League Rules 08-01-2018
1. League name- Forest Park Hockey League. The Forest Park Hockey League is a recreational league whose only purpose is for fun and exercise.
2. Admittance to the league
A. Teams pay $150.00 per year entrance fee
B. Players thirty-years-old and older
3. League Rules
A. Playing time to be determined each year
B. Rosters 22 player limit plus goaltender.
C. Players to be voted on by the Team Representatives, and the Referee's. Players can not move from team to team without being released from the original team and voted onto a new team subjected to the board’s approval.
D. When a player leaves the team, he cannot play for another team for one year without the approval of the original team he skated with.
E. Less than six dressed skaters means a forfeit of the game but players can be recruited at game time from other league teams. Teams not showing up or not fielding six skaters will be responsible for all of the costs for both teams.
F. All captains to wear the “C”, assistant captains should wear the “A”.
G. Helmets are mandatory.
H. Meetings are the first Tuesday of every month, August through April. Representatives are mandatory. Each miss is a $25.00 fine. A ten-dollar surcharge per month for each meeting missed. A $5.00 fine will be assessed for being late for the start of a meeting.
I. A referee can not be an active league player. The referee will be assessed a $25.00 fine for absenteeism. A $5.00 fine will be assessed for being late. Extenuating circumstances will be considered and discussed before a fine is assessed.
J. All alcoholic beverages to be in the dressing rooms only, and out of sight. Alcohol is not to be displayed anywhere outside of the dressing room.
K. Profanity will not be tolerated anywhere on or off the ice.
L. Canadian trip: Players that attended the previous year have preference for attending current year trip.
M. Election of officers will be held at the last meeting of the year.
4. League Penalties
A. 2 Minutes-unintentional hooking, slashing or tripping while playing the puck. Intentional slashing, body checking, interference or charging.
B. 3 Game suspension- abusive language or contact with the referee. Zero tolerance.
C. Fighting-first offense is a game misconduct, the names of players involved will be given to the league for future reference. Fighting will be a three-game suspension for the first offense. Second offense will be a one-year suspension. One punch or a slap constitutes a fight.
D. The referee has the right after any infraction to remove a player from the game, the referee will submit name and reason for the removal of the player.
E. If a player receives a game misconduct or six or more penalty minutes in any said game, the player’s name will be furnished to the board; who will investigate the incident. The player will receive a suspension for that game and the next game.
F. Intent to injure will result in a one-year suspension plus a one-year probation.
G. Teams will start on the opposite side furthest from their bench.
H. Any instance of a player throwing anything on the surface of the ice or shooting or throwing the puck at the referee will receive a penalty.
I. Any unintentional high stick that draws blood will result in a suspension for the balance of that game. If this act is repeated, it will be an automatic three-game suspension.
J. Players playing illegally when currently serving a three-game suspension will serve an additional five-game suspension. If a player plays in a game immediately following a suspension from a game, he will be assessed another three-game suspension in addition to the current penalty.
K. Slap shots-players will be warned on the first offense and penalized (minor on the second offense in one game)
L. Any player suspended from another league will automatically be suspended from our league.
M. A ten-minute misconduct will count the same as a minor penalty in the three-penalty-suspension rule.
5. League Rules
A. All players must be 30-years old. If a player is challenged on his age he must provide proof to the referee or leave the ice until such proof is provided
B. It is necessary to wear a helmet.
C. League games will include a three-minute warm period and a sixty-minute game.
D. There shall be no body contact or checking. The purpose of the game is to play the puck and not the man.
E. Slap shots are prohibited at any time or any place on the ice. If the referee deems a shot to be a slap shot, a face-off will move to the far end of the rink.
F. Automatic icing will be used.
G. An entry fee will be required from each team before they can start play. The amount of the fee will be determined by the board and will be paid to the league. This will be used for the operating expenses of the league. Each ice time expense, which the league is required to pay, will have to be paid back to the league before they can resume their scheduled games. If repayment is not made by the time the board has designated, the defaulting team will be dropped from league play and their entry fee will be forfeited to the league. Any other expenditure except the above will require majority vote before the expenditure is made.
H. Grievances, complaints or suggestions can be brought before the board by team representatives. Each one will be acted upon as soon as possible and a report to the team or to the entire league if necessary.
Penalties: Depending on the severity of the incident the referee may impost minor, major or game misconduct as he sees fit.
A. Broken stick-any player who does not immediately drop a broken stick will be assessed a minor penalty. Goal tenders are excluded from this rule.
B. Checking-any player who physically impedes another player’s progress while in motion or uses unnecessary contact by use of his own body or stick will be assessed a minor penalty for the illegal check. As this is a judgment call based on the degree of physical contact as witnessed by the referee.
