AHAI has determined that it is not in the best interests of and is conduct detrimental to hockey (and therefore prohibited to) to do any of the following while participating in or affecting the sport of amateur hockey:
Discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability or national orgin.
Consume, use, sell, give or abuse mood altering substances, other than in accordance with a Doctor’s prescription.
The following policies have been enacted by AHAI:
Additional Fighting Penalty
The following rules have been implemented for all ice hockey games played in the State of Illinois during the 2007-08 season. All USA Hockey registered teams (whether registered with AHAI or not) must abide by these additional penalties:
A. In regards to Rule 613 - Fisticuffs (Fighting) of the official Playing Rules of USA Hockey, the following addition has been imposed on all games under the jurisdiction of AHAI: "Any player who is assessed a penalty for fisticuffs under Rule 613 shall be suspended for the next three (3) games of that team not including the game in which the penalty was assessed".
Any player, coach, team, manager, association, club or individual violating this Rule shall be referred to the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee and/or AHAI Suspension Committee for disciplinary action.
Any Tier I team, or, any team participating in a league based outside Illinois, or, any other Illinois team participating in a game outside the State of Illinois, shall follow regular USA Hockey Rules and/or the Rules of the Affiliate/Federation, and/or tournament rules they are playing that game within.
These penalties supercede the USA Hockey Playing Rules (2007-09 edition).
Conflict Of Interest Policy
All AHAI Board of Directors and committee members who may participate in decisions where a personal gain may be possible, are required to sign a "Conflict of Interest" Statement.
Consumption Abuse Policy
It is the considered judgment of the Board of Directors of AHAI that consumption/use/abuse of mood altering substances is detrimental to a healthy state of mind, body, and spirit in an athletic participant. This is especially true for those participants aspiring to develop their talents in the furtherance of their playing, or coaching, or officiating careers in the sport of ice hockey.
Therefore, with the best interests of its participants in mind, AHAI prohibits use by any participant of mood altering substances during active participation in its programs, and, upon discovery of any violation, shall take action to remove the participant from participation in its programs for a reasonable period of time.
Further, AHAI hereby recommends that each and all of its teams, associations, programs, and affiliates adopt reasonable regulations concerning the prohibition of consumption/use/abuse of mood altering substances, and a reasonable enforcement procedure thereafter, in order to maintain the health of our athlete participants, the integrity of our programs, and the eligibility of all of our competitors for national, international, and collegiate competition.
For purposes of this policy, the words mood altering substances shall include the following:
1. Intoxicating beverages, including, but not limited to, alcohol.
2. Non-prescription or prescribed controlled substances.
3. Prescription or prescribed controlled substances when used to an excess in violation of doctors orders, or to produce the state of intoxication in the participant.
Further, a participant shall include players, coaches, referees, and all persons involved in the conduct of an ice hockey contest.USA Hockey and AHAI, through their Safety and Protective Equipment Committees, will develop a program of drug abuse awareness for players of all ages through 20 years, their parents and/or guardians and coaches of those players.
Equal Opportunity Policy
USA Hockey shall provide an equal opportunity to amateur athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate in amateur athletic competition, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, or national origin, and with fair notice and opportunity for a hearing to any amateur athlete, coach, manager, administrator, or official before declaring such individual ineligible to participate in USA Hockey programs or competition.
Financial Obligations Policy
No Player shall be permitted to change his/her team or association affiliation until he/she has satisfied any outstanding financial obligations to his/her "old" team or association including all Youth, High Schools, Juniors, Adults and Girls."
AHAI is not and will not act as a collection agency for outstanding financial obligations. Collection of outstanding financial obligations for the Affiliate Members lies with the Affiliate Member. However, AHAI will enforce its By-Laws and impose a suspension for failure to satisfy any financial obligations under the following circumstances:
1. There must be written correspondence to the obligor. It is recommended that the Affiliate send a minimum of 3 letters by Certified Mail Return Receipt as follows:
a. First letter stating that there is a balance due and requesting payment.
b. Second letter stating the balance due with a request for payment and stating that if the amountis not paid within a certain time period (30) days that it will be forwarded to AHAI R&E.
c. Third letter stating the balance due and that the matter is being sent to AHAI R&E.
