SSWHL
Rules
As of
Rule
101 General The
SSWHL will comply with USA Hockey Rules except as modified, amended, or
amplified in these rules.
Rule 201 Board
of Directors The SSWHL Board of Directors is composed of
the President, Vice President, Vice President (Note there are two Vice
Presidents), Treasurer, and Secretary.
Rule 202 Officers All officers are elected in elections held prior to the
start of the season. Each Team from the
previous season possesses one vote. A quorum must be present (50 percent or
greater of the teams present at the meeting).
In the event that a quorum
is not present, the Board of Directors will
appoint a candidate to the position
through a Board of Directors vote.
Rule 203 Election Members
of the Board of Directors serve two year terms.
Elections will be staggered to avoid a complete turnover of Board
members in a year. The following lists the start of the term for each Board
Member:
President Odd Year
Vice President Even
Year
Vice President Odd Year
Treasurer Even Year
Secretary Even Year
Rule 204 Rule
Changes
(a) Proposed new SSWHL rules and rule
changes are proposed League by the Rules committee
30 days prior to a scheduled meeting.
Teams may submit proposed rule
changes to the President for consideration by the Rules Committee and preparation for
League vote.
(b) Teams have the 30 day period to examine
the rule and develop modification proposals
for discussion at the next meeting.
(c) A quorum of SSWHL teams must be present
to vote new rules or rule changes into
action. A quorum is defined as 50
percent of the teams within the SSWHL in attendance
at the meeting. A team representative
can only represent one team. Each team has one
vote in the voting process. If a quorum
exists, votes on rules are
approved by simple majority of the teams present.
(d) In the event that a scheduled meeting
does not have a quorum present for the voting proceedings,
the Rules Committee proposal will be enacted and the new rules and rule changes will be set into action.
Rule
205 Rules Committee
(a) Each
year during the pre-season meeting, the SSWHL will nominate, elect, or appoint at least
three but no more than five members of the Rules Committee.
(b) The
Rules Committee works for the SSWHL Board of Directors and when directed by the
Board will review aspects of the SSWHL rules that relate to safety, sportsmanship, competition, and
administration.
(c) The
SSWHL Rules Committee has oversight and leadership in the development and
maintenance of the SSWHL Rules.
(d) USA
Hockey Playing Rules can not be disregarded.
However the Rules Committee
may make recommendations that create SSWHL Rules that carry a greater penalty
than USA Hockey Rules.
(e) The
Rules Committee will draft Rules Proposals and submit the Proposal to the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors will
review the proposal and either submit
the Proposal as written for League Vote per Rule 203, make modifications to the
proposal and submit it to the League, send the proposal back to the Rules Committee for
further study, or reject the proposal.
(f) The
Rules Committee will convene with no fewer than 3 members.
(g) The
Director of Referees will serve as an advisor regarding USA Hockey Playing Rules. He can attend Rules Committee meetings and/or
comment on the proposal and
make recommendations.
Rule 301 No checking
Rule 401 Time
(a) Periods
- Three 12 minute stop time periods. First period,12
minute stop time; second period, 12
minute stop time; third period12 minute stop time if overall game time permits.
If not, referees and scorekeepers will calculate the time allowed for
the period.
(b) The last two minutes of the game are
always stop time.
(c) There will be a 3 minute warm-up before
the start of the game. The time keeper
will start the warm-up clock
three minutes prior to game time. If a
game will be started late due to delays
in ice availability, the three minute warm-up will commence when the Zamboni door is closed. Once the warm-up clock expires the game will
commence.
(d) A
maximum delay of 5 minutes will be allowed before the game is forfeited. The team to which
the forfeit is awarded need not replay the game.
(e) If
both teams agree that they are ready to start play and the ice surface is
prepared for the game, the
referees will commence the three minute warm-up and the game will commence after the warm-up.
Rule 501 Mutual
Swap Policy Teams may make a same day mutual swap if
all four teams agree to swap and they notify the league president at least
seven days in advance. Timekeepers at
each rink must also be notified.
Rule 601 Game
Cancellation & Forfeit Policy
(a) Forfeit. A forfeit shall be defined as
any instance when a team cannot play any scheduled
game due to a lack of the required number of players (at least 6 players –
either 6 skaters or 5 skaters and one goalkeeper). A forfeit shall also be declared when a team does not show for a game or cancels the game
with less than 30 days notice to the other team
and the league officials. The SSWHL
Board of Directors will review all weather related
instances to determine whether or not a forfeit shall be declared.
