Northstar Youth Hockey
League
P.O. Box 856
Northboro, MA 01532
508 366-1562
1. The Organization will be known as the “Northstar Hockey League” and will consist of Bantam, Pee Wee, Squirt, Mite, High School Prep, Old timers, and Seniors.
2.
All
teams must be registered with USA Hockey, Inc.
High School Prep, excluded.
3.
The
current USA Hockey Rule Book and the Massachusetts Hockey Guide Book shall
guide all playing rules and penalty violations. League rules may be adopted by an amendment to the “Current
Rules”. Program requesting a change,
must do so in writing to the commissioner.
A special meeting of the board may be called to vote on the requested
change. Along with the notification of
the meeting, the commissioner shall send a copy of the proposed change. Only those members present at the meeting
shall be able to vote. All rule changes
must be submitted and voted on prior to the annual directors meeting in June.
4A: The league directors will consist of one representative from each program in the league, along with a representative of the Referee Chapter. They will be the governing body for the League and will determine policies, rules, and regulations, of the league. Each program will deliver to the commissioner of the league the name, address and telephone number of its league representative, program treasurer, and all coaches participating in the league. They will ultimately report to the (through the commissioners office) Board of Directors of Northboro Youth Hockey Program, Inc. (N.Y.H.P.). They have sole and final decision making authority in regards to all activities at the Northstar Youth Forum.
4B: The commissioner’s office will handle day to day issues,
schedules, assignments, discipline, etc.
This office has ultimate decision making powers up to but not beyond the
B.O.D. of N.Y.H.P., Inc.
5. The league or management of any facilities the league may use will not be responsible for accidents or injuries to any player participating in any league-sponsored event or to any person attending any such events.
6.
All
teams shall qualify for the playoffs.
Playoff tournament games will be double elimination UNTIL the
Championship Game. The two teams who
enter into the final game will only have that game to be declared Champions.
The winning team of that game will be the Playoff Champion. There will be no if needed game.
6A If teams end up tied for first place they will be declared Co-Champions. To determine first place for seeding purposes only, USA Hockey tiebreaker rule will be used. Any team, who plays an extra game beyond all other teams in the division, their last game will not be counted in their points for final standings. The sole purpose of that game would be to give another team their required games for the season, results will only count for that team.
7.
All
teams are required to make all playoff games they are scheduled for. If a team is going to be away for any
playoff game they must withdraw their team from league playoffs. This must be done by February 1, of that
season. Any team that fails to appear
for a playoff game will be penalized with a monetary fine, a coach suspension
and/or a program suspension that could carry over into the next season.
8.
All
league winners shall be presented individual awards for winning the
league. Individual awards shall be
presented to winners and runner-ups for the playoffs.
9.
A
coach and three assistant coaches are the only persons allowed on the bench in
addition to the fully uniformed players.
Injured players may be allowed on the bench, he or she must wear team
jersey and approved helmet and face mask.
Any team that does not dress a minimum of six (6) players for a game
will forfeit the game. Any player or coach suspended due to a USA Hockey or
League violation is not allowed to be on the bench or in the bench area when
serving their suspension.
10.
In
order to participate as a coach in the Northstar Hockey league, the Head coach
of all the teams registered in the league must attend one of the scheduled
meetings, for the purpose of reviewing the league rules. (we recommend that
assistant coaches should be encouraged to attend these meetings) If a new head coach is appointed after the
season has started, a meeting with the commissioner will be mandatory. This meeting must be held with in 1 week of
the new coach taking over.
11.
Roster Control:
A. A preliminary roster with the players
name and jersey number must be turned into the league office prior to their
first game. Any team not submitting
roster will result in the suspension of the head Coach. Once
a coach has been placed on the suspension list the Coach will serve at least a
one game suspension. Any coach who
decides to coach shall receive additional suspension.
B.
The final official league roster must be turned into the commissioner’s
office by the last Tuesday of October by midnight of each year. League roster form must be used, all
information must be completed. (Name, Address, DOB, Signature) Note: Mites do not have to sign. Team not submitting roster by the above day
shall result in the suspension of the head coach. Once placed on the suspension list the coach will serve at least a one
game suspension. A coach will
receive an additional game for every game his team plays until a final roster
is submitted. A coach who decides to
coach shall receive additional suspensions.
A copy of the USA Team Roster will be accepted, however it must carry
complete information and Jersey numbers.
Final rosters may not be Faxed,
with the exception to the Mites where not signature is required.
