Rules
NRHL League Rules
The Nustadia Recreational Hockey League (NRHL) plays by Hockey Canada Playing Rules. The rule book can be found at www.hockeycanada.ca
The NRHL follows the Hockey Canada Playing Rules with some amendments and modifications
All players in the NRHL must sign a waiver form before playing in the league.
Duration of games will be (2) - 23 minute periods running time, with the final two minutes being stop time if the game is within 2 goals. A game will not commence until both teams have at least six skaters and one goalie.
Teams will get a (3) minute warm up to start the game along with (1) minute break during the intermission
All minor penalties will be (3) minutes in duration, double minors being (6) minutes and majors being (7) minutes.
Any player who receives a major penalty will receive a minimum (1) additional game suspension (with the exception of the bullet below).
High sticking is an automatic double minor (6) minutes; if blood is drawn it is an automatic (7) minute major and a game misconduct. The misconduct will be reviewed for possible suspension.
Fighting is a (7) minute major with a minimum 3 to 5 game suspension; a second offence may lead to league expulsion.
Second and subsequent Fighting Majors will result in the repeat offender(s) being suspended indefinitely.
NRHL Game Forfeiture Policy
We need to ensure we have a policy in line that covers habitual offenders and the opposing team that fields a team.
Game Forfeitures – start playoffs 1 point behind division opponents in the playoffs for every forfeiture.
Game Forfeitures During Playoffs – (-)1 point awarded in the standings for a forfeit loss. Non-forfeiting team will be awarded a 3-0 win (+)2 points in standings.
Multiple Team Forfeitures – suspension of scheduled games for a team
SECTION ONE – LIUNA 4 ICE CENTRE
ARENA PROPERTY
Any damage to the Arena property will be paid for by the individual(s) responsible, prior to participation in any further NRHL games. Noncompliance constitutes automatic indefinite suspension from the NRHL and possible legal action. If the individual(s) responsible for the damage cannot be identified, the Team will be removed from the NRHL until the damages are paid in full.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
The NRHL accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen personal property. We strongly suggest that no valuables be taken into the Arena. It is the team’s responsibility to lock their dressing room before going on the ice.
NRHL NOTICES
All Players should check the NRHL Website for any postings concerning game changes, suspensions, standings and NRHL news. Team Representatives are encouraged to check in with the NRHL Office before scheduled games and communicate all roster changes/additions/number changes/concerns to the NRHL League Manager.
ALCOHOL & SMOKING POLICIES
Alcoholic beverages and / or glass containers are prohibited in unlicensed areas of the Arena. Failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action against the offending individual(s), including possible suspension from the NRHL. This rule applies to the dressing rooms, playing area, parking lot, grounds, and restaurant / bar area (alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought into the restaurant / bar area).
Smoking and vaping is not permitted anywhere on the arena property. Failure to comply with this policy will result in disciplinary action against the offending individual(s), including possible suspension from the NRHL.
SECTION TWO – LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION
ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Only Players registered with the League may participate. ALL PLAYERS MUST REGISTER ON THE NRHL WEBSITE PRIOR TO PARTCIPATING IN LEAGUE PLAY. It is the responsibility of the Team Representative to ensure all Players have registered on the team roster and that all Players are eligible for participation in the game.
Team Reps will need to manage their roster in terms of numbers. A maximum of 20 skaters are allowed on your online roster. If you need to add an additional player, you will need to request the removal of a player from your roster. Players removed from a roster will not be eligible for the playoffs.
After November 1, any individual who plays as a nonregistered participant will be banned from playing both Tuesday and Thursday night winter league. The team rep will also receive a suspension(minimum 2 games).
Players arriving late must check in with the timekeeper.
Players must be dressed and ready to play before the start of the last period of regulation time. Any Player arriving after the beginning of the last period of regulation time can be refused permission to participate. If there is a discrepancy between the number of Games Played listed for a Player on his / her online roster and the number of Official Game Rosters identifying the Player as played, then the Game Roster count will be used to determine eligibility.
The Team Rep (or designated Alternate) is responsible for ensuring their online roster accurately reflects the correct number of games played for all the team’s Players. Please check every game posting.
All players must be 18+ years of age or turning 18 before the end of the winter season. Those players that start the season 17 years of age must complete an underage waiver that must be signed by their parent/guardian. The signing of the underage waiver must be witnessed by the NRHL convenor/league manager.
ROSTER LIMIT
Each Team is permitted to dress/roster a maximum of 21 Players (including Goaltenders) for any game. The number of persons on the bench for any game shall not exceed 21 (no coaches and / or trainers).
