Tournament Rules & Regulations

MINOR TOURNAMENT RULES

A. GAMES

1. All games played in the Tournament MUST be scheduled by the Tournament Committee. All games in all categories play 15 minute stop time periods with a flood after either the first or second period. 
2. Home Team wears white or light colored jerseys.
3. If, at any time in any game a team is behind by ten or more goals, the remaining time of the game will be RUNNING TIME, REGARDLESS OF FURTHER SCORING BY EITHER TEAM. The Coach of the losing team may request termination of the game under SEDMHA Tournament Rules(Formerly HNSMC Regulation 810.14). Should the 10 goal rule come in to play and a scrape is scheduled between the 2nd and 3rd periods the scrape will NOT occur. Once the 3rd period commences the time will be running. 
   • If at the beginning of the third period OR at any point in the third period of any game, a team is behind by six goals or more, the remaining time of the game will be RUNNING TIME, REGARDLESS OF FURTHER SCORING BY EITHER TEAM. The Coach of the losing team may request termination of the game under SEDMHA Tournament Rules (Formerly HNSMC Regulation 810.14). In the case of a 6 goal or more spread after the second period and there is a planned scrape the scrape will not occur and the clock will run regardless of scoring by either team.
4. Players and coaches are required to be in the rink and ready to start play at least twenty(20) minutes before the scheduled game time. Players and coaches are expected to co-operate in keeping the arena’s and dressing rooms clean and tidy and are liable for any vandalism or damage.
5. Teams MUST ice nine players and a goaltender at the start of any game. No special consideration will be given to teams who come to the tournament with only nine skaters or only one goaltender and for reason of injury, suspension, or other, cannot ice the proper number of skaters plus a goaltender and have to forfeit a game or play without a goaltender ….as sad as this situation would be, the responsibility lies with the coach and team, not the tournament.
6. If a team has no back up goaltender and the goaltender has to leave the game as a result of injury, the game WILL NOT BE HELD UP HC rule 2.6(B).
   • A player may be substituted under HC rule 2.2(D)(E) – Players in Uniform – who does not have the privileges of a goaltender – i.e.: during delayed penalty call.
   • A Player may be substituted under HC rule 2.6(C) – Injured Players – who does have the privileges. If a substitute is made under HC rule 2.6(C), that substitute can no longer participate as a player.
   • Subsequently, the original goaltender may return to the game.
7. A team may play until the end of the first period without a goaltender provided that there are ten players available to start play at the beginning of the game and that the goaltender has been delayed for legitimate reasons as determined by the tournament committee. (i.e.: lost, late, plane didn’t arrive etc.)
8. NO GAME WILL BE PLAYED IF A TEAM FORFEITS. All awarded games will be with a score of 1 – 0 in favour of the non-offending team.
9. Championship games will have an ice flood (1st game will be between the 2nd and 3rd periods and the next game between the 1st and 2nd periods and so on).In a condition of time restraints the ice flood will only occur at the beginning and the end of the game.
10. Time-outs are not permitted.
11. SNOW RULE: Participation in any game is at the team’s discretion. If a team determines that they cannot play in a game due to weather, lack of players or any other circumstance the game will be awarded to the opposing team with a score of 1 to 0. If both teams are not in attendance then a coin flip will determine the winning team. Teams will proceed to their next game based on the results of the forfeit or coin flip.
12. “Should a game for any reason beyond the Tournaments control not be able to be played (ie: Power outage, rink closer, etc.) the winner will be decided by a coin toss. The Tournament Committee will review all options and timelines before this decision is made. This is a last resort but a winner needs to be determined.”
     If two periods have been completed then the leading team would win. Any game where 2 periods is not complete and a team is leading by 5 or more goals that team would win, no coin toss. 

B. PLAYERS

1. Players can play on one team only and cannot be drafted up, down, or across to play for another team from the same or any other association.
2. The maximum number of players which a team may register is nineteen. Seventeen skaters plus two goaltenders – HC rule 2.2(A). The minimum number of players which can be registered is ten …nine skaters plus one goaltender. Tournament Special Notices – Registered Players & Coaches.  U18 AA may register and dress 20 players, 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders (if only 1 goaltender is brought, the maximum number is skaters is still 18).
3. Only players registered on the official tournament registration form may participate in the tournament. Teams may bring affiliated players to the Tournament only if a registered player is not attending the tournament. and provided that such players belong to the team provincially designated as the teams affiliate and such players are clearly identified on the tournament registration form and complete documentation is provided to the Tournament on or before March 19th of current tournament year.
4. Coaches or players who are suspended from play under the HNSMC Rules, or any other Provincial, State, League, or Tournament Rules are not allowed to participate in the Tournament unless their official suspension is completed prior to any tournament games in which they participate. It is the responsibility of the team officials to ensure that such suspended persons DO NOT PARTICIPATE (HC rule 2.2(h)).
5. Requests for player changes complete with full documentation (see B(3) above) must be submitted in writing or by e-mail to the Tournament Registrar on or before March 19th of the current tournament year.
6. Violation of Tournament Rules B. PLAYERS, sections 4. – playing while suspended, sections 1. and 5. – illegal players, will result in immediate TOURNAMENT suspension for Team Official(s), Player(s) OR the Whole Team under HNSMC Code of Discipline, Regulation 25.20 – ANY INCIDENT OR BEHAVIOR DETRIMENTAL TO MINOR HOCKEY. In such cases, all games involving suspended/illegal persons will be awarded to non-offending team per Tournament Rules A(6).

