2009 - 2010 League Rules

1. Required Forms

~ Team Roster will be submitted 1 week prior to the season starting

~ USA Hockey registration is mandatory. You must turn in your proof of registration prior to playing.

~ After proof of registration, each player will be issued a sticker to be placed on the helmet by the league.

2. The MHL (Men's Hockey League), is a non-checking league

3. All rules are in addition to those enforced by USA Hockey.

4. This is a 'no slapshot' league. The definition of a slap shot is that the blade of the stick will not come off from the ice.

5. USA Hockey's zero tolerance policy is in effect for all players, officials, fans etc for all PIA leagues

6. Feedback is appreciated. However, no protests will be accepted. Any feedback regarding rules, players or officials, should be submitted in writing from the team captain to the league coordinator.

7. Alchohol/Tobacco/Drugs

~ Tobacco products are not permitted in any area of the arena, on or off the ice

~ Players under obvious influence of alchohol will not be permitted to play

~ Players or fans under the influence of alchohol or drugs will be asked to leave the arena

8. Spectators, coaches etc are ot allowed in the bench area at any time.

9. Equipment and jerseys

~ All teams must wear jerseys of the exact same style and color. Players without a matching jersey will be asked to leave the ice.

~ All jerseys will have permanent numbers

~ If two teams have like or similar colors, the 'visiting' team will wear pullovers - provided by the PIA staff

~ Goalies are exempt from this rule. However they are not permitted to wear the same color as the opposing team. Goalies are encouraged to wear team-issued jerseys whenever possible.

~ Players are required to wear a minimum of elbow pads, shin pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants/breezers, mouth gaurd and regulation HECC approved hockey helmet with a minimum of a half-shield and permanent chin strap. Tape or lace chin straps are not acceptable.

~ Full facial protection and shoulder pads are highly recommended.

10. Clock/Game Protocol

~ Three 18-minute, running time periods will be played with a one minute brak between periods.

~ A five-minute warm up clock will be used

~ Players and official may not go on to the ice until the Zamboni doors have been closed

~ Stop time will be used in the last two minutes of any game in which the score is within two goals, ties included. If the score differential becomes greater than two, running time is resumed.

~ Teams must have a minimum of five skaters and a goal tender to start any game. If the required number of skaters for either team is not on the ice when the warm-up clock expires, the game is a forfeit, but can still be played. Referees are not obligated to officiate forfeited games.

~ No time-outs are allowed during game play

~ Running time will be halted if a player injury occurs.

11. Offsides/Icing

~ Icing is called from the defensive blue line

~ Two-line passes are legal

~ Offsides will be tag-up

12. Rosters

~ Rosters are limited to 20 players and must be submitted prior the start of each new season. Rosters may be amended during the season until the predetermined cutt-off date for each given season.

* To add a new playerto the official roster, the team captain must first add the name and resubmit the team roster to PIA. Once the player has been added and the roster has been submitted, that player must provide a USA hockey registration confirmation.

~ Every team must have a valid and current roster on file at all times. Team Captains are responsible for making sure an updated roster is submitted before the first league game of each season.

~ Any player that does not turn in USA paperwork within a reasonable amount of time may be subject to removal from league rosters.

~ Any team caught with an ineligible player (No sticker) on the ice will be subject to a forfeiture.

13. Penalties/Officials

~ Players serving a penalty must sit in the penalty box. No player serving a major or minor penalty may be on the players bench

~ All minor penalties will be two minutes in duration and shall begin when the puck drops to restart play.

~ Any players who receives three penalties in one game will be given a balance of the game penalty and will be asked to leave (No additional suspension will be imposed)

~ Any player who is ejected from a game and refuses to immediately leave the ice surface or players bench area may be given an addition game misconduct penalty. Play will not resume until the offending player has left the ice and all viewing areas. Time clock will continue to run during this time.

~ Any player who receives a major penalty and a game misconduct shall be disqualified for the rest of that game + 1 game.

~ Any player that receives a major penalty for fighting (or equivalent) will be ejected for the duration of that game plus the next league game. Any player who is suspended for a third instance of fighting within one season, will be removed from all team's roster for the remainder of the season.