Each Team is permitted to register a maximum of 21 Players (including Goaltenders) on their roster.
Online Registration deadline: November 1. After November 1, additional skaters can be added to your roster but will need to register with the convenor. The team or registrant will need to pay $27 to cover the additional insurance being charged for that player. Exception: Spare Goalies. The league will cover the insurance cost of registering a spare goalie after November 1.
ONLY REGISTERED PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED ON THE BENCH. NO COACHES OR SPECTATORS.
SUSPENDED PLAYERS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON / OR BEHIND THE BENCH WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION.
PLAYER REGISTRATION/HELMET STICKERS
All Players in the NRHL are required to register online and complete their registration by agreeing to the NRHL League waiver at the Liuna 4 Ice Centre before they participate. Upon completion of this process, each Player will be issued a seasonal eligibility Helmet Sticker.
CARDED PLAYERS
Carded Players are discouraged from playing in the NRHL due to their commitment to their junior or senior Teams. Enrolment of a carded Player is at the discretion of the NRHL League Manager.
Players who have signed a professional contract or a Hockey Canada player card for a league are not eligible to play in
the same hockey season.
HELMET STICKERS
It is a requirement that each Player affix the sticker to the back of his / her helmet before they participate. The sticker must be applied such that it is in plain view of the on-ice Officials.
Any Team with a (registered) player that does not have the sticker properly placed and visible on his / her helmet may be assessed a 10-minute misconduct penalty by the Referees and the Player will be sent off the ice and not permitted to return until the sticker is properly affixed. The league manager can remove a player from play if the player does not have a current helmet sticker.
Additionally, all Players must carry government-issued photo identification (ID) in the facility on their person and be prepared to produce it for NRHL League staff upon request. Checks for ID may be randomly conducted and failure to produce ID will prevent the Player from being permitted on the ice.
GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO ID’S ARE MANDATORY FOR PARTICIPATION IN ALL PLAYOFF GAMES.
SUBSTITUTE GOALTENDERS – REGULAR SEASON
During the regular season Teams may use any consenting Goaltender registered with the NRHL that is of the appropriate skill level. NRHL League Management reserves the right to approve substitute goalies during the Regular Season.
GOALTENDER INJURY
If a Goaltender goes to the Players’ bench due to an injury, he / she shall retire from the ice and his place shall be taken by an alternate Goaltender and no warm-up will be permitted. This rule will only apply when an alternate Goaltender is dressed. When an alternate Goaltender is not dressed, the injured Goaltender will be allowed ten (10) minutes to recuperate. If a replacement is necessary for the injured Goaltender, an additional five (5) minutes will be allowed, or the Team may continue with six skaters, or default the game. During playoff games, time allotted for Goaltender replacement is at the discretion of League Management.
GOALTENDER EJECTION
If a Goaltender is ejected from a game for incurring a Game Misconduct, Major (except accidental high sticking) or Match penalty, the game will be defaulted if there is no backup Goaltender available or if the Team cannot find a suitable replacement within ten (10) minutes.
TEAM JERSEYS
All Players must wear matching jerseys, which must be uniquely numbered. Jerseys without numbers are not permitted. In the event of a conflict of Team colours (the Home Team Representative and / or Referees will determine if there is a conflict), the VISITING TEAM will wear their alternate jerseys or the NRHL jerseys (coverups). A team wearing NRHL Coverups will need to report their numbers to the timekeeper.
SIGNING OF GAME ROSTERS
Due to insurance and eligibility requirements, official game rosters must be signed by each Player prior to every game. ALL PLAYERS MUST LEGIBLY PRINT AND SIGN THEIR OWN NAMES ON EACH OFFICIAL GAME ROSTER. Any persons behind the bench must also sign the official Game Roster for insurance purposes.
SKILL LEVELS – TEAMS
League Management reserves the right to move a Team (or Player) to a higher or lower division based on:
a) Overall and / or individual Player skill level
b) Win / loss record
c) Age of Players
d) Any other statistical data
TIES IN STANDINGS – 2 OR MORE TEAMS
In the event of a tie in the standings the following steps (a–f) will be used to break the tie:
a) Best record in head-to-head games amongst the tied Teams
b) Most Wins
c) Largest Goal Differential (Goals For minus Goals Against)
d) Least Goals Against
e) Least Penalty Minutes (Average per Game)
f) Coin Toss
Note 1: if there are still Teams tied after a step (no single Team is advanced), only the tied Teams from that step move on to the next step of the procedure.
