Rules

Hillcrest Village Minor Hockey Association

Rules and Regulations

The House League will be governed by the following association rules:

A. Hockey Canada (formerly Canadian Hockey Association (CHA))
B. Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL)
C. North York Hockey League (NYHL), as it pertains to its program.
D. Hillcrest Village Minor Hockey Association. (HVMHA)
E. Hillcrest Summits/Selects "Operations Manual".
NOTE: Convenors, Coaches, Players and Parents must comply with these rules. Any changes will be made by the HVMHA House League Rules Committee. Any unauthorized substitution of these rules may lead to suspension from the HVMHA

INDEX

1.0 Season

2.0 Length of Games

3.0 Playoff Games

.1 Playoff Goalie in playoff "shootout"

.2 Playoff Goalie for Tyke, Novice and Atom

4.0 Formation of Teams

5.0 Shifts

6.0 Special Rules -Tyke Division

7.0 Center Red Line

8.0 Serving Penalties

9.0 Playing Rules

10.0 Additional HVMHA Playing Rules

11.0 Players Equipment

12.0 Starting A Game

13.0 Select Players and House League

14.0 Absent From Games

15.0 Trophies

16.0 Game Sheets

17.0 Practices

18.0 Coaching

19.0 Skates

20.0 Refunds

1.0 Season
1. MINI HOCKEY (INITIATION PROGRAM)
Normally consists of a minimum twenty (21) weeks of learn-to-skate program commencing the weekend after Thanksgiving and finishing the third weekend in March.
2. TYKE, NOVICE, ATOM, PEEWEE, BANTAM, MIDGET JUVENILE and JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE and SENIOR GIRLS LEVELS
a) Normally consists of a two (2) pre-season games, a minimum of nineteen (19) regular, and at least one (1) playoff game. Hockey will start on the first weekend after Thanksgiving and end the last weekend of March.
b) Each team will be allotted approximately ten (10) practice sessions excluding MIDGET & JUVENILE.
c) Practice sessions may be shared with other divisions or other teams as directed or scheduled.

2.0 Length of Games
TYKE, NOVICE, ATOM, PEEWEE, BANTAM, MIDGET, JUVENILE and JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE and SENIOR GIRLS LEVELS

a) Normally consists of three (3) ten (10) minute stop time periods or less, as determined by division at the Convenors discretion.

b) For TYKES, NOVICE, ATOM and JUNIOR GIRLS, the two minute buzzer system for changing lines will apply.

c) There is no overtime for tied games in the regular season.

d) Mercy Rule (running time in 3rd period with a 5 (or more) goal differential) shall NOT apply for all levels.

e) ALL GAME TIMES AND LENGTH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

3.0 Playoff Games
1. Teams finishing in the regular season standings as follows play:
a) Four Team Division: Semi-Finals 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. Winners play in Final game for Championship and the other two teams play for the Consolation.
b) Five Team Division: Playoff qualifying game between 4th and 5th place team with the winning team advancing to fourth place. Semi-Finals 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. Winners play in Final game for Championship and the other two teams play for the Consolation.
c) Six Team Division: Quarter-finals - 3rd vs 6th and 4th vs 5th while 1st and 2nd place teams receive a bye. Semi-final - winner of 4th vs 5th play the 2nd place team, and winner of 3rd vs 6th play 1st place team. Finals: Winners of both these games play in the final for the championship.

2. Should two or more teams be tied in the regular season, the team with the following will be placed in a higher position:
a) Most victories,
b) The records between the two teams (team that won the most games between the tied teams),
c) Goals for minus goals against,
d) Coin toss.

--- TIE BREAKER IN PLAYOFFS ---
3. TYKE, NOVICE, ATOM and JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION
If game is tied at end of regulation time, overtime will apply as follows:
a) One overtime period of 6 minutes, for games when teams are using 3 lines and one overtime period of 4 minutes, for games when teams are using 2 lines, will be played.  Each line will play one 2 minute stop time shift with the 2 minute buzzer.
b) If score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, a shootout will occur with 5 shooters. If still tied after 5 shooters, 5 different shooters will be selected. If still tied after the second 5 shooters, then "one on one" shooters  will be selected. No shooter is to repeat until all players on the team have participated in the shoot out. If either of each round of 5 shooters is decided "mathematically", the shootout should cease and the winner declared.

