I-275 Mite and Mini-Mite Hockey League 2012/2013 Rules and Regulations

Version 4.0 Page 1 09/13/2013 I-275 Mite and Mini-Mite Hockey League 2012/2013 Rules and Regulations League Structure A League structure of games shall be conducted for the Mite and Mini-Mite classifications as defined by the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA). The League will be referred to as the I-275 Hockey League for the purpose of this writing. A copy of the I-275 Rules and Regulations are to be filed annually with the MAHA President by October 01 of each year with a copy to the District 4 Chairperson. League Intent The intent of the I-275 League is to give Mite and Mini-Mite age players an opportunity to play within their own age group and skill level in an environment that stresses fun, learning, sportsmanship, and team play with minimum emphasis on wins and losses. The League recognizes that some associations may have a limited number of teams and this is an opportunity for those players to engage in game play with minimal drive time. The I-275 League is established to enhance these objectives and give greater game variety. League Administration An Executive Committee (EC) consisting of one member from the Novi, Farmington Hills, and Compuware Associations along with the Mite and Mini-Mite League Governors/Directors and House Program Directors from each association will administer the operation of the League. Decisions of the Executive Committee, in all areas of the League operation, shall be binding and final. To be eligible for the EC, associations must have all their teams eligible for this League in this League. EC member associations must not have any teams playing solely in house or elsewhere. The Executive Committee shall meet as required, prior to the start of League play to review policies, determine schedules, and conduct a meeting with the coaches to review League rules. The EC shall meet periodically throughout the period of League play to review all matters of concern regarding the efficient, fair, and sportsmanlike conduct of the League. Only the EC can change the Rules and Regulations governing the League. All coaches are held responsible for the actions of their players during practices, games, and while in the locker rooms. Players leaving the ice surface and lockers should enter and exit the ice surface at the nearest door to their said bench. Both teams should not use the same door to enter or leave the ice surface. (This may not be feasible in half ice game arrangements.) The League will be made up of Mite and Mini-Mite teams from Novi, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Compuware, Canton, Plymouth, and Livingston Hockey Associations. Each team will be formed based on the draft requirements in place at each association. Players added to teams after the draft will be added based on existing association criteria. For the Mite division, the League maximum is 16 players to a team to aid in line rotations; each association will attempt to assign the maximum of 16 players to each Mite team. Mite teams with more than 16 players require EC approval. Mite-full ice teams carrying 17 players and dressing two goalies do not require EC approval. The maximum number of Mini-Mite players per team shall be managed by each association,

Version 4.0 Page 2 09/13/2013 with the goal of having at least 18 players per team to allow two simultaneous 4-on4 games including goalies. The player draft order for each team will serve as a guide in establishing the ranking of players for Mite full-ice games. Coaches are responsible for a fair and honest evaluation of their players. The draft ranking will be used as the initial ranking of each team s players and will be shared with the League Governors/Directors. These lists will be used for the first two weeks of full-ice game play. Thereafter, on a monthly basis, each coach will be responsible for updating his player ranking list. League Governors/Directors will compare these lists with the draft order and distribute amongst the League coaches. Any player ranking out of the norm (for example: a first round pick ranking 10 th on the team) should be discussed with the Division Director for approval prior to the final ranking. The EC will be responsible for League wide distribution of the updated player rankings. Coaches are encouraged to make the appropriate adjustments to their player rankings on the monthly cadence as the season progresses (as a reference, a player on the White or Blue line that is scoring a proportionately large number of goals should be considered for the Red or White line respectively). In order to keep games competitive, all teams must make their best effort to have their full team of rostered players in attendance at all games. Any indication of noncompliance will result in immediate disciplinary action by the EC and the Board of Directors of the respective association. All teams, their players, and team officials shall be registered and in good standing with the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association and USA Hockey prior to the start of League play. Roster changes shall be made in accordance with the rules of the MAHA and USA Hockey. Failure to do so may prohibit continuance of League play for the subject team. All players are to be given equal and fair ice time and the opportunity to play various positions against equally skilled players. League Admission Process Any association along the I-275 corridor may petition to join the I-275 League. The Executive Committee will interview the petitioning association and determine if the association should be added to the League. The League shall use as admission criteria the I-275 League intent. Other criteria that may be considered, but not limited to, are team competitiveness (too high, too low); whether the applicant is entering only one age group; whether the applicant is not entering all teams from within an age group. Should entry be denied, the applicant may appeal to all associations with teams in the League for entry; a 75% majority vote will be required to over-ride the Executive Committee denial. All girl teams may be allowed to compete within the League and be out of age classification only with the full approval of the Executive Committee. Any petitioning association that is added to the I-275 League will be under a probationary period for one year and will not have Executive Committee privileges. At the end of the probationary period, the Executive Committee shall meet to determine if an invitation will be extended to the petitioning association with full membership into the League with Executive Committee privileges.