C. Delay of game-any deliberate attempt at delaying the game will result in a minor penalty. If at any time a player’s action constitutes delay in the referee’s opinion, he will be assessed a minor penalty.
D. Elbowing-any time a player fouls another player with any portion of the arm from the elbow to the hand.
E. Falling on the puck-any player other than the goal tender that deliberately falls on the puck or gathers the puck into his body and causes a stoppage of play will be assessed a minor penalty. If stoppage occurs in the player’s own goal crease, a penalty shot will be awarded.
F. High sticking-carrying the stick above the normal height is illegal and upon contact with another player a penalty may be imposed.
G. Holding-a minor penalty will be imposed on any player who holds another player.
H. Hooking-any player who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent with his stick by hooking with his stick the body of another.
I. Interference-any player who impedes the progress of another who is not in possession of the puck or who deliberately knocks the stick of the hand of another or who prevents another from regaining possession of a dropped stick or another piece of equipment will receive a minor penalty.
J. Slashing-any player who attempts to contact another with his stick in a violent manner or who contacts a player in a violent manner will receive a minor penalty. Any resulting injury will result in a major penalty.
K. Spearing-a major and a misconduct will result from any spearing attempt.
L. Throwing a stick-a player will receive a minor penalty for intentionally throwing his stick at the puck. If the infraction occurs in a defensive zone, a penalty shot will be awarded.
M. Tripping-a minor penalty shall be imposed for any who shall place his feet, foot, arm or hand in such a manner that it shall cause his opponent to trip and fall.
N. Unnecessary roughness-Self explanatory and can be a minor, major, or double minor penalty at the discretion of the referee.
O. Abuse of Officials-a minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who challenges or disputes the ruling of any official during or after a game. If a player persists in such challenge or dispute, he shall be given a misconduct penalty and any further dispute will result in a game misconduct penalty. A misconduct penalty will automatically be assessed any player who uses obscene, profane or abusive language or to any player who intentionally knocks or shoots the puck out of the reach of an official who is retrieving it.
P. A misconduct penalty will also be assessed to any player who throws anything on the ice surface or within the building at either the referee or another player. A game misconduct and immediate suspension will be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to injure any player or game official. A major penalty will also be assessed and served by another player chosen by the team captain. Upon receiving a third penalty major or minor in the same game, a player will automatically be ejected for the remainder of the game. A game misconduct will result in league suspension.
1st game misconduct-one game immediately following the infraction.
2nd game misconduct-three game suspension immediately following the infraction.
3rd game misconduct-immediate suspension until the following league meeting.
Note: These are automatic suspensions and are subject to review at the following league meeting where additional penalties and suspension may be levied if deemed necessary. The League may at any time decide to place a player on probation for any length of time that is necessary. During the probation if a player is assessed a game misconduct he will be automatically suspended for the balance of his probationary period or until the following league meeting.
All teams are to appoint a captain who will be responsible to take up any on ice dispute with the referee. The team is to obtain the letters “C” for the captain and in the absence of the captain, the team representative will represent him.
Under age goal tenders can be used only as substitutes in case of any emergency but not on a regular basis.
It was voted to have an end-of-the-season banquet instead of free ice time at the end of the year. All league members are eligible.
It was voted to contribute $10.00 in league funds to cover the tip for services at the board meetings.
It was voted to fine a team $100.00 for each time it fails to pay its monthly ice payment on time. The September and October monthly payment will be paid at the October meeting. All remaining months will be paid at the sequential monthly meetings.
Probation:
The league may at any time decide to place a player on probation for any length of time that is necessary. If a player is assessed a game misconduct while on probation, he will be automatically suspended from league play for the balance of is probationary period or until the following league meeting.
Major penalties will count as one penalty (same as a minor) unless there is intent to injure.
Retain the two-line offside pass rule. Stop play and face off at far end of the rink if a player encroaches on the goalie’s crease.
The five-on-five skaters rule will be in effect with matching penalty.
Teams may recruit players from other teams if they have less than ten skaters.
Use of in-eligible players (non-league, non-rostered, under age, or under a previous suspension, will be fined $100.00 payable at the next monthly meeting. This is a team fine.
It was voted that absentee fines for team representatives could be avoided if the rep calls prior to the league meeting, subject to board approval.
The two minute from end of game no substitution rule was canceled by a 9-0 vote at the league meeting.
**************************************************************
**************************************************************
No one on the bench except players.
Players will still be assessed a penalty on a penalty shot.
A delayed call and a goal scored will still count as a penalty.
Player guilty of violating rink alcohol policy will be suspended as follows:
1st Offense: 1 game
2nd Offense: 3 games
3rd Offense: 5 games
It was voted for the league to pay the rink by check and the teams to pay the league each month.
The “Less than 6 players” rule was amended to delete “including goaltender”
A team not showing up for a game will pay all game costs (referee, ice etc.) for both teams