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ADULT LEAGUE RULES

2023 Spring/Summer LEAGUE RULES

Rosters

  1. It is a requirement by the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) that all team rosters be sanctioned and filed with them. This will occur through the league office.
  2. A twelve-player minimum, plus one goaltender must be submitted to the league office prior to the first game of the season.
  3. In accordance to AHAI rules a team will be allowed to add players up to a maximum of a combined total of 25 players – skaters and goaltenders. Adding players is allowable through the team’s 7th game of the season. In accordance with the USA Hockey rule book a team may dress a maximum of 18 skaters, plus two goaltenders per game.
  4. Through only the first three games of a season a team can at any time release a player outright once he has played a game for that team. A released player will be allowed to join another team in the league.
  5. Once a player plays a game for that team, he is then the property of that team and is not allowed move to another team in the league unless he is release outright by his original team.
  6. Once a team releases a player that team may not put that player back on their roster for the rest of that season.
  7. After the eight game, rosters are frozen and no additions or deletions can be made.
  8. One captain and two alternate captains per team must be designated on the master roster form.
  9. Each player must sign the Player Sign-In Sheet at their player’s bench before being allowed to participate in the game. Failure to sign in will result in a ten minute misconduct penalty. This penalty will be enforced. Game and playoff eligibility is determined from these sign-in sheets.
  10. Players are required to provide a valid picture ID/Driver’s License at every game, especially playoffs, when requested to do so. No excuses. No ID-No Play.
  11. In order to receive credit for a game, a player must have played at least one shift in the game. If the player is unable to play due to injury, the player must notify the scorekeeper of his presence when requesting to sign the sign-in sheet. A player must sign in before the end of the game.
  12. Players who are unable to attend a game due to injury can still get credit for the game with a doctor’s note.
  13. All players must turn 23 years old during the USA Hockey fiscal season Sept. 1st thru August 31st. (Goalies excluded).
  14. Goaltenders may be added as an “Emergency Goaltender” and presented to the league after the tenth game.

 

Players playing on two teams (Regular Season Games Only)

A player is allowed to play on two teams in our league. That player must declare which team is his “Primary Team” and he must play for that team exclusively for the entire season when his two teams play each other. The only exception to this rule would be to save his “Secondary Team” from a forfeit. There is a limit of five players per team who are playing on other teams in the league. No player may play on more than two teams. Players cannot play on more than one team in the same playoff division.

 

Goalie Roster/Sharing

Goalies may be rostered to multiple teams in the league and will be allowed to be shared by teams throughout the league. A goalie who is being shared, must declare which team in the league is his Primary Team and must only play for that Primary Team when teams that he is rostered on play each other.

 

Game Time

  1. Each game will begin with a five-minute warm-up at the official designated starting time. The game shall begin immediately after the warm-up.
  2. Games will consist of three fifteen minute stop-time periods.
  1. If after the five minute warm-up a team is not ready to start then a two minute delay of game penalty shall be assessed to that team.
  2. If after a ten minute time allotment (five-minute warm-up, plus an extra five minutes) a team is not ready to start the game then a forfeit will be assessed to that team.

 

Overtime

In the regular season and preliminary playoff games if regulation time ends with the score tied then a 5 minute, four on four, plus goalies, sudden-death overtime period shall occur. If still tied then a three-man shootout and overtime shootout, if necessary, shall occur to determine a winner. With the shootout the home team gets to choose whether to shoot first or last.

 

In the championship games of the playoffs if regulation time ends with the score tied then a five on five, plus goalies, full 15 minute sudden-death overtime period shall occur. If still tied then the overtime system from the regular season mentioned above shall apply.

