F.I.H.L. Constitution
ALL TEAM REPRESENTATIVES MUST READ AND ACKNOWLEDGE THESE RULES, AND SIGN THE FORM BEFORE THEY ARE PERMITTED ON THE ICE.
PURPOSE:
To establish and operate a social/recreational hockey league in the Eastern Charlotte County area. The recreational league is open to all players 19 years of age and over. This league has been formed for the enjoyment, exercise, participation of its members. Its members are expected to exemplify sportsmanship, and conduct themselves in a manner, such that they will not be penalized. However in the heat of competition, incidents will occur. For this reason it is necessary to highlight the following rules under which the league operations.
FIRSTLY, LET’S ALL REMEMBER THAT THE FIHL IS ABOUT THE LOVE OF THE GAME. THERE ARE NO NHL SCOUTS WAITING IN THE WINGS. PLAY HARD BUT FAIR AND HAVE FUN.
CONCEPT STATEMENT:
The FIHL is intended to be a social/recreational league to provide enjoyment, exercise and a chance to network with fellow members. It must stress that this is a fun league and while each player and team is encouraged to play to the best of their ability, the league discourages the concept of win at all cost.
The league is open to all players 19 years of age and over and is a non-contact league. The league is for players who display good sportsmanship, team play and respect for others.
The directors of the league will be composed of representatives from each team and they have committed to dedicate their time and effort to manage the league in a fair manner.
RULES
These rules are in addition to the official rules of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association.
ELIGIBILITY:
FIHL: Must be 19 years of age or older. That is, players cannot play until their 19th birthday.) If there is a question of age eligibility, the player in question must provide identification.
REGISTRATION / FEE PAYMENT:
Participating teams must have dues paid by Oct. 31. At that time all rosters must be finalized and each team is supplied with a copy. From that point on, nobody is eligible to play for any team unless approved by the Board. The team making the request for an addition must display that the player is necessary due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. Players must only play for their respective team. Players who wish to leave a team for personality issues, etc. must have approval of all members and must have paid their league fees to the team they are leaving. For example, if a player leaves 50 % of the way through the schedule, then they must pay 50 % of that team’s dues.
EQUIPMENT:
All equipment that is being used must be C.S.A. approved. The following equipment is mandatory: skates, hockey glovers, shin pads, hockey pants, jock, elbow pads, hockey helmet, hockey stick, facial protection (optional at this time, but strongly recommended, must also be C.S.A. approved).
Goalies: goalie skates (specifically designed and constructed for a goalie), goalie pads, chest/shoulder/arm protectors, helmet/facial protection, blocker, trapper, jock.
TIMEKEEPING:
League: games will consist of first 2 periods of 12 minutes straight time and one 20 minutes stop time period.
ELITE PLAYERS: No team is permitted to dress more than 2 Elite players. An Elite player is defined as any player who has dressed for 4 SHL games in that current hockey season. Once the player has dressed for the 5th game, they are now classified as an Elite player, and will count against the team’s eligibility limit for any one game. Goalies are exempt from this rule.
PLAYERS DRESSED:
A team must have a minimum of 6 regular team players dressed before an official game can be played. If a team is unable to meet this minimum they will forfeit the game.
FORFEITS
Any team that forfeits more than one game will suspended from the FIHL for the remainder of that hockey season. That is, when you have forfeited your second game, your team will be in violation of league rules and be suspended. A forfeit is defined as failure to ice the minimum number of players or failure to cancel a game in time due to weather.
SUBSTITUTE GOALIES:
If a team’s regular goalie is absent, a substitute goalie may be obtained from a substitute list, and then if unsuccessful, the team may use a goalie from another team, only during the regular season. In the play-offs, goalies are not permitted to play on other teams and all teams must use their roster players only.
TEAM REPRESENTATIVES:
A representative will be nominated for each team and will be responsible for sharing league information, up-coming events and changes to the regular schedule. Players should use this individual as a liaison between teams. Contact information must be supplied for the reps and his two alternates. Ex: E-mail, cell phones, home phones, etc.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
Any league member attending a scheduled game is subject to the rules and discipline of the league. Members who, in the opinion of the referees or league executive, conduct themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner may be subject to suspension.
APPEALS:
The player appealing may do so in writing or attend a meeting. His appeal will be heard and the board will discuss the appeal in private and then notify the player either in writing or by phone. All appeals will take time to hear from timekeepers and game officials and other players.
