STYHL Governing Rules 2009-10 Season
I. Objectives
- The objective of STYHL is to promote the growth and awareness of hockey by providing a competitive and enjoyable youth hockey league in South Texas, focusing on the development of hockey skills for children of all ages and abilities.
- If any city has more than one team in any age group the teams will be created as equal in ability as possible. There should be no all star team, or “A” and “B” teams. The objective is to have as balanced a league as possible.
II. Managing Board and League Fee
-
- The Managing Board will consist of one representative from each participating city that has at least one team in 3 different age divisions. Board votes are equal to the number of teams each association has in league.
- The Managing Board will have sole decision making authority for all league matters.
- Decisions will be made by a majority vote of the Managing Board, except in specific matters in these Official Rules that require a two-thirds vote or other vote.
- The Managing Board is authorized to appoint committees, sub-committees and officers to assist in managing the league as needed. The STYHL President shall be voted in each year by majority vote of teams.
- Prior to each season the Managing Board will set a League Fee for all teams to cover costs of administration, trophies, website, score sheets, publicity, etc.
- Inclusion in STYHL is by submitted, dated application and review to the STYHL upon which a majority vote will determine participation.
III. League Schedule
-
- The Regular Season will consist of games played in round robin weekends (minimum 3 games per team) for each age group in the months of November– February. Holiday weekends will be avoided – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years etc. There will be no championship game played for these round robins and each game will count in the Regular Season standings. Depending on the number of teams in an age division and other factors, individual games between cities may also be scheduled.
- Each city may host one weekend for each age group. Cities will not charge other teams for ice time. If any city cannot host a weekend then the other cities will be asked to be the host and the cost of the ice will be paid by the city that could not act as host. The cost will be the regular cost of the substitute ice facility.
- The Managing Board will issue the League Schedule by September 30th of each year for the next season. By September 20th each city will submit to the Managing Board the number of teams they believe they will have participating in each age group and the months that they want to host round robin weekends. To minimize travel costs the Managing Board will consider travel distance in determining game times at each round robin weekend and the use of byes for weekends.
- Depending on the number of teams registered the goal is to have between 15 – 20 Regular Season games for each age group with a balanced schedule among all teams.
- Any changes to the League Schedule after it is issued must be approved by the Managing Board.
IV.STYHL Game Rules and Regulations
- 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the following is to ensure all participants within the STYHL have a clear understanding of the rules and guidelines governing the playing of STYHL games.
2. USA HOCKEY RULES
Except as provided herein, the applicable rules of USA Hockey shall apply to all games played by all teams competing in STYHL.
- GAME TIMES, all periods are stop clock:
Division Period Times Recommended Ice Time
Mite 3 x 11 periods 60 minutes of ice (minimum is 50 minutes)
Squirt 3 x 11 periods 60 minutes of ice (minimum is 50 minutes)
PeeWee 3 x 11 periods 60 minutes of ice (minimum is 50 minutes)
Bantam 3 x 11 periods 60 minutes of ice (minimum is 50 minutes)
Midget 3 x 11 periods 60 minutes of ice (minimum is 50 minutes)
All teams must be ready to begin play at the assigned start time of each game. The scorekeeper will begin a 5 minute warm-up period when the Officials are on the ice. If start of game is behind the rink start time the warm-up will be 3 minutes. The game will begin at the conclusion of the warm-up period. If a team is not ready to begin play, they will be given a 1 minute grace period. If not ready at the end of the grace period, the game will be forfeited (1-0).
Rest time between periods shall be one (1) minute
Each team is permitted one (1) one minute time out per game
Penalty time will follow the game clock. (i.e.: stop time if stop time and running time if running time) Penalty shall follow the 2 / 5 / 10 minute format. Under running time, Players must remain in the penalty box until the puck is dropped if the penalty expires during a stoppage of play.
Home Team shall wear LIGHT jerseys and Away Team shall wear DARK jerseys unless prior arrangement is made between teams.
Teams shall participate in a handshake at the conclusion of the game.
If tied after 3 regulation periods there is no overtime. The game ends in a tie. Playoff games are the only games that cannot end in a tie. If they end in a tie then there will be a 1 minute break and then a 5 minute sudden death overtime period played with running clock. Clock will not stop for any reason other than at the direction of the on-ice officials and for the assessment of a penalty. Clock resumes with the face-off. 5 Players and a Goalie will be used in the overtime. Penalties will carry over from regulation into the overtime.
