Official Rulebook
Spring
2003 – Spring 2004
*** New rules are in BOLD
and UNDERLINED ***
Section I - The Rink
(Playing Surface)
Rule 101 - Rink (Playing Surface)
(a) The game of "roller hockey" shall be played on a plastic, wooden, or cement floor, which shall be in good condition.
(b) Dimensions of the rink surface may vary between 60 to 100 feet in width and 140 to 200 feet in length. It is recommended that the corners be uniformly rounded in the arc of a circle with a radius in proportion to the length and width of the playing surface.
(a) The goals will consist of NHL style nets. They may be metal or PVC pipe frames, with the pipes a minimum diameter f 2". They must be covered with netting strong enough to withstand any shot. Goals should be 6’ wide and 4’ tall, but they may be 5’1" wide by 3’5" tall as well. The goal posts should be painted red. Optionally, the upright posts and front cross bar should always be red, but all other exterior surfaces can be white. The back inside post that rests on the floor should be padded. If possible, the goals should be affixed to the floor with Velcro, or by flexible pegs. These pegs should not exceed 6" in length.
(a) In front of each goal, a goal crease area shall be marked with a line 2 inches wide.
(b) The goal crease shall be laid out as follows for goals which measure 6’ by 4’. A semicircle 6 feet in radius and 2 inches in width and shall be drawn using the center of the goal line as the center spot. In addition, an L-shaped marking of 5" in length (both lines) at each front corner will be painted or taped on the floor. The location of the L-shaped marking is measured by drawing an imaginary 4’ line from the goal line to the edges of the semicircle. At that point the arrow may be drawn. If any other size goals are used, these dimensions should be adjusted proportionally.
(c) The
area “inside” or “behind the goal line” of the net shall be considered part of
the goaltender’s crease in situations when a goal or no goal is decided.
(d) At each
end of the rink, a 2 inch line, referred to as the goal line, shall be marked
completely across the width of the rink. This line should be a minimum of 12
feet to a maximum of 15 feet from each end of the rink. The goal line should be
painted in such a manner that it extends vertically up the side boards.
Rule 104 - Face-off Spots
(a) One 12" face-off spot shall be at the exact center of the floor. A 15 feet radius circle shall be marked around this face off spot. On both sides of the circle, there shall be two lines, 2 feet long, 2 inches wide and 4 feet apart.
(b) In both end zones along an imaginary line, 20 feet out from each goal line and parallel to it at a point that is measured from the side boards at a length of 25% of the total width of the floor, face-off circles with a radius of 12 inches will be drawn on the floor. A 15 foot radius, 2 inch wide circle, should be drawn around these face off spots. On both sides of the circle, there shall be two lines, 2 feet long, 2 inches wide and 4 feet apart.
(a) Each rink should have seats or a bench for the use of each team, to be known as the player benches. Each player bench shall accommodate at least 10 persons and shall be placed immediately alongside the playing surface in the neutral area as near as possible to the center of the rink and convenient to the dressing rooms. All doors that open to the rink surface shall swing away from the playing surface.
(b) Only players in uniform, and Team officials shall be permitted to occupy the player benches. A total of no more than three (3) non-players may be on the player bench at any time. Team officials under 18 years of age must wear a helmet with full facial protection on the player bench.
(c) During a game, Team officials will be confined to the player bench unless a game official allows otherwise. Violation of this rule may result in the assessment of a game ejection or game misconduct at the referee’s discretion.
(d) Teams will maintain the same bench for the entire game.
(a) Each rink will have seats or benches to be used for the seating of penalized players, Official Scorekeepers. Each penalty bench should be located a substantial distance from the players’ bench.
(a) A line in the shape of a semi-circle and with a 10 foot radius, 2 inches wide, shall be marked on the floor directly in front of the Official Scorekeeper. This area shall be known as the "referee’s crease".
SECTION II – Equipment
(a) Sticks shall be made of wood or other approved material and must not have any projections extending from the stick. Tape may be wrapped around the blade of the stick.
(b) No stick shall exceed 63 inches in length from the heel to the end of the shaft nor more than 12 ½ inches from the heel to the end of the blade. The curvature of the blade of the stick shall restricted to a maximum of 1".
(c) The blade of the goaltender’s stick may not exceed 3 ½ inches in width at any point except at the heel where it must not exceed 4 ½ inches in width, nor shall the goaltender’s stick exceed 15 ½ inches in length from the heel to the end of the blade. The widened portion of the goaltender’s stick extending up the shaft of the blade shall not extend more than 26 inches from the heel and shall not exceed 5 inches in width.
(d) There will be no stick measurements called during a game
(e) Sticks must be in good repair with no hazardous edges or splinters on any part of the shaft or blade.
(f) A bent or broken shaft is considered dangerous equipment and must be replaced to continue play.
(g) A violation with any of the above rules, other than stick measurements, may result in a minor penalty.
(a) No projections on skates other than those designed by the manufacturer are permitted. No stoppers are permitted on inline skates.
(b) All axle openings must contain an axle and a wheel. Example: A four wheel frame must contain four axles and four wheels.
(c) Any player found on the floor breaking any of the above rules may receive a minor penalty and must not return to play until the fault is corrected.
(d) The use of speed skates or any skate so designed that it may cause injury is prohibited.
(e) The use of quad skates is allowed, but not recommended.
(a) With the exception of skates and sticks, all equipment worn by the goaltender must be constructed solely for the protection of the head or body, and must not include any garment or contrivance that would give the goaltender any undue assistance in tending goal.
