*If a team drops out prior to the beginning of the season, the league reserves the right to retain 1/2 of the monies paid by the team, or $500.00, whichever is greater. If a team drops out at the beginning, or at any time during the season, … the league reserves the right to retain ALL fees paid to date. Once the season is underway, there are ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS.
4) PERFORMANCE/SUSPENSION BOND
A performance bond may be collected from any team OR individual at the start of the season if the league deems it necessary to guarantee proper conduct and etiquette is observed by that player or team. Also, any monies owed by that player or team will be deducted from the bond before its returned. At the end of the season, if no problems or difficulties have been encountered with that player or team, then the full amount of the bond will be returned
5) TEAM & PLAYER FINES
If a player receives a fine, it must be paid prior to the next game that player is eligible to play. If a player is caught playing a game BEFORE his/her's fine is paid, then that player will be subject to further suspension, the team will automatically forfeit the game(s) that player played in, AND the team rep will face a suspension as well. Note: if a team rep is not present at a game(s) that a suspended or illegal player participates in, that does not excuse them from a possible suspension. The team captain or coach present at that game will face suspension as well.
6) SUSPENSIONS
League notification IS NOT REQUIRED for a suspension to take place. It is the team rep's/coaches/captain's and player's responsibility to verify a suspension. If in doubt, contact the league manager or administrator for the details BEFORE the next game.
If a suspended player is caught playing in a game, he/she will be assessed a further suspension and fined, and the team will default the game(s) that player plays in. Also, the team rep and/or coach/team captain present may face a suspension as well. No suspended player or team official will be allowed on their team's bench or in the dressing room. If that player is caught abusing the privilege of being allowed to WATCH their team's game (this includes any abuse of a league official), then they WILL NOT be allowed in the building again AND suspended until further notice from the league.
*NOTE: Any suspension or fine from the summer league CAN and WILL be in effect for the winter league, pending approval from the league manager or administrator. This also includes from winter TO summer as well.
7) EJECTION FROM THE GAME
Any player, coach, or team official that is ejected from a game MUST GO DIRECTLY to their team's dressing room. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WATCH THE GAME FROM THE BENCH, or from the stands. They must leave the building immediately. Anyone caught not following this rule, can and will face a suspension. This goes for disruptive spectators and fans as well. If that player(s) damages or destroys league or facility property, he/she AND the team will be liable for payment to repair or replace said property.
8) TEAM ROSTERS & REGISTRATION FORMS
All teams must submit their main roster sheet and individual roster forms by the deadline given by the league. All forms MUST be signed by the correct player and be turned in to the league BEFORE that player steps on the floor. Teams and players will be dealt with severely by the league (suspensions/fines), AND any insurance coverage will be VOID if caught playing illegally.
*Each team can have a MAXIMUM roster of twenty five (25) players, INCLUDING two (2) goalies at any time, plus a maximum of three (3) team officials (non-players) such as coach, manager, or trainer. Teams can only DRESS eighteen (18) players plus two (2) goalies for a game, NO EXCEPTIONS.
*Players MUST play a MINIMUM of FIVE (5) regular season games BEFORE they can participate in playoffs. Playoff games DO NOT count. Goalies MUST be on the team’s roster BEFORE the addition cut-off deadline.
*A team will be allowed a maximum of seven (7) player additions (pickups) during the season. The DEADLINE FOR PICKUPS IS MIDNITE, of the last regular season day of the current playing year. At no time will a team be allowed more than 25 players on its roster.
*Player and Goalie Affiliations – there are absolutely NO player affiliations, and teams are permitted only five (5) goalie affiliations. Individuals are allowed only three (3) goalie affiliations. The deadline for affiliations is the same as roster cut-offs You can only affiliate a goalie from your tier OR LOWER..
Tier One (1) players will be teams/players that are ranked from the previous winter and summer division/tier 1, Tier Two (2) will be teams/players that are ranked from summer divisions 2 - 3, Tier Three (3) will be teams/players that are ranked from summer divisions 4-7, Tier Four (4) will be teams/players that are ranked from summer divisions 8-11, and Tier Five (5) will be recreational. These rankings come from and apply to the current year.
*Teams are placed and tiered based upon their rosters. All efforts are made to ensure a team is placed in a fair and competitive tier.
However, conditions can come into play which may affect a team’s performance on the floor, so the league has a "re-tiering" portion of the schedule (generally ½ or slightly under the no. # of games a team will play in the regular season) , which helps to "move" teams into their appropriate tier.
*Rankings of players come into play when initially considering a team’s placement, and of course upon re-tiering. The general rule of thumb regarding this, is as follows:
WINTER
<Tier 1 and 2 teams can have unlimited no. of Tier 1 ranked players and below.