(b) Forfeit Penalties:
1st
Forfeit – A warning shall be issued and the forfeiting team is responsible for
paying the cost of the game for both teams (cost determined by the SSWHL
treasurer). The opponent will be offered
the ice for practice or scrimmage at no charge.
2nd
Forfeit – The forfeiting team is responsible for paying the cost of the game
for both teams (cost determined by the SSWHL treasurer). The opponent will be offered the ice for
practice or scrimmage at no charge. In addition,
the SSWHL Board of Directors will review the circumstances surrounding the
team’s two forfeits and may expel the team from the league at the next half.
(c) Payment of Forfeit Fees. Forfeiting
teams have 30 days from the date of the forfeit to pay the forfeit fee to the league treasurer. If the fee is not paid within 30 days, the
team will receive a warning. Should the forfeit fee not be paid by 60 days
from the date of the forfeit,
the team will be expelled from the league at the next half.
(d) Cancellation with Less Than 30-Day Notice. The team that cancels the game is responsible for paying the cost of the game for
both teams (cost as determined by the treasurer). The opponent will be offered the ice for
practice or scrimmage at no charge.
(e) Cancellation with 30-Day Notice. The team that cancels must provide ice and
referees for the make-up game at no charge to the opponent, at an agreed date and
time determined prior to
cancellation. Each team will be allowed
one 30-day cancellation.
(f) Weather Related Cancellations. If the rink is open, the game will be
played. If the rink is open and the teams can not travel to the
game due to weather, the league will not charge
the individual teams if the rink does not charge the league. If a team is unable to play due to weather and driving conditions,
the team must call Laura Bowser (Primary) or
Nick Cardinale (Alternate) and also the team representative from the opposing
team at least three hours prior to the
start of the game.
Rule 701 Players
in Uniform
(a) Except as modified below, SSWHL Teams
shall follow the rules listed in Section
2 of most current “Official Rules of Ice Hockey” published by USA Hockey (“USA Hockey
Rules”).
(b) All
SSWHL players must be 19 years of age or older to play in a game. This classification shall be determined by the
player’s age at
(c) Unless preprinted rosters are provided
on the scoresheet, Teams shall submit to scorekeeper
each player’s full name and jersey number prior to the start of the game and indicate on the
scoresheet which players are designated as the Captain
and up to two Alternate Captains.
(d) Team Representatives shall verify that
each player’s full name and number is written
legibly on the scoresheet. The Coach or
designated Team Representative shall
revise preprinted rosters, if used, with number changes or cross off players not active for this game prior
to the start of the game. The Team
Representative shall
then sign the scoresheet prior to the start of the game. Failure to sign a game sheet may result in a game not considered for
USA Hockey Championship
Tournament qualification.
(e) A team may use a goalkeeper that is on
another roster, provided that the goalkeeper
is rostered on a team in the same division or a lower division. Games using
a goalkeeper from another team will not
count towards eligibility for nationals.
Rule 702 Team
Rosters
(a) Before the start of each season, every player shall
register with USA Hockey by August 31st.
If a player is found to be in violation of this Rule, the player will be suspended
from the SSWHL under the registration
number is received and the team will forfeit the game.
(b) Teams
shall submit a preliminary Team Roster consisting of USA Hockey registered
players to the SSWHL Secretary no later than
(c) Teams shall also cause to be created an official USA Hockey Team Roster using software provided by USA Hockey. Teams shall then submit that USA Hockey Team Roster to MassHockey for approval by
October 1 of the current season. The SSWHL Secretary
shall provide guidance to the Teams to assist them with this requirement. Teams not complying with this Rule above
shall be subject to a $50 fine.
(d) Teams shall provide a copy of the
approved and stamped roster received from MassHockey
to the SSWHL
Secretary by November 1st.
Teams not complying with this Rule
shall forfeit all games until the stamped roster is received.
Rule 703 Players
(a) A
player shall only be rostered on one SSWHL team at any given time.
(b) Only the players listed on the Team
Roster on file with the Secretary may play for that Team in a SSWHL game, with the exception of goalkeepers (see Rule
701 (d)).
(c) Teams may add or drop players from their
Team Roster; provided that changes shall
be submitted to the Secreatry not later than seven (7) days prior to that player’s first game with that team.
(d) The Secretary shall be responsible for
verifying rosters and compliance with this Rule
and shall report all violations to the League President.