C. TIES

1. All games MUST have a designated winner. If at the end of regulation play two teams are tied and if time permits the Tournament Committee has the right to call for overtime periods as described below. Should a SHOOT OUT be required immediately due to time constraints, the teams WILL be informed at the start of their game by the Tournament Committee that if tied there will be no overtime only a Shoot Out.
   • One FIVE MINUTE, RUNNING TIME, SUDDEN VICTORY overtime period. *Championship Games will have One TEN MINUTE, RUNNING TIME, SUDDEN VICTORY overtime period. This would include Odysey and Accord, Civic Division is a Consolation Division.
     • During this period, each team will ice three skaters and a goaltender.
     • If a penalty occurs, the penalized player will take his place on the penalty bench and be immediately replaced on the ice. The non offending team will add another skater for the duration of the penalty. i.e. 4 skaters on 3 skaters for non offending team.
     • The penalized player can rejoin the play upon the expiration of his penalty, at which time the teams will have four skaters each. i.e. 4 skaters on 4 skaters.
     • At the next stoppage of play, each team will revert to three skaters each. 3 skaters on 3 skaters.
   • If a tie still exists, there will be a SHOOT OUT as per SHOOT OUT Format OR
   • A coin toss as time permits.

D. SHOOT OUT

The shoot out is intended to be a last resort method of breaking ties between teams. A shoot out will be considered as a separate game. If a shoot out occurs at the end of a game in progress, all minor penalties are terminated. This DOES NOT include penalties which incurred game suspensions. 

Format

1. Each team will designate THREE shooters (per round).
2. Determination of the team to shoot first will be by the flip of a coin. The winner of the toss has the option to shoot first, or second. The toss of the coin will be called by the team captain of the Home team.
3. The first player from each team will alternately take their shot with the second, third shooters following. When all of the players have taken their shot, the results will be tallied. The team with the most goals will be declared the winner.
4. IF NO WINNER IS DECLARED after 3, the teams will continue with a second group* of three players, a third group* etc., in a SUDDEN VICTORY shoot out. The first team to be ahead after one player from each team has had a shot will be declared the winner.

*No player may shoot a second time until at least 9 different players on the team have shot once.  

E. SUSPENSIONS

1. Team officials know when they or their players receive Game Misconduct TYPE penalties and must ensure that they or their players sit out the required number of additional games.
2. It is the sole responsibility of the team officials to ensure that they get their copy of the game sheet immediately after each game and check each penalty listed in order to verify any suspensions.
3. If in doubt, contact the Rules Committee to verify the number of games for which a Team Official or Player(s) is suspended. If necessary, wait, but make sure you get your copy of the game sheet. Refer to Tournament Rules B(4) and B(6).

F. CONDUCT

1. Any coach, player or manager who in the opinion of the TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE, as represented by the Suspension Coordinator, displays poor sportsmanship or sets a bad example shall be subject to tournament suspension under HNSMC Code of Discipline, Regulation 25.20 – ANY INCIDENT OR BEHAVIOR DETRIMENTAL TO MINOR HOCKEY.

F. NO PROTESTS or APPEALS ARE ALLOWED

U9 Jamboree Rules

A. GAMES

1. All games played in the Jamboree MUST be scheduled by the Jamboree Committee. All games shall consist of two (2) 20-minute stop-time periods, with a two-minute warm-up and a one-minute break between periods. When the buzzer sounds to end a period, teams will switch ends in standard full-ice format.
2. U9 Jamboree games shall not have posted scores, keep statistics, select All-Stars or MVPs, or present awards pertaining to any of these or other individual skill assessments that indicate preference of one child over another.
3. If a team is assessed a penalty, the offending player will be removed to the player bench, but the team shall not play a player short. There shall be no power plays and no team shall play shorthanded during any games.
4. In all U9 Jamboree games, all players are to be treated fairly with respect to ice time distribution and situational opportunities.
5. Players and coaches are required to be in the rink and ready to start play at least fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled game time. Players and coaches are expected to co-operate in keeping the arenas and dressing rooms clean and tidy and are liable for any vandalism or damage.
6. No game will be played if a team forfeits. Please reach out to Jamboree organizers if you know in advance that you plan to forfeit so alternate arrangements can be made. The forfeiting team’s game will not be made up.

