Game
Dispute Policy
What to do if a team protests a player/game -
If a team feels that their opponent has an ineligible player on their roster, ineligible defined as:
that team (the team questioning the eligibility of a player)
may protest the game. The following is
an example of how a team should go about protesting the game, the scorekeepers
recommended response, and the responsibilities of those involved.
1)
The captain of Team A brings the possibility of an
ineligible player to the attention of the timekeeper.
2)
The scorekeeper brings this challenge to the attention
of Team B (the offending team) and in the presence of Team A’s captain
3)
Team B must then immediately prove that the player is
eligible:
·
If they are questioning whether the player is rostered
on the team the offending team can offer as proof the teams copy of the USA
Hockey roster with the appropriate signatures of the registrar. If proof is not available at game time, the
team must produce the proof to a league official within 10 days.
·
If they are questioning whether the player is USA
Hockey registered, the offending player may offer a USA Hockey membership card,
or a USA Hockey roster as proof. If the
paperwork is not available at game time, the team must produce the appropriate
paperwork to a league official within 10 days.
·
If they are questioning the identity of a player (they
don’t think #10 Jones on the gamesheet is really Jones) then the players
drivers license, or any picture ID, can be given as proof. If the player does not have proof as to her
identity at game time, she shall sign the game sheet, making sure either her
name is printed near her signature, or there is a clear indication as to which
player on the roster is in question. She must then bring positive
identification a league official within 10 days.
The proof
must be to the satisfaction of Team A (the team questioning the validity of the
player), and it must be immediate. Anything
that will take any amount of time can wait until the end of the game.
4)
If Team A accepts the proof, then the game will
continue.
5)
If Team A does not accept the proof, then the time
keeper must then notify the teams of
their options:
·
The offending player may be removed from the game, and
the game results will stand.
·
The offending player will be allowed to play, but Team
A may play under protest.
·
If Team A chooses to protest the game, a note MUST be
made on the game sheet, and the league will research the matter and render a
decision as to the validity of the complaint.
Neither team may take further action in the form of refusing to
play.
·
If the league ruling goes against Team B, then the game
will be forfeited in favor of Team A.
The league reserves the right to administer further action against Team
B depending upon the severity of the offense.
For example, the disciplinary action may be made more hash if it is
found that the player has not been USA Hockey registered versus just not
rosetered on the team.
The above should not take more than a few minutes: 1) Team A questions; 2) Team B is notified; 3) Team B immediately proves validity(or
not); 4) Team B is notified as to the consequence of an adverse
ruling; 5) Team B is allowed to remove the player or continue using the
player. 6) Team A registers a protest on the game sheet. Simple.
No debates, no lengthy discussions, just protest or don’t protest. And the league will look into the matter at
a later date.
Eligibility of a goaltender (see League Rules).
If a team would like to report poor officiating, they may do
so by notifying the league president within 24 hours of the game. You must be specific in your
complaint…”the refereeing was lousy”
will not be accepted unless specific examples are given.