League Rules

Adult Hockey LEAGUE RULES

  1. A Rules Enforcement Committee consisting of at least one player representative from each league division and one on-ice official will perform the following functions to ensure a fair and safe playing environment is maintained in the RGIA AHL:
    • a. Review and update the league rules as needed prior to each season or during season in conjunction with RGIA.
    • b.  Review all player/team penalty statistics maintained/provided by RGIA at about the 40% point and 80% point of each season and determine adjustment/corrective action recommendations to be made to RGIA management for players or teams demonstrating excessive roughness or repeated disregard for the playing rules.
    • c.  Conduct hearings into all match penalties assessed, and all situations of 3 fighting or 3 total aggressive major penalties per USA Hockey Rule 411 (as tracked and reported bimonthly by RGIA) received by any player in a 12-month period, to determine corrective action/suspension recommendations to be made to RGIA management.
  2. The AHL is established as a non-check Adult league using the Competitive Contact category of play in accordance with current USA Hockey Rules. All participants must have a waiver on file with the Norwich RoseGarden Ice Arena.  All players must be 18 years old or older to play in any adult levels.
  3. Full Equipment is required (including shoulder pads).  All protective equipment used must meet USA Hockey requirements for Adults, except face protection equaling or exceeding a half-shield visor must be worn properly with the helmet (Cats-eye masks ARE NOT ALLOWED).  USA Hockey stick and goalkeeper equipment dimensions are NOT mandatory in the AHL, but use of dangerous or unfair equipment (in referee opinion) is prohibited.
  4. Payments must be made by the due date or games will be canceled/forfeited until payment is made, no refunds will be given for forfeited games.  Teams need to be paid in full BEFORE play-off games begin.
  5. Team Standings and penalties will be posted on website and will only be accurate if Rosters are submitted and accurate and attendance sheets are submitted and accurate.
  6. All teams will play 18 regular season games for Fall/Winter season, summer season may be less.
  7. 3 minute warm up with three 15 minute stop time periods.  Games will start 3 minutes after the posted start time on the schedule unless both captains agree to start the game earlier.  If there is no timekeeper, periods will be 20 minutes long, running time, with 2/5/10-minute penalty times.  Start time will be based on Universal Time (what is listed on computer/cell phones).  The rink will make every attempt to make sure the rink clock and lobby clock are set to Universal time but both are manually set so if there is a dispute, please defer to universal time and have the timekeeper reset the rink clock accordingly.
  8. Wins will earn 2 points, a regulation tie ending in a loss will earn 1 point and a regulation loss will earn 0 points.
  9. In the event of a tie in a regular season game, there will be a 3 minute 4 on 4 over time.  If after 3 minutes the game is still tied, there will be a 3-player rotating shootout.  Any player is eligible after the 3-player shootout.
  10. RGIA will make every attempt to not schedule referees in the same division they play for.
  11. Shots deflected by a stick, with the point of contact above the crossbar will NOT result in a goal (this stick-height limitation refers only to shots on goal).
  12. When a player is sent off the ice due to a Game Misconduct, Match Penalty, he must proceed expeditiously to his locker room.  If an opposing player simultaneously or soon afterward on his own volition leaves the “cold” area of the rink through the lobby doors or rear hallway doors during the game, he will be assessed an automatic Game Misconduct whenever the referee becomes aware of his departure.  Thereafter, if players from either team leave the “cold” area of the rink during the game and soon after the incident, all will be assessed an automatic Game Misconduct whenever the referee becomes aware of their departures
  13. AHL will use USA Hockey playing rules with the following exceptions
    a.  1:30 minute minor / 4:00 minute major / 8:00 minute misconduct
    b.  Following a penalty to a single team, the faceoff location will be at a faceoff dot in the offending team’s defensive zone.
    c.  Additional exceptions contained in the Penalties/Suspensions section.
  14. Slaughter Rule:
    1. ​Losing captain can always choose to go to running time at any point in the third period when down between 3-5 goals
    2. a 6 goal differential at the start of or at any time in the 3rd period constitutes automatic running time.  If the score at any point goes back to less than a 6 goal differential, stop time will be reinstated.
    3. Revised at 3/21 Captain’s Meeting –  It was agreed that we would change this rule to be up to the losing team to continue stop-time if they want to, however, the Referees can over-ride this if the game gets unruly or out of hand.

