Rules & policies

NMHockey League Policies and Procedures
(Revision 2.0 - 12-22-09)

Table of contents:

I. League Mission
II Rules
2009-2011 Official Rules of Ice Hockey (pdf)
a. Zero Tolerance
b. USA Hockey Rule Fortifications
c. USA Hockey Registration
III. Game format
IV. Overtime
a. Regular Season
b. Playoffs, Championship, & Consolation Games
c. Penalties in Overtime
V. Game Stoppages
a. Penalties
b. Injuries
c. 2 minute stop clock rule
d. Timeout/Captain’s Timeout
VI. Standings and Tie Breaker Rule
VII. Playoffs & Championship Details
a. 4-Team Playoffs and Championship
b. 6-Team Playoffs and Championship
c. 8-Team Playoffs and Championship
VIII. League Statistics
IX. Mercy Rule
X. Home Ice
XI. Game Postponements and Schedule changes
XII. Rosters
XIII. Team Captains
XIV. Substitutes
a. Substitute requirements
b. Substitute eligibility
c. Substitutes and game suspensions
XV. Required Equipment
XVI. League Jerseys
XVII. Refunds
XVIII. Discipline Committee
a. Committee Members
b. Discipline Committee Review Initiation
c. Discipline Committee Decision Process
XIX. Protests and Complaints

I. League Mission: Our goal is to promote the game of ice hockey through the introduction and education of new players. The outcome of the games, though important, is not what we are striving for. If, at season's end, a player can reflect on the season and see improvement in his play, we have achieved our goal. Simply put, we want a person to BECOME A BETTER HOCKEY PLAYER.

II. Rules: NMHockey is a USA Hockey Program. All Players in the NMHockey League must be 18 years or older to participate. Non-check hockey with contact and slapshots permitted will be played. All games are played using the current USA Hockey Official Rules of Ice Hockey, except as fortified below in the NMHockey League policies and procedures.

a. Zero Tolerance: The NMHockey League fully supports and enforces the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy.

A penalty (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision.

Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, additional penalties shall be assessed per the penalty progression established under Rule 601.

b. USA Hockey Rule Fortifications

1. Fighting (Rule 613): USA Hockey defines fighting as the actual throwing of a punch (closed fist) by a player that makes contact with an opponent. A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who engages in fisticuffs. Any player receiving a major penalty for fisticuffs shall automatically also be assessed a game misconduct penalty. NMHockey will also levy an additional 1 game suspension for any player receiving this penalty.

2. Abuse of officials (Rule 601): A game misconduct may be given for abuse of officials. NMHockey will also levy an additional 1 game suspension for any player receiving this penalty. Any player not designated as the captain that argues or disputes a call with the referee may be assessed a penalty. However, given that this is a developmental league, players may ask for a brief developmental explanation of a call in order to advance their understanding of the game.

3. Leaving the player’s bench or penalty bench (Rule 625): No player may leave the players’ bench or penalty bench at any time during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation. A major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who leaves the players’ bench or penalty bench during an altercation. An additional game suspension shall be levied by NMHockey for violation of this rule.

4. Game misconducts: All game misconduct penalties will automatically be forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee for further review.

c. USA Hockey Registration: USA Hockey registration/membership is required for all participants. All players on each team’s roster, including substitutes, must be registered with USA Hockey. USA Hockey membership provides player insurance. Everyone participating in a league game or practice must be a USA Hockey member or the coverage for all players is invalidated. All players who participate in the league must REGISTER individually on-line with USA Hockey. Participants must e-mail the confirmation they receive from USA Hockey to the League Commissioner before participating in any league activities - games or practices.

III. Game format: Games will be played in three periods, each with a 20 minute run time clock, plus an additional 5-minute sudden death overtime period if the game is tied after regulation play. During playoffs, championship, and consolation games an additional shootout period will occur if tied after the overtime period. All games include a 5 minute warmup (can vary per conditions) and a 1 ½ minute break between periods. Stoppage of time includes penalties, injuries, 2 minute stop clock, team time out, and captain’s time out.

