League Rules for the Season

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2 Contents METROPOLITAN HOCKEY LEAGUE... 4 LEAGUE PARTICIPATION... 5 LEAGUE REQUIREMENTS... 5 REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATION... 6 $ BOND POLIOCY... 7 LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION... 7 COMMISSIONER... 7 ROSTERS... 8 LEAGUE WEBSITE LEAGUE GAME PROCEDURES ON-ICE OFFICIALS ICE TIME GUIDELINES GAME SHEET/SCORE REPORTING GAME CLOCK INSTRUCTIONS DETERMINATION OF LEAGUE STANDINGS SPECIAL RULES SECTION GAME FORFEIT GAME SCHEDULE AND RESCHEDULE POLICY NO SHOW POLICY ROSTER CHANGES GOALIE SUBSTITUTION POLICY MATCH PENALTY POLICY MULTI-GAME SUSPENSION APPEAL PROCESS

3 PLAYOFF FORMAT & ICE TIME GUIDELINES OVERTIME BODY CHECKING RULE APPENDIX A: MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS APPENDIX B: LEAGUE COMMITTEES

4 METROPOLITAN HOCKEY LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT: It is the sole purpose of the Metro Hockey League to provide and administrate the Sport of Recreational Youth Hockey. We strive to maintain a supervised hockey program that embodies the core qualities of Sportsmanship, Leadership, Team Work and Respect LEAGUE MEMBERS Everett Youth Hockey Association Kent Valley Hockey Association Seattle Junior. Hockey Association Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association Tacoma Junior Hockey Association West Sound Minor Hockey Wenatchee Amateur Hockey Association Vancouver Youth Hockey Association Member Association s location and contact information can be found in the Appendix. 4

5 LEAGUE PARTICIPATION 1. Members as of September 1st are listed on Page Participation of any future associations will require the completion of an application process LEAGUE REQUIREMENTS 1. Accepted by Rules Committee 2. Submit a $ bond to league to cover any fines or fees 3. Provide game times by League deadline 4. Fulfill all financial obligations to Metropolitan Hockey League 5. Accept and sign Metropolitan Hockey League Letter of Agreement prior to each year of participation. 6. A League Administrative Fee will be established each season from each participating Association to cover the cost of League Banners and other League expenses. 5

6 REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATION Every year each Association will be required to sign a Letter of Agreement that outlines the requirements for league participation. Associations who conduct themselves in a manner that causes harm to the credibility of the Metropolitan Hockey League and to any or all of the participating programs in the Metropolitan Hockey League will face disciplinary action which shall include termination of their participation in the Metropolitan Hockey League as part of the possible disciplinary decisions o Conduct in this manner includes but is not limited to organizational / institutional recruitment of players or teams from other associations participating in the Metropolitan Hockey League league at all levels. This includes employees, coaches and members. Associations must adhere to the policies and rules as described in the Metropolitan Hockey League Handbook. Associations must meet all financial obligations to the league in a timely manner. Associations must play all league games as scheduled except as provided for in the Metropolitan Hockey League Handbook Associations must have a beginner program. Associations must provide personnel resources to aid in operations and management of the league. 6

7 $ BOND POLIOCY Each association is required to submit a $300 bond to cover any costs for fines or protest/appeal fees. If a team is fined by Metropolitan Hockey League, the league will obtain the fine from the $300 bond. The fined team s association is responsible for obtaining replacement funds from the fined team from their association. Fined team association is immediately responsible for paying a new $300 bond to Metropolitan Hockey League. No teams from this association will be allowed to play games until this Bond has been paid. LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONER The Metropolitan Hockey League appoints a League Commissioner to manage the operation of the Metropolitan Hockey League. The League Commissioner will operate under the authority of the Rules Committee. Please note: All communication and questions should be directed to the league representative from the association the communication is originating from. The representative may then choose to escalate to the League Commissioner. Communications directed to the League Commissioner that 7