4. PEEWEE, BANTAM, MIDGET, JUVENILE and INTERMEDIATE and SENIOR GIRLS
If game is tied at end of regulation time, overtime will consist of one, either 5 or 10 minute (depending on availabel time) Sudden Death period. If score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, a shootout will occur with 5 shooters. If still tied after 5 shooters, 5 different shooters will be selected. If still tied after the second 5 shooters, then "one on one" shooters  will be selected. No shooter is to repeat until all players on the team have participated in the shoot out. If either of each round of 5 shooters is decided "mathematically", the shootout should cease and the winner declared.

3.1 Playoff Goalie in playoff "shootout"
A goalie is allowed to be one of the "shooters" for the levels where this occurs. He may use regular hockey gloves and stick but will leave other goalie equipment on.

3.2 Playoff Goalie for Tyke, Novice and Atom
Teams at the Tyke, Novice and Atom levels ask all their players to try playing in goal throughout the year. Thus, most players play goal only a few times in a season. On the other hand, a Select Goalie plays this position all season long on the Select team and gains much more experience as a goalie.

As a result of this unfair advantage, a Select goalie will not be permitted to play in goal in the House League play-offs at these levels only.

4.0 Formation of Teams
1. ALL DIVISIONS
Division convenors will attempt to balance each team with players of equal ability or skill.

a) Convenors will review skill levels of players.

b) Players may be subject to transfer from team to team at the discretion of the Convenor at that division.

c) Players may be subject to transfer from division to division at the discretion of the Hockey Committee and Vice President, House League.

d) Players failing to comply with transfers within sections (b) and (c) of this rule may terminate their membership and receive a proportionate refund.

5.0 Shifts
1. TYKE, NOVICE, ATOM and JUNIOR GIRLS DIVISION
a) A two (2) minute shift, stop time designated by an automatic clock buzzer.

The line shift method for 3 lines

This method allows players to play with players at their own level and against players at their own level so that all have a chance to participate in the play.

The coach sets the lines each game, so that the weakest 5 players are on "Line 1" and the strongest 5 players are on "Line 3". The players not on Line 1 or Line 3 are placed on "Line 2".

When there are less than 15 skaters "double shifting " onto "Line 2" will be necessary, to make up the 5 players for that line and will occur as follows:

                                                             # of Player(s) to be double shifted onto line 2

# of players                   From Line 1                   From Line 3*

14                                 1                                  0

13                                 1                                  1

12                                 2                                  1

11                                 2                                  2

10                                 3                                  2

* Line 3 players, while on Line 2, must play defence and are restricted from going too far into the attacking zone.   They can score from the blue line but htat should be as far as they go in. When their regular line comes on (Line 3), right after, they can play wherever the caosh wants them to play. (This is at the discretion of the coaches and convenor. This rule is to avoid allowing the strongest line 3 players from scoring "easy" goals while on lLine 2).

"Line 1" starts the game and is up against the other team�s "Line 1". Then, after two minutes "Line 2" is shifted on and then "Line 3".

The coach is to make sure that the double shifting onto Line 2 is as equal as possible under the above rules.

If a player is hurt and causes a stoppage in play, he/she is to leave the ice and be replaced with a player as follows:

if line 1 is on, the next stronger player from line 2
if line 2 is on, a player from line 1
if line 3 is on, any player may be the replacement.

If the player is OK to return, he/she should go back on at the first stoppage in play during his/her shift.

The Line Shift Method for 2 Lines if BOTH TEAMS have 12 or less skaters

Each coach would designate two distinct lines, based on ability, and those players would stay on that line.

If there are 12 players, the coach should set up two lines of 6, based on ability

If there are 11 players, he/she should designate the middle ability player to be on either the strong line or the weaker line based on that player�s ability.