IV. Overtime

a. Regular Season: Any regular season game that is tied after 60 minutes of regulation play shall proceed to a 5-minute sudden death overtime period, to be played at four-on-four. If the game remains tied after the 5-minute sudden death period, the game will be recorded as a tie and each team will receive 1 point.

b. Playoffs, Championship and Consolation games: Any playoff, championship or consolation game that is tied after 60 minutes of regulation play shall proceed to a 5-minute sudden death overtime period, to be played at four-on-four. If the game remains tied after the 5-minute sudden death period, the teams shall proceed to a shootout.

1. In the first phase of the shootout, each captain shall select 3 players to participate in the shootout.
2. The home team (higher seeded team) shall select which team shoots first in the shootout and that team will go first in all subsequent rounds.
3. No player in the penalty box at the end of the 5-minute sudden death period shall be eligible to participate in the shootout in any round.
4. No substitute player(s) shall be eligible to participate in the shootout in any round.
5. Shooters from each team shall alternate until all 3 shooters selected by their captains have shot, unless the game is decided before all shooters have shot.
6. If the teams remain tied after the 3-player shootout, then the shootout shall proceed to additional rounds of one shooter each until the game is decided.
   • In each additional round, each team will select a shooter.
   • If the first shooter scores, the second shooter is allowed the opportunity to tie.
   • If only one of the two shooters score, the scoring team wins. If both or neither shooter scores, the shootout continues to the next round.
   • When proceeding to additional rounds of the shootout, no player may shoot again until all eligible shooters have shot.
   • Once a team has proceeded through its entire roster of shooters, shooters may be selected in any order by the captain, provided that in the next progression through the roster that no player may shoot until all players have shot in that next progression through the roster.

c. Penalties in Overtime: If in any 4-on-4 5-minute overtime period one or both teams receive stacked penalties, the penalties will be handled in the following manner:

1. Play in overtime will be 4-on-4 for 5 minutes or sudden death, subject to the special situations arising below from penalties that put a team more than one player down.
2. The balance of any unexpired penalty at the end of regulation play will carry over into the 4-on-4 overtime period, in the same manner that penalties carry over from one period to the next during regulation play.
3. Penalties in the 4-on-4 overtime period will be assessed in the same manner as during regulation play, with the exception noted in Number 5 below.
4. As in the case during regulation play, during the 4-on-4 overtime no team shall have less than 3 players on the ice due to penalties.
5. If penalties are assessed such that any team should have fewer than 3 players on the ice, each team shall add one player so that the short-handed team has 3 players on the ice and the team on the power play maintains its manpower advantage with up to 5 players on the ice.
6. If the team on the power play has 5 players on the ice during the 4-on-4 overtime period, this strength will be maintained until the next stoppage of play, when both teams will then remove one player from the ice so that no team has more than 4 players or less than 3.
7. The normal rules that apply to the sequence of penalties assessed, the time that the penalties begin to count down, and their expiration during regulation shall apply to the overtime, subject to the special rules noted on Numbers 5 and 6 above.

Note: All strength situations noted above reference the number of skaters. Strength counts thus exclude goaltenders. Teams have the option of pulling the goaltender to add an extra skater as they do at any other time during the game. For instance, a team that is limited to 3 skaters due to penalties may actually have 4 skaters if the team pulls the goalie.

V. Game Stoppages

a. Penalties: The clock will be stopped when a penalty is whistled. The game clock will resume and the penalty clock will start at the next puck drop.

b. Injuries: A stoppage of play for injuries will occur as stated in Rule 206 (e). When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to his bench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured player’s team has secured possession of the puck; if the player’s team is in possession of the puck at the time of injury, play shall be stopped immediately, unless his team is in a scoring position. (Note) In the case where it is obvious that a player has sustained a serious injury, the Referee and/or Linesman may stop the play immediately.

c. 2 minute stop clock rule: ANY game where the score is tied or within one goal with two minutes or less left in REGULATION, the running clock will go to stop time for the remaining time.

