Greater London Hockey Association

Community Hockey League
2011 – 2012 Hockey Season
CHL LEAGUE PLAYING RULES

Rule 1: Equal Ice Time

• The CHL will operate on the basis of equal ice time for all players during the game played. 
• In Atom through Juvenile divisions it is acceptable to play fewer defense pairings than forward lines.  In these divisions all forwards should play as equal as possible, and all defensemen should play as equal as possible, with a minimum of two defense pairings and a maximum of three forward lines.  An exception to this would be in the case of a team having less than ten skaters. 
• Novice coaches will follow a 5 in 5 out rotation of players, regardless of position (see rule 19 – Novice Division).
• CHL monitoring of line changes and ice time can take place at any time during the season. 
• Failure to adhere to CHL Equal Ice Rules during regular season may result in the suspension of the coach.
• Any offense in playoff play or on championship weekend will result in a minimum of a one game suspension.  Additional penalties including game forfeiture, two game suspensions, or a season suspension will be considered at the discretion of the League Commissioner and / or the CHL Disciplinary Committee.
• If during a game a player on the game sheet, misses playing time, that ice time is not to be made up at the expense of another player’s ice time.

Rule 2: HC / OHF / MHAO

• The rules and penalties of Hockey Canada, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario will apply subject to any rules amended by the CHL Board.

Rule 3: Tiering and Balancing             

• All teams entered in each division by a member association are to be tiered by ability first, regardless of age within the divisions as specified by the Alliance, and then balanced evenly within the tier. 
• All balancing should be completed by the second week of November. 
• In the event of an alleged imbalance, the CHL will notify the offending member association who must respond within seven (7) days.  If there is no response or an unsatisfactory response is received, the team may be suspended from league play.

Rule 4: Team Rosters  

• All teams must use roster forms provided by the Alliance or as directed by the CHL.
• No team may alter its roster after January 10^th.

Rule 5: Colour Conflict

• The home team is responsible for avoiding a colour conflict in the body of the team sweaters.
• Failure to comply will result in the home team rescheduling.
• The associations shall wherever possible avoid having the same colour sweaters in the same division.
• Team colours must be declared by the third week of the regular season.
• Referees will determine if a colour conflict exists

Rule 6: Game Officials

• The home team will provide the timekeeper, referees and an approved game sheet.  The visiting team, at their option, may provide the scorekeeper.
• All referees must be at least 2 years older than the division age limit.
• Two approved Alliance officials shall officiate at all league and playoff games.  In the event only one referee shows for a league or playoff game, the visiting team will leave the ice surface and the home team will use the ice for a practice.  No game shall start with one referee on the ice.  Any coach who plays a game, including an exhibition, on this ice will be subject to a one game suspension and the game will be replayed.
• For Bantam divisions, three carded officials must be scheduled.  However, where only two carded officials show up, the game may be played.
• For Minor Midget, Midget, and Juvenile, 2 carded officials will be scheduled during the season.

Rule 7: Game Sheets               

·         The game may not start until the game sheet is fully completed and approved by the referee.

·         The game sheet must be completed by the Home team and given to the Visiting team no less than 15 minutes prior to game time.

·         Game sheet copies are to be distributed to each teams’ coach immediately following the game by the timekeeper.

·         The top white copy of the game sheet must be deposited in the CHL box immediately after the game has been played, except when necessary for the game officials to file a game report.  It is the responsibility of the Timekeeper to make sure the top white copy is put into CHL Box.

·         Failure to fill out the game sheet properly could result in a $5.00 fine to the association after the 3^rd occurrence from the same team.

·         All tournament game sheets are to be put in the CHL game box.

·         A certified Trainer must be on the game sheet.  Failure to have a certified Trainer on the game sheet will result in a suspension to both Head Coaches and the game replayed.

·         All penalties must appear on game sheet.

·         Head coach is responsible for players/coaches to sit out suspension(s) as per OHF minimum suspension list or additional suspensions could be given by Commissioner.  Suspensions must be listed on game sheets.