Version 4.0 Page 3 09/13/2013 League Games The I-275 League will play a maximum of 20 games per team, beginning the the first weekend of October and ending the last weekend of February; subject to ice availability. If all associations are in agreement and ice is available, the teams may play into March and exceed the 20 game maximum. There will be no League games scheduled Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend between Christmas and New Year s Day. League play will resume the first weekend of January. It is recognized that there may be instances where these norms may not be feasibly followed, but deviations from these norms should be avoided. The schedule shall be determined to play each team in a specific division the same number of times, where practical. Game schedules must be completed a minimum of two weeks prior to the first game. Home teams are to be scheduled at their home arena. The Executive Committee will determine a master scheduler. Mite Division Schedule: All Mite teams must play half-ice League games prior January 01 in compliance with MAHA rules. Teams may play up to 15 full ice games post December 31. All games will be played on Sundays (unless ice is not available). Full-ice games must be played with scheduled USA Hockey certified referees and in accordance with all MAHA and USA Hockey regulations. Game score and scoresheets will be kept for all Mite full ice games; however no League standings will be posted. Mite-half ice play rules: All Mite-half ice League games will be played in a half-ice, 4-on-4 format with required ice dividers placed across the center red line. Shifts are two minutes in length. The clock will be running time. Teams are required to change players on the buzzer. When the buzzer sounds all players are required to immediately leave the puck and move to the bench for replacements. Players leaving the bench can do so in a manner similar to changing on the fly during conventional hockey. Goalies may play the puck during the buzzer changes. If both coaches are in agreement, they may elect to play 3-on-3, but all games must be half ice. Each team will be divided into two teams based on experience/talent level. Coaches should arrange their team into most skilled and least skilled players and arrange with the opposing coach to have the most skilled play each other and the least skilled play each other. These line ups may change depending on game-day circumstances and throughout the season as players progress. There shall be no double shifting unless a team has players missing. There shall be no slap shots and no checking. If a stick comes above the knee in a slap shot motion it will be deemed a slap shot and a minor penalty. There will be no off sides or icing. If the puck goes out of play, the referee will determine who sent the puck out and will give possession to the non-offending team at the point the puck went out. The defending team must provide two stick lengths to their opponent upon re-entry and play must start immediately on the referee s command (whistle). Each team shall dress two goalies one for each half-ice game. Referees are used to facilitate the game. USA Hockey referees should be scheduled (one for each half-ice game). The League encourages this as an opportunity to give younger officials an opportunity to gain experience. Any minor penalty such as tripping or slashing will result in a goal for the non-offending team plus puck possession. Following any play stoppage (i.e.: a goaltender freezes the puck) there shall be a whistle from the referee and all players must cease play; the referee will call all players together and then throw the puck to the far end in order to re-start play of the

Version 4.0 Page 4 09/13/2013 game. No empty net situations. Game score will be kept for League games and no score is recorded or posted, nor any win/loss statistics kept. Each team is required to have a goalie dressed in goalie gear in each half ice game. Mite-half ice Line Rotation: The Mite-half ice will play 4-on-4 half-ice and will utilize a buzzer every two minutes to signal line changes. All skaters should play an equal amount, but no Red/White/Blue line designation will be used. A face-off should begin the game. When one team scores, they must hustle back and touch their own post. The referee will take a new puck and drop it behind the net for the team scored on to begin offensive play. No face-offs; just lots of puck touches and play time. Mini-Mite Division Schedule/play rules: All games will be played on Sundays (unless ice is not available) All Mini-Mite League games will be played in a half-ice, 4-on-4 format with required ice dividers placed across the center red line. Shifts are two minutes in length. The clock will be running time. Teams are required to change players on the buzzer. When the buzzer sounds all players are required to immediately leave the puck and move to the bench for replacements. Players leaving the bench can do so in a manner similar to changing on the fly during conventional hockey. Goalies may play the puck during the buzzer changes. If both coaches are in agreement they may elect to play 3-on-3, but all games must be half-ice. Each team will be divided into two teams based on experience/talent level. Coaches should arrange their team into most skilled and least skilled players and arrange with the opposing coach to have the most skilled play each other and the least skilled play each other. These line ups may change depending on game-day circumstances and throughout the season as players progress. There shall be no double shifting unless a team has players missing. There shall be no slap shots and no checking. No empty net situations. There will be no off sides or icing. If the puck goes out of play, the referee will determine who sent the puck out and will give possession to the non-offending team at the point the puck went out. The defending team must provide two stick lengths to their opponent upon re-entry and play must start immediately on the referee s command (whistle). Each team shall dress two goalies one for each cross-ice game. One coach from each team will referee each cross-ice game. No game score will be kept for Mini-Mite League games. No penalties are called rather players are instructed on the rules. Each team is required to have a goalie dressed in goalie gear in each half ice game.

