1.
Hockey Canada rules will apply unless
otherwise stipulated by Sports Zone. The following Sports Zone rules either
supplement or negate the rules in the Hockey Canada rule book.
2.
WAIVER FORMS
a) In
order to participate in the Sports Zone Adult Hockey League all
participating players and team officials must sign the waiver form before the
first game. Team waiver forms can be updated as new players register for league
play.
b) If
a League official requests proper identification, the player must produce a
piece of photo identification within 24 hours. Failure to comply constitutes
the team as having an illegal player and may lead to a default and suspensions.
3.
FIRST AID SUPPLIES
Teams
must supply their own first aid supplies as a primary resource in the event of
injury.
4.
GAME TIME
a)
The game will start when the Zamboni is off the ice
and the rink doors are closed.
WARM-UP:
3 minutes
b)
The referee has the discretion of stopping the game due to injury, ice
problems, rule explanations, etc.
5.
GAME CANCELLATIONS OR DELAYS
a)
League officials may stop, cancel, or delay a game in the event of poor ice
conditions or other reasons that concern the safety of the players. Should both
team representatives agree that the safety of their players is compromised,
they too have the right to stop or cancel a game. Rescheduling games will be at
the option of the League.
b) In
the event that facilities become unavailable or that start times may be delayed
due to circumstances beyond the league’s control; Ottawa Sports Zone may, at its
discretion delay or cancel any given game.
c) In
the event of cancellations due to poor weather conditions, rescheduling games
will be at the option of the League.
6.
LINEUPS & STATISTICS CORRECTIONS
a) It
is the responsibility of the team rep, or an appointed substitute in the rep’s
absence, to ensure that player numbers are entered correctly on the website,
and that only players that are present are accounted for.
b)
Requests to correct statistics must be submitted by the team rep or an
appointed substitute in the rep’s absence, during the game, or immediately
following the conclusion of the game.
7.
EQUIPMENT
a) Players
must wear CSA approved hockey helmets and helmet hardware. Players without
proper helmets, chinstraps, and helmet clips will not be permitted on the ice
during a game (absolutely no substitutions). Players electing not to wear a
face shield must remove the mask clips from the helmet.
b)
While highly recommended, facemasks and visors are not mandatory, however, when
in use they must be CSA approved. Depending on insurance needs, face masks
and/or visors may also become necessary for all players.
c) Goaltenders
are permitted to wear modified CSA cat eye masks. Old style cat eye masks are
not allowed.
d)
Failure to correct a piece of equipment immediately following a warning will
automatically result in a minor penalty. The offending player may not return to
play in that game, or any subsequent games, until the problem has been rectified
and approved by a league official.
8.
BODY CHECKING & SLAPSHOTS
Body
checking is not allowed. However, slap shots are allowed.
9.
ICING THE PUCK & TWO LINE PASSES
a)
The icing marker will be the defensive blue line, not the red line.
b)
Icing will be called even if the puck travels through the goal crease.
c) Two-line passes are legal; the red line
will NOT be in play.
10.
CHANGING PLAYERS
Players may change at any time, but must be made in a timely manner, otherwise referees have the right to issue a delay of game.,
11.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS
a) At
the 21:00 and 22:00 minute mark a team must have at least 5 skaters (belonging
to their team) and a goalie. If the goalie is not ready at that time the game
will be delayed until the goalie is on the ice, and a minor penalty for delay
of game will be assessed to the team. If a goalie is not ready and on the ice
by the 21:15 or 22:15 minute mark, the game will be forfeited with a score of
3-0 for the opposing team.
NOTE:
If both teams elect to play a ‘friendly game’ after the default has been
assigned the referees must remain to officiate the game. League discipline will
apply to the friendly game.
b) A
$75.00 dollar fine will be assessed to any team which forfeits as a result of
rule 11a.
c) In
the event of a goaltender injury/departure a team may either substitute one of
their dressed players immediately, or may play with 6 skaters (none of whom
will have goaltender privileges).
d)
For Major penalties, Gross Misconducts, Game Misconducts, Misconducts, Match
penalties, and 3 minor penalties to a goalie, the goalie may be allowed to
continue playing. All discipline will be assessed after the conclusion of the game.
If the referees deem it inappropriate to allow the goalie to continue playing
then the goalie will be ejected and a sixth player will be allowed to fill in
for the goalie (see rule 11c).
e)
Any team who is unable to ice a minimum of three skaters and a goalie for any
face-off other than the opening face-off (see rule 11a), will forfeit the game.
12.
SWEATERS
a)
Teams must have at least one full set of matching sweaters with different
numbers for all players participating in the game. We highly recommend that
each team purchase 2 sets of jerseys.
b) If
there is a color conflict the home team must immediately notify the referee,
and the visiting team will be required to change jerseys.
c)
All players must have a number on their jersey. And the jersey number must
match the number on the website for statistical accuracy. Blank jerseys will
only be acceptable for 1 player and the goalie.
d) If
a sweater or a piece of equipment has been deemed illegal by a referee or
league official it must be replaced. A taped number is not acceptable. Failure
to do so will result in a penalty.
e)
Goalies are not allowed to wear the same color jersey as the opposition.