(e) A player is free to leave one Team, and
join another Team during the season, as long as that player has no financial or contractual obligation to
the first Team. That player may not play in a SSWHL game with her new Team
until she is rostered with the new team
in accordance with the above rules.
Rule 704 Use of
Substitute Players
(a) A team may use a substitute player from any
equal or lower level team, provided that player:
1) has a current USA Hockey registration number
on file with the league registrar,
2) is
rostered on an existing SSWHL team,
3) is
in good financial standing with their current team, and
4) is
not serving a suspension or probation due to disciplinary action.
(b) Substitute
players MUST be listed on the game sheet in a legible manner including name, number, AND team they normally
play for.
(c) A team may use NO MORE than 3 sub
players in any one game and may expand their bench
to NO MORE than 10 skaters. The goaltender(s) do not count towards the 10 skater limit. In the event the goaltender
is also a sub, the goaltender does not count towards
the 3 sub limit.
Example - a team has 4 skaters and would otherwise forfeit - they use 3 skaters
from an equal or lower level for a total of 7 skaters. In this case, they have maxed out on subs and
cannot use another sub to bring their bench to more than 7.
Example - a team has 6 skaters - they use 3 skaters from an equal or lower
level to bring their bench to 9 skaters. In this case, they have maxed out on
subs and cannot use another sub to bring the bench to 10.
Example - a team has 8 skaters - they use 2 skaters from an equal or lower
level to bring their bench to 10 skaters. In this case, they could not use the
third sub since it would bring their bench to more than 10.
(d) An individual player may sub for the
same team NO MORE THAN three times. That player
MUST be moved to the new team's roster before that player participates in a
fourth game. Goaltenders are not
restricted in the number of games in which they may sub.
(e) Teams that use a substitute player
without properly adding them to the game sheet will be given a warning after the first instance. Teams that
continue to use substitute players without
properly adding them to the game sheet will be assessed a forfeit in the
standings and may face
additional disciplinary action.
(f) Teams that use an illegal or ineligible
substitute player will be given a warning after the first instance. Teams that continue to use illegal or ineligible
substitute players will be assessed
a forfeit in the standings and may face additional disciplinary action.
(g) An individual player that knowingly
participates as a sub in an improper manner will be given a warning after the first instance. Individuals that continue
to sub in an improper manner
will be assessed a suspension and may face additional disciplinary action.
Rule 801 New Teams
(a) Entrance must be approved by a majority
vote of the quorum.
(b) Level of the new team must be approved
by a majority vote of the quorum.
(c) Must pay a one time $200 buy-in fee.
(d) Team jersey color must not conflict with
any existing team’s jersey color in that division.
Rule 901 Team
Division Change Teams begin a new season in the same
level as they ended the previous season unless they have had significant player
changes. In that case, a level change
must be requested by the SSWHL Team and approved by a majority vote of the
quorum prior to the new season’s scheduling.
Teams may request to make a division change at the mid-season meeting
for a division change in the second half of the season. The Board of Directors will approve or
disapprove this request based on the input of the team desiring the move and
the input of the current and future divisions.
Rule 902 Division
Alignment Prior to the mid season meeting, the
SSWHL President will review the competitive balance of the teams within each
division. Criteria for determining competitive balance may include an
examination of each team's plus/minus ratio (goals for/goals against) and
penalty history. Teams that have an excess number of games won or lost by 5 or
more goals may be considered for movement up or down one division. The
President will consider input from any team so identified and the other teams
within the current division prior to rendering a decision. The President shall also review the
competitive balance of the teams prior to the beginning of the season using
available stats and standing from the previous season, if available.
Division
Guidelines:
These are
general guidelines only. Teams and players should review these guidelines and
also consider their individual skill level and previous hockey experience when
determining the most appropriate division in which to participate.
A Division: This
division is recommended for elite players with Olympic, National Team, or
Division I, II, or III college experience.
B Division: This
division is recommended for experienced players. Some players may have National
Team, or Division I, II, or III college experience.
C Division: This
division is recommended for established players. Some players may have past
college or club experience.
D Division: This
division is recommended for recreational or novice players. Most players will
have 3 – 5 years or less playing experience.
Note - Teams
intending to participate in National competition at the Senior A, B or C level
must comply with all applicable USA Hockey rules for eligibility for
National-bound teams. Participation in a particular SSWHL division does not
ensure eligibility in any National-bound classification.
