Harbour City Coed Hockey League Rulebook

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This rulebook governs all Harbour City Coed Hockey League (HCHL) games, participants, teams, officials, and league representatives. Participation in the league constitutes acceptance of all rules, policies, and disciplinary procedures contained herein.

The Harbour City Coed Hockey League exists to provide a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and recreational hockey environment for players of all genders, identities, ages, abilities, and experience levels.

The league prioritizes:

• Sportsmanship
• Inclusiveness
• Player development
• Safety
• Respect
• Fun and fair competition

As a beginner-friendly recreational league, players are expected to support one another and contribute to a positive atmosphere on and off the ice.

The Harbour City Coed Hockey League is a non-contact league. While incidental body contact may occur during the normal course of play, intentional body checking, excessive physical play, and dangerous contact are strictly prohibited. All participants are expected to prioritize safety and respect for fellow players at all times.

The Commissioner is responsible for the administration of the league and has final authority regarding:

• Discipline
• Player eligibility
• Suspensions
• Complaints
• Rule interpretation
• Scheduling
• League operations

The Commissioner may delegate responsibilities to league officials or an independent review panel.

The league reserves the right to amend these rules where necessary to promote safety, fairness, and the orderly operation of the league. check for locations

The following players are not eligible to participate:

• Junior A players
• Junior B players
• College players
• University players
• Minor professional players
• Professional players

Unless expressly approved by the Commissioner.

Teams using ineligible players may forfeit games.league.

• Teams must dress a minimum of five (5) skaters and one (1) goaltender.
• Teams must have at least two players of each gender on the ice at all times.
• The gender of the goaltender does not count toward this requirement.
• Teams may play one player short if they cannot meet the gender requirement.
• Teams may dress a maximum of eighteen (18) skaters and two (2) goaltenders.

Failure to meet roster requirements may result in forfeiture.

All players, coaches, spectators, officials, and team representatives are expected to:

• Treat all participants with respect.
• Conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner.
• Accept referee decisions.
• Avoid abusive, threatening, intimidating, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour.
• Refrain from confronting opposing players after games.
• Report concerns through team captains or league officials.
• Understand that hockey is emotional, but emotional reactions do not excuse inappropriate conduct.

The league reserves the right to discipline any participant whose conduct brings the league into disrepute, whether occurring:

• On the ice
• In the arena
• In dressing rooms
• In parking lots
• Online
• Through league communications

Players shall not initiate confrontational discussions with opposing players following games.

Concerns regarding dangerous play, officiating, or player conduct must be directed to:

• Referees
• Team captains
• The Commissioner
• League officials

Players who disregard this process may receive:

• Verbal warnings
• Written warnings
• Suspensions
• Expulsion

A mandatory cooling-off period applies following all games.

Verbal abuse includes:

• Personal insults
• Name-calling
• Threats
• Repeated intimidation
• Harassment
• Discriminatory language
• Swearing directed at another participant
• Comments intended to humiliate or demean

The following do not automatically constitute verbal abuse:

• Raised voices
• Emotional disagreement
• Criticism of gameplay
• Requests to control dangerous play
• Frustration expressed without personal attacks

League officials will assess each incident based on the totality of the evidence.

Harassment includes repeated unwanted conduct that would reasonably make another participant feel intimidated, humiliated, threatened, or unsafe.

Unsportsmanlike conduct includes:

• Taunting
• Excessive yelling
• Repeated profanity
• Abusive behaviour
• Deliberate attempts to provoke another participant

Players remain responsible for maintaining control of their stick and body at all times.

Intent is not required for dangerous-stick penalties.

• Full hockey equipment is mandatory.
• CSA-approved helmets are required.
• Mouth guards are required for insurance-related dental claims.
• Slap shots are prohibited.
• Body checking is prohibited.
• Each team must supply a first-aid kit and ice packs.
• Players may not enter the ice until authorized.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available within the facility.

Each game consists of:

• Five-minute warm-up
• Two 20 minute periods
• Running time with stop time in the final 2 minutes of the last period.

There is no overtime during the regular season.

• If the score differential exceeds eight goals in the third period, running time will apply for the remainder of the game.
• If the differential falls below eight goals, stop time resumes.
• If a team leads by five goals with five minutes remaining, running time applies.

To help keep games fun, balanced, and enjoyable for players of all skill levels, the Harbour City Coed Hockey League enforces the Gretzky Rule.