Failure to comply may result in a minor penalty for delay of game until the
change is made.
13.
PENALTIES AND SUSPENSIONS
MINOR
3 MINUTES
MAJOR
7 MINUTES (STATISTICALLY = 2 PENALTIES)
MISCONDUCT
12 MINUTES (STATISTICALLY = 2 PENALTIES)
GAME
MISCONDUCT IMMEDIATE EJECTION (STATISTICALLY = 2 PENALTIES)
GAME
EJECTION IMMEDIATE EJECTION (STATISTICALLY = 1 PENALTY)
GROSS
MISCONDUCT IMMEDIATE EJECTION (STATISTICALLY = 3 PENALTIES)
MATCH
7 MINUTES + IMMEDIATE EJECTION (STATISTICALLY = 3 PENALTIES)
a) FIGHTING:
Fighting may result in a minimum 3 game suspension, with the
instigator/aggressor receiving a minimum of one additional game. Any player
taking physical advantage of an unwilling and non-punching opponent may be
banned for life from the league. This is not a goon league, and the league will
not tolerate intimidation and revenge on the ice.
NOTE
*Gloves don’t have to be off for an altercation to be deemed a fight.
b)
GAME EJECTION - Rather than penalize the team, referees may issue such a
penalty. Normally, this type of penalty will not result in an additional
suspension, however it will be recorded, and should it become a common
occurrence, a suspension may result.
c)
Any players receiving Majors, Misconducts, Game & Gross Misconducts, Game
Ejections and Match penalties will have their actions reviewed by the league.
The league may assess additional suspensions, or
request
bonds depending upon the penalty and the players’ histories.
d)
All major penalties will be accompanied by a Game Misconduct
e)
Misconducts during the last 10 minutes of a game, or following a game, may
result in a minimum 1 game suspension.
f)
Any player receiving 3 minor penalties during the same game will be ejected.
Any player being ejected for 3 minors for the third time may be subject to
disciplinary action by the league.
g)
All delayed penalties will be recorded on the official League score sheet of
the game in which the delayed penalty was assessed. If an opposing team scores
on the delayed call the individual(s) who was to be assessed the delayed penalty
will not serve the penalty (MINORS ONLY) but will have the penalty(s) recorded
and counted towards the individual’s maximum allowable number of minor
penalties in one game.
h) No
player may serve another team member’s penalty except in the following
situations:
i) A penalty assessed to the goalie (player
on the ice at the time of infraction).
ii) A
penalty assessed to a player having been ejected from the game
iii)
Any minor penalty assessed to a player having to leave the game because of an
injury.
NOTE:
players may rotate from the bench to the penalty box when serving an ejected
player’s penalty(s).
i) Any altercation in the hallway may
result in a suspension
j)
Players ejected from a game for any reason whatsoever must immediately proceed
to their respective dressing rooms. After changing into street clothes the
player may then return to watch the game FROM THE STANDS. If the individual
fails to follow this rule or causes any disturbance whatsoever, especially on
preventing the game from continuing its regular flow, the player may be subject
to an additional suspension.
k)
Player reps will be held responsible for spare players’ actions. A suspension
to a spare player may result in an additional suspension to the team rep.
l) A
minor penalty will be assessed to players who fail to close the penalty box
doors after serving their penalty.
m) If
a player enters the crease area before the puck, and a goal is scored, the goal
will be disallowed.
n)
Players must remain off the ice surface until the Zamboni
has left the ice surface and the doors are closed; failure to do so may result
in a minor penalty
o)
Contacting the puck with the stick above shoulder height is prohibited. When it
occurs, play shall be stopped immediately, and a face-off will take place in
the offending team’s defensive zone.
NOTE:
The crossbar is not an applicable reference point for high sticking in the Sports
Zone. That is an NHL rule.
p)
Verbal abuse of on-ice officials, off-ice league officials, and opponents will
not be tolerated. Suspensions may be levied in cases where abusive, offensive,
derogatory language, racial slurs, and/or obscene gestures are directed toward
officials and opponents.
q)
Physical abuse of on-ice or off-ice officials may result in a permanent league
ban.
r)
Any contact to an opponent’s head/neck area, above the normal height of the
shoulders, will result in an additional minor penalty.
s)
All actions, penalized or otherwise, both on and off the ice are subject to
league discipline.
14.
