Greater Dufferin Hockey League (GDHL)

Rules and Regulations for the 2018 Summer Season

 

***PLEASE NOTE RED HIGHLIGHTED RULE AMENDMENT FOR THIS SEASON***

 

Penalties

 

1)  Penalties are assessed as follows:

 

A) 2-minute Minor Penalty is assessed for minor infractions.

B) Double Minor Penalty (two Minor Penalties) is assessed if the referee feels that an infraction deserves more than a Minor Penalty, but, is not deserving of a Major Penalty and a Game Misconduct.  A player can be assessed a Double Minor Penalty for any penalty in the rule book. A Game Ejection can also be assessed at the referee’s discretion.

C) Misconduct Penalty is assessed when an individual has done something that requires the individual to be penalized but not the team. A misconduct penalty does not count against a team’s or individual’s penalty total.

D) Game Ejection is assessed to a player at any time in a game for conduct which is deemed to be detrimental to the safety of the other players, or, conduct deemed to be a travesty of the game.  No other penalties have to be called for a Game Ejection, however, in most cases there will be one called. A Game Ejection is called in order to remove a player from the game and prevent an individual from participating in a more serious or violent situation.

E) The most common reasons for major penalties are the following:

- deliberate infraction that results in an injury

- deliberate high stick or cross check above the shoulders

- slashing is at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence or impact

- checking from behind is at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence or impact. This penalty is more stringently called when the player is checked into the boards or net.

The team plays shorthanded for 5 minutes and the player is not only assessed an additional Game Misconduct, but is suspended indefinitely from league play pending a decision from the league administrator.

F) Game Misconduct is assessed to any player receiving a 5 minute Major Penalty.

G) Match Penalty is assessed for any infraction that is a deliberate attempt to injure. This is far more severe than a Major Penalty.

The team plays shorthanded for 5 minutes and the player is not only assessed an additional Game Misconduct, but is suspended indefinitely from league play pending a decision from the league administrator.

H) After a penalty has been called, the face off will be held in the offending team’s defensive zone. If the penalty(s) called do not result in a man advantage, the face off will occur at the face off zone closest to the stop in play.

 

 

 

2. Stick control. A penalty shall be called if a player is interfered with or a stick or free hand/arm is used to restrain an opponent and, as a consequence the:

- Balance of an opponent is adversely affected to any degree,

- Progress of an opponent is impeded or hindered to any degree,

- Ability of an opponent to propel, pass or shoot the puck, or to receive a pass is hindered to any degree, or

- Positional advantage achieved by an opponent is reduced or lost.

All players are expected to exercise care and control of their stick at all times. For situations not covered by current GDHL rules, a Minor Penalty is assessed for players using their stick in such a manner that other players could potentially be injured. If an injury does occur, other penalties are levied. For example:

- A player waving their stick wildly at the puck as it goes over their head

- An out of control follow-through on a shot

- A goalie dangerously batting the puck out of the air with their stick

Referees are not limited to these infractions but can call the penalty when a player is using their stick with “reckless abandon”.

Cross-Checking. Striking an opponent or “raking” an opponent’s body or arm with the portion of the stick held between the hands will result in a cross-checking penalty. Any cross-check that contacts an opponent above the normal height of their shoulders will result in an automatic Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct penalty.

Slashing. Players that swing their stick with excessive force or swing (or threaten to swing) their stick for the purpose of intimidating an opponent will be penalized.

Slashing type stick contact with any degree of force with an opponent’s glove, forearm or torso will be penalized. Forceful stick contact with a goaltender will result in a penalty.

Slashing the Stick:

- Stick on stick contact where the intent is to play the puck is permitted provided that the force is not overly excessive and that the contact occurs low on the stick

- Slashing an opponent’s stick out of their hands will result in a penalty

- Slashing the shaft of an opponent’s stick close to the hands will result in a penalty.

Can-Opener/Corkscrew: Placing or moving a stick between an opponent’s legs is not permitted if it causes the opponent to stumble or fall, or actually hinders an opponent’s ability to move freely.

 

3. Checking from behind. The referee will call a minor, major, or match penalty depending on the severity of the infraction. In any case, any hit from behind penalty also includes an automatic game misconduct. Normally, a Game Misconduct carries an automatic suspension. In the case of a minor plus a game for checking from behind the following apply:

- If the penalty occurs in the 1st or 2nd period, there is no suspension.

- If the penalty occurs in the 3rd period, there is a minimum one game suspension.

The league administrator always has the option of reviewing repeat offenders and assessing additional suspensions and/or expulsion if necessary.