<Tier 3 and 4 teams can have a max. of three (3) Tier 1 ranked players.
<Tier 5 and 6 teams can have a max. of two (2) Tier 1 ranked players.
<Tier 7, 8 and 9 teams can have a max. of one (1) Tier 1 ranked players.
SUMMER
<Tier 1 can have unlimited no. of Tier 1 ranked players and below.
<Tier 2 can have a max. of five (5) Tier 1 ranked players.
<Tier 3 can have a max. of three (3) Tier 1 ranked players.
<Tier 4 can have a max. of two (2) Tier 1 ranked players.
*To be considered a Tier 1 ranked player, … you must have played a min. of five (5) games in the previous summer season in any sanctioned league.
*ANY TEAM CAUGHT WITH AN ILLEGAL PLAYER WILL BE SUBJECT TO DEFAULTING ALL GAMES AND POINTS ACCUMALATED TO THAT POINT IN THE SEASON (whether or not that player was in the lineup), and the player, team rep, coach and/or captain will face suspension as well.
9) PLAYER IDENTIFICATION
It is the responsibility of each player or team official to have some sort of valid picture ID with them at all times. Only a team's coach, captain or assistant captain can request an ID check on an opposing team's player. Only one ID check will be permitted during a stoppage of play, and only two (2) per game. If the player in question cannot product proper ID, then he/she will sign the gamesheet and not be allowed to continue in the game UNTIL he/she produces the proper ID. After the game, the league will pursue the ID check on that player. If the player is legal, the game's result will stand. If the player is illegal, then he/she and the team rep/coach will face suspension and fines, AND the game will be defaulted. If the player produces the proper ID, then the team requesting the ID check will be assessed a delay of game penalty.
10) OFFICIAL LEAGUE BALL
The official league ball will be the D-Gel CBHA hard orange ball or the Viceroy #19 orange ball with the CBHA logo on it. No other ball will be accepted for play. Balls are available from the league administrator or at select retail outlets. Each team must supply the referee with a ball before the start of play.
11) COACH/MANAGER/TEAM OFFICIALS
Each team can have one (1) coach, one (1) manager, and one (1) trainer signed to their roster. One person can hold two (2) titles. It is important to note that a team's coach/manager/team rep are ALL responsible for their team's actions both on and off the floor at all times. This includes fans and spectators.12) GAMESHEETS/ROSTERS
*The league uses the Pointstreak Electronic Scorekeeping System, prior to the beginning of a game, the team rep or coach/captain must turn in his team’s roster sheet indicating who is present for the game, AND/OR tell the scorekeeper of ANY changes to his/her roster, including pickups, number changes, etc..
*A $25.00 fine will be imposed and enforced against any team or team rep that fails to submit their roster sheet at least 10 – 15 mins BEFORE their game. If they submit it after this or just before the start of the game, then a delay of game penalty can be awarded to the other team, and the team rep/coach/manager will sit in the penalty box and fill out the team’s roster sheet.
The timekeeper will check the jersey numbers of each team's players at the beginning of the game. It's important that each player be assigned to a SPECIFIC jerseys number (for stats and ID checks) and remains that number for the duration of the season.
13) LEAGUE STANDINGS
League standings shall be determined as two (2) points for a win, one (1) point for a O/T Shootout loss, and zero (0) points for a loss. If a team loses a game in overtime or shootout, they will still be awarded a single (1) point. If a team defaults a game, then the opposing team will be awarded a 7 - 0 win, and the 2 points. In the case of a tie in the standings, then the following will be the order in which the tie is broken:
a) Most wins total
b) Record between tied teams.
c) Goal differential for season (+/-).
d) Total goals scored for the season.
e) Fewest goals allowed for the season.
14) LEAGUE SCHEDULE & PLAYOFFS
Each team will play a set number of regular season games (determined at beginning of season). Playoff formats will be determined by the league and distributed to all teams in time for playoffs. All teams make playoffs and are guaranteed at least two (2) games.
15) OVERTIME
If a game remains tied at the end of play during the regular season, then both teams will play a straight time five (5) minute sudden-death overtime period (no stop time). If the game is still tied, then it will go to a shootout. Each team will select three (3) shooters, and attempt to score on a penalty shot. If the game is still tied after both teams have completed their three (3) penalty shots, then it goes to a single (1) shot sudden-death shootout for both teams.
In a playoff game (unless otherwise indicated), if the game is tied at the end of regulation play, then sudden death ten (10) minute running time periods will be played until a goal is scored and a winner determined. Teams DO NOT change ends.