PENALTY & PERFORMANCE BONDS
a)
Any player amassing a total of 14 penalties during the summer season (including
playoffs) will be suspended for 1 game and will be required to pay a $100.00
cash bond from which $10.00 will be deducted and taken by the league for every
penalty thereafter. This bond must be paid in full before playing again in the
league (for any team). Remaining money will be refunded at the end of the
season.
b)
Individual players may have to post personal performance bonds to continue to
play in this League. Performance bonds are a minimum $150.00 in cash, which the
player in question must pay prior to resuming league play. The performance bond
is the final warning for a player. If the player is ejected for any reason
which may result in a League suspension under the League rules, while they are
already on a performance bond, they will lose the bond and their playing
privileges in this League for at least the remainder of the season. Reasons for
performance bonds include:
i) Severe infraction of the rules (however,
not serious enough to warrant a complete season suspension).
ii)
Repeated disregard for the rules and safety of players, referees, or league
officials.
iii)
Player has amassed over 50 minutes in penalties in the past season in the Sports
Zone Adult Hockey League.
15.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & ROSTER LIMITATIONS
a)
Players must be at least 19 years of age in order to participate in league
play.
b) To
be eligible to participate during the playoffs players must have played a
minimum of (3) regular season games with the team they wish to play for in the
playoffs.
c) There
is no minimum number of season games for an eligible goalie to participate in
the playoffs.
However
the spare goalie must be approved by the League. Failure to have a goalie
approved may result in a default.
d) Sports
Zone reserves the right to refuse any player entrance into the league.
e) Sports
Zone reserves the right to move any team with dominant players to a different team,
or if this is part of a complete team registration, Sports reserves the right
to balance out the other existing teams to help balance the league out.
f) Sports
Zone reserves the right to default a game if a team brings out a spare(s) that
is of an unreasonably and noticeably higher skill level than the league
standard.
16.
PLAYING UNDER SUSPENSION
a)
Any team that is found to be using a player who is under suspension, an illegal
player, or a player using an alias, will be assessed the following penalties:
i) The final score of the game will be
recorded as ‘0’ for the team using the illegal player. 3-0 will be the default score
if the margin of victory is less than 3 goals in favor of the non-offending
team.
ii)
The illegal player will have an additional 5 game suspension
iii)
Teams using suspended/illegal players may also have their team representative
PLUS their top scorer (reps will not count as a top scorer) suspended for that
team’s next game.
17.
GAME OFFICIALS
Game
officials shall be on the ice as soon as the Zamboni
is off the ice and shall remain on the ice until both teams have left the ice
surface.
18.
DIVISIONS, TEAM POINTS, INDIVIDUAL POINTS AND GOALIE AVERAGES
Team
reps will track player stats. The home team rep is responsible to submitting
the final score and player statistics. The away team rep needs to be in
agreement of final score and stats.
19.
TIE BREAKERS
a)
The following tiebreakers will be used if TWO OR MORE teams are tied in points:
i) Most wins
ii)
Goal Differential (Goals For minus Goals Against)
iii)
Fewest penalties
iv) Goals
Against
NOTE:
Winning percentages will be applied to those teams who have not played an equal
amount of games.
20.
PLAYOFF FORMATS
The
top 4 teams are eligible for the playoffs. The season is over for teams that fall
within 5th or 6th place in the standings. As the match-ups
become available the schedule will be posted on the playoff website which is linked
through the main site at http://www.ottawasportszone.com
First
Round Playoffs: The top 4 teams will play in the first round playoffs (1st vs 4th, 2nd vs 3rd)
FINALS:
The winners of the (1st vs. 4th, 2nd vs. 3rd) will play for the
championship.
All
playoffs & finals are 1-game eliminations and in the event of a tie, will
be given to the team with the most wins during the regular season. The second
tie-breaker will be decided by the most goals during the regular season.
21.
FACILITY & DRESSING ROOMS
a) Teams
are responsible for obtaining and locking the assigned rooms. Sports Zone is
not responsible for any lost of stolen merchandise both before, during or after
scheduled playing times.
b) Team
dressing rooms are occupied on a first come first serve basis.
c)
Assigned dressing rooms may be entered no more than 30 minutes before ice time
& must be vacated within 30 minutes after leaving the ice.
22. TEAM & PLAYER REFUNDS
Once
the season begins, there will be no player or team refunds issued.
23.
ALCOHOL & SMOKING
The
consumption of alcohol in the dressing rooms, bleachers, parking lot, or other
unlicensed areas is strictly prohibited. A violation of this policy will result
in the removal of a team for which an offending player is registered.
24.
EMERGENCY RULE CHANGES
Sports
Zone reserves the right to make any emergency changes and/or
additions/deletions to the above rules. Rule changes will be posted on the
website and/or will be e-mailed to team reps before the change is enacted.
Sports
Zone Adult Hockey League has been designed to provide non-contact hockey at the
recreational level. Disrespect towards game and administrative officials,
and/or injurious actions by players will not be tolerated. Violation of the previous
will be just cause for ejection from the League without refund of fees paid. (May
11, 2009)
