Southwest Ice Hockey Club Association
2007 – 2008 Playing Rules and Regulations
I. Playing Rules - Suspensions
The SIHCA League will use the USA Hockey Rule Book almost exclusively. Fighting, misconduct and game misconduct suspensions will be the same as the USA Hockey Rule Book with the following exception:
Any player who receives a penalty for fighting will be suspended for the balance of that game plus the next additional three (3) regular scheduled League games of that team.
The Board will have the responsibility of dealing with repeat offenders and is expected to be as severe as USA Hockey and AHAI rules.
All USA Hockey, AHAI, and League Rules will be strictly enforced without exception. (All suspensions apply to both regular season and Playoff SIHCA games). All suspensions given in a SIHCA game must be served in the next scheduled game(s).
If there is a scheduled practice or tournament game before the suspension has been served in the amount of SIHCA games required under the suspension, these additional games would require that player/coach to serve the required USA Hockey/AHAI suspensions.
A. A fight off the ice not under the jurisdiction of the officials may be reported in writing to the League President. This includes any lobby or parking lot disturbances. Any such incidents will be reviewed by the SIHCA Board of Directors.
B. If a player receives five (5) penalties of any duration during a game, he/she shall be automatically suspended for one game. If a player accumulates five (5) penalties in a game a second time, he/she will be assessed an automatic two (2) game suspension in addition to the balance of the game in which the penalties occur. A third five (5) penalty game by the same player in the same season will cause automatic suspension from the SIHCA League for the balance of both the regular and playoff season. These suspensions are in addition to any suspensions accumulated under the regular USA Hockey/AHAI Playing Rules.
C. If a team receives fifteen (15) penalties in a game, the Head Coach of that team shall be suspended for the next League game of that team. If the infraction occurs a second time during the same season (including playoffs) the Head Coach shall be suspended for the nest two (2) League games of that team. If the same infraction occurs a third time during the same season, the Head Coach shall be suspended until a hearing before the Board of Directors.
D. Permanent suspension of a player from the League will be affected if it is determined that he has maliciously and/or intentionally damaged any properties or parts of any facility and billed for the damage.
E. In the event that the League requires security at its games, the cost of security will be borne by the league. If a Club’s fans consistently create security problems, the League will assess fines and reimbursement of security costs against the offending Club.
II. Game Rules – Minor Officials
A. There will be no in-games warm-up for goalies for any reason (including injury). Spare goalies are to be warmed up during the pre-game skate.
B. Players coming onto the ice after the 1st and 2nd period shall go directly to the bench with the exception of the starting lineup. Violation may result in a bench minor penalty for delay.
C. SIHCA Games will be three fifteen minute (14) stop-time periods. Warm ups must end four (4) minutes after the Zamboni gates close. One (1) 60 second time-out is allowed for each team.
D. After 25 combined penalties, running time will be in effect for the duration of the game.
E. Each team shall have two (2) MATCHING sets of numbered jerseys; and one MATCHING set of numbered alternate jerseys or practice pullovers.
F. Should a team accumulate a five (5) goal lead at the end of the second period or at any time during the third period, the resumption of play at the center ice face-off spot shall commence running time for the duration of the game. At the point in time where the goal differential becomes three (3) goals, the resumption of play at the center ice face-off spot shall commence stop-time. Penalty times shall be the same as for stop time. This Rule shall not apply during the Playoff Games. (There are NO EXCEPTIONS).
G. Should a team (a minimum of six players) fail to show for a game at the scheduled game time, they shall forfeit the game with a 1 to 0 score recorded in the League standings.
1. No team shall be permitted to forfeit a game for any reason other than as a result of “an act of god” (i.e. weather). Forfeit carries a $200.00 fine that must be paid to the SIHCA Treasurer before that team will be allowed to play the next SIHCA game.
2. A make-up game can be played by mutual agreement of the Clubs involved. Cost of make-up game is to be paid by the clubs involved.
3. If one referee is absent, the game must be played. If two or more referees are absent, the game must be rescheduled at League cost.
H. The League shall furnish paid personnel to be the scorekeeper of each game. The cost is fixed at fifteen dollars ($15.00) per game. Each visiting team shall provide one adult volunteer to assist the scorekeeper.
I. The first named team on the schedule will be the home team and will wear the white jerseys.
J. The second named team on the schedule will be the visiting team and will wear the dark jerseys.
K. Each team will provide to the scorekeeper with two (2) new pucks prior to each game.
L. The team will shake hands at center ice immediately after the end of the game.
M. During playoffs sudden death overtime will be utilized for games in a tie at the end of the third period. A five minute five on five sudden death period will be played. If at the conclusion of the first sudden death overtime period the games is still tied, subsequent five minute five on five sudden death overtime period(s) will occur until such time a goal is scored. No time outs will be allowed during any sudden death overtime periods. Any remaining penalties/time from the third period or the conclusion of any sudden death period will carryover into the next period.
