Hockey League Rules

1.1 The Concordia Intramural Ice Hockey League (CIHL) is open to students, staff, faculty, alumni and the public. Current season varsity hockey players are not permitted to participate in the league.

1.2 The spirit of the league is to provide its participants with a positive recreational experience incorporating a high spirit of sportsmanship, fair play and mutual respect between players.

1.3 The league is co-ed.

1.4 All players must be fully REGISTERED to participate in the league. Once the team captain has registered the team into the league, individual team members must complete their registration before the registration deadline. Team captains agree to have their names and email addresses shared with other team captains for ease of communication.

1.5 All team members are required to wear similar jerseys. Jerseys are the responsibility of the team, and not the Department of Recreation and Athletics.

1.6 Team captains must complete the game sheet prior to the start of the game. Team captains are the only players who can consult with game officials.

1.7 Games are 6v6 (including goalies). Teams rosters must consist of a maximum of 13 players (including goalies) or they will have to pay additional fees for extra players. All players must be officially registered in order to appear on the game sheets.

1.8 Captains/team members are not permitted to write into the League Coordinator with complaints until 24 hours following the game in question. This will be referred to as the ‘cooling off period’.

1.9 The Department of Recreation and Athletics reserves the right to request that a team change their team name if it is deemed inappropriate.

1.10 League management can adjust team divisions up to three weeks prior to the playoffs.

2.1 When a team is aware in advance that they will default/forfeit a game, the captain must inform, in writing, the League Coordinator (camprec@concordia.ca), the Head of Player Safety (neil.cihl@gmail.com) as well as the captain of the opposing team, two business days or more in advance. Teams that forfeit a game will lose that game 3-0.

2.2 To avoid a default, teams must field at least six players on the ice no later than 15 minutes past the scheduled start time.

2.3 Spare players will not be allowed to play once the second period has started.

2.4 A delay-of-game penalty will be assessed to any team that delays the start of a game. This penalty will be given sixty (60) seconds after the warm-up buzzer sounds.

2.5 At any time during the course of play, if a team falls below the required six players for any reason, then an automatic default will be awarded to the guilty team regardless of the score. This also applies to failing to place the required number of players on the ice.

2.6 Any defaulted game or game ended prematurely will not be rescheduled unless authorized by the league.

2.7 Any teams incurring five or more defaults/forfeits without the required notification (see 2.1) will not be eligible for playoffs.

Refunds

Full refunds are granted within seven days of registration and payment. Exception: Captains will not be refunded their registration fee if a team withdraws from a sport league, whether from voluntary withdrawal or through administrative decision(s) involving suspension or expulsion.

3.1 Teams are responsible for their own jerseys. All players on a team are required to wear the same color. Team colors will be determined prior to the start of the season.

3.2 All players including goalies are required to use CSA-approved helmets, full facial cages and ‘BNQ’ neck protectors.

• ALL STRAPS must be present and secured when on the ice surface.
• Goalies are required to wear ‘BNQ’ neck protectors AND throat guards and to ensure that their wire cages conform to CSA-CAHA standards. Players must conform to all these standards before the start of the first regular season game.
• After an initial warning (team warning), any subsequent infraction will result in a penalty awarded to the offending player.

3.3 All butt-ends of aluminum sticks must be taped closed or have a rubber insert.

3.4 Players must wear full equipment. Equipment or spare articles will not be provided by the Department of Recreation & Athletics.

Players are not allowed onto any part of the ice surface until the zamboni has finished resurfacing the ice and the ZAMBONI DOOR IS FULLY CLOSED!

4.1 Captains are to ensure their team rosters are correct prior to the start of the game and can approach score keepers during warm-up if necessary. Following the game, if penalty assessments are unclear, Captains (only) may calmly approach the referee (see 4.6).

4.2 Consumption of alcohol on university grounds, including the arena, is prohibited and any team caught with alcoholic beverages, including beer, will incur a two-game suspension. Subsequent infractions will result in removal from the league. In addition, no player will be allowed to play if that player is considered to have consumed alcohol or any mind-altering substances before a game.