C. League roster changes Addition/Deletions must be submitted to the commissioner prior to any player being moved permanatly to another team. Any player being borrowed from a lower level team needs to only have their name written in on the scoresheet for that game, change form not required.
D.
Game sheets must be checked out prior to every game. Only those players present and playing must
be listed. Scoresheets are to be left in their dedicated area; Scorekeepers
will bring all sheets out for games.
(This means DO NOT take
scoresheets from where they are hanging even for a minute, bring your
information to them) At the end of the
second period, the referee’s shall compare game rosters versus number of
players present and playing. (Rosters can be corrected at this time, I.E.
scratching out missing players.) The
coach must then verify his roster with his signature. If a coach suspects an
illegal player, he must request the signature and DOB of the player in question
thru the referee prior to the start of the third period. If a player refuses to sign, he shall be
assessed an automatic game misconduct. The coach shall be automatically suspended
for one year. No player may enter the
game after the end of the second period.
Any coach found falsifying any game roster could receive a one-year
suspension and further disciplinary action by Mass. Hockey. After every game please check your scoresheet. Make sure that all information is correct,
IE players attended, penalties, etc. (we don’t care about assists, or goals
being issued to the proper players) Should a question come up at the end of the
season we go by scoresheets that we have on file.
E.
A player may be moved up from a lower designated team as long as a
roster bearing this player’s name is on file in the league office. The coach must list this player in the
proper section of the game sheet. A
player from a lower classification my play up in only four games. If he plays
in 5 games, he will no longer be allowed to play for the lower classification
team, and a league roster change must be submitted prior to the player’s next
game. (this form must come from both teams, the one going to and the one the
players was previously on) No players
are allowed to play
down without a written appeal to the commissioner. Authorization may only be granted for a period of time. Any coach violating the player movement system may receive a one year suspension.
12.
Locker Room Control:
A.
Home team will always use locker room one (1) or two (2) regardless of
which rink they are playing on.
Visiting team shall always use locker room three (3) or four (4)
regardless of the rink they are playing on.
Coach, Assistant Coach, or a delegated authorized person shall be the
only ones allowed to request a locker room key. Locker room assignment list shall be available in the Key room
and lobby area.
B.
Spectators should not be allowed in the Locker Room Area.
C.
Teams shall be held responsible to keep the locker room door locked at
all times. Do Not leave key in lock at any time! It takes
a couple of seconds to remove the key from the lock and hang it up inside your
locker room prior to and after the game.
D.
Teams shall be held responsible for the cleanliness of the locker room
area.
E.
Any player found vandalizing the rink shall be expelled from the
league. (Shooting the puck or anything against the walls in the locker room
could be considered vandalism).
F.
Any team having players urinating in the shower shall be expelled from
the league immediately.
G.
All teams MUST have a coach
or team manager in the locker room at all times when players are present.
13. Player Control:
A.
Players must wear the same number all season. If a player is not wearing his rostered number, the coach must
put the number the player is wearing for that game in parenthesis next to his
name. A coach that violates this rule
may be subject to a five game suspension.
B.
Teams must be ready to play (5) five minutes prior to the scheduled
game time. Any team that is not ready
to play at the end of the three minute warm up may forfeit that game. The clocks at the end of each rink are the
times that will be used for game time.
If your team fails to come out at its appropriate time and the warm up
clock has been started you get what’s left and no extra time will be
added. In the last 30 seconds of your
teams warm up, horn will be sounded and your team will start the pick up of
pucks.
C.
When the home team players from locker room one (1) or two (2) enter
onto the ice, they must do so by using the door located on the bench side.
D.
When the visiting team from locker rooms three (3) or four (4) enter
onto the ice, they must use the opposite door.
E.
There will be NO Huddles around the net at the end of the warm up, all
players will report to the player’s bench immediately at the sound of the
horn. All players will be ready for the
opening face-off 30 seconds from the final buzzer.
F.
There will be a 30-second break at the end of each period. No huddles at the bench, just players
getting on and off the ice for the start of the next period and Goalie water
break only.
G.
There will be no whistling from the bench players or coaches during
game play. (IE whistling for line
changes is not allowed)
H.
At the conclusion of the game, both teams will go directly to their
respective bench’s (goalie included) teams will wait at the bench until the
referee gives instructions to line up and shake hands. (This rule means no emptying of the bench’s
at the buzzer.) Those players on the
bench must stay there and those on the ice will immediately skate to their
bench. Each Coach shall teach their players the proper technique on hand
shaking. (Remove glove from right
hand and grasp hand of opposing player and shake. This means no punching at hands or slapping)
I. All teams must have a designated
person off the ice with the locker room key.