B. PLAYERS

1. Players can play on one team only and cannot be drafted up, down, or across to play for another team from the same or any other association.
2. The maximum number of players a team may register is 20 (18 skaters plus 2 goaltenders – HC Rule 2.2(A)). The minimum is 10 (8 skaters plus 2 goaltenders). Please contact the organizing committee if you have more than 20 or fewer than 10 players; larger teams may be accepted with committee approval.
3. Only players registered on the official Jamboree registration form may participate.
4. Coaches or players suspended under HNSMC Rules or other governing bodies are not allowed to participate until their official suspension is completed prior to any Jamboree games. Team officials are responsible for ensuring suspended persons do not participate (HC Rule 2.2(h)).
5. Requests for player changes, with documentation, must be submitted in writing or by email to the Jamboree Registrar on or before February 27th of the current Jamboree year.

C. PLAYING RULES

1. 6-on-6 full-ice format (five players plus a goaltender).
2. Two (2) 20-minute stop-time periods.
3. There will be no buzzer to notify shift changes. Teams are expected to manage line changes responsibly during stoppages or transitions in play.
4. Face-offs will occur at the start of each period and after goals, in accordance with full-ice rules.
5. Players must ensure safe and timely line changes to maintain continuous play. Improper or unsafe changes may result in a penalty.
6. Goaltender freezes the puck: play is stopped with a whistle, and a face-off will occur at the nearest dot in the defending zone.
7. Puck out of play: a face-off will occur at the nearest appropriate location.
8. Penalties: Penalties will be called and explained to the offending player and coach. Teams do not play shorthanded. The player sits out the next shift, and another player takes their place so play remains even strength. For game misconducts or major penalties, the player will be removed for the remainder of the game, but the team will continue to play at full strength.
9. Offside and icing rules apply as per standard full-ice play.
10. Body-checking is not permitted.

D. CONDUCT

1. Any coach, player, or manager who, in the opinion of the Tournament Committee (as represented by the Suspension Coordinator), displays poor sportsmanship or sets a bad example shall be subject to tournament suspension under HNSMC Code of Discipline, Regulation 25.20 – Any incident or behavior detrimental to minor hockey.

FEMALE TOURNAMENT RULES

A. GAMES

1. All games played in the Tournament MUST be scheduled by the Tournament Committee. All games in all categories play 15 minute stop time periods with a flood after either the first or second period. 
2. If, at any time in any game a team is behind by ten or more goals, the remaining time of the game will be RUNNING TIME, REGARDLESS OF FURTHER SCORING BY EITHER TEAM. The Coach of the losing team may request termination of the game under SEDMHA Tournament Rules(Formerly HNSMC Regulation 810.14). Once the 3rd period commences the time will be running. 
3. If at the beginning of the third period OR at any point in the third period of any game, a team is behind by six goals or more, the remaining time of the game will be RUNNING TIME, REGARDLESS OF FURTHER SCORING BY EITHER TEAM. The Coach of the losing team may request termination of the game under SEDMHA Tournament Rules (Formerly HNSMC Regulation 810.14). 
4. Players and coaches are required to be in the rink and ready to start play at least twenty(20) minutes before the scheduled game time. Players and coaches are expected to co-operate in keeping the arena’s and dressing rooms clean and tidy and are liable for any vandalism or damage. Home team wears white jerseys and visitors will wear dark.
5. Teams MUST ice nine players and a goaltender at the start of any game. No special consideration will be given to teams who come to the tournament with only nine skaters or only one goaltender and for reason of injury, suspension, or other, cannot ice the proper number of skaters plus a goaltender and have to forfeit a game or play without a goaltender ….as sad as this situation would be, the responsibility lies with the coach and team, not the tournament.
6. If a team has no back up goaltender and the goaltender has to leave the game as a result of injury, the game WILL NOT BE HELD UP HC rule 2.6(B).
   • A player may be substituted under HC rule 2.2(D)(E) – Players in Uniform – who does not have the privileges of a goaltender – i.e.: during delayed penalty call.
   • Subsequently, the original goaltender may return to the game.
7. A team may play until the end of the first period without a goaltender provided that there are ten players available to start play at the beginning of the game and that the goaltender has been delayed for legitimate reasons as determined by the tournament committee. (i.e.: lost, late, plane didn’t arrive etc.)
8. NO GAME WILL BE PLAYED IF A TEAM FORFEITS. All awarded games will be with a score of 1 – 0 in favour of the non offending team.
9. Championship games will have an ice flood (Prior to the start of the game and between 2nd and 3rd Period).
10. Time-outs ARE NOT PERMITTED.
11. SNOW RULE: Participation in any game is at the team’s discretion. If a team determines that they cannot play in a game due to weather, lack of players or any other circumstance the game will be awarded to the opposing team with a score of 1 to 0. If both teams are not in attendance then a coin flip will determine the winning team. Teams will proceed to their next game based on the results of the forfeit or coin flip.
12. “Should a game for any reason beyond the Tournaments control not be able to be played (ie Power outage, rink closure, etc) the winner will be decided by a coin toss.  The Tournament Committee will review all options and timelines before this decision is made.  This is a last resort but a winner needs to be determined.”  If two periods have been completed then the leading team would win.  Any game where two periods are not completed and a team is leading by 5 or more goals, that team would win, no coin toss.