 

Standings

Regulation Time (RT) Win = 3 Points;            Overtime (OT) Win = 2 Points;

Overtime (OT) Loss = 1 Point;                          Regulation Time (RT) Loss = 0 Points

 

If a tie in points occurs at the conclusion of the regular season then the following tie-breaking system shall be used:

  1. More Regulation Time Wins
  2. More Overtime Wins
  3. Fewer Regulation Time Losses
  4. Head-to-Head Competition
  5. Fewer Goals Allowed in All Games
  6. More Goals Scored (max. +5 differential per game)
  7. More periods won between the tied teams

 

In a 3+ -way tie, once one team gets eliminated by a tie-breaker the system starts all over again with the remaining teams.

 

Forfeits, Fees & Fines

                Forfeits shall automatically occur when:

  1. If a team plays a player not on their master roster.
  2. If a team plays a suspended player (League, AHAI or USA Hockey suspension)
  3. If a player’s name appears on the game sheet and the player is not in attendance at the game. If a player leaves early for any reason he must notify the scorekeeper.
  4. A team does not meet their financial obligation to the league per the payment schedule.
  5. A team winning a game by forfeit will be credited with a 5-0 victory.
  6. A $300 forfeit fee will be held by the league $150 per forfeit. If a team does not forfeit any games then that $300 will be refunded to the person whose name is on the fee receipt.
  7. In the regular season only a team who wins a game by forfeit where a game is not started or completed by the actions of their opponent will have $150 credited to their team account with the league.
  8. In the event of a forfeit, the winning team may use the game slot (one hour) for a practice. They have the option of allowing the losing team to share the ice with them. A minimum of six players from the winning team must be willing to use the ice slot for the winning team to get that ice slot.
  9. A team who forfeits more than two games may be expelled from the league.
  10. Suspended players from the losing team of a forfeited game will not get credit for a game served. Suspended players from a winning team of a forfeited game will get credit for a game served.
  11. A fine of $25 can be assessed to any team not represented at the league meetings.
  12. For specific fees and payment schedules refer to the League brochure.

 

USA Hockey Registration

The Skokie Park District registers its Adult Leagues with USA Hockey and AHAI electronically. All players must be registered with USA Hockey. All players are required to register with USA Hockey online through www.usahockey.com (there is a $61 fee involved with the registration process). USA Hockey registration confirmation numbers must be submitted to the league office prior to the player’s first game.

 

Protests

  1. Protests cannot be made against a referee’s judgment of the rules.
  2. All protests must be logged in writing, accompanied with $50 to the league office within 24 hours from the end of that game.
  3. If it is found that the team’s protest is warranted then their $50 will be refunded to them. Otherwise the league keeps the $50.

Uniforms

  1. All players, including goaltenders, must wear matching jerseys.
  2. By the team’s third game a player will not be allowed to play without a matching jersey. (Matching jersey is defined by base color of the jersey).
  3. If pullovers are necessary the visiting team must wear the pullovers provided by the league.
  4. Number must be assigned to each player. (no duplicates)
  5. There is a $10 charge for each pullover vest no returned.
  6. Returning teams shall have first preference of team jersey color.
  7. All players must wear full equipment (USA Hockey Rules).

 

Helmets & Recommended Equipment

  1. Players must wear a helmet with a chin strap fastened. This applies to on the ice and on the player’s bench as well. Failure to comply will result in suspension for the remainder of that game.
  2. Legal facemasks, mouth guards and throat guards are optional, but highly recommended.

 

Playoffs

  1. A player must play at least 3 of his team’s regular season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs. 
  2. A list of players eligible to play in the playoffs will be issued out to each team prior to their first playoff game.
  3. Playoff games may not start with an illegal player.
  4. For medical reasons only, can a player get eligibility for the playoffs without playing the minimum three games. A doctor’s note must be presented to the Director and this will only be accepted before the team’s first playoff game.