2. Collection must be for the current season.
3. The club must have taken steps to collect the fees during the season such as taking the Obligor off the ice. In other words, AHAI will not be involved if the club allowed the Obligor to play the entire season and only attempted to collect fees after the season was completed.
After the Club has taken all the above steps, submit copies of these items to the AHAI Rules & Ethics Chairperson for further action. If the steps above are followed, AHAI will send a letter to the Obligor. If the steps above are followed and the Obligor fails to respond, AHAI will suspend the entire family pursuant to its by-laws. If the Obligor responds, he/she has the right to request a hearing and be afforded an opportunity to be heard. A hearing will then be scheduled and if necessary, all parties may be requested to attend that hearing. The Rules & Ethics Committee will provide a written decision within 10 days. The decision can be appealed in accordance with the AHAI By-Laws, Article X of Rules and Regulations.
Game Limit Policy
AHAI has announced a new policy on game limits. The intent of this rule is to increase the practice to game ratio of all AHAI affiliate teams and to emulate the introduction of the USA Hockey American Development Model. Accordingly, commencing with the 2009 - 2010 season, AHAI has imposed team game limits at all USA Hockey age divisions. Game limits will be as follows.
Mite Girls U 8 = 35 games maximum
Squirt Girls U10 = 40 games maximum
Pee Wee Girls U12 = 45 games maximum
Bantam Girls U14 = 50 games maximum
Midget Minor Girls U16 = 60 games maximum
Midget Major Girls U 19 = 60 games maximum
High School = 60 games maximum
Game limits include all league, tournament and practice games. All playoff games for League, State and National competition do not count toward the team game limits. The AHAI team game limits shall be mandatory for High School, Tier II and Tier III / House / Recreation teams and recommended for Tier I teams.
Any team violating the AHAI mandatory team game limits will be subject to disciplinary action at the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee. Penalty may include suspension of the offending team from State tournament play, suspension of the coach and possible forfeiture of an organization's affiliate membership or its Tier I, Tier II or Tier III status.
Please Click Here for a printable version of the Policy
Hazing Policy
It is the policy of AHAI, USA Hockey and USA Hockey InLine that there shall be no hazing of any participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, its Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Seminars, District and National Tournaments or other AHAI, USA Hockey or USA Hockey InLine events by any employee, volunteer, participant or independent contractor.
Definition:
Conduct which is insulting, intimidating, humiliating, offensive, or physically harmful. Any player, team official, executive member of a Team, Club or Association having been party to or having had knowledge of any degrading hazing, or initiation rite, without reporting it or taking action, shall be subject to suspension from playing or holding office with any Team, Club or Association affiliated with AHAI and/or USA Hockey.
Locker Boxing Policy
USA Hockey is concerned with the activity known as “Locker Boxing” (aka Helmet & Gloves) that produces head trauma in children and young adults. USA Hockey is opposed to that activity and recommends that our local associations take action to prevent this activity through awareness, education and supervision.
Locker Room Policy
It is not acceptable under USA Hockey/AHAI By-Laws – Policies on Physical and Sexual Abuse – for members to be observing the opposite gender while they dress/undress.
In order to provide an enjoyable and safe experience for all players, please make certain that proper adult supervision is present in locker room settings at all times, including the provision for more having than one adult supervisor present in the locker room, and arrange to provide supervisors who are of the same sex as the children they are to protect. (‘In the locker room’ means actually being inside the locker room and/or standing right outside the door, not at the concession stand or somewhere nearby in the lobby area).