(b) The length of a goaltender’s catching glove shall not exceed 17 inches. The cuff shall not exceed 9 inches in width. Any bar or attachment between the cuff and the thumb shall only extend in a straight line. Any other pocket or pouch added to the glove by a manufacturer or otherwise is not acceptable and makes the glove illegal.
(c) The blocker glove shall not exceed 8 inches in width nor 16 inches in length at any point.
(d) Abdominal aprons extending down the thighs or the outside of the pants is prohibited.
(e) The goaltender’s pads may not exceed 12 inches in width as measured on the goaltender, and shall not be altered in any way.
(f) It is mandatory for all goaltenders to wear a HECC approved helmet with helmet strap properly fastened. All goaltenders must wear chest protection. Throat protection is highly recommended.
(g) Violation of the goaltender equipment rule will result with the removal of the goaltender from the game until the equipment in question is adjusted to meet the correct specifications.
(h) There will not be any measurements on goaltender equipment.
(i) If a goaltender loses his/her helmet during play regardless of which team is in possession of the puck, the referee will immediately stop play. The ensuing face off will take place at the nearest face off location where the puck was located at the time of the whistle.
(a) Each participant is personally responsible to wear protective equipment for all games and warm-ups. Recommended equipment for all players are: internal mouth guard, hip pads, padded long hockey pants, chest protection, and throat protection.
· Mandatory equipment for players under 18 years of age and in the junior division is: HECC approved helmet with chin strap properly fastened, HECC approved full face mask fastened properly to the helmet, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey shin pads, protective cup or pelvic protector.
· Mandatory equipment for players 18 years of age and older is: Helmet designed for hockey with helmet strap properly fastened, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey shin pads, protective cup or pelvic protector.
(b) All protective equipment except gloves, head gear or goaltender leg pads, must be entirely under the uniform. After one warning by the referee, a minor penalty shall be imposed on the offending player for violation of this rule.
(c) All players in the 18 and Under Division, regardless of age, must wear a HECC approved full face mask.
(d) Eyeglass wearers should have plastic not glass lenses in their eye-wear.
(e) A glove from which all or part of the palm has been worn out or cut to permit the use of bare fingers shall be considered illegal equipment, and if any player wears such a glove in play a minor penalty may be imposed on him/her.
(f) A minor penalty will be assessed for a violation of protective equipment.
(a) The use of pads or protectors made of metal or any other material likely to cause injury to a player is prohibited. The wearing of casts or splints made of hard or unyielding materials is prohibited, even if padded.
(b) All elbow pads that do not have a soft protective covering of sponge rubber or a similar material at least ½ inch thick shall be considered dangerous equipment.
(a) The
puck used for all games will be a puck approved by
(b) Teams will supply game puck(s).
(a) All players participating in a
(b) All players shall wear identifying numbers not less than 10" on the backs of their jerseys. All numbers assigned must be whole number only between 1 and 99. No two members of the same team will be assigned or permitted to wear the same number. One team Captain and two Alternate Captains shall have a small "C" or "A" on the right shoulder of their jersey.
(c) The home
team is to wear a predominately lighter color jersey for every game. It will be
the responsibility of the non-compliant team to change its jerseys if the color
of the competing teams conflict. The
decision in this matter shall be left to the referees in charge of the game.
(d) Each player’s jersey, including goaltenders, on a particular team must match in color.
SECTION III – TEAMS
(a) The
“age requirement” for Youth division (4u – 19u) are
calculated using a one-year window for each player. Age divisions for each team
will be determined by the player’s age on December 31 of the previous year. The
cutoff is December 31 of the previous year and NOT the start date of the
session / tournament. (How old was the
player ON the most recently passed December 31? The player will play in the
coinciding age group for the entire following year.)
(b) The
age requirement for Adult divisions is 18 + (unless noted otherwise) ON GAME
DAY. Example: A 17 year old player can
be on a team’s roster but MUST NOT participate in a game while being under 18
years of age.
(a) The following is an outline of the division categories:
Cub 4 and Under Division
Tyke 6 and Under Division
Atoms 8 and Under Division
Mites 10 and Under Division
Squirts 12 and Under Division
Pee Wees 14 and Under Division
Women’s 13 and Over
Adult Divisions (18 and Over - unless otherwise specified ON GAME DAY. Refer to rule 301 B)
Senior Division (28 and Over)
*Girls can play down one age division, when competing with boys in the
Youth program (4u – 19u).
(b) If a player is illegally playing in a younger division, that player’s team will forfeit its game.
(a) A roller hockey team will consist of no more than 12 players and 2 goaltenders.
(b) Teams must start a game with four skaters and a goaltender on the floor if at full strength.
(c) Youth
division’s (4u-19u) teams: All youth teams must have a “coach” (21 or
older) on the bench for every game. The game is forfeited if a coach on the
team roster (up to 3) is not present for a game.
(d) YOUTH PROGRAM REDEVELOPMENT (8U-19U):
NO “select / tournament” players allowed. New players that have preferably played two sessions or less
“Recreation” League –
NO “select / tournament” players allowed. MSG reserves the right to move the first place (and possibly second place team) at the end of the session (before playoffs – final standings) to the next higher division the next session.
“B” League –
Beginning
Summer 2003 session: 2 “select A / tournament” players allowed
to play down per “B Division” team. An entire “select” team can play in the
“B” division when they move up age division(s) from the original age division
they are considered “select”. A team
with more than two “select / tournament” players on their roster will be
considered a “select” team and must move up at least one full age division.