8 bypass the Associations League Representative level will be redirected to that Association. All other communications will be handled in due course The League Commissioner will approve all Team rosters and player movement, as well as approve all goalie substitution. The League Commissioner will review all game sheets when issues are raised by association contacts. The League Commissioner will receive and manage required team contact information at the beginning of the season. This will include the head coach and team manager contact information and is provided by each Association. ROSTERS Each Association must maintain a USA Hockey Roster for each team playing in the Metropolitan Hockey League, and submit rosters (player signatures not required) to the League Commissioner no later than the first league game. Any roster changes or player movement whether to a different team within the association, or players being released to the C Level teams from Representative teams must be reported to and approved by the League Commissioner. An updated USA Hockey Roster must be submitted for approval before the player can participate in a league game. *Acceptable reasons for the Roster Changes include balancing teams within the League, accommodate move ups, if allowed by individual Associations, accommodate players released from representative teams, allow for movement of beginners (learn to play) and to add 8

9 players that move into the area after the teams have been formed. Roster changes are further addressed in the Special Rules Section. Teams at each house age group within an association are required to be balanced. The Metropolitan Hockey League requires balanced house teams to maintain the credibility of the league and our core values. If house teams are recognized as unbalanced within an association, The Metropolitan Hockey League will communicate with the Director of the association and request the teams be rebalanced or moved up to B. Failure to re-balance teams or move up to B will lead to forfeit of game/games by those teams and those teams will also be ineligible for Metropolitan Hockey League Playoffs until approved by Metropolitan Hockey League Commissioner and/or Rules Committee. Note: Players whose primary team is a Select Team (Tier I, Tier II or B) are not allowed to play on any Metropolitan Hockey League house team. All house teams should be balanced teams. House teams cannot be drafted placing all top players on one team if there is more than one house team at an age division. This rule does not apply to goalies. See Goalie Substitution Policy. There is no "dual rostering" allowed in the Metropolitan Hockey League House League. A player must be assigned and on the roster of one house team only in the Metropolitan Hockey League, the only exception may be a goalie based on need and only when approved by the Metropolitan Hockey League. Any questions concerning a team s roster should be submitted to the League Commissioner. 9

10 LEAGUE WEBSITE The Metropolitan Hockey League website ( is the central point of information for the League. In addition to the rules outlined here the website will host all relevant information for the league, including: Game Schedules, Score Results and Division Standings as well additional information as deemed appropriate by the League. Prior to the season beginning, each association is responsible for sending complete roster information for all teams from their association participating in the upcoming league year. During the season, each team is responsible for reporting game scores, penalties (including Major and Game Misconduct), goalie substitutions and other information as needed, after each game to LEAGUE GAME PROCEDURES ON-ICE OFFICIALS 1. All Divisions: Officials will be at least one age group higher than the age of the players. 2. The host association will be responsible to see that officials are supplied for each game and pay for such officials. If officials don t show up the following will govern: 10

11 o If only one official shows up, the HOME teams will supply the other officials and must be either a carded official or USA Hockey carded coach. o If no official shows up, the home and the visiting team will each supply an official and they must be either a carded Official or USA Hockey carded Coach. 3. All calls made by the on-ice officials will be upheld by the Metropolitan Hockey League. There is no appeal or change of official call made during a game. Multi-game suspensions may be reviewed as described in the Multigame Suspension Appeal Special Rule. ICE TIME GUIDELINES Associations who are contracting ice must ensure that the facility staff will extend game lengths to ensure the teams receive their scheduled amount of ice time when the facility is responsible for the delay in a game starting on time. Teams that have play delayed due to referee being late or an injury during their game, and not related to facility delays, may result in a game being cut short to ensure the facility ice schedule is maintained and following ice schedule is not affected. If you experience delays in game due to referee being late, or not showing up, please report it immediately to the League Commissioner. Include the date and time the game was supposed to 11