If there were more than 5 on a line, they would all take turns "sitting" when their line was on the ice. They would sit through their own shift and then the next shift (other line that they are not assigned too), in order to get back on their designated line.

In the two line system, the two coaches must agree on which line to put out first. In this system, the line to play first gets one extra shift in the game and therefore, if one line has more players, they should go first because they will have someone sitting each time. If there are consistently 12 players on each team, the coach should try to ensure each line has received equal opportunity to start the game throughout the year.

If a player is hurt and causes a stoppage in play, he/she is to leave the ice and be replaced with a player as follows:

if the weaker line is on, the next stronger player from line 2
if the stronger line is on, any player may be the replacement.

If the player is OK to return, he should go back on at the first stoppage in play during his/her shift.

If the coach pulls the goalie while the weaker line is on, he/she can only be replaced with the next stronger player.

         6.0 Special Rules - Tyke Division
         1. Icing will not apply in the Tyke division.
         2. Face-offs will occur at shift changes, after goals and at the start of each period.
         3. When the goaltender freezes the puck, the ref will, blow the whistle and then take the puck from the goaltender and throw it    into one of the corners - so as to not give the attacking team an advantage.
         4. For obvious off-sides, the ref will blow the whistle give the puck to the defending team (or leave it with them, if the defending team already has possession, and both refs will shoo the attacking players out of the end zone, yelling "offside, clear the zone", giving the defending team an opportunity to move the puck out of their zone.
         5. Coaches will be permitted on the ice in the Tyke Division only for the first half of the season to assist the players on and off the ice and to take proper positions at face-offs.

        7.0 Center Red Line
        All divisions will eliminate the Center Red Line for the Offside or "Two-Line" Pass call.

        8.0 Serving Penalties
        1) TYKE, NOVICE, ATOM and JUNIOR GIRLS
        a) Each penalized player serves his /her own penalty on the "Line" that he/she was on (except goaltenders). If it is near the end of the game, and that "line" will not go out again, the next line out will have to remain short-handed for the balance of the time left in the penalty. When the penalty is up, the penalized player shall return immediately to his/her bench and the player held back from playing on his/her line will be put on the ice.
b) If a goaltender is assessed a penalty it will be served by a player on the ice at the time of the infraction and each subsequent shift must play shorthanded until the penalty time expires.
c) For Coincidental Penalties no substitution is allowed and the penalties end at the buzzer.

2)PEEWEE, BANTAM,MIDGET, JUVENILE AND INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR GIRLS
rPenalties are served in accordance with Hockey Canada and Hillcrest Minor Hockey Rules.

9.0 Playing Rules
Rules are as per the Hockey Canada Rule book as printed and/or amended each year

10.0.Additional HVMHA Playing Rules
a) Body checking in all divisions will be assessed a two (2) minute penalty. A second infraction by a player will draw a five (5) minute major penalty, a third, ejection from the game.
b) Abusive language (including swearing) or hand gestures by players or team officials will not be tolerated and will draw a five (5) minute Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty or bench penalty. If abuse persists, a Game Misconduct will be assessed and the player or official will be suspended for a minimum of one (1) game.

10.1. Suspensions

HVMHA follows OHF minimum suspension List. (see www.gthlcanada.com/frontoffice/suspensions.html)

As noted, this is a minimum suspension. In all cases the player suspended will be suspended from further play until a decision is made by the convenor and/or Vice President of House League on the length of the suspension. This may involve a meeting with the parent and/or coach with the division convenor to determine how further acts can be avoided.

Suspensions are very serious matters. More than one suspension may result in further suspensions and possibly suspension for the balance of the season.

Players who are issued suspensions, and who play Select Hockey in the North York Hockey League, will also be suspended from playing Select Hockey until they serve this suspension from their House League games or, until reinstated by the Vice President of House League. Reinstatement of players and officials will be at the discretion of the Vice President, House League in consultation with the President.