Goalie rule revised 3/21

 Teams should make every effort to have a goalie but will be allowed to play with 6 players if they do not have a Goalie if they chose to. 

Rosters

  1. A 30 player maximum roster (including subs) must be submitted to Shannon.rosegardenicearena@outlook.com by the 1st game.  ALL PLAYERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD
  2. If a team has ANY CHANGE to a roster, a new roster must be submitted to management each time there is a change using the form above with the changes flagged (additions and/or subtractions).
  3. Every team must submit an attendance sheet prior to every game.  All attendance sheets must list player, jersey number, and signature.  If a player is using a different jersey number than what was submitted on the roster, please flag it on the attendance sheet.  Teams can download the AHL Attendance Sheet or can print the roster and initial the players in attendance.  Blank attendance sheets are in the bottom right flyer box in the rink lobby as well as blank waivers.
  4. If a player (non-goalie) on the ice is not on the permanent roster for that division, the game will result in a forfeit unless approved by the opposing team captain.
  5. (Non-Goalie) Players may not be on more than one team roster.   Subs may play up a division and any sub that is a full time player for another team must be listed as a sub, have the opposing captains signature that the player is approved for that game, and must be listed on the attendance sheet for that game as a sub.
  6. Players can be added after the third game with RGIA management approval only.
  7. Teams must list a rostered primary goalie.
  8. Goalies on A league rosters are not eligible to play in C league games without approval of opposing team C captain.
  9. Players must participate in 6 or more games to be eligible for the playoffs.  Any player playing in less than six regular season games can petition management (and/or Rules Committee) to be eligible for playoffs if they have been a player of good standing and have played in at least one full season prior to the current season.
  10. All players must wear the number jersey that is indicated on the roster.  Any changes to jersey number must be submitted to the scorekeeper before the game played with the new number.  All teams must hand in an attendance sheet to the scorekeeper BEFORE EACH GAME.
  11.  In summary, to avoid a forfeit, captains must have the opposing captain’s approval for any player who is not:
    * On the team’s roster, OR
    * On the league substitute list for that division, OR
    * A goalie, except a rostered A division goalie playing in a C division game still requires approval.
    – Players may be listed on only one team roster – Players on a team roster for A or B division may not be on the league substitute list for C division.
  12. All players must have different numbers on the roster.  Two players can not share the same number or a variation of the same number.  (note:  the system does not recognize 01 from 1)
  13. Protesting a player in the incorrect league:  A captain may submit a player protest for any player on a team they feel should be in another league due to their level of play.  Once a protest has been filed, captains from that league and referees will be contacted for their input.  If it is found that a player is ineligible for the league, they will be removed from the roster and every attempt will be made to try to find a team in the correct league for their level of play.  There can be no A league players on any C team.

Playoffs

  1. The top 2 teams of each division will play a one game championship game.
  2. There are playoffs for 4 or more teams in a division.  There will be a single elimination playoff with a championship game.
  3. In the event of a regular season tie, the following tie breakers will apply in this order:  Head to head, most wins, goal differential (teams will receive no more than +/-6 goals a game), Goals Against, Goals for, Least penalty minutes.
  4. In a playoff or championship game, if the game is tied after 3 periods there will be a 10 minute 4 on 4 overtime.  If after 10 minutes the game is still tied, there will be a 5-player rotating shootout.  Any player is eligible after the 5-player shootout.
  5. Championship games will be allotted 1 hour an 20 minutes to allow for overtime and championship pictures.
  6. Any team that has over a 2.5 penalty per game average will be ineligible for playoffs.  Penalty assessments will be done throughout the season to flag teams that are in jeopardy or are close to the penalty margin.
  7. Goalies may sub for another team during playoffs if they are a regular goalie in our league or in  our Over40 league.  A league goalies can not sub for a C team during playoffs/championships.  Any substitute goalie addition must have the approval of the opposing team captain at least 24 hours prior to the game start time (see Shannon if you need contact info for the opposing team captain)

Penalties/Suspensions

1  RGIA Management reserves the right to remove any player or team from the league for behavior that is detrimental to the integrity of the league or the Rose Garden Ice Arena.  No refunds will be given.