12 start, the time the referees showed up, and the actual time the game was started. The minimum game time is 60 minutes for all age classifications Per USA Hockey rules Mites will play all league games on half ice or cross ice. The following formats are recommended for each time block for Squirts - Bantams: The 75 min time slot is the minimum requirement for Midgets. 60 minute time slot: 5 minute warm-up 2 15 minute running clock 1 12 minute stop clock 75 minute time slot: 5 minute warm-up 3 13 minute stop clock 90 minute time slot: 5 minute warm-up 3 15 minute stop clock It may be necessary to shorten the 3 rd period in order to complete a game within allotted time. This is determined by the following formula: Actual ice time remaining divided by 2 equals the time on scoreboard. Penalty times on remaining on the clock at the completion of the second period, should also be divided by 2 to adjust to the stop-clock play time. There are no time-outs during 12

13 league games, except as determined for playoff games. GAME SHEET/SCORE REPORTING Please report your game scores and a copy of the scoresheet by sending to Scores@metrohockey.org The must include the following information: In the Subject: please include the Division and team names In the body of the message, please include the following: Date (Date and Time of Game) Division (Mite, Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam, Midget) Teams (Indicate of House or B Team) Score If any game misconduct, fight, or match penalties recorded on the game sheet. A Copy of the Scoresheet. If submitting a picture of the Scoresheet please make sure all parts legible. Home teams are required to provide score information to the league. Each team must be able to provide a copy of the game sheet if requested by the League Commissioner. Major penalties such as Game Misconduct, Fighting Major, or Match Penalties must be reported to the League Commissioner 13

14 within 24 hours of the incident. If not reported within 24 hours, additional sanctions/suspensions may be applied to team. Game sheets not submitted to the League via may result in a forfeit of the nonreported game. Note: It is important game scores are submitted right after the game. The Manager or Coach can send via their phones and they can send it while they are waiting for their kids to get undressed. GAME CLOCK INSTRUCTIONS NO CLOCK INSTRUCTIONS If there is no scoreboard, the following rules will apply. Equipment needed: 1. Watch with second hand 2. Whistle 3. Clock official will run the same times as indicted in the rules for the age division. 4. Time Keeper will use the whistle to indicate stoppage in play. DETERMINATION OF LEAGUE STANDINGS Points for games shall be 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. The League uses the following standings tiebreakers: 14

15 1. Points 2. Win Percentage (First if number of games played is not equal) 3. Goals for/goals against differential (*note see Fair Play rule) 4. Greatest number of wins in head-to-head competition 5. Goals for/goals against differential in head-to-head competition. SPECIAL RULES SECTION GAME FORFEIT Any game that is forfeited due to a team unable to play, the team that is unable to play forfeits the game and the game is awarded to its opponent as 2 0 victory. GAME SCHEDULE AND RESCHEDULE POLICY The Rules Committee will approve a league Calendar by June 1 st proceeding the hockey season All Associations must provide the appropriate number of ice slots per division for their organization for each weekend on the approved calendar. o Total even number of teams The association has a total of 16 total teams = 8 ice slots per weekend o Total odd number of teams i.e. 17= then the league needs 8 ice slots one weekend and 9 slots the next weekend. 15

16 Absolutely no team will be allowed to attend a tournament from the beginning of playoffs to the end of playoffs. During the regular season, games can be rescheduled with the agreement of both teams and a mutually agreeable rescheduled time. This must be submitted by to league commissioner. It is important to note, the League strongly discourages changes to the schedule. Associations must regard the league schedule as a high priority. Tournament dates and registration: Teams are strongly discouraged from registering for and attending tournaments other than those played on Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas through New Year s, Martin Luther King weekend, and Presidents Day weekend. Bad Weather Instructions: Use the following guidelines if a scheduled game is affected by bad weather. o o o If the ice rink continues to stay open, every reasonable attempt should be made to play the scheduled game. Contact the ice rink to find out if it has been closed due to bad weather. Ultimately, the decision to travel in bad weather should be made by each family. If the coach of a team determines that the weather is too bad for a reasonable number of players to get to the rink, he will be responsible for contacting the team players and advising them that the game was canceled. The coach or his representative must also contact the hosting 16