If still tied after the overtime then a 3 player shootout will occur. Team must identify the 3 shooters to the on-ice officials before the shoot-out begins. Team scoring the most goals after each team’s 3 shooters have completed will be the winner. Teams will alternate shooters with the visiting team shooting first.
If still tied then the shootout will continue with a 4th shooter from each team, if still tied then the shootout continues until the tie is broken.
Any player who is still in the penalty box at the end of overtime will not be allowed to participate in the shootout.
All players listed on the score sheet (except those who are in the penalty box at the end of overtime and the backup goalie) must participate in the shootout before repeat players can be used. If a player is listed on the score sheet and is not scratched then the game will be forfeited when that player becomes eligible to shoot during the shootout.
No timeouts during the overtime period or the shootout.
- MERCY RULE:
3rd period Run time for a 6 goal differential will be initiated. If the goal differential gets below 6, the game reverts to a stop clock.
- 5. TEAM ROSTERS
All players and team officials must be USA Hockey registered at the appropriate level.
The final 1-T of each team must be submitted to the STYHL Registrar at the start of the season. If players are added they must be play at least 25 % of the regular season to allow them to play in the playoffs. A player may only be rostered on one (1) STYHL league team at any time for 1 association. See below for goaltender exceptions.
Players may not transfer from one organization to another organization without a written release form from the organization the player is leaving. The STYHL league board must authorize the release before the player may participate with another organization. The STYHL board shall not hold-up any release unless there is just cause.
Teams may submit to the STYHL board a roster exception for goaltenders to be dual rostered when there is a lack of goaltenders at a certain level within the Association. USA Hockey age rules will apply.
No player can play on a STYHL team if he or she is rostered on a travel team. This is a house league only. Players are expected to play on the closest geographical team available to them based on where they live. Players that do not have a “home” team upon which to play will be divided up evenly onto the teams that are closest to them. This will be done at the board’s discretion. Exceptions must be addressed on an individual basis at the board’s discretion.
Foreign born players must complete and get approved a Written Transfer from USA Hockey to play in STYHL.
- 6. REFEREES
Only duly registered officials holding USA Hockey referee cards shall referee STYHL league games. Officials shall be certified at the appropriate level for the age and level of games to be officiated.
Off-ice volunteer officials must remain neutral when working games and will be removed if they are acting in an unprofessional manner.
- 7. COACHES CARD
All coaches must have a valid coaching card or an approved USA Hockey Waiver for the appropriate certification level of the age being coached by December 31st of each calendar year.
All coaches on the bench must be USA Hockey certified to the appropriate certification level for the age group being coached.
All off-ice officials and on-ice coaches and team managers must pass a background check run by their local association. All associations must provide proof of the checks by September 30th of each season.
- 8. GAME SCORES – (STATISTICS)
All STYHL games will use the official USA hockey scoresheets.
The Team Manager must provide a game Line-Up card. The Host/Home Team to provide a hardcopy of game sheet. (No coaches’ signature required). The scoresheet must reflect only those players rostered and playing in the game. This WILL be used by Scorekeeper to keep stats of the game. Recommend that both Team Managers have a hardcopy of the game sheet available for all games. After the game Host/Home Team will collect game sheet and Line-Up cards and deliver to individual responsible for inputting data into website (TBD). This input will occur within 48 hours of the game
Scorekeepers and Officials must sign-off (digital or hardcopy) on the results of the game before it becomes official.
.
The winning team in a shootout will get credited with 1 (one) goal in its total goals scored. No individual (player or goalie) stats will be credited
- 9. SCORESHEET UPDATES
No updates to a score sheet will be allowed except for the following:
(a) Changing of a goal scorer
(b) Changing of an assist (no additional assists will be allowed)
(c) Correction of Goalie minutes played
(d) Correction if a wrong player was assessed a penalty on the score sheet
These corrections must be made prior to the referee signing the score sheet.
10. HOST WEEKENDS
Host cities are required to provide off-ice officials and on-ice officials for their host games. If the host team is hosting in a different city it is their responsibility to set up the ice, on-ice and off-ice officials, and USA Hockey sanctioned score sheets prior to the host weekend.
(a) Team(s) not showing up will forfeit and game WILL NOT be rescheduled.
(b) Ice Costs will be included in ice balancing process for forfeited games.