Please follow these Coaching Ethics Guidelines:
A. Where possible, have the male and female players undress/dress in separate locker rooms; then convene in a single dressing room to hold the coach’s pre-game meeting;
B. Once the game is finished, hold the coach’s post game meeting; then have the male and female players proceed to their separate dressing rooms to undress and shower.
C. In those cases where separate facilities are not available, have one gender enter the locker room and change into their uniforms. That gender would then leave the locker room, while the other gender enters the locker room and gets dressed. Both genders would then assemble in the locker room and hold the coach’s pre-game meeting.
D. Following the game and the coach’s post game meeting, where separate facilities are not available, the second gender group enters the locker room and undresses/showers, while the first group waits outside until they have undressed/shower and left the room. Once the second group leaves, the first group enters the locker room and undresses/showers.
This should be done on a rotating basis (taking turns) so neither gender is always “last” to dress/undress and shower. Taking turns is a means of ‘reasonable accommodation’ so neither gender group is favored.
Reinforce to all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and parents at the beginning of each season at your organization’s parents meetings that your organizations takes this issue seriously and has adopted a fair and equitable Co-Ed Locker Room Policy.
Neck Guard Policy
Players must wear neck guards for all on ice activities. If a player is observed on the ice without a neck guard , the official will remove that player from the ice until he or she is in compliance.
Neck guards must be worn according to the manufacturers specifications. They must fit properly not oversized, pushed down, unzipped, rolled over, taped or in any way altered. If they are modified in any way they are not neck guards and the player will be removed.
Failure to leave the ice will result in a delay of game penalty.A misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or goalkeeper of that team for a subsequent violation during that game.
NECK GUARD DEFINITION
Neck guards are specifically designed by the manufacturer to protect the neck. They are clearly labeled as such. There are the shirt type that zip up or the band type that attach with velcro.
Arm bands, head bands, ear warmers, plain turtle necks and moc turtle necks are not neck guards.
Sled Hockey Policy
It is AHAI Policy that sled hockey players (playing on sleds) shall not compete in games with players who are playing hockey standing up (playing on skates).
Physical Abuse Policy
It is the policy of AHAI that there shall be no physical abuse of any of its or its Affiliates sanctioned programs, its tournaments or events, its Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Clinics, District and National Tournaments or other AHAI/USA Hockey events by an employee, volunteer, or independent contractor.
Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury.
Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach or demonstrate a hockey skill. Permitted physical conduct may include, but is not necessarily limited to, shooting pucks at a goaltender, demonstrating checking and other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing participants, during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a non-threatening, non-sexual manner.
Screening Policy
AHAI has implemented a statewide screening program. The program will be for all coaches and manager’s of ice hockey teams registered with AHAI who have not been previously screened through AHAI.
A. General: AHAI has implemented a screening program. For the 1998-99 playing season (including Spring and Summer) and thereafter all ice hockey coaches, managers and on-ice officials (“persons to be screened”) (and AHAI strongly recommends that all member association’s administrators) must consent to be screened, complete an Authorization to Release Information, be fingerprinted at an AHAI authorized Fingerprint Service Center, retain and produce upon inquiry by AHAI or the organization for which the individual persons to be screened, a Receipt stamped by the authorized Fingerprint Service Center showing that the person to be screened was fingerprinted and provided the Authorization to Release Information Form.
B. Deadlines: All Tier I and Tier II Coaches will complete the Authorization to Release Information Form and be fingerprinted by October 15 of the current playing season. All High School and House League Coaches will complete the Authorization to Release Information Form and be fingerprinted by November 15 of the current playing season. All others and those persons to be screened who become a person to be screened after the applicable deadline must complete the Authorization to Release Information Form and be fingerprinted within thirty (30) days after beginning any coaching, manager or on-ice official activity, which includes clinics, power skating, and any other “on ice” or “off ice” hockey activities. All on ice-officials must be screened upon their 18th birthday and will be suspended and names placed on a Temporary Suspended list (not allowed to schedule games) until compliance with Screening Policy.