10.2. Protests and and Appeals

HVMHA follows the GTHL Protest and Appeal Process and Fee structure (go to www.gthlcanada.com/frontoffice/rulebook2.html#14 and view Section 15)

11.0 Players Equipment
All players must be fully equipped in accordance with Hockey Canada rules and requirements.

12.0 Starting A Game
1. All teams should be ready to start their game ten (10) minutes ahead of schedule.
2. After a flood, players are not to step on the ice until the Zamboni has left the ice and the Zamboni gates are closed. Any infraction will result in a two (2) minute minor penalty.
3. A warm-up before each game may or may not be allowed due to time constraints. The game will commence as directed by the referee, timekeeper and/or the convenor.
4. In All Divisions, no game will be started unless each team has at least six (6) players plus a fully equipped goaltender on the ice. 5. Any team not ready to start the game at the designated time will be assessed a 2 minute delay of game penalty. 6. At the Conveners/Referee's discretion a game may be delayed up to five (5) minutes to allow players to arrive from the dressing room. 7. Failure to ice minimum number of players plus a goaltender will result in game forfeiture with the score being 1-0 to opposing team.
8. Should both teams fail to ice minimum number of players plus a goaltender will result in game forfeiture for both teams and no score will be awarded and no make-up game will be scheduled.

13.0 Select Players and House League
Select players are to attend all house league games and practices. All absences should be discussed with the House League coach. Should a Select player continually miss his/her house league games and practices, the coach should bring it to the Convenors attention for a review by the Executive Committee to determine a course of action. Playing Select is a privilege. The House League attendance is important for balancing teams and the commitment to the other players on the team.

14.0 Absent From Games
Participation in at least 50% of regular season games is required to be eligible to play in the playoffs and receive a trophy unless absence has been the result of injury or illness.

15.0 Trophies
Trophies will be awarded to all participants at the conclusion of the House League season. Players will only be eligible for an award if they have participated in 50% of the regular season games. 2. Division Convenor will determine whether or not a player will be awarded a trophy if they have played less than 50% of regular season games.

16.0 Games Sheets
1. The Convener will give game sheets to the Coaches in each division for the filling out of Players names prior to each game.
2. The Coach has the responsibility to ensure that the game sheets are filled out correctly and players� names and corresponding sweater numbers are listed. a) The Coach will not add players to the Game Sheet if players are not in attendance. b) Should a player arrive late, the coach will inform the referee and the referee will instruct the timekeeper to add the name to the game sheet.

17.0 Practices
1. No siblings are allowed on practice ice unless registered as a player on another Hillcrest team and at the Coach's discretion.
2. At all practices, no players are allowed on the ice until the coach is on the ice. The Coach is the last to leave the ice.
3. All coaches, assistants and on-ice helpers must wear CSA approved helmets during practice.

18.0 Coaching
1. All coaches are required to attend the National Coaching Certification Program and successfully obtain the level 1 coaching certificate. Those who do not have their coaching certificate but wish to coach must take the first available course offered by GHTL. Contact the Vice President, House League for details.
2. The organization will reimburse all coaches who successfully obtain the required coaching certificates. Please submit a copy of the certificate to the organization in order to receive the refund.
3. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players on the ice and in the dressing rooms.
4. Coaches are requested to clean up the dressing room before leaving.
5. Only three (3) coaching staff are allowed on the bench.
6. Unauthorized persons are not allowed on the player's bench.
7. Ensure compliance with Hockey Canada Risk Management and National Insurance Program.
8. All coaches are to complete or have completed a Personnel Screening Consent and Authorization form to coach (a one time requirement).

19.0 Skates
No person is allowed on the ice without skates, except in the case of emergency. i.e. Certified Trainers, Coaches acting as Trainers and/or Medical personnel.

20.0 Refunds
Refunds after the start of the schedule will be entitled to a partial reimbursement, if the request is made in writing to the Convenor or House League VP, within the following number of scheduled exhibition or scheduled games:

0 � 3                75%

4 � 5                50%

6+                     0%

*An administration fee applies.

The player must return all issued equipment including sponsor jersey and socks.

Players will not be issued refunds if they have been ejected from play from Hillcrest for reasons of suspension or illegal or abusive activity.