Version 4.0 Page 5 09/13/2013 Mini-Mite Line Rotation: The Mini-Mites will play 4-on-4 half-ice and will utilize a buzzer every two minutes to signal line changes. All skaters should play an equal amount, but no Red/White/Blue line designation will be used. A face-off should begin the game. When one team scores, a coach-referee will take a new puck and throw it into an empty corner at the opposite end and play will restart from that point. No face-offs; just lots of puck touches and play time. Team Responsibility: An adult coach and/or manager shall accompany each team at all League games. For Mini-Mite League games, each team will require four (4) MAHA rostered coaches - one coach on the ice and one coach on the bench for each cross-ice game. For Mite games, it is recommended that there be at least two (2) rostered coaches on each bench. Coaches are not allowed on the ice during Mite-half ice games. Conduct: Team officials (coaches and managers) shall be responsible for the conduct of their teams before, during, and after League games, particularly in regard to the use of the dressing rooms. Incidents of damage or other conduct prohibited by these Rules and Regulations, the Rules and Regulations of MAHA or USA Hockey, or by law, should be brought to the attention of the I-275 League EC. Team officials shall be held responsible for damages or other loss caused by their teams. Spectators: Each team's representative shall take action to ensure that spectators are not abusive to officials, players, team officials, or other spectators. Failure to do so could result in team suspension. Parents are required to view the S.T.A.R. video on acceptable behavior. Home Team: The home team shall furnish official game pucks (must be blue), a timer, a scorekeeper, and at least 50 minutes of ice. Timers and Scorekeepers are to remain neutral officials throughout the game. Timers and Scorekeepers must be at least 18 years old. Mite-full ice score sheets shall list all registered players of the competing teams, and indicate the player's status if absent or suspended on the score sheet. When possible, the home teams wear the light colored jerseys. In the event that both teams have the same color jersey, it is the home team's responsibility to wear pullovers (available at the front desk of each arena). Referees: For Mini-Mites, the coaches will referee all League games. For Mites, both full ice and half ice games, the home team shall provide officials for all games per the requirements of their respective association. Two referees will be required for full ice games and one referee for each half ice game. One Referee is acceptable for full ice games only with the written approval of both team coaches on the front of the score sheet, prior to the start of the game. The home team is to pay the referees. Referees who are immediate relatives to players shall not officiate in games in which their relative plays. Teams securing referees must insure no relationship exists in advance of teams traveling to games. Exceptions may only be granted when the opposing team agrees in writing on the front of the score sheet, prior to the game start. Immediate relative is defined as: brothers, fathers, sisters, or mothers of home team members or staff.