*** “Select A / tournament” players are listed by clicking HERE. ***
“A” League –
Open league for advanced teams willing to sign up without player level restrictions or player draft
“In-house Select” League –
Each player (including
travel Cobra players) that signs up will be rated and assigned to a team within
this league. You must first sign up in the main office for a one-hour
evaluation at a later date. Players within this league are not considered
“select” players.
The spirit of these rules
designs the most competitive and fairest leagues as possible while allowing
lower level players the exposure to compete against and with better
players. MSG reserves the right to move
teams when necessary and when available to uphold the overall integrity of each
division.
(e) Only players and goaltenders that have played in 6 out of the 10 “regular season” games are qualified to play in the “playoff rounds”. Suspended players will not receive credit towards the playoff eligibility requirement for each game they are suspended. Injured players must present a doctor’s note before the start of playoffs to receive credit towards this policy.
(f) Youth
(17u) divisions: An original OR certified birth certificate and an updated
photo of each player must be present during every game.
(g) Junior
(19u) and Adult divisions: photo I.D present during every game.
The coach may request to
verify the identification of an opposing player by making a request to the
referee.
After checking the player’s
I.D. the referee will do one of two things:
1. Issue
a bench minor to the team questioning the I.D. check because the player
questioned was “approved” by the game officials (ruled eligible to continue)
2. Declare
the game a forfeit because the offending team’s player is not “approved” by
game officials OR the player in question’s does not have identification (no
identification present in youth divisions or no photo identification present in
adult divisions)
(h) A player can only be on one team roster and/or play on one team within each division.
(a) One Captain shall be appointed by each team, and that player alone shall have the privilege of discussing with the referee any question relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game. He/she shall wear the letter "C" approximately 3 inches in height and in contrasting color and in a conspicuous position on the front of the jersey.
(b) Alternate Captains (not more than two) shall be accorded the privileges of the Captain. Alternate Captains shall wear the letter "A", approximately 3 inches in height and in a contrasting color in a conspicuous position on the front of the jersey.
(c) The referee or official scorer shall be advised prior to the start of each game, the name of the Captain of the team, also the identity of the players who will serve as Alternate Captains when the Captain is off the floor.
(d) No goalkeeper or “player-coach” shall be entitled to exercise the privileges of Captain or Alternate Captain on the floor.
(e)
Adult divisions: Team captains
are considered “player-coaches” and all applicable rules to a “Coach” are
forwarded to the “player-coach”. “Player-coaches” MAY NOT assume the role of
“Captain” while on
the playing surface and is subject to a bench minor penalty for violating this
rule.
(f) A coach or player-coach / captain that intentionally deceives game officials of his/her player’s true identity receives a Gross Misconduct penalty. The game will be immediately forfeited and the game officials will leave the playing surface.
(g) Only the Captain or Alternate Captain on the floor at the time of the stoppage of play (but not both) shall have the privilege of discussing with the referee any point relating to the interpretation of rules. Any Captain, Alternate Captain or player who comes off the bench and makes any protest or intervention with the referee for any purpose may be assessed a misconduct penalty.
A complaint about a penalty is NOT a matter "relating to the interpretation of the rules", and a minor penalty shall be imposed against any Captain or other player making such a complaint.
(a) At the beginning of each session, the Manager, Coach, or Captain of each team shall list on the official game roster, the players with goaltender(s) identified who shall be eligible to play in each game of the session.
(a) A team must have a fully dressed and equipped goaltender and four fully dressed and equipped skaters on the floor at the end of the warm-up to start any game. If this requirement cannot be met, then a delay of game penalty, or a forfeit, may be declared by the referee or League Authority against the team not able to field a goaltender and four skaters.
(a) Players may be changed at any time from the player benches, provided that the player or players leaving the floor shall always be within 5 feet of the bench before substitutions may come on the floor.
(b) A player serving a penalty on the penalty bench, who is to be changed after the penalty has been served, must proceed at once by the way of the floor and be within 5 feet of his/her own player bench before any change can be made.
(c) For any violation of this rule, a Bench Minor Penalty shall be imposed:
In the course of making a substitution and while the NON-OFFENDING team is in possession of the puck, either the player entering or leaving the surface deliberately plays the puck or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while the retiring player is on the floor, then the infraction of "too many players on the floor" will be called. If, in the course of a substitution, the player retiring from the playing surface is accidentally struck by the puck the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called. The intent of this rule places responsibility on the player entering the playing surface. He/She must wait until the player that’s being substituted for is ruled off of the playing surface before entering into OR directly affects the play in progress in which a penalty will be called for “too many players”.
When a goaltender leaves his/her goal area for the purpose of a player change, and the substitution is made prematurely (10 feet) and does not directly affect the play, the violation when called will be either a face off at center or a face off in the defensive zone, depending upon where the offending team touches the puck, and no penalty will be called.
When a PLAYER, other than the goaltender, makes a player change and the substitution is made prematurely (5 feet) and does not directly affect the play, the violation when called will be either a face off at center or a face off in the defensive zone, depending upon where the OFFENDING TEAM HAS POSSESSION of the puck and no penalty will be called.
If there are less than two minutes remaining in either regulation time or anytime during over-time, and a penalty is imposed for a deliberate illegal substitution or any other delay, at the referees discretion can impose a penalty shot to be awarded to the non-offending team.