Rule:

• No player may score more than two goals in a game.
• Any goal scored by a player after their second goal will not count.
• Instead, the goal will be awarded to the opposing team.
• Players are expected to be aware of their goal total and exercise good sportsmanship once they have reached the two-goal limit.

The purpose of this rule is to encourage teamwork, create more scoring opportunities for all players, and maintain a fun, beginner-friendly recreational environment.

• Automatic icing is in effect.
• The red line applies only to icing.
• Power-play faceoffs begin in the offensive zone.
• Slap shots are prohibited. Above waist is considered a slapshot.
• Pucks striking the goaltender's mask result in an immediate whistle.
• Pucks deflecting directly into the net from the goaltender's mask count as goals.
• The Harbour City Coed Hockey League (HCCHL) is a non-contact league. Body checking is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental body contact that occurs during normal play may occur and will not automatically result in a penalty. However, players may not intentionally use their body to check, hit, or force an opponent off the puck.
• Players are expected to make a reasonable effort to avoid unnecessary or dangerous contact. Any body contact deemed intentional, excessive, reckless, or dangerous may result in a penalty and may be subject to further league discipline.
• The HCCHL prioritizes player safety and expects all players to play under control and respect opponents at all times.

Canadian Amateur Hockey rules apply where league rules are silent.

Discipline will generally follow:

1. Verbal warning
2. Written warning
3. One-game suspension
4. Long-term suspension or expulsion

Major misconduct may bypass progressive discipline.

Players receiving:

• Three penalties in one game
• Major penalties
• Match penalties
• Gross misconducts

may be ejected and subject to league review.

Fighting is prohibited.

Fighting penalties may result in:

• Immediate ejection
• Multi-game suspensions
• Suspension for the remainder of the season
• Loss of playoff eligibility

Abuse of officials includes:

• Verbal abuse
• Threats
• Following officials
• Waiting for officials after games
• Parking-lot confrontations

Abuse of officials may result in automatic suspension.

Players serving suspensions are not permitted to participate in any league games.

A suspended player who participates while suspended may result in:

• Team forfeiture
• Additional suspensions
• Indefinite suspension
• Discipline for the team representative

When a complaint is received, the Commissioner or league officials may:

• Obtain written statements
• Interview witnesses
• Review video evidence
• Obtain referee reports
• Request additional information

Decisions will be based upon evidence rather than allegation alone.

League discipline is based on the civil standard of proof:

Balance of Probabilities

This means officials must determine that it is more likely than not that a violation occurred.

• One-game suspensions are final and cannot be appealed.
• Appeals must be submitted in writing.
• Appeals must be filed within forty-eight (48) hours of the game.
• Appeals will be reviewed by:
  • The Commissioner
  • Two independent league representatives

A majority decision is final.

Appeals will not be accepted if league fees are outstanding.

If the Commissioner is directly involved in a complaint or has an actual conflict of interest, another league official or independent review panel shall assume responsibility for the investigation and decision.

Knowingly providing false or misleading information during an investigation may result in discipline.

No participant may retaliate against another participant for:

• Filing a complaint
• Participating in an investigation
• Providing evidence

Retaliation constitutes separate misconduct.

Participants shall not:

• Publicly harass or intimidate league participants
• Threaten others online
• Disclose confidential league matters
• Publicly discuss active investigations

Discipline may occur for online conduct that negatively affects player safety or league operations.

• Teams must vacate dressing rooms within thirty (30) minutes of games.
• Alcohol is prohibited outside approved areas.
• Smoking and illegal substances are prohibited.
• Spitting is prohibited in public areas.
• Teams causing damage to facilities are financially responsible.

Violations may result in:

• Fines
• Suspensions
• Expulsion

Any participant involved in altercations:

• In dressing rooms
• In concourses
• In parking lots
• In restaurants or common areas

may receive an indefinite suspension and may also be prohibited from entering the facility.

The Harbour City Coed Hockey League reserves the right to discipline any participant whose conduct, whether specifically addressed in these rules or not, is determined to be detrimental to:

• Player safety
• League integrity
• The league's reputation
• The orderly operation of the Harbour City Coed Hockey League

By registering for the Harbour City Coed Hockey League, all participants acknowledge that they:

• Have read and understood this rulebook.
• Agree to abide by all league policies.
• Accept the authority of league officials.
• Understand the disciplinary process.
• Accept the risks associated with participation in recreational hockey.