At the end of the game he or she shall be responsible to immediately
open locker room door. Both teams shall
be directed to the proper exit door by the referees and both teams shall go
directly to their locker rooms. The
designated key person shall supervise the players until one of the coaches is
present. Coach shall be held
responsible for any off ice altercation, or verbal exchange after, before, or
during game.
Any player (s) or coach receiving a penalty after
the game is over shall be suspended from league play, for three (3) league
games. Suspension may be appealed by
the Head Coach only to league
commissioner.
J. Any player or coach caught by a referee
using racial slurs, or vulgarity towards an opposing player, coach, or referee,
shall be suspended from all further league games until a hearing is conducted
to deal with the incident. Severe penalties can and will result from these
actions. This will not be tolerated.
K. The following standards will
be used on player penalties.
Any player who receives 4 minutes in penalty time shall be given a Game Misconduct. Misconduct time does not count in this 4 minutes or penalty time. This rule is stricter then the USA rule of 5 total penalties. (Our rule is based on minutes not number of penalties).
Penalty times: 1:00 Min. Minor
3:00 Min. Major
6:00 Min. Misconduct
Pee
Wee & Bantam
Any player who receives 6 minutes in penalty time
shall be given a Game Misconduct.
Misconduct time does not count in this 6 minutes of penalty time. (Our
rule is based on minutes not number of penalties).
Penalty
times: 1:30 Min. Minor
4:00 Min. Major
7:30 Min. Misconduct (USA is 6:00 Min.)
The following will be used to control penalty
minutes in games. This standard will be used for every level. For every penalty
any team player receives starting with the 9th
Minor/Major penalty per team, shall result in a misconduct to be added to that
player’s penalty time. (It does not matter if this player has or has not received any prior penalties) This will continue for each and every
penalty after that. League imposed
misconduct penalties will not count
in the total penalties against Rule: 13L
(Coach Suspension)
L. Coach Suspensions:
A 12 penalty standard will be used. On the twelfth
(12th) penalty the head coach will receive a game suspension. He does not have to leave the game at this
time but the coach will then be suspended for his next league game. (This is a league imposed suspension)
14. All games will be three (12) minute stop
time periods. Running time will be used
in the third period when the losing team has a five (5) goal deficit, or the
penalties exceed fourteen (excluding misconduct’s). Note: In the Mites and Squirt division, if running time is needed
in the third period, the length of the period shall be determined by the
referee using the remaining time left in the hour clock, less 5 minutes. Once the third period goes to running time,
it will stay running time regardless of goal differentials. In all other divisions, the regular 12
minute period will be used. If the
goal deficit becomes less than (5) the clock shall return to stop time
period. In a running time situation,
all penalties shall be regular stop time penalty. Note: the league office reserves the right to limit any game to
one (1) hour. (Especially lower level Mites & Squirts at the beginning of
the season) No timeouts will be allowed in a running time game.
15.
Game Misconduct’s: A Game Misconduct penalty,
the players shall be suspended from: 1st
Game Misconduct, That game plus one (1) League game.
2nd
Game Misconduct, That game plus two (2) league Games.
3rd Game Misconduct, league suspension pending
hearing by League Commissioner. If the
Game misconduct occurs with less than six
(6) minutes remaining in the game, the penalty shall double. The league reserves
the right to suspend any player or coach from league play, pending a hearing
for any penalties we deem inappropriate.
In addition any team
official, (coach) receiving a game misconduct shall be suspended for five
(5) league games. This suspension may
be appealed by the Head Coach Only,
to the league Commissioner. For each
subsequent game misconduct penalty, the suspension shall double.
The USA/Mass Hockey Guide Book shall govern match
Game Misconduct’s. Anyone receiving a
Match penalty shall be suspended from all team and league activities pending a
hearing of the state district registrar and state disciplinary committee. This is a serious offence and anyone who
does not adhere to the rule places themselves and program in jeopardy. Please note anytime you see the wording with intent written on a scoresheet
that is an automatic Match penalty.
Please contact the proper people immediately in regards to this type of
penalty.
16.
No game shall be cancelled due to inclement weather. (Hockey is a winter sport, snow is
expected). A team that decides not to
travel must notify the league office.