~ Any player that illegally plays while under suspension will be removed from that team's roster. The offending team team will be assessed a forfeit loss for any game with an illegal or suspended player on the ice.

~ When assessing misconduct penalties, officials may follow USA Hockey Rule 601(a). Any player who challenges or disputes the rulings of an officia, or endevours to encite an opponent (including taunting) or create a disturbance during a game shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsman like conduct. Any further dispute by the same player will result in either a 10-minute misconduct or game misconduct penaly.

~ Any player using racial or ethnic slurs will be expelled for a minimum of three games, or up to the duration of the season in which he is participating.

~ Any player who is given a gross misconduct/match penalty will be suspended for a minimum of one game.

~ League suspensions and/or expulsions will be given to any player who intentionally tries to injure an opponent.

~ Fouls language and profanity

* This is a family facility. Officials may eject any player or spectator for threatening, abusive, or vulgar language at any point during a game.

* Absolutely no use of profanity towards opponents or officials will be tolerated. Officials may give any player an unsportsmanlike coduct penalty for using profanity or obsene language/gesture.

* If any player threatens or verbally abuses an official, the official may immediately assess a game misconduct.

~ Do not confront the officials for any reason

* Any physical abuse of an official will result in permanent expulsion from participating in the MHL.

* Officals may eject any player at any time for using threatening or abusive language.

* Do not ask the official his name if you have an issue regarding the call or a game outcome. Al lgames are tracked and official are assigned. Team captains may report any problems to the MHL commisioner.

* Re-entering the ice after an ejection will result in a suspension

~ All spectators must adhere to good sportsmanship guidelines. Any spectator using foul language towards the opposing team's players, other fans or officials will be asked to leave the arena. Refusal to leave will result in a penalty towards the team with whom they are associated. Game play will not resume until the offending spectator(s) has left the facility.

~ Absolutely no refunds will be given to players who are suspended or expelled from league play.

~ Officials have absolute and final judgement on all penalties and game rules.

14. Postseason Tournament

~ Teams must have a roster and waivers for all players on file to be eligible for playoffs

~ Any team caught with an illegal or non-rostered player skating during playoffs shall forfeit that game and be eliminated from further playoff contention. Any player not listed on the team's master roster, or who does not have complete paperwork on file is considered inelligible/illegal.

~ All post season tournament rounds are single elimination

~ If any playoff game should end in a tie, a sudden-death, five minute, four-on-four overtime period shall be played.If neither team scores in the overtime session, a best of three shoot-out will follow. If still tied, a single player sudden-death shoot-out will be held until a winner is determined.

~ No player may take a second shot in playoff shootout until all players on the bench have had the oppurtunity to shoot.

~ There are no timeouts allowed in overtime

~ Seeding

* Seeds will be posted at least one week prior to scheduled playoff dates. In the event of make-up games etc the seeds may be posted before the final standings are available.

* Point ties between two teams will be broken by most wins, then by most wins head-to-head, then by fewest goals against.

* Point ties between three or more teams will follow the above protocol in order to eliminate the weakest team, and the protocol will start over again with the remaining teams.

15. League Format

~ 20 regular season games

~ Single elimination playoffs

~ Every MHL team will make the playoffs

~ Top four teams earn a first round buy

16. Board

~ Resolves disputes

~ Files grievances

~ Only written grievances will be accepted for consideration

Third Watch Hockey Team

By-Laws and Guidelines

Updated (August 2007)

Team Mission Statement

The Third Watch Hockey Team has been established to raise money for worthwhile charities that involve children. We also play for the enjoyment of the game. We will compete both in the State of Maine as well as traveling to other parts of the US, for benefit games. We will maintain a professional appearance and attitude, because we will be representing ourselves, our sponsors, our jobs, the Greater Bangor area and in some cases the State of Maine. Third Watch Hockey is a non-profit organization.

1. Team membership

The team will give priority to members who work in the following fields; Firefighters, Police Officers, EMS personnel/Paramedics, Hospital personnel (Doctors, Nurses), City services and the military. Members remain on the team as long as they meet the requirements listed below or they are removed by a team vote.

Any new members may only be placed on the team after a team vote. The member may be ‘interviewed’ by the members.