SUSPENSIONS
All infractions occurring before, during and after any scheduled game are subject to review by NRHL League Management. League Management has the authority to levy suspensions in accordance with the minimum standards and, at their discretion, increase or decrease suspensions due to extenuating circumstances
A player receiving a suspension for any of the below will be suspended from all league teams and nights until their suspension is fully served for that league night:
- Gross Misconduct for verbal or non-verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds.
- Match penalties for physical abuse with intent to injure a player
- Match penalties for verbally or physically threatening/abusing any league official.
- Any other suspension that NRHL League management judges as reviewable.
Otherwise, a player receiving a suspension will be suspended from playing for the team and league night on which the suspension took place. The player may, however, play on the alternate NRHL game night, for a team that they are registered with providing their registration preceded their suspension.
Any Player knowingly participating in a League game while under suspension (e.g. wearing an alternate jersey or signing in under another name) will automatically have their suspension length doubled (at minimum).
If the Team Rep knowingly permits a suspended or ineligible Player to participate in a League game they too will face disciplinary action. There is zero tolerance for Players who participate while under suspension.
SUSPENDED PLAYERS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON / OR BEHIND THE BENCH WHILE UNDER SUSPENSION.
SUSPENSIONS – APPEALS
All suspensions of three or more games are videotaped-reviewed by the league manager and head referee (videotape footage is generally available for most games).
The Team Representative, on behalf of a Player, may appeal a suspension that has a length greater than 3 games. The appeal can be made through email (nrhl@Liuna4icecentre.ca). Note that an appeal will lead to a review of video footage beyond the suspension and may lead to further suspensions for one or both teams involved in the game where the suspension occurred.
NRHL MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
NRHL League Management reserves the right to suspend or remove Players or Teams that are not displaying the appropriate behavior and / or sportsmanship that reflects the image of the NRHL.
The NRHL League Manager or League Official (Convenor or Designate) makes the final decision on whether a game is defaulted due to one of the Teams not having enough Players to play. Referees are to consult with the off-ice League Official for a final ruling.
In extreme circumstances, NRHL League Management has the authority to make decisions if it’s in the best interest of the league, sportsmanship, and safety.
GAME PROTESTS – PLAYOFFS
Protests during the playoffs must be made within 24 hours of the posting of the completed game sheet online. It is the responsibility of the Team Representative to email the league manager (NRHL@liuna4icecentre.ca) to file the protest.
The email must outline the basis for the protest (e.g. ineligible Player, rule interpretation, etc.). Game calls such as a missed penalty, offside, icing or a disallowed goal are not eligible grounds for a protest.
It is a team’s responsibility to use only eligible players during the playoffs. It is a team's responsibility to check online results during the playoffs to ensure that their opponents rostered eligible players only.
NOTE: Game protests are not permitted during the regular season, playoffs only.
SECTION THREE – PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
GOALIE MASKS
Goaltenders must use CSA approved helmets and masks. If a Goaltender chooses to use a non-CSA approved cage (i.e. Cat’s Eye), a waiver will have to be signed by that Player prior to the first scheduled game, absolving the League of any responsibility for any injury incurred.
HELMETS
Helmets are mandatory and must be worn by all Players and Referees. Helmets must be CSA approved (no Gretzky / Jofa shell helmets) with properly fastened chinstraps. A Minor penalty will be assessed to any Player that does not have his / her helmet chin strap fastened properly. This rule will be enforced by the Referees and League Officials for all games.
FACIAL EQUIPMENT and MOUTH GUARDS
Face shields or visors and mouth guards are strongly recommended for all divisions of play. Female Players participating in NRHL are permitted to wear half or three-quarter visors in lieu of face shields.
If a Player has removed the visor from his helmet, the visor hooks on the sides and front of the helmet must also be removed as a safety measure. Offending Players will be ordered off the ice and may not return until the hooks have been removed.
CARHA dental coverage is only in effect if the injured player was participating with at minimum a ½ visor and mouthguard. Players without this minimum protection are not covered under the CARHA dental policy.
NECK GUARDS
Neck guards are recommended for all Players in all divisions. Goaltenders are strongly encouraged to wear a CSA approved neck guard in all League games.
GOALTENDER SKATES
An Official or Player, other than a Goaltender, shall not be permitted to use Goaltender skates.
SECTION FOUR - PLAYING RULES
ICING
Icing the puck is completed the instant the puck crosses the goal line of the non-offending Team. All icing calls will be initiated by any Team, equal or superior in numerical strength, shooting, batting or deflecting the puck into the defending zone from behind the centre red line. If a Goaltender leaves the crease area to play the puck, the icing will be nullified.