(d) During a stoppage of play, especially during running time, player changes must be made immediately after the whistle-stopping play. It is the player’s responsibility to get to the face-off location as quickly as possible. If one team is lined up and the other team is procrastinating, the referee shall blow his/her whistle and stop the clock for the purposes of giving a verbal warning to the offending team. If the team persists in such conduct after receiving a warning from the referee, a bench minor penalty may be issued to the offending team.
(a) When a player, other than a goaltender, is injured or compelled to leave the floor during a game, he/she must leave the game and play must continue immediately.
(b) If a goaltender sustains an injury or becomes ill, he/she must be ready to resume play immediately or be replaced by a substitute goaltender, and NO additional time shall be allowed by the referee for the purpose of enabling the injured or ill goaltender to resume his/her position. No warm-up shall be given to the replacement goaltender.
(c) The substitute goaltender shall be subject to the regular rules governing goaltenders and shall be entitled to the same privileges. When a substitution for the regular goaltender has been made, such regular goaltender shall not resume his/her position until the first stoppage of play thereafter.
(d) If an injured player receives a minor penalty, the penalized team shall place a substitute player on the penalty bench before the penalty expires and no other replacement for the penalized player shall be permitted to enter the game except from the penalty bench. For violation of this rule a Bench Minor Penalty shall be imposed. The penalized player who has been replaced on the penalty bench shall not be eligible to play until his/her penalty has expired.
(e) When a player is injured so that he cannot continue play or go to his/her bench, the play shall not be stopped until the injured player’s team has secured possession of the puck. If the player’s team is in possession and control of the puck at the time of injury, play shall be stopped immediately, unless his/her team is in a scoring position. The referee may stop the clock during such injury.
(f) A player other than the goaltender whose injury appears serious enough to warrant a stoppage of play may not participate further in the game until the completion of the ensuing face-off.
(g) If a player is obviously bleeding, play shall be stopped immediately and the injured player shall be ruled off the playing surface. The player will not be permitted to return to play until the bleeding has been stopped and the wound covered. If any blood is present on the uniform of any player, such player must leave the floor and not return until the blood is removed from uniform, or the uniform is changed.
In a case where it is obvious that a player has sustained a serious injury the referee may stop the play immediately regardless of who is in possession of the puck.
SECTION IV – Officials
(a) All referees are appointed by the
“Referee-In-Chief” of
(a) The referees are the official representatives
of
(b) The referee shall see that the teams are called to the floor at the appointed time for the commencement of each game, and at the start of each regulation and overtime period. The referee shall remain on the floor at the conclusion of each period, and any overtime, until the players have preceded to their benches or dressing rooms.
(c) The referee shall check the equipment used by any player when requested to do so by a Team official or Captain of either team.
(d) The referee shall assess all penalties as prescribed by the rules for the infractions thereof.
(e) The referee shall have the final decision on all goals, disputed or not.
(f) Before starting the game, the referee shall see that the appointed Official Scorekeeper is in their respective place,
(g) The referee shall announce to the Official Scorekeeper the duration of the penalties and the rule infractions involved, and also to whom the goals and assists are to be credited.
(h) After each game, the referee shall check and sign the Official Game Sheet and return it to the Official Scorekeeper.
(I) If a referee cannot appear for any game, a League Authority shall appoint a referee.
(j) All officials shall be dressed in black pants
and a long sleeved black and white striped shirt or attire approved by
(k) Referees are required to report on the official
game sheet all game misconduct, gross misconduct and match penalties
immediately following the game, to
(a) The Official Scorekeeper shall keep the time served by each penalized player during the game and upon request inform the penalized player of the unfinished time of his/her penalty.
(b) If a player leaves the penalty bench before his/her time has expired the Official Scorekeeper shall note the time and signal the referee at the next stoppage of play.
(c) Where public address systems are used, the Official Scorekeeper shall announce or have announced the name of each penalized player the nature of the offense and the penalty assessed.
(d) The Official Scorekeeper shall enter into the official game sheet a correct record of the goals scored, who scored, and to whom credit is given for assists, if any. He/she shall also keep a correct record of all penalties assessed, stating the names and numbers of the penalized players, the duration of each penalty, the infraction, and the time the penalty was assessed.
(e) At the completion of each game the Official
Scorekeeper shall sign the official game sheet him/herself and have the
referees sign it. He/she shall then forward the game sheet to
(f) If the rink is not equipped with an automatic buzzer or if this equipment should fail to operate, the Official Scorekeeper, shall by means of a whistle, signal the end of each period, each overtime period, and the end of the game.
(h) The Official Scorekeeper will record at all times in minutes and seconds.
SECTION V – Penalties
(a) Penalties shall be divided into the following classes:
1. Minor Penalties
2. Bench Minor Penalties
3. Major Penalties
4. Misconduct Penalties
5. Match Penalties
6. Penalty Shot
(b) When play is not actually in progress and any player commits an offense, the same penalty shall apply as though play was actually in progress.
(c) The minimum number of players a team may have on the floor due to penalties is 3 (2 skaters and 1 goaltender, or 3 skaters when the goaltender is “pulled”).
(d) A player will receive a “game ejection” penalty when he/she accumulates four (4) penalties during a single game (Double minor penalties count as 2 separate penalties towards the 4 penalties required for the game ejection)
(a) Minor penalties will be 2 minutes in length.