11. SUSPENSIONS
A Player that receives five (5) penalties in one (1) game results in a game misconduct and an automatic 1 game suspension. Double Jeopardy rule is in effect. A double minor shall be counted as two (2) penalties. Each five (5) minute major or ten (10) minute misconduct shall be counted as one (1) penalty.
If a Team receives fifteen (15) team penalties in one (1) game this results in an automatic 1 game suspension for the Head Coach. Double Jeopardy Rule is in effect.
If a Player receives two (2) Major Penalties in one (1) game results in an automatic 1 game suspension. Double Jeopardy Rule is in effect.
If a Player receives a five (5) Minute Major Checking from Behind results in an automatic one (1) game suspension. Double Jeopardy rule is in effect.
Any player or team official that receives three (3) game misconduct penalties during one season will be subject to a meeting with the STYHL discipline committee.
Match Penalty: A player or team official incurring a Match Penalty shall be suspended from participating in ANY USA Hockey activities until a hearing by either TAHA appointed Local or State Match Penalty Committee(State Match Penalty Committee will hear any that involve threats or assault on officials, including 601.g., 601.g.3, 601.j.1, and 601.j.3). These hearings are typically held on the first Tuesday of each month. (Note) The Referee is required to report all match penalties and the surrounding circumstances to the proper authorities immediately following the game in which they occur.
- ENFORCEMENT OF SUSPENSIONS
The South Texas Youth Hockey League’s enforcement of suspensions to players and coaches who do not serve game misconduct penalties will be severely dealt with. Game Misconduct penalities are served with the team that they received them with. They DO NOT crossover to any other USA Hockey team that they may play for.
USA Hockey rules require that a player, coach or team official incurring a game misconduct penalty must serve the suspension at the team’s next game (a game already appearing on the team’s schedule).
STYHL also imposes a Double Jeopardy rule to ensure that sitting out a scrimmage and tournament game does not eliminate the requirement to serve a league game misconduct. The double jeopardy rule and examples are explained in more detail under Double Jeopardy Rule
Any player or coach must sit out the appropriate game or games as mandated by USA Hockey and League rules. If a team utilizes a coach or player during a game when the coach or player should have been ineligible then the team will forfeit the game and league standings will reflect a 1-0 win for the opponent. The forfeit rule will only impact the game in which the player or coach should have served their penalty. The player or coach must still serve their penalty by sitting out the number of games required by the original penalty. If more than one ineligible player or coach participates in a game then the team will still only forfeit that one game.
Repeated offenses of playing when ineligible may result in a league discipline hearing with additional penalties enforced.
Notes for Prevention:
Coaches and Managers should make sure the score sheets are marked to indicate a Player or Coach is serving a penalty. Failure to correctly note the serving of a penalty will require the coach or player to sit out another game. The Player or Coach does not need to sign the score sheet.
Coaches and Managers should review each game sheet to determine if Players or Coach are ineligible for future games.
Falsifying of score sheets WILL NOT TOLERATED in STYHL. The only time that a Head Coach will not sign the score sheet is if they are physically NOT behind the bench at the game or they are already serving a suspension. In both cases there will be NO coaching from the sidelines (shouting, contact with the bench, phone calls, gestures, etc.) If a coach is NOT behind the bench and found coaching from the sidelines it will be considered a violation of this rule and subject to the 1 game suspension. If any violation of these rules continues the coach will continue to be suspended until they fully meet the rule. We have a list of Head Coaches and expect each Association to monitor closely. STYHL will do a periodic check of score sheets to verify. Remember, Youth Hockey is for the Players. Head Coaches are selected to teach the Players, not only hockey skills, but are also setting examples for these kids. Falsifying score sheets IS NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE.
ANYONE FOUND VIOLATING THIS RULE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A 1 GAME SUSPENSION AND THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE ASKED TO REVIEW THAT COACHES QUALIFICATIONS AND REPORT TO THE STYHL.
Scorekeepers should write each penalty on a single line on the score sheet.
A 4 minute Double Minor is considered two 2-minute penalties and listed on two lines
Check from Behind (2&10) is a 2 minute minor and a 10 minute major. They count as two penalties and listed on two lines.
A player receiving five penalties in a game also receives a Game Misconduct penalty (6th penalty). At the point of the fifth penalty the scorekeeper records the game misconduct as another penalty on the player and notifies the referee of the game misconduct. The player will be removed from the ice under the game misconduct rule and serve an additional 1 game suspension.
