Rules & Equipment

GENERAL OVERVIEW

• We value sportsmanship, safety and fairness so all games are to be played in that spirit.
  • We are a non-contact league. All players must make every effort to avoid collisions with the opposing team, regardless of the situation on the ice or the calibre of player even if the result is lost puck possession or opportunity to score. Failure to do so will result in a minor penalty and/or a Game Misconduct at the discretion of the Referee. 
  • You are not allowed to ‘play the body’ and must at all times try to play the puck.
  • If you see a collision about to occur, you must make every reasonable attempt to avoid it.
• If a player enters the goalies’ crease with a skate or stick (with the exception of retrieving a loose puck) the referee will blow the play dead, and a face-off will take place in the neutral zone. This rule exists because, as a league, we want to ensure that we are protecting our goaltenders.
• Players are not allowed to cut to the net in an aggressive manner
  • We strongly discourage players from cutting to the front of the net with the puck in an attempt to score. While ‘crashing’ the net may look enticing, there is a strong potential of a high impact collision with the goaltender which may result in injury.
  • As we have frequently noted, safe and cooperative play is paramount. Due to the fast pace of the game, calls related to this rule will be the discretion of our officials.
  • Players who make incidental contact with the opposing goalie will be assessed with a 2-minute minor penalty.  
  • Players who make deliberate contact with the opposing goalie will be assessed with a 5-minute major penalty, a game misconduct and a 1-game suspension.
  • In the name of consistency, and to be sure this rule is enforced the following penalty structure will be implemented for players violating this rule:
    • First offence, a 5-minute major and a game misconduct, plus a minimum 1-game suspension.
    • Second offence, a 5-minute major and a game misconduct plus a minimum 2-game suspension.
    • A third offence will result in expulsion from the league.
• This is a co-ed league, and we expect a certain level of sportsmanship. We have zero tolerance for abusive language. Don’t slam the gates or smash your stick in frustration – we will eject you from the game)
• Fighting and attempting to injure will result in an immediate game misconduct AND suspension.
• Two majors in a season will result in expulsion from the league without a refund. Play4Fun Hockey prides itself for on maintaining a “clean” reputation. Players pay to have fun and not to get injured.
• Players are not allowed on the ice until the Zamboni doors have closed. If you do go out early – DO NOT shoot any pucks until the gate is closed. Never shoot pucks in warm up at the net if someone is posting the net.

GOALIES

• If at the start of the game your team is without a goalie, the clock will run for 5-minutes then play will start without a goalie. The shorthanded team will play with a sixth player that will act as a third defenseman. There will be no shots allowed from outside the blue line. Every effort will be made to get a goalie from the league – i.e. next available or if a no-show situation, the goalie from previous game etc.
• Goalies are allowed to play the puck up to their blue line as long as their actions are considered non-aggressive and safe. Crossing the blue line will result in a penalty.

TIME CLOCK RULES

• Stop Time for the Final Minute of Each Game – Games are running time however in the last minute of play in the third period the clock will operate on stop time, however if there is a 3-goal difference the clock will remain on running time.
• We Will Not Stop the Clock for Penalties – We ask that everyone move the process along as fast as they can and get lined up for the next faceoff as soon as possible.
• We Will Stop the Clock if a Player is Injured – If a player is injured the clock will stop while the injured player is being tended to. If the injured player takes longer than usual, we will take time off the following period to make up time.
• No Timeouts – There are no timeouts during play. If a player wishes to talk to an official, they may do so between periods.
• Concerns with Time on the Clock – Any concerns about the clock need to be directed to the referees only and not directed to our timekeepers

MINOR PENALTIES

• Tripping, hooking and slashing are considered 2-minute minor penalties
• Verbal Abuse of an Official will not be tolerated. This includes abusive language and/or arguing with an official. Players who do so will automatically be assessed a 2-minute minor penalty and depending on the severity of the abuse may be ejected from the game and possibly assessed an additional suspension by the League Convenor.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct – A 2-minute minor penalty will be assessed to any player who verbally abuses the referees or league officials. This includes abusive language, slamming bench doors, banging your stick against boards, throwing of any objects and any “unsportsmanlike” conduct. A 2-minute minor penalty will be assessed and at the discretion of the official, the offending player may be asked to leave the game. Further suspensions may apply at the discretion of the League Convenor.  
• No Slap Shots. A slap shot is considered a hard shot taken above the waist. If a player takes a slap shot, they will automatically be assessed as a 2-minute minor penalty. A fake slap shot can also be assessed as a 2-minute minor penalty.
• Intentionally Screening a Goalie – A player who intentionally screens their opposing goalie will be assessed a 2-minute minor penalty for goalie interference.
• Diving – Defined as deliberately leaving your feet during the play. When a player intentionally leaves their feet to block shots on defense or when they dive in order to try to stop a break-away, that player will be assessed a minor penalty.
• Playing with a Broken Stick – A broken stick is one which, in the opinion of the Referee, is unfit for normal play. If a player’s stick breaks, the player can continue playing providing they drop the broken stick. A player cannot continue playing with a broken stick. If they do so, they will be assessed a 2-minute minor penalty. A player who has lost or broken their stick may only receive a stick at the players’ bench or be handed one from a teammate on the ice. A player will be assessed a 2-minute minor penalty if they throw, toss, slide or shoot a stick to teammate on the ice.
• Penalty Box Door Only – Players must always use the penalty box door to either enter or exit the penalty box. A 2-minute illegal substitution penalty will be assessed to any player who goes around the divider instead of using the door.
• Accumulated Penalty Minutes (Single Game) - Once a player accumulates 6-Minutes in penalties in a single game they are automatically ejected from the game.
• Accumulated Penalty Minutes (Season) – Any player who accumulates 15-minutes in penalties at any time during the season will receive an automatic 1-game suspension. Any player who accumulates 21-minutes in penalties during the season will receive an automatic 2-game suspension. Additional penalty minutes after that could result in ejection from the season or expulsion from the league.  
• When a team is short-handed when play resumes, the face-off will be in that team’s defending zone. Exceptions may apply.