 

Penalties & Suspensions

  1. Fighting suspensions will be covered on a one-year basis from the date of the first fighting incident.
  2. Any player who is identified as the “aggressor” to a fight will receive an automatic game misconduct, plus a three game suspension.
  3. Any player who is identified as a “defender” during a fight will receive an automatic game misconduct, plus a one game suspension.
  4. A second occurrence of a player being assessed an “aggressor” fighting penalty will be suspended from any further participation in the league.
  5. Any player who receives a major penalty in the last 10 minutes of the game will receive an automatic game misconduct, plus a one game suspension.
  6. There is no body checking allowed in the league. Minor and major penalties may be assessed for body checking.
  7. Major penalties in spearing, butt-ending, slashing will carry a one game suspension.
  8. Any player who drops his gloves attempting to create an altercation will receive a two minute minor penalty (delay of game).
  1. Any player who receives three ten-minute misconducts over the course of a one-year period shall be suspended for one game.

 

Minor Penalties Involving the Stick

A player who incurs 3 minor penalties in a game involving aggressive maneuvers with the stick (Cross-Checking, High Sticking, Hooking and/or Slashing) will be given a game ejection for the remainder of that game (no suspension). A second occurrence warrants a one game suspension and a third occurrence warrants a three game suspension. A fourth occurrence will warrant expulsion from the league.

 

Major Penalties Involving the Stick

The Skokie Adult Leagues consider any violent maneuver using the stick a serious infraction.

  1. Any player who incurs a “Deliberate” major penalty for high sticking, butt-ending and/or spearing will receive an automatic three-game suspension.
  2. Any player who incurs an “Accidental” major penalty for high sticking will receive an automatic one game suspension.

 

Ice Resurfacing

No player shall enter the ice prior to or after the game until the ice resurface machine leaves the ice and the scorekeeper sounds the horn. A minor penalty may be assessed to any player who is guilty of this infraction.

 

Offsides & Icing

Icing will be called from behind the defending team’s blue line. Icing will be automatic whistle. The league also plays with “tag-up” offsides.

 

Mercy Rule

The mercy rule only applies if the losing team wants it:

The clock shall become running time if the score differential reaches eight or more goals at any time of the game or five or more goals in the third period. If the mercy rule is declined by the losing team, the clock must still go to running time if one of the following occurs:

  1. A fighting major penalty
  2. Combined total of 20 penalties called between the two teams.

 

Timeouts

Each team will be allowed one 30-second timeout per game

 

Goalie Rule

  1. A team must have at least two goalies (three recommended) on their final roster.
  2. If a team does not have a goalie that team’s opponent has the option of playing the game without a goalie or winning the game on a forfeit. If a goalie is in the locker room at game time dressing then a team can begin the game with six skaters.
  3. Once a game without a goalie has an eight goal differential the game ends at that point (no discretion).
  4. Only with the League Director’s approval, and only in a dire emergency need, will a team be allowed to add a goaltender after its roster has become frozen.

 

Locker Room Procedure

  1. Team captain must leave their car keys and sign the locker room sign-out sheet in order to receive a locker room key.
  1. The team captain is responsible for the conduct of his players while in the facility.
  2. The team captain will not get his car keys returned until all players have completely cleared out of the locker room and the Skatium staff has thoroughly checked for the cleanup of the locker room.
  3. Locker room doors must be locked when occupied.
  4. Should a team captain discover that a locker room assigned to his team is not sufficiently clean, or there is damage in the locker room, he should notify the building supervisor immediately.

 

Park Ordinances, Regulations and Requests

  1. A team or individual player may not have the privilege of being invited back for the next playing season due to the following violations of park district ordinances, or any outbursts of unsportsmanlike conduct towards staff or officials.
  2. Alcohol beverages are not permitted on park district property and smoking is not permitted inside the Skatium.
  3. Please help keep the arena and parking lot clean and put trash in the trash cans.
  4. Players participate at their own risk. The Skokie Park District does not provide medical insurance coverage for any item or individual player.
  5. Any player with liquor on his breath, or appears to be under the influence of any substance will not be allowed to play.

 

League Director

In the absence of the League Director the Assistant League Director will have the authority to make all final decisions. Rules may be updated or added at the discretion of the League Director or the Assistant League Director. Teams will be notified of any rule changes or adjustments.