17 o o ice rink and let them know that the team will not be playing due to bad weather. If a game is canceled due to bad weather, there will be an attempt to reschedule the game, however, due to ice availability limitations, the Metropolitan Hockey League may determine that the game will not be rescheduled and thus, won t be included in the division standings. Managers, please the League Commissioner and inform the league if you cannot make a scheduled game due to bad weather. NO SHOW POLICY No show of any team in league play is a serious problem in denying a team an opportunity to play, plus the costs associated with a team not playing a game. The only exceptions are adverse weather, national emergency or other exemptions issued by the Rules Committee. 1. If a team doesn t show, the league will implement the following actions: a. Forfeit of game and points awarded as per forfeit section of this handbook. b. $300 fine (obtained from an association s $ Bond. See $ Bond Policy). 17

18 ROSTER CHANGES The addition of any player to a team roster before December 31st must be submitted for approval to the League Commissioner no less than 3 days before scheduled game. If a player shows up for a scheduled game and is not on the approved team roster, they may not play in the scheduled game. If player is played, the team using this player will forfeit the game following the Game Forfeit Policy. Any change of more than 20% of players on a team roster is not allowed without approval of the Rules Committee. If a team does not have sufficient enough players to play scheduled game, they should plan on playing the scheduled game and will be approved to bring on players from another roster in the age division, however, the team will forfeit the game and the other team will receive a 2 point win. Roster changes after December 31st must be approved by the League Commissioner 7 days before the schedule game in which player desires to play. Roster changes may only be submitted to the league by the association s league representative. GOALIE SUBSTITUTION POLICY In the event that a team s goalie is not available for a game, the following protocol must be used in the event a team must find a Goalie replacement: 18

19 1. Use a goalie from another C team within the same age division; if not available 2. Use a C or rep team goalie from a lower age division; if not available 3. Use a C team goalie from one age division higher There is no forfeit for substitution of goalie with prior approval from the League Commissioner. Substitution must be submitted to the League Commissioner 24 hours prior to the game. Using a substitute goalie without notifying the League Commissioner as specified may result in a forfeit. A game may be rescheduled if a goalie is unavailable. MATCH PENALTY POLICY Any player or coach receiving a Match Misconduct Penalty is immediately suspended until the player s association Disciplinary Committee meets and issues a disciplinary decision. The Metropolitan Hockey League must be contacted with the results of this Disciplinary meeting and may issue additional suspension if it determines that the suspension was inadequate for the infraction. MULTI-GAME SUSPENSION APPEAL PROCESS An Association may appeal a Multi-game Suspension if they believe they have video tape evidence that would prove that the Suspension was incorrectly assessed by Officiating or League officials. This may be conclusive evidence that Suspension was given to the wrong individual or that there is significance evidence that the Multi-game Suspension was incorrectly given. An appeal will be approved by the League Commissioner and Rules Committee. The Association of the 19

20 Appealing Team must follow the Appeal Process as explained in the Disciplinary Committee Section (pp. 3 & 4). PLAYOFF FORMAT & ICE TIME GUIDELINES All teams competing in regular season play are required to play in the Metropolitan Hockey League Playoffs or Consolation Bracket. The Playoffs normally occur during the last 2 weeks of the season. The Mite Age Division does not have Playoffs. How a team places in the standings during the regular season will determine placement in the playoff schedule. The top 8 teams in each age division, Squirt through Midget, will play in the American Division. Those teams placing lower than 8 th place will participate in a consolation game. If there are only 9 teams in an age division, it is possible a play in game will be played where the 8 th seed plays the 9 th seed, winner will play the 1 st seed and loser is eliminated from playoff contention. The Playoffs will be single-elimination; therefore, any team losing will be eliminated from the playoffs. The playoffs will utilize all ice from participating associations; therefore, a home game may not be played at your home ice as necessary. Adjustments may be made to account for a lower number of teams in any age division. OVERTIME Teams will play 1-5:00 minute running time sudden death period 4 vs 4. If teams are still tied at the conclusion of the overtime period a shootout will occur. Best out of 5 20