1. This does NOT apply to ANY overtime period.
2. Once the clock goes to stop time it will remain stop time until the end of regulation.

d. Timeout/Captain’s Timeout: Each team is given one regular 60 second timeout to discuss team strategy, as well as a 60 second “captain’s timeout”. The NMHockey League has established the captain’s timeout specifically to allow captains to better control the overall attitude of a game. If, in any game, the players’ behavior on either side is becoming unruly or dangerous, a captain may call a timeout to meet with the opposing captain and/or referees as needed to discuss how to better control the game. It is also a time for the captains to meet with their own players to calm them down. This is not a time to meet with your players to discuss strategy or criticize the referees; however, you may request of the referees that a game be called tighter. Captain’s wishing to exercise the captain’s timeout should call for time and let the referees know that it is a “captain’s timeout” and ask that the referees summon the opposing captain to confer. In the interest of player’s safety please use these timeouts as needed, though rarely are these timeouts necessary, as most players understand this is all just for fun.

VI. Standings and Tie Breaker Rule: In the regular season, 2 points are awarded for each win, 1 point for each tie, and 1 point for each overtime loss. See Section VII for the points awarded during the playoffs. League standing tie breaker will be determined by:

1. Team with most points.
2. In case of tie for points, team with most wins.
3. In case of tie for points and wins, the teams head-to-head record* will be used.
4. In case teams are still tied, team with most Goals For.
5. In case teams are still tied, team with least Goals Against.

* Head-to-head record – The team’s regular season wins when they played each other.

VII. Playoff and Championship Details

a. 4-Team Playoffs and Championship: In a 4-team league, the teams will play a three week round robin to determine who will play for the championship. Teams will begin with bonus points based on regular season finish: 3 points for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd, 1 point for 3rd and 0 points for 4th. Each win in the tournament will earn the team four points. The two teams with the highest points at the end of the playoffs will play for the championship, and the remaining two teams will play in the consolation game. All games in the post-season will be played out to a victor; there will be no ties and no points given for an overtime loss. See Section IV.b for details on overtime in playoffs, championship and consolation games.

b. 6-Team Playoffs and Championship: In a 6-team league, the teams will play a five week round robin to determine who will play for the championship. Teams will begin with bonus points based on regular season finish: 5 points for 1st place, 4 points for 2nd, 3 points for 3rd, 2 points for 4th, 1 point for 5th and 0 points for 6th. Each win in the tournament will earn the team six points. The two teams with the highest points at the end of the playoffs will play for the championship, and the remaining four teams will play in the consolation games in the order of their playoff points; i.e., the team finishing third will play the team finishing fourth, etc. All games in the post-season will be played out to a victor; there will be no ties and no points given for an overtime loss. See Section IV.b for details on overtime in playoffs, championship and consolation games.

c. 8-Team Playoffs and Championship: In an 8-team league, the playoffs shall be conducted over a 3-week period in the following manner: (All seeds are based on regular season results) All games in the post-season will be played out to a victor; there will be no ties and no points given for an overtime loss. See Section IV.b for details on overtime in playoffs, championship and consolation games.

1.Week 1/Round 1:
From the regular season, the highest seed shall play the lowest seed, the next highest seed shall play the next lowest seed, etc. Denoted by "S1" thru "S8"

a. 1st vs. 8th
b. 2nd vs. 7th
c. 3rd vs. 6th
d. 4th vs. 5th

2. Week 2/Round 2:
Winners from Week 1- (each having a record of 1-0) Denoted by “W1”

a. The winners from week 1 shall proceed to play each other in the following format.

i. Highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed.
ii. Next highest remaining seed vs. next lowest remaining seed.

Losers from Week 1 - (each having a record of 0-1) Denoted by “L1”

b. The losers from week 1 shall proceed to play each other in the following format.

i. Highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed.
ii. Next highest remaining seed vs. next lowest remaining seed.