Version 4.0 Page 6 09/13/2013 Game Rules: League games shall be played according to the rules as set forth by U.S.A. Hockey as amended by the MAHA except as modified herein. Clock Management: All Mite-full ice games shall consist of three (3) twelve (12) minute running time periods. Each period will be divided into two-minute intervals with the play and clock stopping and the horn sounding at the end of each two-minute interval in order to facilitate line changes. For games at curfew arenas, as soon as the curfew clock shows less time remaining than the game clock, then the game clock shall not be stopped for any reason and the game will continue using running time with the buzzer sounding and line changes continuing at 2 minute intervals (i.e.: blow the horn but do not stop the clock for line changes). In the event that a game s goal differential is two (2) goals or less going into the last two (2) minutes of the game, the balance of the game will be played in a stop time manner, providing the curfew clock does not show less time than the game clock. In any event, the curfew clock shall supersede the game clock. The game clock shall stop on injuries. THERE ARE NO TIME OUTS IN LEAGUE GAMES. When a team scores five (5) or more goals than their opponent, the scoreboard shall only show a five (5) goal differential. The score sheet shall reflect the actual score. For consecutive Mini-Mite and/or Mite-half ice games, played as part of a 2 hour block at any arena, the games will be 55 minutes in length with no resurfacing between games. (Resurfacing is optional to the teams playing. It is preferred to use more clock time.) At the beginning of all Mini-Mite and Mite-half ice games, the clock should be set to 40 minutes. If the curfew clock allows, more time can be added at the end of the allotted ice time. All cross/half and full ice games played shall make use of the buzzer and not whistles. Mite-full ice will play utilizing Red, White, Blue lines aligning with USA Hockey s ADM Red/White/Blue hockey precepts. Line Play: It is the intention of the I-275 League to play all League games in a matched line Red, White, Blue format based on the skill level of team players. Team rosters will be ranked in draft order (or as modified by the Head Coach/Executive Committee during the course of the year) in order to facilitate Red, White, Blue line classifications. Team rosters should attempt to have 16 players in order to equalize the matched lines. At the start of each game, the team coach will select the player to play goalie. The remaining players will be divided into the appropriate Red, White, Blue line classifications. Based upon the ranked team roster, the bottom five skaters present will form the Blue line. The highest skill level players will form the Red line; remaining players will form the White line. Team coaches will indicate line selection of each player on the official RWB line-up sheet, noting Red, White, Blue line assignments, G for goalie assignment, and NIU (not in uniform) for those not in attendance. In addition, coaches may place a strip of Red, White, or Blue tape on player s helmets to signify which line they are playing on that game. Any changes due to late arriving players, injuries, or changes in goal, must be conveyed to the opposite bench and scorekeeper prior to changes on the ice. Line Shortage Rotation: In the event that a team does not have enough skaters for three full lines, the Blue line will be filled and shortages will be substituted on the White lines. As an example, in the event there is one shortage on the White line, the shortage will be filled Blue Red Blue Red Blue Red rotation. (See I-275 Game

Version 4.0 Page 7 09/13/2013 Line-Up Sheet Red-White-Blue.) In the event that two players are missing, a Blue liner will fill the first slot and a Red liner will fill the second slot, for each shift. If three players are missing, the open slot will be filled Blue, Blue, Red for the first shift and Blue, Red, Red. This process repeats for the remainder of the game. If four players are missing then two players from the Blue line and two players for the Red will fill in. No player may be used more than others on the player s line until all players on the player s line have been used in an equal number of rotations. In addition, the top two ranked players are not eligible to be used as substitutes until all other Red line players have been used as substitutes (the only exception is the sub schedule with 10 skaters). Teams are encouraged to provide equal substitution for all players over the course of the season as typically White-Line players do not double shift. Line Substitution Sheets shall be exchanged between Head Coaches prior to each game. When Red-Line players are substituting on the White-Line, the Red-Line player must play defense and should be encouraged to pass the puck. We do not want Red- Line players dominating the White-Line. Line Rotation: Each game and subsequent period will begin with the Blue line on the ice for the start, followed by the White line, and then the Red line. The times for each line are as follows: 12-10 min Blue 10-8 min White 8-6 min Red 6-4 min Blue 4-2 min White 2 end Red The attached I-275 GAME LINE UP Sheet shall be provided to the opposing team prior to the game with the official score sheet. In-Play Replacement: In the event that a substitution must occur during play due to an injury or equipment problem, the substitute should be as follows: if the injured player is on the Red line, they should be replaced by the highest rated player from the White line. If the injury is on the Blue line, the replacement is the lowest rated player from the White line. Finally if the injured player is on the White line, the replacement player is the highest rated player from the Blue line. If the replacement must continue throughout the remainder of the game, the normal line shortage rotation rules apply. It is the intent to use the most comparable skill based players. Goalies: In Mite-full ice play, goalies may not be pulled except in the last two minutes of the game. Mini-Mite, Mite-half, and Mite-full ice divisions do not have designated goalies (no child may play more than 50% of the games as a goalie). If all rostered players on a team have been given the opportunity to play goal, and in order to have a goalie, it becomes necessary to exceed the 50% restriction, the Division Governor of their respective association has the authority to waive the 50% criteria. The team needs to provide to the Division Governor of their respective association, in writing, the statistics on who has played goal. The Governor will provide back in writing his ruling notifying the team and