C. Screening Results and Procedure: Each person to be screened will be advised in writing regarding any adverse information as a result of the screening process and of the person’s options. Certain adverse information may result in immediate suspension with the opportunity to have a hearing with the AHAI Screening Committee in accordance with USAH By-Law 10 “Summary Suspension”. Other adverse information may result in the person to be screened being advised and provided the opportunity to have a hearing with the AHAI Screening Committee and action taken up to and including suspension.
D. Compliance: Each member association and person to be screened shall comply with the forms and instructions issued by AHAI.
E. Procedures To Implement: The AHAI Screening Committee may prepare and distribute additional rules and procedures to implement this policy. For instance, if the coach has not resided in Illinois for a reasonable period of time, the Screening Committee may request a screen from the State of prior residence.
F. Refusal to Be Screened: Any individual required to be screened who does not consent to be screened and complete the Authorization to Release Information Form shall not be allowed to participate in amateur hockey in Illinois or in any sanctioned USA Hockey event and be placed on permanent suspension until they comply with this Policy and a hearing with the AHAI Screening Committee.
G. Non-Compliance: Any member association and/or person to be screened not complying with this Rule other than those covered under Section C. and F. will be referred to the AHAI Screening Committee for appropriate action up to and including suspension.
All Tier I, Tier II, Girl's, High School and House League Coaches and Managers must be screened by following the process outlined below or they will be ineligible to participate in any team activities until they have completed the screening requirements. Any Tier I, Tier II, Girl's, High School or House League Coach or Manager who continues to coach or manage without the proper screening certification will be referred to the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee for appropriate action.
The essence of the Screening Program is:
1. All ice hockey coaches and managers must complete a form provided by AHAI. That form is known as the “Authorization to Release Information.” We shorten the name to “ARI.” Any individual required to be screened who does not consent to be screened and complete the ARI and be fingerprinted shall not be allowed to participate in amateur hockey in Illinois or in any sanctioned USA Hockey event.
2. An independent company has been hired by AHAI to conduct the actual screening and administer the program.
3. All coaches and managers will be fingerprinted (electronically) for purposes of conducting an Illinois State Police statewide screen of the items in USA Hockey’s Screening Policy that are in the database. In addition, the process will also screen for Driving Under the Influence (“DUI”)
4. Coaches and managers will be fully screened as part of the AHAI Screening Program.
5. AHAI uses funds from its USA Hockey Block Grant and the Blackhawk Charities Grant to subsidize a large portion of this Screening Program. However, each Coach or Manager will be assessed a fee to defray the remaining portion of the costs of the Screening Program which is mandatory. Requests for Screening Forms will only be processed if they are sent by the Club, School, or Organization President. Requests for Screening Forms from individuals will not be processed and will be returned. Please fill out the attached Coach’s/Manager’s List Form, complete it and send in with applicable fee to address listed below.
To obtain a Screening Receipt Form, you must send a check made payable to AHAI in the amount of $58.00 for a full screen per individual being screened. Send your check made payable to AHAI and mail to:
AHAI Screening Program
P.O. Box 217
Batavia, IL 60510
Please include the full name of the individual(s) you wish to be screened and a return address as to where to mail the screening forms. These forms will be mailed within 24 hours of receipt of your request and full payment.
Please “Click Here” for Coaches/Manager’s List Form
Any questions contact Paul Jakubowski at pjakubowski@ahai2.org
Sexual Abuse Policy
It is the policy of AHAI that there shall be no sexual abuse of any minor participant involved in any of its or its Affiliates sanctioned programs, its tournaments or events, its Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Clinics, District and National Tournaments or other AHAI/USA Hockey events by an employee, volunteer, or independent contractor.
Sexual abuse of a minor participant occurs when an employee, volunteer or independent contractor touches a minor participant for the purpose of causing the sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor.