3. Week 3/Championship/Consolation Round: Winners of "W1" games from Week 2 (each having a record of 2-0) shall play for the Championship. Denoted by "Champ"

a. Highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed. Losers of "L1" games from Week 2 will play for 7th place. (each having a record of 0-2) Denoted by "7th"

b. The remaining four teams (each having a record of 1-1) shall play each other in the following manner: Denoted by "3rd" and "5th"

i. The two highest remaining seeds shall play for 3rd place

ii. The two lowest remaining seeds shall play for 5th place

VIII. League Statistics: League standings and statistics are located on the league website and will be updated multiple times during the week. If errors are found in the statistics, players should notify their captain who shall notify the league commissioner for review.

IX. Mercy Rule: The NMHockey League does not exercise a “mercy rule”. We encourage all players, in recognition of good sportsmanship, to maintain a respectful goal differential in all games played.

X. Home Ice: NMHockey plays all of its games at the same rink, so having the home ice does not lend itself to a home crowd advantage. However, there are a few advantages the home team enjoys:

a. (Rule 204) The home team is allowed the last line change at each stoppage of play as long as it does not result in the delay of the game. p>2) The home team is given the choice of which team shoots first in the shootout. Home ice for the playoffs will be given to the team in the match up that had the better regular season. In the event that both teams have the same record, the tiebreaker rules will apply. Home ice for championship and consolation games will be given to the team in the match up that had the better playoff record. In the event that both teams have the same record, the tiebreaker rules will apply.

XI. Game Postponements and Schedule changes: Any games postponed or needing to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, equipment failure or any other unforeseen factor shall be handled in the following manner:

a. All players affected will be contacted in a timely manner.

b. Announcement of postponement will be promptly posted to the league web site.

c. Any postponed or rescheduled games will be rescheduled prior to the start of the playoffs. Schedule changes will be made only to accommodate games that cannot be played due to the aforementioned circumstances and shall not be rescheduled to accommodate individual player scheduling conflicts.

XII. Rosters: NMHockey rosters 10 skaters and one goalie per team to ensure players receive a generous amount of icetime. Players are selected at random (literally out of a hat) by the team captain prior to each season. Players whose skill level is not comparable to that of their peers may be reassigned or removed from the roster with a prorated refund at the commissioner's discretion. Any team losing a player during the season, for any reason, will have a new player rostered to their team, chosen by the league commissioner.

XIII. Team Captains: Each team has a captain whom is selected by the league commissioner based on recommendations from players or previous captains. Captains shall be designated with a "C" on their jersey, alternates with an “A”, even if the letter is temporary and made of tape. If the team captain or alternate is not present, the team will appoint a temporary captain for the game and notify the referees and scorekeepers before the start of the game. Goalies may not serve as captain. Only the team captain may discuss issues or calls with the referee.

XIV. Substitutes: A substitute is any player playing with a team on which they are not officially rostered. Any player that cannot make their game shall notify their team captain no later than NOON the day of the game. Players who miss three games in a season without notifying their captain may be replaced on the team roster without a refund. Player substitutions for individual games will be coordinated through the league commissioner prior to each game. Substitutes are chosen based on matched skill level. However, new players to the league may be brought out to sub where their skill level is unknown. Any team acquiring an unapproved sub risks forfeiture of that game and the player acquiring the unapproved sub is subject to a game suspension. In addition, we ask that players not solicit themselves as a sub without the commissioner’s prior approval. All league policies apply to ANY player subbing.

a. Substitute requirements: All substitute players must wear all the required hockey equipment and provide a current copy of their USA Hockey registration to the league commissioner prior to playing. Substitute players must own a solid black or blue and a solid white jersey to participate. The substitution fee for rostered skaters and goalies is $5; for non-rostered skaters the fee is $10 and for goalies $5. Players must check-in with and pay the scorekeepers prior to warm ups. All league policies apply to ANY player subbing. If you are new to hockey and have not yet purchased equipment, please inquire as we do have gear to loan. Also, USA Hockey registration can be waived the first time you sub.