MAJOR INFRACTIONS

Any of the following actions will constitute a lifetime ban from the league (at the discretion of the League Convenor) without refund:

1. 2-major infractions in a single season
2. Physical abuse or verbal threat of any of our officials both on and off the ice.
3. Third man in or jumping off the bench during an altercation.
4. Property damage to the rink facilities or other players’ belongings.
5. Playing with a suspended player or player that is not on the team’s roster (without approval from the league)
6. There is zero tolerance alcohol policy - Players cannot participate under the influence of alcohol. If a player abuses this policy, they will be immediately suspended from league play and from further participation.

* These rules are for the safety of all players. *

TEAM ROSTERS

• All players participating in game play must be a registered player in the league with no exceptions.
• Substitutes (“pool players”) are allowed, including goalies, when organized through the Pool coordinator.
• Having a player play that is NOT on the roster, part of the Pool, or currently active in the Play4Fun Hockey League will result in a forfeit of the game.
• Players are not allowed to canvass for extra games at the rink.
• Pool players are required to report to the Timekeeper prior to participating in game play. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that Pool players appear on the list. Failure to do so may result in a forfeit of the game.
• The only exception to adding a player to a game without prior authorization is if your team has less than 10 skaters less than 5-minutes before the game is to begin. In that situation the team captain may then canvas players from the game prior. We ask, in the spirit of fair play, that players are chosen randomly and not chosen specifically for their level of skill.
• Although we will make every effort possible to keep friends together on the same team, in our efforts to keep teams balanced, we cannot guarantee it. The League Convenor has the authority to ‘trade’ players and goalies, between teams at any time.

GAME FORMAT

• Each team is allowed a 2-minute warmup
• At end of 2-minute warm-up, the game will begin after 45 seconds. Please remove all pucks from the ice and have your starting line ready to play.
• 3-periods of play (15-15-15 running time) – The final minute of the game is stop-time
• Penalty shots do not stop the clock – Please have your team move the process along as quickly as possible.
• At the conclusion of each game, we encourage teams to line up at centre and shake their opponents’ hands.
• As a courtesy to the other teams, please wait until both teams have completely left the ice before going on the ice yourselves.

GAME NOTES

• Offsides in effect.
• Blue-line icing. (which means once a player gains the blue line, they can ice it)
• Quick faceoffs (make sure your team switches their lines quickly between whistles), officials will drop the puck whether your player taking the faceoff is ready or not.
• There are no timeouts permitted during game play.
• Crease Rule. The referees will whistle the play dead if there is heavy traffic in front of the net – they will not wait to see the puck completely covered up.
• Stoppage of Play will be called:
  • If the goalie is hit in the mask with either a puck or by player stick
  • If there is heavy traffic in front of the net
  • Once the goalie has covered the puck
  • Referee has lost sight of the puck
• Maximum 2 goals per player, per game. If a player scores a 3rd goal in a game, it will not be counted.
• Minimum, 6 players + goalie (or 7 players without a goalie) are required for the game to count as an official game, of those 6/7 players, 5 must be roster players. A team short of players will forfeit their game 3-0

REFEREES

Two certified officials are assigned to each game. – if, in the event a referee is late or a “no show” we will operate the game with only 1 official.

Players, coaches and bystanders are not allowed to abuse our officials at any time.  Any abuse of our officials will result in an eviction or suspension at the discretion of the convenors.


SAFETY & EQUIPMENT

• An unaltered, CSA-approved helmet is MANDATORY – no exceptions. The helmet must have a chin guard and ear guards in place. 
• Play4Fun Hockey requires a minimum half shield with mouth guard or full cage. A half shield must correctly cover the eyes in a way that a puck, or stick, cannot make direct contact. Again, safety is our priority.
• Ice hockey gloves must be worn. Lacrosse or any other style of glove is not permitted.
• The use of a BNQ or CE-certified neck guard is mandatory.

In the event of an injury on the ice, please be aware that the referees will attend to the injured player and if required, may request an off-ice person to assist them with communications and call 911 if necessary.

The location of the defibrillators are present in the building.  Play4Fun Hockey keeps a first aid kit in the timekeeper booth if needed. 

MISCELLANEOUS RULES

These rules may be unique to Play4Fun Hockey, so please familiarize yourself with them.

5-GOAL LEAD

• If, at any time during the game, one team is ahead by 5-goals we encourage the leading team to ease up on their play, giving the opposing team a chance to score. 
• If the team with a 5-goal advantage scores a sixth goal it will not be counted.
• No penalty will be applied to this rule unless the goal is deemed to have malicious intent.
• A referee may, at their discretion, call an unsportsmanlike penalty.

CO-ED RULE

Since we're a Co-Ed recreational hockey league, we'll endeavor to have at least 1 female player on each team. If a female player cannot attend the game, we ask that they notify their team Captain who is then responsible to notify the league and coordinate a replacement from our female player pool. All teams must have a minimum of one female player on the team for each game otherwise the game is a forfeit. We will ask all female players who join our league if they would be willing to join our Women’s player pool.

COLLISION RULE

We ask that players do their best to avoid colliding with opposing players. We realize accidents can happen however if you accidently collide with another player which results in knocking them down, we encourage you to check on the fallen player to make sure they are “okay”. Failure to do so may result in an unsportsmanlike penalty, at the discretion of the referee.

As a league, we place a high priority on safety and fairness for all our players. The enforcement of our rules is to the benefit of our players.
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Play safe and have fun!