(b) For a Minor Penalty assessed to any player other than a goaltender, such player shall be ruled off the floor for 2 minutes, during which time no substitute shall be permitted. The player may leave the penalty bench upon expiration of his/her penalty or upon the scoring of a goal by the opposing team. If a Minor Penalty is assessed to a goaltender, a player on the team that was on the floor at the time of the infraction must serve the penalty.
(c) A "Bench Minor" penalty involves the removal from the floor of one player of that team for two minutes. Any player on the team may be designated to serve the penalty by the coach of playing Captain and such player shall take his/her place on the penalty bench promptly and serve the penalty as if it was a minor penalty imposed upon him/her.
If running time is being played and a minor or bench minor penalty terminates during a stoppage of play, allowing the team to have an additional player on the floor, the player so penalized shall remain in the penalty bench until the ensuing face-off is conducted.
(d) If while a team is shorthanded by one or more minor or bench minor penalties, the opposing team scores a goal, the first of such penalties shall automatically terminate.
"Shorthanded" means that the team must be below the numerical strength of its opponents on the floor at the time the goal is scored. The minor or bench minor penalty which terminates automatically is the first non-coincidental minor penalty assessed. Thus, coincident minor penalties to both teams do not cause either side to be "shorthanded". Although each team is playing short, they are at equal strength.
This rule shall also apply when a goal is scored on a penalty shot, or when a goal is awarded.
(e) When a player receives a major penalty and a minor penalty at the same time, the major penalty shall be served first by the penalized player except if the major penalties are coincident, in which case the minor penalty shall be served first.
(f) When either team is short handed by two players and coincidental penalties are imposed upon players of each team, the penalized players shall take their places in the penalty bench and such players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their respective penalties. Immediate substitution shall be made for players so penalized.
(g) A team may not be deprived of a man advantage situation in a game due to coincidental minor penalties already being served. If such a scenario arises, the players serving coincidental minors with the most time remaining will be substituted for, and such players shall not leave the penalty box until the first whistle after their penalties expire.
This included the scenario where a player on one team receives a double minor penalty, and two players on the opposing team are assessed minor penalties at the same stoppage with less time remaining in the game than is needed to serve the penalties in full.
(a) Major penalties will be 5 minutes in length.
(b) For a major penalty, the offender, except the goaltender, shall be ruled off the floor for 5 minutes, during which time no substitute shall be permitted.
(c) When coincidental penalties of equal duration including a major penalty are imposed upon a player of each team, the penalized players shall take their places on the penalty bench and such players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their respective penalties. Immediate substitution shall be made for the players so penalized and their penalties shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the delayed penalty.
(d) When coincidental penalties of unequal duration, including a major penalty, are imposed upon a player of each team, the penalized players shall take their places on the penalty bench and such players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their respective penalties.
The penalties which created the disparity in total penalty time between the player penalized shall be served first in the normal way by a player on the team of the penalized player. Account shall be taken of the penalties which create the disparity in the total penalty time awarded to the players affected for the purpose of the delayed penalty.
(a) "Misconduct Penalties" to all players except the goaltender, involve removal from the game for a period of ten minutes each. A substitute player is permitted to immediately replace a player serving a misconduct penalty. A player whose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the penalty box until the next stoppage of play. A misconduct penalty assessed to a goaltender must be served by a player on the goaltender’s team that was on the floor at the time of the infraction.
Any player/team official issued any type of misconduct penalty which results in the removal of that individual from the playing surface/player bench shall not be allowed to re-enter the playing surface/player bench at any time. This includes after the sounding of the final horn and completion of the game.
(b) When a player receives a minor penalty and a misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall immediately put a substitute player on the bench and he shall serve the minor penalty without charge. The misconduct penalty shall not begin until the expiration of the minor penalty by goal or by time expiration.
(c) A
"Game Ejection Penalty” involves the suspension of a player/team official
for the balance of the game. Such player will also be subject to further
sanctions by
(d) A "Game Misconduct Penalty" involves the suspension of a player/team official for the balance of the game and minimum, the next game. The suspended player shall be reported to the Matteson Square Garden Office whom may impose further suspensions, as they deem fit. All players serving a game misconduct suspension are required to be present for said game and must sign the game score sheet both before, and after the game.
(e) When a player receives a major penalty and a misconduct, game ejection, or game misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall place a substitute player on the penalty bench to serve the major penalty, and no replacement for the penalized player shall be permitted to enter the game except from the penalty bench. Any violation of this provision shall be treated as an illegal substitution under Rule 307 (a), calling for a bench minor penalty.
For all Game Ejection and Game Misconduct penalties regardless of then imposed, a total of 10 minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending player.
(f) A player or Team official who is assessed a game misconduct/ejection penalty, may not be near the team bench, or in any way attempt to direct the play of the team. As a first offense, the coach receives a “game ejection” and his/her conduct will be reported by the referees and kept on file. Second offense, the coach will be suspended from the bench for 1 game. Third offense, the coach will be suspended from the bench for all in-house leagues and tournaments until the matter is resolved by a disciplinary committee.
(g) Any player assessed a game misconduct penalty may be barred from the rink for the duration of the session if a League Authority deems it necessary.
(h) A Gross Misconduct penalty involves the suspension of a player or Team official for the balance of the game, but another player is permitted to replace a player so removed.
(i) The referees are
required to report all gross misconduct penalties and the surrounding
circumstances to
For all Gross Misconduct penalties regardless of when imposed, a total of 10 minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending player.