b. Substitute eligibility: Substitute skaters will be allowed for all regular season, playoff and consolation games. Substitute skaters for Championship games are NOT permitted unless a team is missing 3 or more skaters. Substitute goalies are allowed for ALL games. Substitute skaters are not eligible to participate in shoot-outs.

c. Substitutes and game suspensions: Any player serving a suspension is ineligible to substitute in any game at any level for the duration of their suspension. Teams are not permitted a substitute for any suspended player, with the following two exceptions: (1) when the player is suspended due to his/her actions as a rostered member of another team; and (2) where the suspended player draws his/her suspension while substituting for another team on which he/she is not rostered. The Discipline Committee may render additional decisions based on the reports and game notes.

XV. Required Equipment: (Rule 304a) All players are required to wear full hockey equipment. Players not wearing the required equipment will not be allowed to play until the proper equipment is in place.

Required equipment: (all equipment must be approved for ice hockey use)
• Helmet
• Elbow pads
  
  
Mid-section protection - hockey pants or girdle/shell
• Gloves
• Knee/shin protectors
• Ice Hockey Skates
  

Strongly recommended, but optional equipment:

Mouth guard
Full or partial face protection
Shoulder/chest protection

XVI. League Jerseys: All ROSTERED players are required to purchase a set (one blue and one white) of the official league jerseys. Due to expected delivery times for new jerseys, rostered players may request loaner jerseys until their jerseys arrive. For more information, click here. Substitute players must own a solid black or blue and a solid white jersey to participate.

XVII. Refunds: Players that are forced to withdraw during the season due to injury or other extenuating circumstances may receive a prorated refund. Refunds will be based on the number of remaining games from when a replacement player is assigned to the team roster and a refund check will be issued within 30 days.

XVIII. Discipline Committee: The discipline committee is comprised of players from each of the league divisions as well as an outside representative responsible for arbitrating when egregious on or off ice infractions occur related to the NMHockey League.

a. Committee Members: Keith Bennett, Valerie Danko, Lou Lafrado

b. Discipline Committee Review Initiation: A major infraction on the ice or an egregious action off the ice that may be detrimental to the league will initiate a review by the discipline committee. A game misconduct penalty automatically results in the initiation of a discipline committee review. Notification of an incident can be given to the commissioner by any player, captain, or league official (scorekeepers or referees). The commissioner will make an interim decision on the severity of any issue and whether it merits committee review and action. If the commissioner initiates the review process, the commissioner will provide incident reports including background information to the committee. For particularly egregious infractions the game officials and scorekeepers may be asked to complete written statements reviewing the game and infraction for the committee.

c. Discipline Committee Decision Process: Within 2 days, a preliminary decision and form will be sent to the player(s) and the captain(s) involved in the incident for review and reply. Comments should be returned to the committee by close of business the day after receiving the preliminary decision. A final statement will be sent to the player(s) involved in the incident and the captain(s) of that player(s) within 10 days. The discipline committee and the league commissioner will record the final decision.

XIX. Protests and Complaints: Recognizing that a vital objective of league play is development of play and sportsmanship, protests are not favored and normally denied except in instances of a gross violation of the rules, e.g. the use of an ineligible substitute.

Protests that are submitted shall be handled in the following manner:

1. Winning teams may not file a protest.

2. Protests must be submitted via e-mail by the team captain to the league commissioner within 48 hours on the completion of the game. The appropriate league committee will review the protest. Protests submitted by any other team member will not be considered. The reviewing committee will respond to the protest within 72 hours of receipt (unless more prompt response is needed).

3. ALL referees judgmental decisions are final and are not subject to protest, appeal or review.

4. A situation may occur which is not appropriate for protest, but with respect to which a team wishes to complain. In such a case, the same basic procedures as for a protest shall be followed. The result of a complaint will have no effect on a game's result, but may serve to clarify league, club, team or individual membership actions and policy.