16) DEFAULT GAMES
Any team that defaults a game without PROPER and ADEQUATE notice (min. 24 – 72 hrs), … will face a fine of $50.00 which is payable to the league IMMEDIATELY and before their next game. If a team defaults two (2) games in a season, then that team will be fined $100.00 and may be suspended for the balance of the season. Any fine(s) money collected from games defaulted as a result of "no show", will be rebated back to the opposing team that showed up.
17) MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS TO START A GAME
To start a game, a team must have at least eight (8) players available to play, for the 5 on 5 format, … and at least four (4) players for the 3 on 3 format. If a team has no goalie, an extra player can be put on the floor, but no player on the floor will have goaltender privileges. If a team CANNOT floor at least eight (8), and four (4) players respectively, at the start of the game, then they can default the game and the 2 points will be awarded to the other team. If a undermanned team has six (6) and three (3) players respectively eligible to play, and the undermanned team wishes to play the game, then BOTH teams must agree BEFORE the ball is dropped. Once the ball is dropped, the game is legal, the referee(s) will officiate accordingly, and the game will count in the standings.
18) MERCY RULE
There is no standing mercy rule in winter ball hockey, due to the running time rule. HOWEVER, if a team is losing by more than ten (10) goals, then they can request the referee to stop the game, and the 2 points will be awarded to the other team.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A referee can stop the game at any point if he/she feels the game is getting out of control because of a lop-sided score OR both teams refuse to play the game in a sportsmanlike manner. THE GAME WILL NOT BE REPLAYED AT A LATER DATE, unless mitigating circumstances dictate otherwise. Teams will be finiancially responsible for the costs of replaying any games.
19) PROTESTS
If a team files a protest or appeal of any kind, the discipline committee consisting of at least three (3) league directors (typically the league administrator/manager, referee(s) involved, timekeeper, and neutral off-floor officials) will rule on the matter. A $25.00 fee must be submitted to the league within 72 hours of the incident in question. No protest/appeal will be accepted regarding a referee's judgment call. If the appeal is won, then the $25.00 fee will be refunded.
20) TEAM COLORS
All players on a team must wear MATCHING jersey colors. Matching pants or shorts are not mandatory, but encouraged. Goalies do not have to wear matching jerseys. Each player will be registered to a specific uniform number and will remain that number for the entire season, unless it is changed with the league first.
If both teams have same colored uniforms, then the HOME TEAM is responsible to change jerseys or to wear pinnies. A set of pinnies is available from the supervisor/scorekeeper at the facility. Any lost, stolen, or damaged pinnies will be billed to the team rep on the team responsible, and this must be paid before the team plays again.
21) AWARDS
There will be an annual championship trophy awarded to each Tier champion, as well as individual awards for each player. The annual trophies are the property of the league and so must remain with the league AFTER the final game is played.
22) SPECTATORS
It is the responsibility of each team to ensure their fans and spectators behave themselves and follow the facility’s rules of conduct. If they become unruly or fail to listen to the facility’s staff, the referee, scorekeeper, or league officials, then the game will be stopped and the person(s) responsible will be asked to leave the building. If they persist, the police will be called to have them escorted out of the building, they will be banned from the Club, and the team responsible may face disciplinary action.
23) FACILITIES IN USE
*If it’s necessary for either format, Teams that arrive for the first game must clear anything that may be left on the floor from previous users and put it in its proper storage place. If you are unsure where something goes, ask the staff. If necessary, the first 2 teams of the night must bring out and set up the nets, while the last 2 teams must ensure the nets are properly stored away if necessary. Referees will remind both teams of this at the end of the night.
Teams that play in the last game of the evening must also ensure that any loose debris or garbage on the floor is picked up (broken sticks, tape, etc.). The dressing rooms MUST BE CLEAN at all times. Please remember to pick up after your team and to be courteous as we are sharing this facility with other people.
REMEMBER, YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE(S) YOU CAUSE!!! The team, team rep, and any individual(s) involved will be billed directly for the damage by the winter league and the gym. If a team is the last team in a dressing room and there is damage or a problem, then that team will be held at fault. So, if you notice something missing, broken or damaged, bring it to the attention of the facility personnel IMMEDIATELY!
ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ARE PERMITTED in the building. Any player, fan or team caught will be immediately expelled and banned from the building and the league – NO EXCEPTIONS! No smoking, food or drink, and profanity will be allowed in the 3 on 3 gym, or on the 5 on 5 floor. Both are family facilities, so please be courteous of others.
*All teams must vacate their dressing rooms no later than 30 minutes after the conclusion of their game.