 

4. Checking to the head. Checking to the head is an automatic 5-minute penalty, plus game misconduct, or match penalty as the situation warrants.

 

5. Punching to the head. A player punching another player in the head will be assessed a 5 minute roughing penalty and a game misconduct. This penalty is called when:

- The head is targeted

- The punch is deliberate

- There is enough force in the punch to move the player’s head

 

6. A player will receive an automatic 5-minute Major Penalty and a Game Misconduct for spearing or butt-ending.

 

7. Interference.

- Pick or Block: Intentionally changing direction or location to block the projected route of a non-puck carrying opponent will result in a penalty.

- Face-Off Interference: Players are entitled to the space they occupy, however, players are not permitted to use their stick or free-arm/hand to impede or block the progress of an opponent after the puck is blocked. Players are also not permitted to impede an opponent in pursuit of the puck or puck carrier by turning into the opponent or turning into the opponent’s projected route. Players can “battle” for position as their paths merge if both are in pursuit of the puck.

 

8. If a player leaves the bench during an incident, the player receives an automatic Game Misconduct.

 

9. If a goalie receives a Game Misconduct penalty, it is the referee’s discretion as to whether or not the goalie is allowed to continue playing in the game. The goalie is warned of the situation and any further misconduct will add to the suspension. The goalie is allowed to stay only if viewed as a non-threat to the other players or the referees. If the referee ejects a goalie from the game and the referee determines there is enough time left in the game to allow a goalie substitution, a substitute goalie can be used. The time allowed for the substitution is no more than 5 minutes. If a substitute goalie is not available, another player from the team is allowed to suit up as the goalie. The substitute goaltender is not allowed a warm up.

 

10. A goalie cannot come out of the crease to deliberately freeze the puck.

- If the goalie’s body is completely outside the crease, the goalie receives a delay of game penalty.

- If the goalie comes out of the crease to stop a shot and in so doing, freezes the puck, this is not a penalty. The differentiating point is if the goalie only intends to cause a stoppage and is outside the crease, the goalie receives a penalty.

- If the goalie is within the crease and under no pressure, the goalie must play the puck.

The determination of “under no pressure” is when the goalie has control of the puck and is clearly able to make a play with the puck, either by shooting it or throwing it, and get back into position to make a save, the goalie would be considered to be under no pressure. 

- If the goalie waits with the puck, attacking players eventually put pressure on. At this point, the goalie is already committed to play the puck. Failure to do so results in a delay of game penalty. The goalie receives one warning from the referee for this situation before a penalty is assessed. The referees will yell at the goalie when the goalie should be playing the puck. If the referee yells “play the puck”, this indicates to the goalie that the puck must be played.

- It puts the onus on the referee to yell, and once having yelled issue a warning or call a penalty if the puck is not played.

- It indicates to everyone that if there is no yell, there is no penalty. The referees are instructed to only yell when the goalie is under no pressure, to yell at that point and not later.

 

11. Penalty box door. When a player’s penalty is over, the player must ensure that the penalty box door is closed completely returning to the ice. Failure to close the door completely results in a 2-minute penalty for delay of game. However, the team will not be shorthanded, nor will the infraction be counted against the individual’s or team’s seasonal penalty total. This rule has been implemented in order to minimize possible serious injury to players and referees. If the player made an honest effort to close the door and it didn’t latch or the door is hard to close, the referees are instructed to be reasonable.

 

12. Zamboni doors. A team receives an automatic 2-minute penalty for having pucks on the ice while the Zamboni doors are still open. The team rep serves the penalty.

 

Ejections

 

13. A Game Ejection can be assessed to a player any time in a game for conduct which is detrimental to the safety of the other players, or, for minor abuse of officials. There do not have to be any other penalties assessed. No time penalty to the team or suspension to the player goes along with a Game Ejection. When assessed, the player must leave the ice quietly. The Game Supervisor tracks the reason for the Game Ejection.

 

14. If a player receives 3 minor penalties (except for a ten-minute misconduct penalty), the player is ejected from the game.

 

15. If a player drops their gloves and/or removes their helmet for any reason other than during a stop in play to adjust equipment, that player automatically receives a minimum of a Game Ejection.

 

16. If a player is ejected from a game or receives a Major Penalty and an automatic

Game Misconduct, the player must either:

- leave the arena immediately after changing

- remain in the dressing room for the remainder of the game

Failure to comply with this rule results in further disciplinary action against the player, including possible expulsion from the league. When a player receives 3 game ejections per team, per season, he/she will incur a game suspension.