4.3 Smoking is prohibited anywhere in the Sports Complex.

4.4 Teams are responsible for securing their own dressing rooms. As such, the league office does not assume any responsibility for any valuables that are damaged or stolen from anywhere in the complex or in the adjacent parking lot.

4.5 Captains must be identified with a 'C' or an 'A' (maximum two per game). Only such individuals will be allowed to approach the referee during the game. It is understood that all approaches must be conducted in a respectful and calm manner. Moreover, post-game discussions with refs regarding clarification of penalties assessed will be allowed only if conducted in a non-confrontational manner.

4.6 Teams are reminded that they must leave the arena no later than thirty minutes following the last scheduled game of the day.

4.7 To ensure player safety, players must wear their helmets when sitting on the players' bench. In addition, all players are required to continue wearing their helmets until they have left the ice surface. This includes the post-game handshake. A breach of this protocol will result in the assessment of a misconduct penalty to the player. There are no spectators allowed on the benches, therefore, no coach, no assistant coach, no manager, all players on the bench are dressed to play.

Game rules

Hockey Canada's Head Contact Rules Approved at the Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting in Calgary, Alta., in May, Hockey Canada’s new head contact rules are zero tolerance, implemented to cut down on the number of head injuries suffered in the game.

Below is the wording included in the Hockey Canada Rule Book, outlining when the penalty is to be called and what penalty is to be assessed.

Head contact: In junior hockey and senior hockey and CIHL Hockey, a minor and a misconduct penalty, or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee based on the degree of violence of impact, shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent in the head in any manner.

CIHL supplemental rules on head contact

ALL incidents whereby a players directs a punch and makes deliberate contact with a player’s head will be assessed an automatic Major + GMisc for Head Contact.

• Helmet straps – Before a face-off is conducted, all players must have all their helmet straps secured. Violation: return player to bench.

• To ensure player safety, players must wear their helmets when sitting on the players' bench. In addition, all players are required to continue wearing their helmets until they have left the ice surface. This includes the post-game handshake. Violation: A breach of this protocol will result in the assessment of a misconduct penalty to the player.

• Jerseys – All players MUST be wearing similar coloured jerseys. Violation: return player to bench. Officials will notify captains during warm-up of any players observed in violation of this rule so that it may be corrected before the start of the game.

• Neck guards – All players, including goaltenders wear a BNQ neck guard in ORIGINAL condition (no alterations, tape, etc.) Violation: return player to bench and correct problem. If a player is observed playing without a neck guard, play will be stopped and a minor penalty assessed. (Player safety)

• 1) Referees will be assessing Major Penalties (B Codes), Gross Misconducts (D), Game Misconducts (D) & Match Penalties (E) where need-be, which automatically triggers a disciplinary proceeding. 10-Minute Misconducts (C) will trigger a review, but not necessarily further discipline.

• Our Head of Player Safety can issue suspensions between one game and up to a league expulsion, where and when deemed necessary. Players have the right to appeal any suspensions of two+ games. Single game suspensions are final.

• We will continue referring to our Disciplinary Files that span 2015-2023 as an aid in determining suspension lengths. If a player has been suspended in the past, we know about it.

• Racism, Homophobia, Sexism, etc. will be dealt with harshly. Keep this out of the arena. This includes words & gestures.

• Substitute Players: If a sub is issued any of the above-mentioned codes (exception 10- minute misconduct), they will receive an automatic League Expulsion (they cannot play another game this season), with no right to an appeal. Make sure all subs are aware of this. Please indicate all players' jersey numbers clearly on the scoresheet

• Off-ice issues: Any off-ice fights will be handled by security and police if need-be. This includes players and spectators. Our expert security team has and will again create detailed reports of any problems in the hallway or parking lot should the need arise.