13. SEASON ENDING SUSPENSIONS
Any player or team official that is suspended in a season-ending STYHL league game will be required to serve their suspension at the beginning of the next season - regardless of what team this player or team official is with the next year. If the suspended player or team official does not play (aged out player) the following season, the suspension will carry with the team’s head coach for the following season.
Any player or team official that receives a Match Penalty will be required to serve a minimum one (1) game suspension at the beginning of the new season and will be subject to a hearing with the STYHL Board. TAHA will appoint a standing Local Committee that will hear the local penalties, and the existing State Match Penalty Committee will hear any that involve threats or assault on officials, including 601.g., 601.g.3, 601.j.1, and 601.j.3
14. NOTIFICATION OF SUSPENSIONS
All game misconducts and suspensions (other than Match Penalties) less than three (3) games or thirty (30) days are automatic and non-appeal able according to USA Hockey will be posted and tracked on the STYHL website. No written notification other than the score sheet will be issued.
- DOUBLE JEOPARDY RULE
When a player, coach, or team official receives a Game Misconduct penalty then they must sit out the next game of their STYHL team to satisfy the USA Hockey rule (404), plus the next league game to satisfy the STYHL League rule. If the next game is an STYHL game then both are satisfied with that game. If the next game is not a League game (ex. tournament or scrimmage) they must sit out that game to satisfy USA Hockey and the next League game to satisfy STYHL.
Any Game Misconduct penalties earned by a player while playing for another team (ex. High School League) DO NOT carry into STYHL nor do STYHL penalities carryover to other Leagues. In other words, Game Misconduct penalties earned in STYHL League games must be served in STYHL League games.
Match Penalties and other penalties requiring USA Hockey Suspension Hearings are covered under USA Hockey rule (405). The person receiving the Match Penalty is immediately suspended from all USA Hockey activities (all teams, all activities, including practices) until the hearing and then must serve the requirements assigned in the hearing. TAHA will appoint a standing Local Committee that will hear the local penalties, and the existing State Match Penalty Committee will hear any that involve threats or assault on officials, including 601.g., 601.g.3, 601.j.1, and 601.j.3
See EXAMPLES OF DOUBLE JEOPARDY RULE in this document for further explanations
- PROTESTING OF A GAME
If there is reason for anyone to file a protest with the League about any part of an STYHL game the following procedure will be used.
Protest of a game must be made before Referee’s sign the score sheet and both teams must be aware of the protest
Score sheet must indicate that the game was played under protest
Protesting Team’s Association Voting Representative and STYHL Board must be contacted within 48 hours.
Team responsible for reporting score will indicate that the game is under protest.
Attached form must be filled out by Team Manager and emailed to STYHL Board.
Association Voting Representative will work with STYHL Board. Any supporting documentation must be available to all parties. Resources to help with the resolution can be pulled from the STYHL Leadership in the appropriate order. Time for resolution must be within 5 days of the game time.
If resolution is not achievable, then STYHL Executive Board will make final decision.
Decision made will be final and cannot be challenged.
When resolution is finalized, Protesting Team’s Association will notify parties, attach resolution to the scoresheet and send to the STYHL Statistician.
17. STANDINGS – REGULAR SEASON
League Standings shall be determined by awarding
(a) Two (2) points for a win
(b) One (1) point for a tie after regulation
(c) Zero (0) points for a loss
(d) Playoff seeding is determined by points earned in the regular season
All League games and stats will count in the standings. For divisions with exhibition teams (known teams that will not participate in playoffs i.e. Houston team in 2007-08 season) and teams that opt out of the playoffs, these teams will not be included in the final playoff seeding.
18. END OF YEAR TIE BREAKER POLICY
Head to Head record amongst tied teams
Most wins in league play
Fewest goals against in all league games
Goal differential (Goals scored minus goals against) in all games capped at max of 5 goal differential per game
Coin Flip.
If more than 2 (two) teams are tied, same policy will be used until 1 (one) team is eliminated. Policy will begin again with remaining teams until only 1 (one) team remains.
19. LEAGUE PLAYOFF FORMAT
See separate Document.
- EXAMPLES OF DOUBLE JEOPARDY RULE
A Midget-A player is assessed a Match penalty for abuse of an official. The player also participates on a team in his city's high school league. What is the suspension?
The player is suspended from both teams for all games and practices until the player has a hearing with the STYHL Board.