2. Team requirements

1. Players are required to pay team dues on a seasonal basis. These dues are used by the team to pay for the season, referee fees and insurance. The total payment will be separated into payments (Example: $250 season dues may be paid monthly at $100 for the first payment and $50 payments monthly after that until the total is paid). Travel team fees may be assessed by the membership on an as needed basis.

2. Members are to follow the rules and by-laws set by the team. They are also required to follow league and game rules set prior to the season.

3. No player that owes any money to the team is eligible to start a season until the total amount is paid in full. This includes season dues and any other money (clothing etc).

3. Team Divisions

The team shall have 2 divisions.

1. Regular season team - Plays in the weekly league in Brewer.

2. Travel team - Plays in games, tournaments and events to raise money for charities.

4. ‘Chain of Command’

The Team shall elect the following positions on a bi-annual basis.

General Manager - Responsible for maintaining the ‘day-to-day’ operation of the team

Team Captain - Responsible to run the game activities, both on and off the ice.

Assistant Captains (2) - Fill in for the Captain. Does get involved in game decisions.

*All of these positions will help arrange hotels and transportation on an as needed basis*

*All of these members are responsible for planning travel games*

5. Travel Team

The travel team shall consist of members of the regular team, and any members that were past members of the team. (all new members after July 2005 must be voted on to the travel team. This is no longer an automatic position)

Priority for playing in travel games shall be as follows;

1. Regular team members first

2. Members shall be in good standing and their (regular season) account is paid up.

   Any members that are behind on their payments shall not be eligible to play.

3. Other members if there is a shortage of members for a specific event.

4. Members that are under a current suspension from league play (by the league or team) are not eligible for the event.

5. The travel uniform shall consist of home and away jerseys & socks, red/black helmets, red/black gloves and black pants or shells. These shall be the property of the team, unless they are purchased by the member. The uniform is the property of the team, unless the member pays the fee of $170.00, to purchase the package.

All new travel team members (after July 2005) are required to buy their jerseys and socks prior to playing in travel events. The cost is $90.00. This covers both home/away/season uniforms and the third jersey (Mustard - regular season).

6. Travel Events

1. Travel events will be set up by the team and the team ‘management’.

2. Games will be to raise money for charity.

3. Travel costs are the responsibility of the member. This can include transportation, hotel, food and any other costs that may arise.

4.The team will actively pursue team sponsors. This is to help off set costs to our members when doing travel events.

7. Team Schedule

The captains and the general manager will schedule all travel events. Our goal is to play 3 to 7 events per season. We may also play in local tournaments to raise funds. All proposed games will be brought to the team for an overall vote. The vote will be by a majority (>50% of the members in attendance).

8. Traveling to other locations

The team shall discuss travel arrangements. If we are taking a bus then, we ask that it remains an 'adult bus'. This gives the members a chance to relax and enjoy the time away. If we do a 'group travel' (by bus or vans) the cost shall be divided by the number of people traveling.

If air travel is required, then members are responsible for their own arrangements. The team shall look for deals, but the actual reservations will be made by the members.

Members are responsible for their own hotel and food costs.

9. Game rules

Because of our team, and the folks we represent, we should have some game conduct rules. They are as follows:

1. No alcohol should be consumed in the locker room prior to the games (travel events).

2. Good sportsmanship is a must in all games.

3. Absolutely no fighting. Any fighting shall result in a team meeting for the penalty (above the league).

4. Do not argue with the officials, as these guys are probably volunteering their time to help us out.

5. Fighting among team members will not be tolerated.

*The team will deal with all infractions of these guidelines and rules.

        We will hold 'court' and pass sentence on the violator*

10. Home Travel Games

1. Members must be paid up for the season to play the game.

2.  Members must get at least 2 raffle prizes to qualify for the game

3. Members must sell some tickets to the game - the amount is up to the committee for the specific game

4. Players from the regular team will be chosen first. If the regular team has more than needed for the game (3 forward lines & 3 defensive lines) then it will be based on the amount of games played in the regular season. We feel that players should be rewarded for the games that they attend during the season. If you go to the regular games - you have 'earned the right' to play the travel games.

These rules shall be updated yearly, or as voted on by the team or the current Captains on an as needed basis.

League and Teams Rules

Brewer Men's Recreational League

Team Rules & Regulations