• An off-ice official (League Coordinator, Manager, Campus Recreation, or Head of Player Safety, who is present at the game, but not on the ice) can issue any of the above-mentioned penalty codes during / or after the game has ended, if deemed necessary, even if a referee has not indicated any such infraction on the game sheet. This will also trigger a disciplinary proceeding.

5.1 The CAHA 2017-18 rulebook is used with the exception of standing league rules.

5.2 Games are 3 x 15-minutes, stop-time periods. Warm-up time is 2 minutes. If a game inadvertently does extend past its allotted time, the game will be considered valid until it is ended by the scorekeeper’s buzzer or the officials whistle.

5.3 The third period will be set to the amount of real time left divided by two and plus two minutes.

The score clock will revert to stop-time in the last minute of play with a one-goal differential or less. The 1 and 1 rule. * Timeouts are not allowed during this time.

Penalties will be two minutes in duration, stop time.

The CIHL administration has noted that the number of instances of referee harassment has escalated in recent years and has become problematic with a resulting negative effect upon officials and the league itself.

To address this, the CIHL is placing a special emphasis this season to reduce the occurrences of harassment of officials and displays of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Therefore, in all cases, a minor penalty shall be automatically assessed to any player who challenges, disputes, or displays unsportsmanlike conduct regarding a ruling of an official during a game.

Captains may not approach an official to dispute or debate a ruling. They may however ask an official for an interpretation of a ruling, but this should be limited to important game decisions such as disputed goal, major penalty assessment or player ejection, etc. It is not intended for simple minor penalty calls. * Captains are to bear in mind that this is a privilege, not a right accorded to team captains.

5.4 Time-Outs: One 30-second time-out, per team, per game will be allowed at all times, except in the last minute of play and the score differential is not more than one goal (1 and 1 rule). Requests for time-outs must be from a player who is present on the ice.

5.5 The game will be terminated if a difference of ten goals exists at any point in the game.

5.6 No center red line is used.

5.7 The offside clearing rule is used.

5.8 Icing is from behind the centre red line across the opposite goal line. It will be called immediately.

5.9 If a team is shorthanded, and while a delayed penalty is being assessed, a goal is scored by the non-offending team, then the player with the least amount of time in the box will be asked to leave. The player who incurred the delayed penalty must then serve the penalty.

5.10 Opposing players are not allowed to occupy the goal crease area unless the puck is present or interfered by a defending player. Officials may issue a warning to vacate the crease but are not obligated to. An infraction will result in a stoppage of play and the face-off moved to the nearest face-off dot outside the attacking blue line. Any contact with the goaltender that impedes his ability to play the puck will result in a two-minute penalty for interference.

5.11 Strict attention will be given to stick infractions, especially those infractions which impede or obstruct the progress of a player.

6.1 All players must understand that the CIHL is a non-contact league and play accordingly.

6.2 For statistical purposes, and to determine penalty averages, the following penalties will have the following values:

• Minor: 2 minutes
• Major: 5 minutes
• Misconduct: 10 minutes
• Game Misconduct: 10 minutes
• Gross Misconduct: 10 minutes
• Match: 15 minutes

6.3 All major infractions are subject to review by the league with possible supplementary penalties ranging from additional game suspensions to league expulsion. Please see the fact sheet on 'Disciplinary Procedures + Table of Sanctions.

6.4 A game ejection will be assessed to any player receiving three minors or a Major / Match / Game Misconduct / Gross Misconduct penalty during the game.

6.5 A player on the playing surface at the time of the penalty call (referred to in 6.4) will be chosen to replace the ejected player in the penalty box, as per CHA rules.

6.6 Goaltenders who are assessed 4 minor penalties during the game will be allowed to finish the game but will be suspended for the next game. Goalies, assessed any major penalty will be given a game ejection penalty and will have to leave the game immediately.

6.7 Where double-minor penalties are assessed for butt-ending, spearing, head-butting, these will count as one penalty infraction.