OFFSIDE PASSES
The centre red line is not in play for offside passes.
STICK & EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENTS
Stick and equipment measurements will NOT be permitted. However, if in the opinion of an Official, any stick or equipment poses a threat to safety the Player will be required to remove it from the game.
DEFAULTED GAMES
The following situations will result in a defaulted game:
If either Team does not have a minimum of 6 skaters and a Goalie on the ice by the 10-minute mark of the first period.
If a Player who has been ejected from the game for any reason does not leave the ice in a timely manner (discretion of Referee or off-ice Official). It is the Team’s responsibility to ensure an ejected Player leaves the ice surface and returns to their assigned dressing room
If a Goaltender is ejected from the game and is not replaced within the ten (10) minutes allotted
If a Team chooses not to continue the game after an injury to their
Goaltender
If either Team cannot field the minimum number of Players at any point during the game due to penalties or Players being ejected.
If either Team refuses to continue the game for any reason other than safety concerns agreed to by the Referees and League
Official.
If either Team fails to meet the financial payment terms of the League.
In the event that one (or both) team(s) cannot immediately replace players that have been assessed coincidental penalties in the first period, the Referee(s) can allow the game to continue in a 4 on 4 format.
The Team that the default was committed against may use the game ice slot for a scrimmage or practice. Referees and Timekeepers will not stay on the ice once the game has been declared a default. The game result will be listed as a 2-0 win (or higher goal differential) for the non-offending Team. The game will not be rescheduled. Playoff defaults are ruled a 3-0 win/loss.
FORFEITED GAMES WILL NOT BE REPLAYED.
PROCEDURE FOR START OF GAMES
The following procedure will be in place for the start of all games: At the start of the scheduled ice time or once the ice resurfacer doors close (whichever comes last), the warm-up time will start running down. The buzzer will sound (or the Referee will blow their whistle) with one minute remaining to make Players aware that the warm-up session is nearly complete. Teams must then send their starting lineup onto the ice and prepare for the opening face-off.
Note: the clock will stop if there is no Referee present at centre ice to start the game at the advertised first period time.
TIME OUTS - PLAYOFFS
Each Team is permitted one thirty (30) second time out per playoff game. Both Teams are not permitted to take their time out during the same stoppage in play.
GOAL CREASE
Players in the offensive zone are not permitted to enter the crease area under any circumstance before the puck enters the crease area. If a Player’s skate(s) enters the crease voluntarily in any manner, the Referee has the discretion to blow down the play down and the face-off will go to the off-side dot.
OVERTIME
REGULAR SEASON
In the NRHL Regular Season and Round Robin Playoffs, there will be NO overtime. Games will end in a tie.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUD OVERTIME
All championship-round playoff games tied after regulation will be decided by a 3 on 3 sudden victory, four (4)-minute run time period. Undecided games will continue with a shootout to determine a winner
Player changes are not permitted during play stoppages.
SHOOTOUT
Should the game remain tied following the conclusion of the overtime period in a playoff game a shootout will be conducted to determine a winner.
For the shootout the following will occur:
Goalies do not change ends
3 shooters per Team – Players shoot at same time
If the game remains tied following the first three shooters, sudden victory will decide the game winner (i.e. one Team scores, the other does not).
Every eligible Player must shoot once before any Player takes a second shot. The deciding factor will be the smaller bench strength, before a Player takes a second shot.
PLAYER INJURY – BLOOD DRAWN
If a Player is cut during a game and blood is drawn, the Player must leave the ice to clean and bandage the wound prior to being allowed to return.
GOALTENDER SAFETY
In the event that a Goaltender is struck in the head with a shot, the play is automatically blown dead by the official. If the Goaltender is uninjured and able to continue, the face-off will be in the same zone in which the shot was taken. If the shot originated from outside the attacking zone, the resulting face-off will take place at the dot nearest to the shot’s origin.
FIGHTING
If a Player or Players drop their glove(s) and do not continue an altercation, an automatic Game Ejection will be assessed. Dropping the gloves is subject to further review by NRHL League Management and may result in suspension.
Fighting is a (7) minute major with a minimum 3 to 5 game suspension misconduct, second offence league expulsion
Any subsequent Fighting Major will result in the repeat offender(s) being suspended for the balance of the season (regular season plus playoffs)
FIGHTING – OFF THE PLAYING SURFACE
A Major penalty plus Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any Player who is involved in a fight with another Player off the playing surface.