N. Tie breaker to determine final ranking for playoffs will be as follows:
1. Head to Head Standing
2. Goal differentials in head to head games
3. Goals against
4. Goals scored
5. least penalty minutes
6. Coin toss
III. Team Responsibilities
A. Each club (coach, moderator, manger, team representative, trainers, and players) shall be cooperative in the administration of the League, shall obey all League Rules and Directives from the Board of Directors, or be subject to disciplinary action.
B. Each club must file with the League (in the hands of the Secretary/Registrar before a player may participate in any game): a completed USA Hockey Roster.
C. Each club shall have one vote in all division matters.
D. A fine of $50.00 will be assessed against any club that is not represented (by an adult from that club) at a League meeting. The fines will be paid at next league meeting. A fine of $25.00 will be assessed against any club that fails to turn score sheets into League within 5 days of game day..
E. Any club playing and/or dressing an ineligible player will forfeit each game, in which the ineligible player played or dressed. The game will be recorded in the League’s standing as a loss and the offending team’s goals and assists will be deleted from the standings.
F. Any coach knowingly playing a suspended and/or ineligible player will receive an automatic expulsion from the League for the balance of the Regular and Playoff season.
G. Initial rosters are due to the Secretary prior to the first League game of a team. Players may be added to the roster up to and including December 1st, but no name may be deleted from the roster once it appears.
J. Play off Requirements
1. As required by AHAI, top half of the Varsity team is to be frozen to the Varsity level and therefore can only play at the Varsity level for the playoffs.
2. A player may only participate at one level -- JV or Varsity in the SIHCA playoffs.
3. For players rostered at both JV and Varsity, the player becomes designated to a specific level once seven games are played at that level.
4. A player’s level must be declared for playoffs via the playoff roster, which is to be submitted by December 31st.
5. To participate in playoffs at the declared level, the player must participate in 75% of league games at that level.
6. Game participation includes active players listed on each game roster as well as players listed on a game roster as injured.
7. Any player suspended for five (5) games or more in the league will be ineligible to participate in the playoffs.
8. No exceptions to the above-stated rules unless approved by majority vote of league club members, during a regular league board meeting.
9. A Junior Varsity player may be added to replace an injured Varsity player when the roster of the available Varsity Players is less than 16 (including Goalies). A request must be made to the league 48 hours in advance of the game. The Junior Varsity player must be on the USA Hockey Junior Varsity roster. The Junior varsity player retains his eligibility to play with the Junior Varsity team.
IV. League Responsibilities
A. The SIHCA President will acquire officials for all League games in all Divisions. Officials will be required to wear a nameplate on their sweater for all League and Playoff games.
B. An Official Game Report Form for all League and Playoff games will be forwarded to the proper Officials Supervisor within 24 hours after conclusion of game where an incident occurs. Failure of any official to furnish the League with an Official Game Report shall result in termination of the Official’s services for the remainder of the season upon review by the SIHCA Board of Directors.
C. The League will furnish the following:
a. One (1) trophy for each of the Division first place clubs in the League standings
b. One (1) traveling trophy for the playoff winner to keep for a period of one (1) year.
c. One (1) trophy for the playoff winner to keep.
d. One (1) trophy for the playoff runner-up to keep.
D. The League will hold a playoff tournament at the conclusion of the regular season League play.
E. The Board of Directors will consist of one representative from each club and (4) officers who shall comprise the Executive Board, a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for any rule changes, player suspensions, game protests, complaints on officials, and all other matters concerning the guidance and maintenance of the League. The Board of Directors shall interpret and determine all League Rules and render decisions and/or directives as necessary. Suspensions of coaches are up to the sole discretion of the SHICA Board of Directors.
F. Each club is responsible to register its team/teams with USA Hockey and AHIA and fulfill all of the required registration procedures according to the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of USA Hockey and AHAI.
G. No club or division may enact any roles that contradict or attempt to supersede League rules.
H. The League will adhere as closely as possible to the Illinois High School Association eligibility rules, except the rules referring to coaching (a hockey coach need not be a faculty member of the school team he/she is coaching).
I. The Board of Directors shall furnish each club:
a. Playing Rules for each player, coach, and manager.
b. Schedules for each team.
c. Listing of the Board of Directors.
J. The League will assist each club in obtaining the following:
a. USA Hockey/AHAI Roster Forms for each team.
b. USA Hockey Rule Book, USA Hockey Guide Book, AHAI Guidebook, and Insurance forms (as required by USA Hockey/AHAI).
c. Any training manuals, films, coaching seminars, etc. provided by USA Hockey/AHAI.