Rule 8: Game Results              

• The coach of the Home team is to provide the game results to the CHL Statistician via the online Score Submission Form within 48 hours of the scheduled start of the game, regardless of which team won the game.  Only the online form is to be used for score submissions but if you have questions for the CHL Statistician please contact via the email address: chl_statistician_2006@yahoo.ca.  You can find the Submit a Score form at www.glha.ca/community-hockey-league found on the main CHL webpage.  The form can be accessed by going to the CHL tab at the top of the page and selecting Submit CHL Score.
• The coach must ensure that the following required information is included on the online form before submitting to prevent delays in posting scores:

                      i)    Game Number

                     ii)    Home Team Name (as it appears on the online schedule)

                    iii)    Home Team Score

                    iv)    Visiting Team Name (as it appears on the online schedule)

                     v)    Visiting Team Score

                    vi)    Score Reporters Email (which is required in order for the CHL Statistician to follow up with the submitter in a timely fashion if questions arise)

• Failure to report game scores within 48 hours of the scheduled start will result in a $10.00 fine to the home association.  The CHL Statistician tracks late submissions and provides this information to the CHL League Chair for fine follow up.  Repeat offences may include further fines and / or suspension.
• A game will be considered complete when 25 minutes of game time has been completed.
• All suspended games under 25 minutes will be reviewed by the CHL Board

Rule 9: Pegging of Nets                       

• Nets will be pegged for all games in all CHL divisions

Rule 10: Standings

·         In all league and playoff situations the standings will be determined using this formula.

v  If two teams are tied in points:

·     The team with the most points earned in games between the two-tied teams gains the highest position (Head to Head record)

·     The team with the most total wins against all opponents in the division gains the higher position

·     If the two teams are still tied after 1 and 2 have been applied then the team with the best goals against average gains the highest position.  The goal average is to be determined by the following method:

i)      Divide the total number of goals “for” and “against” into the total goals “for”

ii)     The team with the highest percentage takes the highest position

·     If the two teams are still tied after 1, 2 and 3 have been applied then a 1 game sudden victory game will be arranged between the two teams.  A coin toss will determine which team has home ice advantage.

v If three or more teams are tied:

·     The team with the most wins against all opponents in the division would gain the highest position

·     If the teams are still tied after part 1 the team with the best goals against average gains the highest position.  The goal average is to be determined by the following method:

iii)    Divide the total number of goals “for” and “against” into the total goals “for”

iv)    The team with the highest percentage takes the highest position

·     When the team with the highest position has been determined, revert back to the two-team tie breaking procedure to determine the next highest finisher, if required

Rule 11: Protest                                    

·         A protest committee appointed by the League Chair or League Commissioner shall hear protests.

·         All protests shall be in writing and shall outline the specific complaint(s) supported by evidence and signed by the CHL representative of the protesting association.  The evidence is statements by game officials, coaches, non-partisan spectators and the game sheet.

·         The CHL Representative shall file all protests with the League Chair or the League Commissioner within 48 hours of the time of the complaint or infraction, accompanied by a fee of $75.00.  All protests must be forwarded to the commissioner via e-mail

                      i)    The fee is refundable only if the protest is won.

• All protest(s) must follow the guidelines of the OHF and the Alliance. 
• An appeal, if necessary, shall be in writing or via e-mail and filed with the League Chair or Commissioner within 48 hours of the receipt of the protest ruling.

                      i)    The conduct of the hearing shall be at the discretion of the Chair

                     ii)    The League Commissioner shall notify the protest committee and the persons involved of the time and the place of the meeting

                    iii)    The appeal committee will consist of the Chair, League Commissioner and two executive members selected by the Commissioner

·         All other complaints must be filed in writing with the Associations CHL representative, who in turn will present the letter of complaint to the League Chair or League Commissioner who will follow up on all complaints and report back to the board on their findings.

Rule 12: Game Changes               

·         It is the intent to have all scheduled games played during the regular season and playoffs.  Forfeits are not acceptable and must be approved by the CHL Board of Directors in special circumstances.

·         All game changes are to be made through the ice scheduler of the association requesting the change using the following procedure:

                      i)      A request is forwarded to the home association ice scheduler based on the parameters of weather, lack of facilities, bereavement, and tournaments.  All other reasons for game changes are not accepted i.e.: team parties, birthdays, special events, etc. 

                     ii)      The home ice scheduler will contact the visiting team’s ice scheduler and a suitable date for re-scheduling the game will be determined based on ice availability and team schedules. 

                    iii)      The respective ice schedulers will contact their own team notifying the respective coaches (conveners if required) of the new date and time. 

                    iv)      The home ice scheduler will also contact the London Referee Group assignor, the timekeeper, the Arena staff and the League Statistician advising of the new date and time.