24) EQUIPMENT
Mandatory equipment is a CSA approved helmet and proper hockey gloves. Full or half face shields and mouth guards are highly recommended. Regular wooden sticks are allowed WITH WHITE TAPE on the blade. No plastic bladed sticks are allowed.
Goalies MUST wear full equipment. Steel-toed shoes and "cat’s eye" face masks are strictly forbidden. If a goalie does not have full equipment, they won’t be allowed to play. If a goalie breaks or loses his goaltender stick DURING A GAME, he will be allowed to finish the game with a player’s stick.
25) THE GAME
All games at the Westmount Fitness Club will be played 3 on 3, plus goalie. Games at the Metro Sportsplex will be be played 5 on 5, plus goalie. Games will be put in a one (1) hour time block. There will be two (2) twenty-five (25) minute periods, running straight time. The last TWO (2) minutes of the game will be stop time. The referee will have final say on all issues dealing with time. Each team will be allowed one (1) thirty second timeout each period (including O/T).
After a goal is scored, the ball will be dropped at centre. Face-offs will occur where the ball was last frozen (or shot out of play, or the roof), or at one of the face-off dots in each team’s zone. There will be no off sides or icings. If the ball hits the roof, or goes into the spectator area, play shall be whistled dead.
If games are delayed for any reason, they will end at the one (1) hour mark. Time will stop for no longer than 30 seconds for penalty shots in 3 on 3, … and in 5 on 5, any penalized player MUST make his way to the penalty box within 30 seconds. Any delay, will result in an additional 2 minute minor penalty being assessed for delay of game. And the clock will stop. However, if a game is dragged out, then the referee will notify both teams that the game will end at the 1 hour mark and make the appropriate changes on the time clock (stopwatch). This is called the "5 minute – 2 minute" rule from ice hockey. If there is 5 minutes left in the hour time slot, the referee will then reset the stopwatch to 2 mintues.
For 3 on 3, .. if a goal is scored on a penalty shot, then the face-off will occur at centre. If no goal is scored, then the face-off will occur in the offending team’s zone, or if off-setting penalties, the spot where the incident occurred. Teams and goalies DO NOT SWITCH ENDS at the half, they stay on the same side for the whole game. Because of the team "benches" in the gym, players on the sidelines MUST NOT touch the ball or interfere in the play in any way. A warning or penalty can be assessed if this is not followed.
Players are to remain in their teams "corner", or on the player’s bench, and change only when the player coming off is WITHIN EIGHT (8) FEET OF THE BENCH. Also, teams must ensure that all bags, jackets and equipment are stored away properly off the gym and arena floor.
A player arriving late for a game may play up until the LAST MINUTE of the game. If they arrive after the last minute, they WILL NOT be allowed to participate.
*Quick Face-off Rule: If a team has a lead, or starts to take advantage of the straight running time, then the referee will announce that the "quick face-off rule" is now in effect. Once the centreman from one team enters the face-off circle, the opposing centreman is allowed three (3) seconds to enter the circle, if he doesn’t, and the other centreman is ready, the referee will drop the ball.
*Quick Penalty Rule: If a penalized player does NOT make his way to the penalty box within 30 seconds of being assessed a penalty, … the clock will stop, and he will be assessed another 2 minute minor penalty for delay of game. At which point, a substitute from his team ON THE FLOOR, will have to serve the minor penalty.
a) Penalty Shot Protocol (Player)
- the referee shall place the ball on the center face-off spot, and the player taking shot shall, after the instruction of the referee AND after the referee has blown his whistle to indicate to begin, play the ball from there and attempt to score on the goaltender.
- once the player taking the shot has touched the ball, it MUST be kept in forward motion toward the opponent’s goal line (sideways movement is permitted).
- once a player "pulls back" the ball, it is considered in violation of protocol, and the penalty shot is over.
- a goal cannot be scored on a rebound of any kind, and any time the ball crosses the goal line, the shot shall be considered complete.
- if a player blatantly, or in an unsportsmanlike manner, fires the ball again at the net or goalie, then he shall be given a unsportsmanlike penalty, and the other team will be awarded a penalty shot. *This is up to the referee’s discretion, and if a player accidentally or unintentionally fires or hits the ball towards the goalie or net, no penalty is awarded.
- the goaltender must remain in his crease until the player taking the penalty shot has touched the ball, AND must remain in the goaltender’s prviledged area until the completion of the play (within the rectangular area bounded in the rear by red goal line, in front up to the centre red line, and to the sides by the face-off dots). In the event of violation of this rule or any foul committed by the goaltender, the referee shall allow the penalty shot to be taken again.