Rule 1001
Rule 1101 Payments Payments
of the league dues are to be made to the treasurer monthly per the contracts
signed by each team. League dues must be
paid in full to the treasurer by December 15 of the current season. Failure to pay the full league dues to the
treasurer by January 15 of the current season will result in that team’s
suspension from the league until the dues are paid in full. In addition, the league will notify the state
USA Hockey registrar of said team’s failure to pay which could result in that team being barred from state and/or national tournaments.
Rule 1201 The SSWHL Scheduler will be paid a $500 stipend.
Rule 1301 Penalties
(a) Minor Penalties -
(b) Major Penalties - 4:00
(c) Attempt To
Injure - 6:00
(d) Misconduct Penalty -
(e) Game Misconduct - Suspension for balance
of game plus next league game.
(f) Second major in the same game -
Suspension for next two scheduled league games.
Rule 1302 Fighting
(a) See
(b) First fight in one season - Suspension
for balance of game plus the next scheduled league game, and also league review.
(c) Second fight in one season - Suspension
for balance of game plus the next two scheduled
league games. You will also come under
league review for possible
season suspension.
Rule 1303 Maximum
Number of Penalties per Game
– Individuals.
(a) Any
player shall be limited to a total of 4 penalties per game.
(b) First
offense in one season - Upon commission of the 4th penalty, that
player must leave the game and
will also be assessed a game misconduct penalty. That player will not be allowed to play the next regularly
scheduled league game.
(c) Second
offense in one season – Upon commission of the 4th penalty, that
player must leave the game and will
also be assessed two game misconduct penalties.
That player will not be allowed
to play the next two regularly scheduled league games. In addition, the
disciplinary committee will review the number and type of penalties committed
by that player and may further suspend
said player or expel her from the league.
(d) Third
(or more) offense in one season - Upon commission of the 4th
penalty, that player must
leave the game and will also be assessed game misconduct penalties to match the
number of times said player has had 4
penalties in one game in the current season.
That player will not be
allowed to play that number of the next regularly scheduled league games.
In addition, the disciplinary committee will review the number and type
of penalties committed by that
player and may further suspend said player or expel her from the league.
(e) Game
misconducts received at the end of a season must be served in the following season.
Rule 1304 Maximum Number of Penalties per Game – Teams
(a)
If a team commits 8 or more penalties during a single game, that game shall
automatically undergo review
by the Disciplinary Committee. Disciplinary Committee actions may include (but are not limited to)
warnings, suspensions, or expulsions of players.
(b) In addition to any other actions by the
Disciplinary Committee, the player who has received
the highest number of penalties during the game under review may receive one or more game suspensions.
Rule 1305 Disciplinary
Committee
(a) Each year during the pre-season meeting,
the SSWHL will nominate, elect, or appoint at least
five but no more than nine members of the Disciplinary Committee.
(b) The Disciplinary Committee work for the
League President and when directed by the President
will review the number and type of penalties accumulated by a player or team and make recommendations to the President
regarding disciplinary action against a player or
team.
(c) Disciplinary action includes suspension
in addition to USA Hockey and SSWHL suspension
penalties already stated in USA Hockey and SSWHL Rules. Disciplinary action also includes expulsion from
the SSWHL.
(d) The player and team will be notified of
a Disciplinary Committee Hearing regarding the player
or team and the reason or incident that is under investigation by the
SSWHL.
(e) The Hearing will be scheduled as soon as
possible but not later than one month after notification. The player or team is encouraged to attend
the hearing however are not required
to attend and may waiver their participation in the hearing.
(f) The Disciplinary Committee will convene
with no fewer than 3 members.
(g) The Director of Referees or his
designated referee representative will attend and act as an advisor regarding hockey playing
rules. Referees may participate as
witnesses to the incident if
necessary.
(h) Players may present their explanation of
the incident in person or in writing. In
the case of a player incident team
representatives may participate only if allowed by the League President or the Disciplinary Committee.
(i) For Team incidents the team can be
represented by the Team’s Captain, Coach, or Program
Director or any combination of the three.
(j) Following the hearing, the Disciplinary
Committee will provide a record of the hearing and
make a recommendation in writing to the League President.
(k) The President implements punishment and
contact the Team representative or coach to make
notification. The punishment is posted
on the “Dog House” page of the SSWHL web. This is to notify all teams, coaches,
referees, and players of the action and assist in compliance.
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