• If a team fails to show for a game, the “guilty” association will incur  all costs for re-scheduling the game including ice costs, referees and time keepers for both games regardless of who the home association is
• The home association convener must notify the League Statistician and visiting association convener  within 24 hours of a game not being played
• No game may be re-scheduled to accommodate the serving of a suspension assessed to any player or coach.

Rule 13: Major Penalties and Suspensions    

• The most recent OHF Minimum Suspension list will apply.  (The list is located on the Alliance website, Alliance Handbook and also in the CHL Booklet)
• Head check suspensions will apply as per OHF minimum suspension list & MHAO rules
• The CHL Commissioner may add to any minimum suspension

Rule 14: Fighting

• The penalized player will also receive a suspension as indicated by the OHF minimum suspension list and the MHAO fighting progression rules.  

Rule 15: Suspensions                         

• The League Commissioner shall administer suspensions for Major, Misconduct, and Match penalties
•  

• Any player, coach, manager, or person in charge of a team receiving a match penalty shall be automatically suspended until further notice

                      i)    The suspended party may not practice or associate with the team until the suspension is assessed

                     ii)    After the suspension has been assessed the suspended party may attend practices but will not participate in any league, tournament, or exhibition games until the full suspension has been served

• All suspensions must be served in league, playoff, or tournament games.  Exhibition games do not qualify for games served against the suspension
• Any player, coach, manager, or person in charge of the team receiving a gross misconduct penalty shall be automatically suspended as per the OHF suspension list.  All gross misconduct penalties are now subject to review by the Executive Director of the Alliance.
• No member of the Board of Directors shall be eligible to participate in a hearing on a suspension or a hearing involving the association in which he or she represents
• It is the responsibility of the coach to know if he has a player, manager or assistant suspended.  If unsure, the coach must contact their convenor before the suspected party participates in any league, tournament or exhibition game
• If a player participates in a game while subject to suspension the following penalties will apply:

                      i)    A first offence will result in the coach being suspended for three (3) games and/or a forfeit of the game(s)

                     ii)    A second offence will result in a one year suspension from the date of the subsequent offence, with the right to appeal and a forfeit of any games

                    iii)    A game cannot be changed or added to lessen the suspension

Rule 16: Hockey Sticks

• All sticks must have a knob on the end of the handle.  It must be large enough that it cannot get through a facemask

Rule 17: Game Periods

• The Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget & Juvenile divisions shall consist of 10/10/15 minute periods
• The Novice division shall consist of 10/10/20 minute periods
• All periods are stop time
• Curfews for all games are to be established prior to the start of the game and noted on the game sheet

Rule 18: Penalty Minutes

·         Any player receiving 4 minor penalties shall be ejected from the game.  A double minor penalty is considered as 1 minor penalty.

Rule 19: Novice Division

·         The timekeeper will sound the horn at two-minute intervals to stop the play

·         All coaches must adhere to the CHL equal ice guidelines (see Rule 1: Equal Ice Time)

                      i)    Coaches must use the 5 in 5 out rule for changing lines

                     ii)    All players will exit the player’s bench from the doors closest to the center red line and all players will enter the bench from the doors closest to the blue line

·         Double Shifting: No player may play in two consecutive shifts, even on the last shift of the game, or miss more than two consecutive shifts except:

                      i)    When a team has less than 10 skaters, the players must be rotated equally

·         All teams must keep their line change sheets with their copy of the game sheet

·         CHL Board members may inspect the line change sheets at any time

·         CHL monitoring of line changes and equal ice time can take place at any time during the season

·         Penalties: All penalties will expire at the end of each shift

·         Teams are to switch ends at the end of each period as per HC rules

·         In case of an injury the player replacing the injured player must come from the following line.  This will not count as a double shift as said player can play with his original line.

·         When a goalie is pulled for the extra attacker, a player from the next line can be used until the goalie is put back in.  This player can go out with his original line and this is not considered a double shift.

Rule 20: Coaches on the Ice (Novice Division only)

·         One coach per team may assist the players on the ice to line up for face-offs up until January 1^st.  At no time are the coaches allowed to interfere when the puck is in play.

Rule 21: Schedules and Playoffs

·         Schedule will be the responsibility of the CHL Board of Directors and will be published and distributed to member associations as soon as possible

·         Playoffs will be held at the end of the regular schedule and arranged annually by the CHL Board of Directors

·         The tentative playoff format will be decided at the regularly scheduled January meeting

·         The playoff schedule is not subject to change without CHL Board approval

·         All coaches should contact their association CHL Rep's prior to playoff meeting to block out questionable dates

·         The CHL will procure suitable awards to be presented to the players on the League Championship teams and the City Championship participants

Rule 22: Championship Weekend Rules

·         Following are the rules that apply to all championship weekend games:

1)     All rules from the regular season apply in the championship weekend games with the exception of game officials for Minor Midget, Midget and Juvenile - where 3 carded officials will be scheduled at the discretion of the CHL Board.