A player earns a game misconduct penalty for checking from behind with intent to injure in an STYHL game. The next scheduled game is an STYHL game. What is the penalty?
The player is suspended for the next USA Hockey and next STYHL game with the team he was playing for when he incurred the penalty. Since the next game is a STYHL game then both the USA Hockey and STYHL penalties are fulfilled in one game.
A player earns a game misconduct penalty for verbal abuse of a referee. The next scheduled game is a tournament or scrimmage game. What is the penalty?
The player is suspended for the next USA Hockey and next STYHL game with the team he was playing for when he incurred the penalty. Since the next game is not an STYHL game then the player must sit out the tournament or scrimmage game to satisfy the USA Hockey requirement. The player must also sit out the first subsequent STYHL game to satisfy the STYHL penalty. In this example, the player will miss two games, example of the double jeopardy rule.
A travel coach is assessed a Game Misconduct for Abuse of an Official in the last game of a STYHL weekend. The next travel game is a tournament game. The coach also coaches a high school team that plays the next night. Is the coach suspended from the high school game?
No. The coach must serve his penalty in the next game involving the team he was coaching when the penalty was assessed. In this case, the Double Jeopardy rule applies and the coach must sit out the travel team's next game (the tournament game) to satisfy the USA Hockey rule AND his next STYHL League game to satisfy the STYHL rule.
21. FROM USA HOCKEY 2005-2007 OFFICIAL RULES OF ICE HOCKEY
Rule 404 (c)
A player or team official incurring a game misconduct Penalty shall be suspended for his team’s next game (the game already appearing on the schedule of that team at the time of the infraction), except that when such penalty is imposed under Rule 403(b) (Second Major in Game) there shall be a minimum two-game suspension.
(Note) In all cases where a game misconduct penalty is assessed, the incident shall be reported to the proper authorities who shall have full power to impose further suspensions.
Rule 403 - Situation 3
A player has been assessed a second major penalty in the same game. The Referee is not aware of the fact that the player had received two major penalties in the same game and thus should have been assessed a game misconduct penalty. What happens if the player later scores a goal while illegally in the game?
In this instance, the goal shall be allowed; however, the player must be assessed the required game misconduct at the time the omission is discovered. Rule References 403(b) and 625(j). The onus of assessing the game misconduct penalty is on the Game Officials. A team cannot be denied any goals scored by a player who should not have been in the game. If the omission is discovered after the game, the Referee shall still assess the game misconduct penalty.
22. GLOSSARY
Game Suspension(s)
When a player, Coach or Manager receives a game suspension(s), they shall not be eligible to participate in the next game(s) that was already on the schedule of their team at the time of the incident.
Misconduct Penalties
(a) A “MISCONDUCT” penalty involves the removal of a player, other than a goalkeeper, from the game for a period of 10 minutes, but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player so removed. A player whose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the penalty bench until the next stoppage of play. Unless immediate substitution is permitted under the coincident penalty rules 402(f) and 403(c), when a player receives a minor or a major penalty plus a misconduct or game misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall immediately place an additional non penalized player other than a goalkeeper on the penalty bench and such player may not be changed. Any violation of this provision shall be treated as illegal substitution under Rule 205 (Change of Players) calling for a bench minor penalty.
(b) A “GAME MISCONDUCT” penalty involves the suspension of a player or Team Official for the balance of the game, but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player removed.
(c) A player or Team Official incurring a game misconduct penalty shall be suspended for his team’s next game (the game already appearing on the schedule of that team at the time of the infraction), except that when such penalty is imposed under Rule 403(b) (Second Major in Game) there shall be a minimum two-game suspension.
(Note) In all cases where a game misconduct penalty is assessed, the incident shall be reported to the proper authorities who shall have full power to impose further suspensions.
(d) Any player (Midget age classification and below, including High School and Senior Women) who incurs five penalties in the same game shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty. Any Adult player who incurs five penalties in the same game shall be immediately ejected from the game with no further suspension. Any Head Coach whose team (Midget age classification and below, including High School and Senior Women) receives 15 or more penalties during one game shall be suspended for the next one game of that team.
(Note) For all game misconduct penalties regardless of when imposed, a total of 10 minutes shall be charged in the records against an offending player.
(e) If any Team Official is assessed a game misconduct penalty, he may not sit near the bench of his team, nor in any way attempt to direct the play of his team
