied after (i) and (ii) above, a single coin toss will determine which Team is awarded the highest position.
Once this method determines the Team to be awarded the highest position, the tie-breaking process is repeated from the beginning with the remaining Teams to determine which Team is awarded the next highest position. If only two Teams remain, Rule 11.2(c) should be used to determine which Team is awarded the next highest position. If more than two Teams remain, then Rule 11.2(f) shall continue to be used until only two Teams remain tied.
11.3 Playoff Teams. The number of Teams that participate in the playoffs shall be as follows: [R154]