 

Suspensions

 

17. A suspended player is not allowed to be on the bench for any reason.

 

18. Suspensions for Penalty Plateau’s:

We are not going to try not to have penalty plateau's this season, see if everyone can behave themselves.

 

19. At the end of a game, if an incident occurs in which one player commits a totally unnecessary foul designed to provoke a response from the other player, the offending player will be assessed a Game Misconduct in addition to whatever other penalty is assessed. For example, a few seconds after the buzzer a player slashes an opponent in a way that would only incur a minor penalty, since all players are now on the ice, a melee breaks out with possibly more penalties. In this case, in addition to whatever else the referee assesses, the original infraction will also be assessed a Game Misconduct for unnecessarily starting a problem after the buzzer.

 

20. All disciplinary matters are dealt with by the league administrator. The league administrator will investigate any and all disciplinary incidents. Expulsions or suspensions exceeding 5 games can be appealed by the team. The appeal must be submitted to the league in writing within 7 days of the decision. Any suspensions 5 games and under cannot be appealed. The league administrator’s decision is final.

 

Conduct

 

21. All players must act in a mature manner when participating in GDHL activities, including games, tournaments and/or other league functions. The player agrees that any behaviour which the management of GDHL shall deem to jeopardize GDHL’s ability to lease ice or otherwise conduct its business will result in the player’s immediate expulsion from the league.

 

22. Property damage. The player agrees to reimburse GDHL in full, within 10 days of notice, for any property damage for which the player is responsible, as determined by GDHL, or the team is expelled from GDHL immediately.

 

23. Dressing Room Security. Do not leave your valuables in the dressing room.

The league and the facility are not responsible for any theft or loss of money or valuables. Be sure your dressing room is locked! Teams are advised to use a team valuables bag that will be brought on the bench during each game.

  

24. Verbal abuse of officials is not tolerated. It is at the discretion of the officials to remove players from the ice for verbal abuse.  This will be the players only warning.  Second offence will result in an automatic 2 game suspension.  Third offence will result in an automatic 5 game suspension.  Fourth offence will have the player suspended for the remainder of the season, and the ruling may run into the next season depending on time of season.  All ejections due to conflict with officials will be sided with the official.

 

GDHL Policy

 

25. GDHL reserves the right to refuse to register or re-register any application by any player or team at the league’s discretion.

 

26. No one may play for any team if they have not signed a GDHL team registration form and they have been approved by GDHL. A player must be a minimum of 19 years in order to play. No player (with the exception of Goalies) may play or register for more than one team per night. This includes using players from a previous game, unless the illegal player or players are declared at the beginning of the game, resulting in a forfeit loss. This allows the players to enjoy the ice time. The only exception is goalies for emergency fill-in purposes.

 

27. If an illegal player is used in a game, that game is declared a 1-0 forfeit loss and the illegal player is expelled from the league for the balance of the season, including playoffs. No player is allowed to play while under suspension (see Suspensions). The only exception is goalies.

 

28.  Each team can dress a MAXIMUM of 16 players each night.  Their will be room for 20 players on every team waiver form which leaves room for up to 4 spares.  Teams may decide to use spares or not, however EVERY player must sign a waiver, or the team is subject to forfeit, and the player is subject to expulsion (see rule # 27).  Each team captain is expected to hand in a roster to the time keeper with player names and numbers before EACH game.  In order for a player to play in the playoffs, they will be required to play a MINIMUM of 5 games.  This is why it is crutial to hand in a roster before each game.

 

29. Non-Players in Player’s Bench or Arena. Non-players or coaches are not allowed on the player’s bench at any time for any reason. The only exception to this rule is for accredited coaches approved by Greater Dufferin Hockey League.. These coaches must register with the league, sign a waiver, and stand safely behind the boards. Coaches will be subject to any penalties or supplementary discipline as would any GDHL players. Non-playing team members can not disrupt the game in any way or behave in an unsportsmanlike manner or they will face supplementary discipline up to and including expulsion if necessary.

  

30. Spectators and Non-Playing Team Members Code of Conduct

- All spectators or Non-playing team members must conduct themselves with courtesy and respect for others participating or observing GDHL games or events.

- All spectators or Non-Playing team members must remain in designated spectator areas or behind the glass areas of the rink at all times.

- All spectators or Non-Playing team members must avoid contact with the player’s bench, time keeper’s box, penalty boxes, arena equipment access areas, equipment rooms or other non-spectator or player areas.