(a) A Match penalty involves the suspension of a player/team official for the balance of the game and the offending player shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately. The penalized team shall immediately place a non-penalized player, other than a goaltender, on the penalty bench to serve the five-minute time portion of the penalty and such player may not be changed. Any player/team official issued a match penalty is not allowed to re-enter the playing surface or player/penalty benches during or after the game.
(b) All
referees are required to report all match penalties and the surrounding
circumstances to
(c) A player who is assessed a match penalty, may not be near the team bench, nor in any way attempt to direct the play of the team. Any player assessed a match penalty may be barred from the rink for the duration of the session.
For all Match Penalties, regardless of when assessed, a total of 10 minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending player.
(d) When coincident match penalties have been assessed or when any combination of coincident major and match penalties have been assessed to a player or players of both teams, rules 503 (c & d) covering major penalties shall be applicable with respect to player substitutions.
(a) Any infraction of the rules which calls for a "Penalty Shot" shall be taken as follows:
The referee will name the player designated by him/her or selected by the team entitled to take the shot (as appropriate) and shall then place the puck on the center face-off spot. The player taking the shot will, on the whistle of the referee, play the puck from there and shall attempt to score on the goaltender. The goaltender must stay in the crease until the player touches the puck. The player taking the shot must keep the puck in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind and any time the puck crosses the goal line the shot shall be considered complete.
(b) The goaltender may attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing his/her stick or any other object or by committing a foul, in which case a goal shall be awarded.
See Rule 640 (a).
(c) In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 629 (g), (illegal entry into the game), under Rule 640 (a), (throwing stick), under Rule 645 (c), (fouling from behind), or Rule 610 (d), (deliberately displacing the goal post during the course of a breakaway), the referee shall designate the player who has been fouled as the player who takes the penalty shot.
In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 614 (c), (falling on the puck in the crease), Rule 610 (d), (deliberately displacing the goal post), or Rule 617 (e), (picking up the puck from the crease area), the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected of the non-offending team from the players on the floor at the time when the foul was committed. Such selection shall be reported to the referee and cannot be changed.
If by reason of injury the player designated by the referee to take the penalty shot is unable to do so within a reasonable time, a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the surface when the foul was committed may take the shot. Such selection shall be reported to the referee and cannot be changed.
(d) Should the player in respect to whom a penalty shot has been awarded himself commit a foul in connection with the same play or circumstances, either before or after the penalty has been awarded, be designated to take the shot, he/she shall first be permitted to do so before being sent to the penalty bench to serve the penalty, unless the penalty is a game ejection, game misconduct, gross misconduct, or a match penalty, in which case the shot shall be taken by a player who was on the floor at the time of the infraction, to be selected by the Captain or Coach of the none-offending team.
(e) If a goal is scored from a penalty shot, the puck shall be faced at center floor in the usual way. If a goal is not scored the puck shall be faced at either of the end face-off spots in the zone in which the penalty shot has been tried.
(f) Should a goal be scored from a penalty shot, a further penalty to the offending player shall not be applied unless the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as to incur a major or match penalty, in which case the penalty prescribed, for the particular offense, shall be imposed.
(g) If the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as would normally incur a minor penalty, then regardless of whether the penalty shot results in a goal or not, no further minor penalty shall be served.
(h) If the foul upon which the penalty shot is based occurs during actual playing time, the penalty shot shall be awarded and taken immediately in the usual manner notwithstanding any delay occasioned by a slow whistle by the referee to permit the play to be completed which delay results in the expiration of the regular playing time in any period.
(i) All players, except the player taking penalty shot, must go to the player bench.
(j) If any opposing player other than the goaltender interferes with a player taking a penalty shot a goal will be automatically awarded whether or not a goal was made.
(k) The time required for the taking of a penalty shot will not be included in the regular playing time or any overtime.
(l) A fully dressed goaltender is the only player who may defend a penalty shot.
(a) A goaltender shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an offense which incurs a minor or major penalty, but instead the minor penalty shall be served by a player to be designated by the coach or captain of the offending team through the playing Captain that was on the floor at the time of the infraction, and such substitute shall not be changed.
(b) Should a goaltender incur a misconduct penalty, this penalty will be served by a teammate designated by the coach or captain that was on the floor at the time of the infraction.
(c) Should a goaltender incur a game misconduct penalty, his/her place then will be taken by a member of his/her own team, or by a regular substitute goaltender that is available.
(d) Should a goaltender incur a game misconduct, gross misconduct or match penalty his/her place will then be taken by a member of his/her own team, or by a substitute goaltender that is available. No time period shall be allowed for this change. However, any additional penalties as specifically called for by the individual rules covering match penalties, will apply, and the offending team shall be penalized accordingly.
(e) All Penalties imposed on a goaltender regardless of who serves the penalty or any substitution shall be charged in the records against the goaltender.
(f) If a goaltender participates in the play in any manner when he/she is beyond the center floor line (or where a line would divide the floor into two equal halves), a minor penalty shall be imposed on him/her for delay of game.
(g) If a goaltender leaves his/her stick any where on the playing surface during a “delayed call” or while being “pulled”, a minor penalty shall be imposed unless leaving the stick denies a goal-scoring opportunity in which case a goal shall be awarded.
(h) A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goaltender who delays the game by deliberately shooting or batting the puck with his/her stick outside the playing area. This penalty shall apply also when a player or goaltender deliberately bats or shoots the puck with his/her stick outside the playing area after a stoppage of play.