2)     All teams must be prepared to play 15 minutes prior to your scheduled starting time.

3)     The teams will line up to shake hands at the beginning of each game.

4)     All games will be 13 – 10 – 10 minute periods with no curfew.  The clock will start when the referee’s step on the ice, the buzzer will sound at the 11 minute mark for the teams to line up and shake hands, and will not stop until the first stoppage in play.  The winners of the semi-final games will advance to the championship game.

5)     All members of both teams will receive awards at the end of the championship game.

6)     Tie Breaker Rules: 

The following rules will apply to break a tie in all non curfewed games:

              i)   Players serving a penalty at the end of regulation time, except for Novice, will serve the balance of the penalty in the overtime period. 

             ii)   There will be a 5 minute sudden victory period.  The novice division overtime will be played in three 2 minute intervals.

            iii)   Each team, except Novice, will ice (4) players and a goalie at the start of the overtime period less any penalized players. 

            iv)   Players can be freely rotated between clock stoppages, except for the Novice Division where the 5 in 5 out rule still applies at 2 minute buzzer intervals.  The 5 in 5 out rotation of players will continue to the conclusion of the game (including the overtime period).

             v)   If still tied at the end of the overtime period a shootout will take place.  Each team will identify three shooters and two alternates prior to the game.  The shooters will shoot at the same time and the team with the highest total after three shooters will be declared the winner.  If it is still tied, the remaining players on the bench will shoot one at a time with the first team to score without the other team scoring will be declared the winner.  All skaters must shoot prior to any player taking a second shot.  Any player in the penalty box at the start of the shoot out is ineligible for the shootout. 

7)     Time – outs will not be permitted.

NOTE: Community Hockey League representatives will be on hand during the course of the weekend to monitor games to ensure rules are adhered to.

Rule 23: Bench Rule    

·         No one shall be on the bench during a game other than rostered coaches, managers, trainers and players in full uniform. 

·         All team officials must be a minimum of 16 years old and be at least (2) years older than the players.

Rule 24: Travel Permits

·         All exhibition games and tournaments must be played under approved travel permits

·         Each association will supply a spreadsheet of issued travel permits upon request

·         No travel permits will be issued for any team during Championship Weekend or beyond until their team has been eliminated from the playoffs.

Rule 25: Blood Rule

·         A referee, player, coach or member of the coaching staff who is bleeding or has blood on their uniform and / or equipment cannot participate until such time that the bleeding is controlled and the uniform and / or equipment is changed or removed

·         The trainer will be responsible for treating the injured participant and ensuring that there is no blood in the bench area.  If there is blood in the bench area, the trainer may leave at the next stoppage of play to retrieve cleaning materials

·         The rule is strict and refers to any amount of blood

·         If the referee notices any blood anywhere, he/she will send the player or participant to be treated and have the equipment and / or clothing cleaned and changed

·         If the player bleeds on a jersey and an identical replacement is not available, any other color other than the opposing teams color maybe substituted.  The changes must be noted on the game sheet

Rule 26: Affiliated Player Rule

• Affiliated players must be listed on an approved A/P form and submitted to the associations’ division convener and the CHL representative
• A coach may call on an Affiliated player only if the team has less than 10 skaters for any CHL league play
• The affiliated players may only be used to replace rostered players, and only to a maximum of 10 skaters
• The affiliated goalie may only play in the case of an injury/illness to the regular goalie or in a case where the regular goalie is unable to attend the scheduled game
• Affiliated players must be drawn from either across the division or from the division immediately below, within your own association
• To call up an affiliated player, a coach must contact and obtain permission from:

                      i)    the association convenor

                     ii)    the player’s coach

                    iii)    the player’s parent

• A coach must give permission unless:

                      i)    there are conflicting games

                     ii)    there is less than three hours between games

                    iii)    there are previously scheduled tournaments and or exhibition games

• The Affiliated player must be identified as such on the travel permit and or game sheets
• It is the responsibility of the each association to track their A/P players.

Rule 27: Handshakes

• All players from each team will line up at center ice and shake hands at the beginning of each CHL game.