 

31. GDHL First Aid Policy. GDHL, the Arena, the Sponsors, the Directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives and any volunteers in any way associated with the event/program/game have been instructed not to offer any first aid assistance of any kind other than to call 911. All teams are advised to provide their own first aid kits.

 

32. All games will have a minimum of 1 referee. If there are no referees, the game is rescheduled. The teams can use the ice for shinny.

 

33. All games are stop time. In the case of catastrophic injury, travesty of the game or other emergency, the game is shortened in order to accommodate the rest of the teams scheduled to play.

 

34. Each team is allowed one thirty second time out per game (playoffs ONLY).

 

35. Teams are allowed to change lines or players on the fly or, on a whistle during a stop in play. After a stop in play, the referee allows approximately 5 seconds for line changes. When the referee’s hand is up for a face-off, line changes are not allowed.

 

36. Forfeit games. At the start of a game, if a team cannot ice 5 skaters and a goalie or 6 skaters and no goalie, the game will be declared a forfeit loss. During the course of a game a team has a short bench and also incurs penalties, the game will not end in the following situations:

• A team with 5 skaters incurs a coincidental penalty, both players will serve a penalty and the game will continue 4 on 4.

However, the game will end in the following situations:

• A team with 4 skaters incurs any penalty

• A team with 5 skaters or less incurs a misconduct, a game misconduct or a game ejection.

If a game is forfeited the ice will be used by both teams as a scrimmage with the  inclusion of the Referees and game Supervisor unless it is determined by the referee that such a scrimmage might incur the risk of violence or possible misconduct.

 

37. 2-line offside. There is no centre line; therefore there is no 2-line offside.

 

38. No-fault offside. In a delayed offside situation, if the puck inadvertently and unintentionally touches an attacking player without affecting the play and not putting the defending team at a disadvantage, the referee lets the delayed offside continue.

 

39. Icing. When the puck is shot from behind the DEFENDING BLUE-LINE, icing is called the instant the puck crosses the goal line. There is no centre line in GDHL, therefore, the centre line is not used for icing.

 

40. Fair Play Rule. At any time, in any game where a team does not have a goalie, slap shots are not allowed. If a slap shot is taken, by EITHER team, an unsportsmanlike penalty will be assessed.

 

41. Tie games. For the regular season, a tie game shall stand. 

 

Playoffs

 

42. Uniforms. Players not in wearing a consistent team uniform will not be allowed to participate in the Playoffs. The only exception is goalies.

 

43. Overtime. In all overtime games, the teams play 4 on 4 plus goalies for a 5 minute running time “sudden victory” period. During this period, the teams can only change on the fly unless there is a penalty, in which case both teams can change. The teams can also change if a time-out is called.

- If there is more than one penalty, the second and subsequent penalties are delayed and not started until the first penalty expires. If the player strength is 5 on 3 going into overtime, it will be played this way until the first whistle after the player strength goes back to 5 on 4 or even. At this point, the player strength will be changed to 4 on 3 or 4 on 4 (depending on the situation).

- Any players in the penalty box when the 5 minute overtime period ends, are not allowed to participate in the shoot-out.

 

44. Shoot-out. If there is not a winner in the overtime period, a shoot-out will follow. Each team selects 5 shooters. The shooters take a penalty shot on the opposing net at the same time. The team with the most goals after the 5 shooters is the winner. If still tied, each team goes 1 on 1 until a winner is declared. The team with the fewest available shooters must use all their shooters before they can go a second time. When the team with the fewer number of players begins using shooters for a second time, the other team can do the same, even if all their available shooters have not yet gone. The referee will instruct the teams before the shoot-out begins. The shooters must go in the same order each time.

 

Equipment

 

45. All players must wear CSA approved helmets with a proper chin-strap. A chin strap is the strap going between the ear flaps and under the chin. String, hockey laces or tape do not constitute a chin strap. The chin strap is not to be confused with straps holding the face mask on. The player must immediately correct the chin strap to play. There are no warnings.

 

46. Players are not required to wear a visor or mask, but, if they do, it must be either an unaltered CSA approved mask or visor. Cat’s eye masks are allowed as long as the mask is not altered. Any altered masks or visors are not permitted. All players are advised to wear full facial protection, including a chin cup. If the player chooses to play with no facial protection, the player is doing so of their own free will and at their own risk.  Goalies are permitted to wear custom made masks, including Cat’s eye and other style masks.

 

47. Players wearing eyeglasses must wear a full visor, unless the glasses are plastic lens sport safety glasses with plastic frames and a head strap.