(i) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goaltender that shoots the puck directly (non-deflected) outside of the playing area, except when a location is not protected by glass or screen.
(a) If a third player of any team shall be penalized while two players of the same team are serving penalties, the penalty time of the third player shall not commence until the penalty time of one of the two players already penalized shall have elapsed. Nevertheless, the third player penalized must, at once, proceed to the penalty bench but may be replaced by a substitute until such time as the penalty time of the penalized player shall commence.
(b) When any team shall have three players serving penalties at the same time and because of the delayed penalty rule, a substitute for the third offender is on the floor, the first of the three penalized players on the penalty bench may not return to the floor until play has been stopped. When play has been stopped, the player whose full penalty has expired, may return to the play.
(c) When the penalties of two players of the same team will expire at the same time, the Captain or Coach of that team will designate to the referee which of such players will return to the floor first, and the referee will instruct the Official Scorekeeper accordingly.
(d) When a major and a minor penalty are imposed at the same time on players of the same team, the Official Scorekeeper will record the minor as being the first of such penalties.
This also applies to the case where the penalties are imposed on different players of the same team.
(a) Should an infraction of the rules which would call for a minor, major, or match penalty be committed by a player of the side in possession and control of the puck, the referee shall immediately blow his/her whistle and assess penalties to the appropriate players.
(b) Should an infraction of the rules which calls for a minor, major, or match penalty be committed by a player of the team not in possession and control of the puck, the referee shall signify the calling of a delayed penalty by raising his/her arm. The referee will blow his/her whistle once the offending team gains possession and the penalty will be assessed to the offending player.
(c) If the penalty to be imposed is a minor penalty, and a goal is scored on the play by the non-offending team, the minor penalty shall not be imposed, but major and match penalties shall be imposed in the normal manner regardless of whether a goal is scored or not.
The puck must have come into the possession and control of an opposing player or has been "frozen" by a goaltender. This does not mean a rebound off the goaltender, the goal or any accidental contact with the body or equipment of an opposing player.
If after the referee has signaled a penalty but before the whistle has been blown, the puck shall enter the goal of the non-offending team as the direct result of the action of a player of that team, the goal shall be allowed and the penalty assessed in the normal matter.
If when a team is "shorthanded" by reason of one or more minor or bench minor penalties the referee signals a further minor penalty against the "shorthanded" team and a goal is scored by the non-offending side before the whistle is blown then the delayed penalty shall be served and the first of the minor penalties already being served shall automatically terminate.
(d) Should the same offending player commit other fouls on the same play either before or after the referee has blown his/her whistle, the offending player shall serve such penalties consecutively.
(e) During a stop time game, penalty time(s) will run/stop in unison with the game clock. In the situation of a running game clock the penalty time will start when the referee drops the puck to restart the game and continue to coincide with the game clock from that point on.
(f) A team may not be deprived of a man advantage situation in a game due to coincidental minor penalties already being served. If such a scenario arises, the players serving coincidental minors with the most time remaining will be substituted for, and such players shall not leave the penalty box until the first whistle after their penalties expire.
This includes the scenario where a player on one team receives a double minor penalty, and two players on the opposing team are assessed minor penalties at the same stoppage with less time remaining in the game than is needed to serve the penalties in full.
(a) In addition to the suspensions assessed under these rules, Matteson Square Garden may, at the conclusion of the game, at their discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and may assess additional suspensions for any offense committed before, during or after any game by a player or team official, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the referee.
(b) Players that incur a second suspension for the same “categorized” infraction within any one-year time period, receive an additional game suspension for this and every infraction thereafter. (Example: 1st offense – 2 game suspension, 2nd offense – 3 game suspension, 3rd offense – 4 game suspension, etc.) There are four types of “categorized” infractions: 1) Stick 2) General 3) Physical 4)Abuse of Official
(c) If a player receives a total of ten game suspensions within any one year period of time he/she will be banned from playing at all Matteson Square Gardens facilities for a minimum time period of one year from the last game suspended. This suspension includes all in-house games and tournaments. A player that has been suspended under this rule may only be reinstated by a disciplinary committee vote.
(d) Suspensions
assessed during a
(e) A
coach or team official assessed a second Game Misconduct penalty will receive a
1 game suspension. A coach or team
official assessed a third Game Misconduct penalty within a one-year period of
time or a Gross Misconduct must report to the coach’s disciplinary review board
before returning to the bench in any division or in-house tournament.
SECTION VI - Playing Rules
(a) Any player who challenges or disputes the ruling of an official or attempts to incite an opponent or create a disturbance during the game shall be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. If the player persists in such conduct, a misconduct penalty shall be assessed and any further persistence by the same player shall result in the assessment of a game misconduct penalty.
· In the case of a coach or other Team official, a bench minor penalty shall be assessed first and if such conduct continues, a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed.
(b) Any player who shoots the puck after the whistle shall be assessed a minor or misconduct penalty, if in the opinion of the referee, the player had sufficient time after the whistle to refrain from taking the shot.
(c) If any player
does any of the following, the team shall be assessed a Bench Minor penalty:
1. Throws anything onto the playing surface from the bench.
2. Interferes with any Game Official, (non-physically) in the performance of their duties.
3. When an altercation occurs, if not involved, does not proceed immediately to the players’ bench, or, in the event that the altercation takes place at the players’ bench, does not proceed to his/her team’s defensive zone.