6.8 Players ejected from the game must leave the ice surface and proceed immediately to their dressing rooms. Once ejected, they are not allowed to remain at the bench or stepping on the ice at the conclusion of the game. They are permitted to watch the game from the stands if they do not disrupt the game in any manner.

6.9 Any infractions occurring in the stands or in the hallways leading to the dressing rooms before or after the game will be severely dealt with by the league office.

6.10 Suspended players are limited to the spectator seating, and will not be allowed at or behind the bench or on the ice surface under any circumstances, prior to, during, or after the game.

6.11 Any team which displays repeated poor sportsmanship on and off the playing surface will be placed on probation and will face possible expulsion from the league.

6.12 Teams accumulating Majors, Match penalties, Gross Misconduct penalties, Game Misconduct penalties, and 10-minute misconduct penalties directed at officials, will be penalized as noted below.

Cumulative Majors Points Deducted in Standings

• 1-3 1 point for each infraction
• 4-6 2 points for each infraction
• 7 + 3 points for each infraction

6.13 Players who incur suspensions for major infractions will forfeit the right to play in all subsequent league games (all divisions), until their suspension is completely served in the division in which it was assessed. Please refer to the Suspension Table.

6.14 Any suspended or illegal player caught playing in a game will result in the guilty team forfeiting the game and a deduction of two points from the team's point total. Any subsequent infraction will result in additional league discipline.

6.15 Any incidents resulting in the clearing of benches will result in the automatic expulsion of the team(s) involved. ** All incidents taking place before, during, or following a match are reviewed by the league and supplemental actions may be assessed following the conclusion of the review.

Miscellany

Playoff information, including eligibility lists will be posted prior to the playoffs.

Standings and schedules will be posted and updated online.

All posted schedules are final and binding. It is up to the individual captains to affect game changes. Any changes must be approved by the Recreation Office.

To ensure competitiveness, teams may be required to move up or down a division based on their performance (usually after the first month of play). The formula for re-integrating teams that move up or down a division will be to divide the teams’ points by half of their total prior to switching divisions.

Disciplinary procedures / Appeals

Players will be suspended for any infractions appearing in the Table of Sanctions below. Please note this is not meant to be an exhaustive list.

The suspension period is considered to commence immediately following the game in which the infraction occurred and supersedes any notification by the league. The suspension period will be noted on the league's Suspension Listing.

Appeals - Will be accepted for any suspension exceeding two games in duration. All appeals must be submitted via-e-mail within two days of notification by the League Coordinator or Head of Player Safety. This appeal is to be submitted exclusively by the player incurring the suspension. Where possible, an appeal decision will be submitted to the applicant within one week of reception.

All suspensions will be reviewed by Head of Player Safety.

Suspensions will carry over into the playoffs and into the following season if applicable.

The number of games designated for suspensions in the table is for first-time offenders. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but to serve a general guideline. Suspensions will also reflect the player's history of penalty behaviour in the League. Accordingly, disciplinary action(s) will be progressive in nature.

TABLE OF SANCTIONS

* Includes playoffs.

+ range of games for match penalties implies NO DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO INJURE.

* Including playoffs

VERBAL ABUSE OF REFS (GMISC, GROSS MISC)

• FIRST OFFENCE: 3 GAMES
• SECOND OFFENCE: 5 GAMES
• THIRD OFFENCE: SEASON + PLAYOFFS

PLEASE NOTE: Any harassment of a league official whether it is of a physical or verbal nature (threat), as well as all major penalties involving excessive force and/or injury, may be subject to the following conditions:

1. As a minimum, a one-year suspension from the date of the infraction for all Campus Recreation activities, with no refunds issued.
2. The suspended player must then re-apply for re-instatement (in writing) to the Manager, Campus Recreation after the termination of the suspension.
3. The application will be reviewed and a final decision rendered. All decisions will be final and binding. The decision will not be subject to appeal.

Note: Any player who refuses to produce an I.D. card when requested by League officials will automatically be released from the league, with no refunds issued.