Sexual abuse of a minor participant also occurs when a minor player touches an employee, volunteer or independent contractor for the sexual arousal or sexual gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor, if the touching occurs at the request or with the consent of the employee, volunteer or independent contractor.
Neither consent of the player to the sexual contact, mistake as to the participants age, nor the fact that the sexual contact did not take place at a hockey function are defenses to a complaint of sexual abuse.
Upon proof of violation of this policy, the violator will be permanently banned or suspended from AHAI/USA Hockey sanctioned programs and/or the programs of its Affiliate Associations.
Student Coach Policy
Purpose:
1. To help train entry level coaches at an earlier age level (Mentor Program)
2. To allow the younger players who wish to do so an opportunity to participate on the ice and help the coaching staff demonstrate/teach skills.
3. To give actual on-ice experience to our younger players who aspire to become a coach in the future.
4. To allow these young players protection under the USA Hockey Insurance program.
Student Coach
Definition: A player between the ages of 13 and 17 who is currently properly registered / rostered on an AHAI/USA Hockey team.
Qualifications:
* Must attend an AHAI Level 1 CEP Clinic prior to participating as a Student Coach.
* Must always be under the supervision of a certified/screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, tryouts and in the locker room.
* May help out at practices, clinics and tryouts only. (May not participate in scrimmages or games as a Student Coach).
* May not act as an assistant or head coach during practices or games.
* May not be on the bench during games.
* Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves and skates while on the ice or bench.
* May only work with players at least one (1) full playing age level down (e.g. a Pee Wee player may act as a Student Coach at the Squirt or Mite level).
The Student Coach candidate and their organization / team / parents must completely fill out the USAH Student Coach form (to obtain this form email pjakubowski@ahai2.org) and mail completed form to:AHAI / STUDENT COACH – P.O. BOX 217 – BATAVIA, IL 60510
Also include with the form the date of the Level 1 clinic desired.
Once the Student Coach candidate has completed his / her Level 1 CEP Clinic, the following procedure must also be completed in a timely fashion:
• The organization which is using the Student Coach must provide a copy of the USAH Student Coach Form indicating on what team he / she is participating as a Student Coach, and what team he / she is properly registered / rostered as a player. A copy of the Student Coach's Certificate (issued to the Student Coach upon completion of the Level 1 clinic) must be attached to the form. This form must be submitted to the AHAI Registrar before participating as a Student Coach. This form must be submitted annually and whenever there is a change of either team.
* Upon reaching the age of 18, the Student Coach must comply with the AHAI Screening Program and attend the USA Hockey Associate Level Coaching Clinic, which will qualify him/her to act as an assistant or head coach.
Zero Tolerance Policy
In an effort to keep ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, AHAI has instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey-sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be
implemented by all On-Ice Referees and Linesmen:
PLAYERS
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an officials decision. Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.
COACHES
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an officials decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
OFFICIALS
Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such ] as baiting or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited. On-ice officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
PARENTS/SPECTATORS
The game will be stopped by on-ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area.
Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:
Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.
Additional penaltIes
The following rules have been implemented for all ice hockey games played in the State of Illinois. All USA Hockey registered teams (whether registered with AHAI or not) must abide by these additional penalties:
A. In regards to Rule 613 - Fisticuffs (Fighting) of the official Playing Rules of USA Hockey, the following addition has been imposed on all games under the jurisdiction of AHAI:
Any player who is assessed a penalty for fisticuffs under Rule 613 shall be suspended for the next three (3) games of that team not including the game in which the penalty was assessed.
Any player, coach, team, manager, association, club or individual violating this Rule shall be referred to the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee and/or AHAI Suspension Committee for disciplinary action.
Any Tier I team, or, any team participating in a league based outside Illinois, or, any other Illinois team participating in a game outside the State of Illinois, shall follow regular USA Hockey Rules and/or the Rules of the Affiliate/Federation, and/or tournament rules they are playing that game within.
These penalties supercede the USA Hockey Playing Rules (2007-09 edition).