(d) If any player
does any of the following, the player shall be assessed a Misconduct penalty:
1. Uses obscene, profane or abusive language to any person before, during or after a game.
2. During a stoppage of play, intentionally shoots or throws the puck out of the reach of an Official who is retrieving it.
3. Enters and remains in the referee’s crease, when asked to leave, except for the purpose of skating to the penalty bench.
4. Touches or holds any Game Official with the hand or stick.
5. Intentionally bangs the boards, protective glass or goal with a stick at any time.
6. Shows disrespect to an Official by means of language or gestures.
7. After being penalized, does
not proceed directly to the penalty bench or dressing room when ordered to do
so by the referee. Equipment shall be delivered to the penalty bench or
dressing room by a teammate.
(e) If any
player does any of the following, a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed:
1. Persists in any course of conduct for which the player has previously been assessed a misconduct penalty.
2. Physically resists any game official from performing his/her duties.
3. Uses obscene gestures or racial slurs anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.
4. Is assessed any “physical” type of infraction in the hand shake line at the completion of the game
(f) If any player
does any of the following, a Gross Misconduct penalty shall be assessed:
1. Deliberately inflicts or attempts to inflict physical harm to a Game Official or a Team official in any manner.
2. Behaves in any manner that is critically detrimental to the conduct of the game including, but not limited to, spitting at an opponent, Game Official or Team official.
(g) If any Team
official does any of the following, a Bench Minor penalty shall be assessed:
1. Bangs the boards with a stick or other instrument at any time.
2. Uses obscene, profane or abusive language to any person before, during or after a game.
3. Throws anything onto the playing surface from the players’ bench.
4. Interferes with any Game Official, (non-physically) in the performance of their duties.
5. Attempts to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.
6. Allows “unauthorized
bench personnel” in the bench area. “Unauthorized bench personnel” includes ALL
individuals that are not listed on the team’s roster (including parents and
family members of teammates).
(h) If any Team
official does any of the following, a Game Misconduct penalty shall be
assessed:
1. Persists in any course of conduct for which the Team official has previously been assessed a bench minor penalty.
2. Uses obscene gestures or racial slurs anywhere in the rink before, during or after a game.
(i) If any Team official does any of the following, a Gross
Misconduct penalty shall be assessed:
1. Deliberately inflicts or attempts to inflict, physical harm to an opposing player, Game Official or Team official in any matter.
2. Behaves in any manner that is critically detrimental to the conduct of the game including, but not limited to, spitting at an opponent, Game Official or Team official.
(a) Play shall not be stopped, nor the game delayed by reason of adjustment of clothing, equipment, skates or sticks. For an infringement of this rule, a minor penalty may be given.
(b) The responsibility of maintaining clothing and equipment in proper condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player shall retire from the floor and play shall continue without interruption using a substitute.
In the event a player loses his/her helmet during the process of play he/she will be allowed to continue that play provided that he/she is not in any type of immediate danger. Immediately following his/her involvement in play he/she must retrieve his/her helmet and either immediately fasten the helmet onto his/her head, or proceed directly to his/her respective bench for substitution. Extremely limited discretion is given to the referee in this rule, as safety of the player is the top priority.
(c) A goaltender, after a stoppage of play, with the permission of the referee, may be allowed to make adjustments or repairs to clothing, equipment, or skates. A goaltender may also be permitted by the referee to replace his/her mask but no time shall be allowed for repair or fitting a mask. For an infraction of a rule by a goaltender, a minor penalty may be imposed.
(d) A player in possession of two sticks may not participate in play. A violation of this rule may result in a minor penalty.
(a) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player
who deliberately attempts to injure any opponent, in any manner, and the
circumstances shall be reported to
(a) A minor, double minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee shall be imposed on any player that intentionally body checks an opponent, with or without the puck.
(b) A minor, double minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who makes physical contact with an opponent after the whistle has been blown, if in the opinion of the referee, the player had sufficient time to avoid such contact.
(c) When a player injures an opponent as the result of body checking, the referee shall have no choice but to assess a major penalty to the offending player.
(d) Any major penalty assessed for body checking may also include a game ejection or game misconduct penalty at the referee’s discretion.
(e) A minor AND misconduct OR major penalty AND game misconduct shall be imposed on any player who checks an opponent from behind.
(f) Body Checking may also be treated as a match penalty under Rules 603 and 611.
(a) A minor penalty or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be assessed to any player who fouls an opponent in such a manner that caused the player to be violently thrown into the boards.
"Rolling" an opponent (if he/she is in possession of the puck) along the boards where he/she is endeavoring to go through too small an opening between the boards and opponent is considered incidental contact caused by the attacking player (player in possession of the puck) so no penalty shall be assessed and play shall continue.
(b) When a player injures an opponent as the result of boarding or body checking, the referee shall have no choice but to assess a major penalty to the offending player.
(c) Any major penalty assessed for body checking or boarding may also include a game ejection or game misconduct penalty at the referee’s discretion.
(d) Boarding may also be treated as a match penalty under Rules 603 and 611.
(a) A player whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided he/she immediately drops his/her stick. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this rule.
A broken stick is one that, in the opinion of the referee, is unfit for normal play.
(b) A goaltender may continue to play with a broken stick until stoppage of play or until he/she has been legally provided with a stick.
(c) Any player whose stick is broken may not receive a stick thrown onto the playing surface, but must obtain one from the bench or another teammate. A minor penalty shall be imposed on the player or goaltender receiving a stick illegally under this rule, except when a penalty has been assessed under rule 601 (c). The purpose of