B. PLAYERS

1. Players can play on one team only and cannot be drafted up, down, or across to play for another team from the same or any other association.*
2. The maximum number of players which a team may register is nineteen. Seventeen skaters plus two goaltenders – HC rule 2.2(A). The minimum number of players which can be registered is ten …nine skaters plus one goaltender. Tournament Special Notices – Registered Players & Coaches.  
3. Only players registered on the official tournament registration form may participate in the tournament. Teams may bring affiliated players to the Tournament only if a registered player is not attending the tournament and provided that such players belong to the team provincially designated as the teams affiliate and such players are clearly identified on the tournament registration form and complete documentation is provided to the Tournament on or before November 20th of current tournament year.
4. Coaches or players who are suspended from play under the HNSMC Rules, or any other Provincial, State, League, or Tournament Rules are not allowed to participate in the Tournament unless their official suspension is completed prior to any tournament games in which they participate. It is the responsibility of the team officials to ensure that such suspended persons DO NOT PARTICIPATE (HC rule 2.2(h)).
5. Requests for player changes complete with full documentation (see B(3) above) must be submitted in writing or by e-mail to the Tournament Registrar on or before November 20th of the current tournament year.
6. Violation of Tournament Rules B. PLAYERS, sections 4. – playing while suspended, sections 1. and 5. – illegal players, will result in immediate TOURNAMENT suspension for Team Official(s), Player(s) OR the Whole Team under HNSMC Code of Discipline, Regulation 25.29 – ANY INCIDENT OR BEHAVIOR DETRIMENTAL TO MINOR HOCKEY. In such cases, all games involving suspended/illegal persons will be awarded to non offending team per Tournament Rules A(6).

C. TIES

1. All games MUST have a designated winner. If at the end of regulation play two teams are tied and if time permits the Tournament Committee has the right to call for overtime periods as described below. Should a SHOOT OUT be required immediately due to time constraints, the teams WILL be informed at the start of their game by the Tournament Committee that if tied there will be no overtime only a Shoot Out.
   1. One FIVE MINUTE, RUNNING TIME, SUDDEN VICTORY overtime period.
      1. During this period, each team will ice three skaters and a goaltender.
      2. If a penalty occurs, the penalized player will take his place on the penalty bench and be immediately replaced on the ice. The non offending team will add another skater for the duration of the penalty. i.e. 4 skaters on 3 skaters for non offending team.
      3. The penalized player can rejoin the play upon the expiration of his penalty, at which time the teams will have four skaters each. i.e. 4 skaters on 4 skaters.
      4. At the next stoppage of play, each team will revert to three skaters each. 3 skaters on 3 skaters.
   2. If a tie still exists, there will be a SHOOT OUT as per SHOOT OUT Format OR
   3. A coin toss as time permits.

D. SHOOT OUT

The shoot out is intended to be a last resort method of breaking ties between teams. A shoot out will be considered as a separate game. If a shoot out occurs at the end of a game in progress, all minor penalties are terminated. This DOES NOT include penalties which incurred game suspensions. 

Format

1. Each team will designate THREE shooters (per round).
2. The home team has the option to shoot first, or second.
3. The first player from each team will alternately take their shot with the second, third shooters following. When all of the players have taken their shot, the results will be tallied. The team with the most goals will be declared the winner.
4. IF NO WINNER IS DECLARED after 3, the teams will continue with a second group* of three players, a third group* etc., in a SUDDEN VICTORY shoot out. The first team to be ahead after one player from each team has had a shot will be declared the winner.
5. No player may shoot a second time until at least 9 different players on the team have shot once.

E. SUSPENSIONS

1. Team officials know when they or their players receive Game Misconduct TYPE penalties and must ensure that they or their players sit out the required number of additional games.
2. It is the sole responsibility of the team officials to ensure that they get their copy of the game sheet immediately after each game and check each penalty listed in order to verify any suspensions.
3. If in doubt, contact the Rules Committee to verify the number of games for which a Team Official or Player(s) is suspended. If necessary, wait, but make sure you get your copy of the game sheet. Refer to Tournament Rules B(4) and B(6).

F. NO PROTESTS or APPEALS ARE ALLOWED