- the goaltender may attempt to STOP the penalty shot in any manner except by throwing the stick or any object, in which case another penalty shot will be awarded.
- the goaltender must completely stop the ball’s forward motion in order for the shot to be considered complete.
- if the ball hits the goaltender and goes into the net, a goal shall be awarded.
- if the ball hits the goalpost or crossbar, comes out, hits the goaltender and goes into the net, no goal is awarded.
- if the ball hits the goalpost or crossbar, hits the goaltender WITHOUT coming back out and goes into the net, a goal is awarded.
- if any player of the opposing team interferes with or distracts the player taking the penalty shot and thereby causes the shot to fail, a second attempt shall be permitted and the referee can impose a misconduct or unsportsmanlike penalty on the offending player(s).
26) PENALTIES
Penalties are the same as the summer league in terms of interpretation. They will be called at the referee’s discretion. In 3 on 3, … players will not serve penalties, but instead a PENALTY SHOT will be awarded to the opposing team when a minor penalty takes place. When a player receives a major or double minor penalty, the opposition will be awarded two (2) shots. In 5 on 5, … players will serve the normal 2, 4, and 5 minute penalties.
NOTE: For 3 on 3, … Any player receiving four (4) penalties of ANY kind during the game will be automatically ejected from the game.
For 5 on 5, … Any player receiving three (3) penalties of ANY kind during the game will be automatically ejected from the game.
Time will stop no longer than 30 seconds for penalty shots, and start again immediately after the shot is taken. Face-off is at centre if a goal is scored; otherwise it is where the play was whistled down (including co-incidentals). When a player receives a penalty, he/she must leave the floor and miss an entire shift (at least 30 seconds) before he/she can play again. If a player receives a major penalty, he/she is automatically ejected from the game. Penalty shots must be taken by the player who was fouled, UNLESS they are VISIBLY injured (not faking), then another player ON THE FLOOR may take the shot. The only other exception is when a goalie is fouled, then a player WHO WAS ON THE FLOOR at the time of the infraction, can take the shot.
Any player receiving a game misconduct or ejection must leave the game immediately, and either remains quietly in the dressing room or leave the building. If a player is taking too many "aggressor" type penalties, then at the referee’s discretion, that player can be ejected from the game.
Goaltender interference will be watched closely and penalties will be assessed accordingly. Because of the smaller playing surface, players tend to infringe on the crease area more frequently, if it becomes a problem, then that player(s) will be ejected from the game.
NOTE: The goaltender interference penalty will now be an automatic DOUBLE-MINOR, meaning the non-offending team will receive two (2) penalty shots in 3 on 3. The referee can also call this a MAJOR penalty, and the offending player will be ejected from the game, AND be assessed a GAME MISCONDUCT penalty (meaning he/she will have to miss the next game as well).
*SUSPENSIONS AND FINESINFRACTION MINUTES SHOT(S) SUSPENSION FINEMinor two (2) one (1) none none
Double minor four (2) two (2) none none
Game ejection N/A none none none
Major – aggressor five (5) two (2) one (1) game $25
Major – accidental five (5) two (2) one (1) game $15
Game misconduct ten (10) none one (1) game $15
Gross misconduct ten (10) none two (2) games $25
Match penalty – injury five (5) two (2) min. eight (8) games min. $80
Match penalty – w/o injury five (5) two (2) three (3) games $50
Peacemaker (3rd man) two (2) one (1) one (1) game $15
Aggressor two (2) one (1) one (1) game $15
Instigator two (2) one (1) one (1) game $15
Fighting major five (5) two (2) min. 3 – 5 games $50 - $100
1st player off bench two (2) + ten (10) two (2) (1) – (3) games $15 - $30
team bench clearing ten (10) two (2) game defaulted $100
match on official five (5) two (2) life suspension min. $100 *Charges laid.
Booze, drugs in building N/A none gone for season $100
*All suspensions are AUTOMATIC and begin immediately. All fines MUST be paid prior to the player returning to action. Players who are suspended and play, will face a stiffer suspension, and the league at its discretion can and will increase any of the above suspensions if warranted.
27) DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
A special disciplinary committee will be formed each year to handle any concerns, disputes, appeals, etc. that requires the league’s attention or to render a decision.
28) SCOREKEEPERS/SUPERVISORS
Scorekeepers are minor officials of the game, and as such MUST be given courtesy and respect by teams and players. Supervisors are paid employees of the league, and also are to be accorded the respect they deserve. ANYONE caught abusing or threatening a scorekeeper or league supervisor, can and will be ejected from the building AND the league.