2. Any player judged by the referee to be impaired by drugs or alcohol who commits an illegal physical infraction against an opponent or a Flagrant Misconduct per Paragraph 9 below shall be assessed a Flagrant Misconduct and be ejected from that game without suspension (unless a suspension already awarded). A teammate will serve any required penalty box time.

3  Any player receiving a notice of suspension for more than one game can submit an appeal in writing.  The protest book is available with the scorekeeper and any protest must be filled out at the end of the game by captains ONLY.  Captains may follow up with a more detailed email within 24 hours.

4. A Match penalty for Recklessly Endangering an Opponent may be assessed under USAH Rule 602 for intentionally/recklessly directing an unopposed slapshot at the goaltender’s head from within his Goalkeeper Privileged Area for the purpose of intimidation, or for intentionally directing a hard slapshot at an opponent’s upper torso or head, again solely for intimidation.

5  NO FIGHTING … if you fight, it is an automatic 2-game suspension.  Instigation of a fight will result in an additional 1-game suspension plus the minor penalty required by USA Hockey rules.  Any player (NOT just the first) that intervenes or joins in a fight/altercation must receive a Game Misconduct in addition to other penalties received during the incident.
6  Any player who receives a second major penalty for fighting within a 12-month period shall receive an additional 3-game suspension. A third fighting in a 12-month period will result in suspension from league games (with NO REFUND) until a Supplementary Discipline hearing is held and corrective actions determined.
7  Penalties/misconducts committed during the final game of each team’s season and/or playoffs will be reviewed by the Rules Enforcement Committee for further disciplinary action.  Penalties/misconducts committed during the last game or playoff may receive more severe punishment than during the regular season.
8  All aggressive Major penalties, suspensions & game misconducts will carry over to the following season for a 12-month period.

9. Game Ejections/Flagrant Misconducts A player receiving 3 penalties in one game shall be ejected from that game without suspension (unless a suspension already awarded), and a teammate will serve any required penalty box time.  Any player receiving a Flagrant Misconduct may be ejected from that game without suspension at the discretion of the referee.  Flagrant Misconducts include any misconduct assessed under USAH Rule 601(c), Abuse of Officials, and any misconduct required to be assessed with the minor required for non-dangerous Boarding, Charging, Checking from Behind, or Head Contact infractions.  A Flagrant Misconduct may also be assessed with the minor required for non-dangerous Body Checking of an opponent under USAH Rule 604(c), and with any of the minors required for non-dangerous Unnecessary Roughness under USAH Rule 640.

NOTE: A Major plus Game Misconduct or a Match penalty assessment is required by USAH Rules for all of the above physical infractions involving reckless endangerment to an opponent.

10. USAH Rule 604 and the Glossary provide specific guidance on the instances of physical contact that are allowed under the Competitive Contact category of play prescribed for the AHL. The ONLY allowed Competitive Contact instances are incidental physical contact occurring while maintaining a skating path or position during angling maneuvers, or while maintaining a position in the path of an oncoming puck carrier in trying to gain puck control, or while close-in competing for possession of the puck with an opponent in the immediate vicinity of the puck.  Intentional physical contact with an opponent using overt hip, shoulder, forearm, or torso action constitutes a body check and is NOT allowed under the Competitive Contact category of play.  USAH Rule 604, augmented by Para. 9 above, provides penalty assessments for infractions of the prohibition of Body Checking in the Competitive Contact category of play.

11. Any suspension is a league suspension.  Any player receiving a suspension with a rostered team will be ineligible from league play and practices until the suspension time is served with the team that the suspension occurred with.  

 

Protests

1.  Any protest must be made by team captains only at the end of the game.  There is a carbon paper protest book with the scorekeeper that must be completed.  Captains may follow up with an email to shannon.rosegardenicearena@outlook.com within 24 hours of filing the protest.

Rules for 2018 (Rules in RED are changes from the 2017/2018 Spring Summer league) 6/15/2018