The NRHL will not tolerate this behavior and an indefinite suspension of all Players involved will occur, pending a review by the NRHL League Manager.
Any altercation off of the playing surface will be subject to the City of Hamilton’s Zero Tolerance policy and investigation by the Hamilton Police Service.
GAME EJECTION
A Player incurring a Game Ejection penalty in accordance with the rules shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game.
Any Player receiving three (3) Minor penalties, two (2) double-minor infractions or any combination of three (3) penalties (of any duration)
in one game will receive an automatic Game Ejection penalty.
If a Goaltender receives a Game Ejection for cumulative penalties, the Goaltender will be allowed to remain in the game, and will be suspended for the next scheduled game.
A repetition in Game Ejections for any Player or Team can result in suspension.
MISCONDUCTS
Any Player, except a Goaltender, incurring a Misconduct penalty, shall be ruled off the ice for a period of ten (10) minutes actual playing time. A substitute for the penalized Player shall be permitted immediately.
A Player serving a Misconduct penalty shall remain on the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their penalty.
Any Player who is assessed a second Misconduct penalty in the same game shall automatically be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty. An automatic (minimum) one (1) game suspension will be assessed.
All Misconduct penalties are subject to review by the NRHL League
No Player shall be required to serve a Misconduct penalty for another Player.
GAME MISCONDUCTS
Any Player or Team Official incurring a Game Misconduct penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game and shall be reported to NRHL League Management for further action. If this penalty is assessed in the last ten (10) minutes of regulation time, an automatic (minimum) one (1) game suspension will be assessed.
All Game Misconduct penalties are subject to review (and possibly further suspension) by the NRHL League Manager.
GROSS MISCONDUCTS
Any Player or Team Official incurring a Gross Misconduct penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game and shall be reported to League Management for further action. This penalty will be assessed to any Player, Coach, or Team Official who conducts themselves in such as manner as to make a travesty of the game.
GROSS MISCONDUCTS – TAUNTING
Any Player of Team Official who engages in verbal or non-verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language) shall be assessed a Gross Misconduct and be suspended according to the rules of the NRHL.
There will be no tolerance for this type of behavior and the League will be very harsh with their assessment of suspensions. Should the Player committing the offense not be discovered, the TEAM REPRESENTATIVE will be automatically indefinitely suspended, pending a review by NRHL League Officials and / or Facility Management.
MATCH PENALTIES – INVOLVING A PLAYER
This penalty will be assessed when any Player physically abuses another Player with INTENT TO INJURE (whether or not injury occurs). A Match penalty will result in an automatic indefinite suspension from the League. There is no minimum suspension.
An attempt to injure is an automatic Match penalty, regardless of whether it causes injury or not, and will be reviewed by the NRHL League Manager. The results of the injury will be considered by the NRHL League Manager when determining the length of the suspension and whether additional penalties are to be handed out.
MATCH PENALTIES – INVOLVING A LEAGUE OFFICIAL
This penalty will be assessed when a Player, Coach or Team Official verbally or physically threatens or abuses any League Official (Managers, Referees, Timekeepers, etc). A Match penalty will result in an automatic indefinite suspension from the League. There is no minimum suspension.
Any Player(s) or Team Official(s) that strikes, trips, pushes or bodychecks a Referee, Linesman or off-ice Official before, during or after a game shall be assessed a Match penalty and shall be reported to the NRHL League Manager. A Match penalty will result in an automatic indefinite suspension from the League. Such Player or Team Official may be suspended for one year or more.
DISQUALIFIED / EJECTED PLAYERS
Any Player that receives a Game Ejection, 2nd Misconduct (same game), Game Misconduct, Gross Misconduct or Match penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game.
Teams are responsible for ensuring that Players who are disqualified or ejected from any game, for any reason, immediately leave the playing surface and retire to the Team’s dressing room.
The Team Representative or Captain is additionally responsible for ensuring the ejected Player REMAINS IN THE DRESSING ROOM FOR THE BALANCE OF THE GAME (unless otherwise permitted to watch the remainder of the game by NRHL League Management).
Ejected Players who remain at rink side or who refuse to retire to the dressing room will be subject to further suspension and / or possible expulsion from the League. In this situation, NRHL League Officials can end the game prematurely and charge the offending Team with a default.
Any Player who has been ejected from a game that returns to the ice surface will face an automatic indefinite suspension pending review by NRHL League Management.
FACE-OFF LOCATION – PENALTIES
Any penalty (excluding coincidental) will automatically result in a face-off in the offending team’s zone.