Teams requesting postponement shall be assessed a loss, until game is
made up. Teams requesting postponement
shall make up the game at their expense. Note:
Postponement may only be granted due to extreme bad weather.
17. No show shall be an
Automatic forfeit, and carry an Automatic fine of $200.00. No teams shall be
allowed to participate in playoffs, unless all league games have been played,
and league financial obligations have been fulfilled.
18. Playoffs
A.
In order to participate in the playoffs, a player must have played twelve (12) league games, or 66% of the eligible games. Bantams must have played in ten (10) games
providing that they do not play from December 1st, thru February 20th. If they do they must play twelve (12) league
games. No player (s) added to roster
after December 31st, of that season from outside the home
organization will be eligible for the playoffs without the commissioner’s
approval. ** Appeals on this rule may
be made in writing for playoff participation.
Exceptions: Injury, Illness, and Extenuating circumstances. It is also you responsibility to make sure
your players have played in the required games. If a player is challenged and
we discover that player has not met the requirement a Forfeit will be issued to
your team. This rule is strictly
enforced, we will not accept the line of Don’t Punish the children for this
mistake! We aren’t punishing them, you
are!
B.
No player movement shall be allowed unless requested. The commissioner may use their own
discretion, on allowing player movement.
If a player is allowed to move up, he/she shall not be allowed to return
to his /her league rostered team without the commissioners permission. There shall be no player movement from a
team who has completed their playoff series.
C.
Players are not allowed to play on two separate teams. Except per
request of League Commissioner in writing.
With the exception to girls who play on an all girls team and a home
town mixed team.
D.
Running time shall be used throughout the playoffs the Pee Wee/Bantam
method will be used for all Divisions.
E.
No write ins shall be allowed on game sheet during playoffs, without
prior approval of the League Office.
Violators may forfeit the game and you shall take full responsibility in
regards to this issue. You need to make
sure your paperwork is up to date and correct.
F.
Overtime Format: At the end of regulation time
for each game that is tied during the playoffs the following standard will be
used. Eight (8) minutes will be put on
the time clock, each team will skate five on five (5 on 5 & goalies) with
the exception of any team who has penalty time remaining on the clock those
players will continue to serve their penalty during all overtime periods. If
game is still tied at the end of the 8-minute over time, a sixteen (16) minute
period will be put on the time clock. Each team will play four on four &
goalies (4 on 4 & goalies) with exception to teams with penalties that
still need to be served from prior period. Ice will be made at the end of this
over time period and play will resume with the 4 on 4 format until we have a
winning team.
G.
Be advised that during the playoffs every game must have a winner, so
we do have the tendency to run behind.
Please explain this to your players and parents that understanding and
patience may be required, this is about the only time the Forum ever gets
behind! We run a sudden victory format
for all of our playoff games, which means you win or lose as a team! No shoot outs, no
goats!
19.
Schedules
A.
Once
the schedules are issued, NO changes
shall be allowed. Program director must
provide the commissioner the dates that a team shall not be available prior to
the schedules being issued. Northstar Hockey league MUST be considered as the primary league. All games must be played at Northstar unless approved by the
commissioner. If a team decides not to
play a scheduled game, they must notify the league office two (2) weeks prior
to the date, game was to be played. The
commissioner shall have sole right to ask another team to take their place. (To play a scrimmage game). The team requesting postponement shall
forfeit the game, and shall not make it up.
If a team requests to cancel a game with less than two (2) weeks to game
time, it shall be fined $200.00. Exception: only game rescheduled shall be to
accommodate a team going to the state or national finals. The league shall not
schedule around any Local or In State Tournament games, District Playdowns, and
other district activities.
B.
However
the following standard will be used for all teams who will be attending State
tournaments. Teams know at least by the
end of January that they will be participating in States. The playoff schedules are released at the
beginning of February to league directors, once this is done no changes will be
made to accommodate any team who did not notify this office of the fact that
they will be participating in the State Tournament.
C.
The
league shall play all day (Saturday & Sunday schedules) on State and
National Holidays, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Sunday. There will also be games on the day after
Thanksgiving, Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday and will start 3:00 PM on Good
Friday. Regular season games will be scheduled
during ALL School vacation week’s
games will be starting late afternoon early evening. (IE 4:30 PM / 4:50 PM)
20.
There
will be two league meetings to deal with team movement, for the purpose of
balancing the league. After the fifth
week of play, and the first week of December.
Program must provide representative, if no representative is present,
the board shall take final action on all movements. Team movement of January 1st, is final.