21 If teams are tied after first 5 shooters, the shootout will become sudden death. A team must use all skaters on a roster before a player can shoot for the second time. *All penalties carry over to OT. The minimum game time is 60 minutes at all levels. The following formats are recommended for each time block for Squirts - Bantams: The 75 min time slot is the minimum requirement for Midgets. 60 minute time slot: 5 minute warm-up 2 15 minute running clock 1 12 minute stop clock 75 minute time slot: 5 minute warm-up 3 13 minute stop clock 90 minute time slot: 5 minute warm-up 3 15 minute stop clock **No Timeouts** BODY CHECKING RULE There is no body checking in the Metropolitan Hockey League at the House (C) Level. 21

22 There will be checking at the B/Rep Level except when an all-girls team is involved in a game. 22

23 APPENDIX A: MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS Everett Youth Hockey 2000 Hewitt Ave, Suite 200 Everett, WA (425) Fax: League Representative: Gus Gusinsky Kent Valley Amateur Hockey Association 6015 S. 240th ST Kent, WA (253) Fax: League Representative: Les Grauer Seattle Jr. Hockey Association th St. SW Mountlake Terrace, WA (425) Fax: (425) League Representative: Ian Armstrong Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association NE 144th Kirkland, WA (425) Fax: (425) League Representative: Doug Kirton Tacoma Junior Hockey Association 1918 Stewart Street Tacoma, WA (253) League Representative: Donna Kaufman 23

24 Wenatchee Amateur Hockey Association 1300 Walla Walla Ave, Wenatchee, WA (509) League Representative: Josh Fisher Vancouver Amateur Hockey Association SE Mill Plain Blvd Vancouver, WA (360) League Representative: Bob Knoer West Sound Hockey Club 1950 Homer Jones Dr. Bremerton, WA (360) League Representative: Cass Hudkins 24

25 APPENDIX B: LEAGUE COMMITTEES RULES COMMITTEE The Rules Committee is responsible for the rules that governs the Metropolitan Hockey League. Each association is to name one person to represent their association as a League Director. The Association, through this representation agrees to follow all of the League Rules. Through yearly elections in April, this committee will choose a chair that will serve for the upcoming hockey season. This committee develops rules, regulations and formats for the operation of the league. All rules, regulations and formats are established by a majority vote of this committee. Any suggestions or complaints concerning the rules, regulations or formats should be forwarded to the Rules Committee in writing, on association letterhead, from the association League Representative. All correspondence must be received at least seven days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Rules Committee in order to qualify as an agenda item for that meeting. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE The Disciplinary Committee is responsible for determining what disciplinary action is required, if any, when a matter is referred to them by the League Commissioner. In general, it is the expectation of the Metropolitan Hockey League league that disciplinary matters are handled at the local association level, unless a violation of the 25

26 requirements of Metropolitan Hockey League Rules and Handbook, or the Special Rules found within. The Disciplinary Committee has the authority to dispense suspensions to Players, Coaches, Teams or Associations within the Metro Hockey League. Each Association is asked to name a representative to this committee. Association representative name must be submitted to the league by September 15 th. All decisions may be reviewed and approved or amended by the Rules Committee. All appeals and protests must be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee under the following guidelines: All appeals/protests must be submitted in writing on association letterhead from the league representative or may be ed by the association league representative and followed by a hardcopy to the Rules Committee. All appeals/protests must be submitted within five days of the incident that is being appealed/protested. All appeals/protests must be mailed along with a $75.00 cashier s check or money order to: Metropolitan Hockey League League 26

27 SCHEDULING COMMITTEE The Scheduling Committee is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the League Schedule. Each Association is asked to submit a representative to this committee by September 15. Through yearly elections in April, this committee will choose a chair that will serve for the upcoming hockey season. To ensure the schedule is finalized and published a week prior to the start of League games, Associations are required to submit team declarations and available ice times 15 days prior to the start of the League season so that the schedule can be created and ratified by the Associations of the league. 27