DECISIONS BY THE REFEREES:
Your league executive strongly supports all decisions made by the referees. The referees have been engaged to ensure that play is safe and fair. If, in the opinion of the referee, an infraction of the rules has been committed and a penalty is assessed, then the referee's decision is final.
The board does not function for the purpose of appealing the referee's decisions. The board administers and reviews suggestions for improvement. It also reviews incidents and determines follow-up actions such as suspensions or expulsions should an incident occur.
PENALTIES:
A. Basic
i) Minor Penalty 2 minutes (player must serve full time, team not short handed after goal is scored.)
ii) Major Penalty 5 minutes
Ejection from current game after fight.
Suspension for next game (if fighting in final 5 minutes or O/T (playoffs)
iii) Game Misconduct Ejection from current game
Reviewed by the Executives (after 2nd offense)
iv) Match Penalty Ejection from current game
Player may not participate until the circumstances have been reviewed by the board
v) Persistent Infringements
a) As they pertain to multiple game misconducts during the season
1st misconduct = Gone for remainder of game
2nd misconduct = 3 game suspension
3rd misconduct = 5 game suspension & player must appear before the board prior to being permitted to resume playing in the league.
PLAYERS EJECTED FROM CURRENT GAME MUST LEAVE THE BENCH AREA AND MAY NOT RETURN TO THE BENCH AREA. PLAYERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY ACTIVITIES IN THE LEAGUE UNTIL THEIR SUSPENSION HAS BEEN SERVED.
PLAYERS SUSPENDED MAY NOT ATTEND THE BENCH AREA. FURTHERMORE, THEY SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED FROM ATTENDING THE DRESSING ROOM BEFORE AND AFTER THE GAME BY THE TEAM.
PLAYERS WHO ARE EITHER SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY REFUND OF THE REGISTRATION FEES.
B. Special Situations
i) Attempt to Injure/Official Abuse
Any attempt to deliberately injure another player or official will result in an automatic Match penalty. The player will be subject to review by the Board. If a player is found to have attempted to injure, he will be subject to a minimum suspension of 5 games.
If contact is made with an official, he will automatically be ejected from the current game and receive a minimum of 1 game suspension as well he will be subject to further action deemed appropriate by the board, including possible expulsion from the league.
ii) Coincidental Penalties
Regardless of minor or major, teams will not play short-handed.
iii) Body Checking
This is a non-contact league and any body checking, or playing the man may be assessed either a minor or major penalty depending on the severity of the impact.
iv) Aggressive Play
If, in the opinion of the officials, a player engages in overly aggressive play / checking, the player will be subject to either a minor, double minor, major or match penalty.
v) Delay of Game
If in the opinion of the Referee a team is engaging in delaying tactics at stoppages in play, the referee is instructed to drop the puck and initiate play or assess a penalty.
vi) Questioning Officials
Only the team captains or alternate captains are permitted to ask the referee about rule interpretations or penalties. However if a captain or alternate is assessed a penalty he forfeits the right to discuss the call with the referee.
When a penalty is assessed players are expected to proceed to the penalty bench without discussion or comment with the referee.
vii) Profanity
Any player who directs profanity or foul and abusive language at a game official, will be assessed a misconduct penalty.
viii) Spearing / Butt-ending
Any player who spears or butt-ends another player will receive both a double minor penalty and a game misconduct. Depending on the severity of the attack a Match penalty may also be assessed.
ix) Goalies / Puck
Opposing players are not permitted to slash or poke at the goaltender when the goaltender has possession of the puck. Infractions will be assessed a penalty.
x) Difficult players
The Referee association reserves the right to request that difficult players be removed from the league if that player is deemed to be a persistent offender.
xi) Shoot-outs – all regular season games that end in a tie will be decided by a shoot-out. The shoot-out will be comprised of 3 shooters from each team. The home team decides who shoots first. If a tie is still in effect after 3 shooters, 1 shooter per team will shoot one at a time until a winner is decided. The extra shooters must be different than the first three. No “repeat” shooters are allowed until all members have shot at least once.
xii) Ties in Playoff games – a 5 minute over-time will be played if a game is tied after regulation play. If it is still tied after 5 minutes, the same procedure as xi (see above) will be followed.
xiii) Canceling games due to weather should be done as soon as possible but at least 2 ½ hours before the game by calling the other team’s representative, the arena and the director of officiating.
By signing this form you are acknowledging that you have read and fully understand the leagues constitution and rules and agree to play in the FIHL in accordance to the constitution and rules.
Your name (print) __________________________ Date _______________
Your signature ______________________________
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