Version 4.0 Page 8 09/13/2013 the respective association House Director. Mite goalies shall change defending ends at the conclusion of each period. Mini-Mite goalies and Mite-half ice goalies do not change ends. Penalty Time: Players in Mites-full ice shall be assessed two minutes for minor penalties, four minutes for major penalties, and eight minutes for misconduct penalties. The game clock shall stop for penalties. Minor penalties will not overlap into the next two-minute shift. Major and misconduct penalties will be assessed on a per shift accumulative basis. Each shift of two minutes will be deducted from the total minutes received. A player getting a major will sit two shifts; misconduct, four shifts. The player will remain in the penalty box over the duration of his penalty. The penalized team will play shorthanded until the completion of the penalty. Penalized players may return from the penalty box when a goal is scored. Any player who is assessed (3) penalties in one game must miss the remainder of that game. Game Start/Warm-up: The time listed in the I-275 League schedule shall be the time that both teams are to take the ice. A reasonable warm-up period shall be allowed both teams (whether or not they are on the ice), commencing at the designated starting time, or at the time the ice becomes available, whichever is later. The warm up shall be two (2) minutes commencing when the Zamboni doors are closed. Teams will shake hands before each game at center ice. The home team shall notify the referees that this will occur. Equipment/Procedures: All teams' players, playing in the I-275 League must wear neck guards and mouth guards. Teams failing to follow this rule will face discipline actions as determined by the EC. Players are required to have full, regulation ice hockey equipment. It is recommended that all players have their first names labeled on the front of their helmets. For all half-ice games, one goal net shall be placed in standard full ice position, and the other goal net 3-4 feet from the mini boards running along the center red line. Regulation nets will be used in all cross/half and full ice games. All League teams must use the 36 inch high divider boards for all cross/half ice games. (High-density foam pads covered with tear-resistant and puncture-resistant vinyl are not acceptable.) These boards will be placed along the center ice red line. When playing cross/half ice games coaches should arrange the players before the game to make best use of the benches and doors. For cross/half ice games, one half of the team s players should enter the ice surface from the door closest to the bench they will occupy during the game. Participating rinks must also have a manner for displaying the game score for each ongoing half ice game happening concurrently.

Version 4.0 Page 9 09/13/2013 Game Misconduct: A player or coach who receives a penalty requiring sitting out a game shall be suspended for at least his team's next League game. MAHA and USA Hockey rules apply to non-league games in addition to the I-275 League suspension. This covers game misconduct and match penalties. Any player, coach, or manager who receives a Game Misconduct in an I-275 League game must report the penalty to their respective association s Division Governor within 24 hours. Any player, coach, or manager receiving multiple game misconducts in I-275 League games, shall sit a corresponding number of games in the I-275 League. Any player, coach, or manager who receives two game misconducts in a season shall come before the Discipline Committee of their respective association for possible further action. Confirmation/Make-ups: Failure to appear as scheduled because of adverse traffic and/or weather conditions necessitates that the game be rescheduled within 14 days and played prior to the end of the League play. Any schedule change that impacts a game that is to be played in 48 hours (or less) requires a telephone call to both coaches to confirm the change (no voice mail or e mail), and in the instance a coach cannot be reached, a telephone call to the association representative must be made. All teams are strongly encouraged to play all League games as scheduled. If a game must be rescheduled, at least 3 weeks notice must be provided as well as providing a make-up opportunity on your own practice ice. Any and all rescheduled games must be approved by the Division Directors/Governors of the two associations before games are rescheduled. In the event that the game cannot be rescheduled, and is a result of a team attending a tournament, the scheduled game ice shall belong to the team not attending the tournament. All efforts shall be made to reschedule the game. Refusal to Compete: Refusal to compete in any League game as scheduled without prior approval is considered to be an immediate resignation from the League. Said team will be dropped from all subsequent League activities. Teams refusing to compete will result in discipline actions as determined by the EC Score Sheet Procedure: For Mite-full ice games, score sheets are available at the Arena front desk and should be used for all games. Score sheets for Mite-full ice must have the signatures of each team's head coach. If the head coach is not present, then whoever is acting as head coach for the game must sign the score sheet. Score sheets need to have the coaches CEP number, level, and date of last class. SCORE SHEETS MUST BE COMPLETE. Each team will retain copies of their respective home and away games and will produce said documentation as required by the League. DO NOT MAIL SCORE SHEETS TO ANYONE UNLESS YOU ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO BY A LEAGUE OFFICIAL.

Version 4.0 Page 10 09/13/2013 2013/2014 Executive Committee Members NYHA Mini-Mite/Mite Governor: Phil McShane (EC, RWB) FHHA House and Mini-Mite/Mite Director: Sean Barrett, (EC, RWB) Compuware Program Directors: Mike Henry (EC, RWB) 2013/2014 Association Representatives Livonia Hockey Association: John Kozar (RWB) Plymouth-Canton Hockey Association: Matt Zink (RWB) Canton Victory Honda Hockey Association: Jeff Rochna (RWB) Livingston County Hockey Association: Mark Biggings (RWB) EC = member of Executive Committee RWB = point of contact for distribution/receipt of Mite RWB player rankings