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Article 1 - Team &
Player Registration & Eligibility 1. A. Unless otherwise
required by the Executive Board, at the September NIHL regularly scheduled
Board of Directors Meeting, each organization must declare the final
number of teams that will be fielded at each
level. If an organization fails to field a team after declaring to do
so or adds a team (which is permitted to schedule) after the President’s
Meeting, that Member Organization shall be fined $250.00 for each team
involved. Any clubs making changes the day of Scheduling or after will
be assessed a $525.00 fine for each team involved. B. Each
member organization shall provide a detailed club directory as requested
and formatted by the NIHL Executive Board. This directory shall include
at a minimum the member organization’s home rink(s) information, it’s
President, NIHL Representatives, Registrar, Hockey Director (if applicable),
website and personnel corresponding email addresses. In addition, the
member organizations detailed club directory shall include its NIHL
teams, according to metallic division along with Head Coach and Manager
information for each team. Failure to comply with this Executive Board
request shall subject the member organization to a $500.00 fine. Failure
to comply after the fine has been assessed shall subject the organization
to an additional fine and referral to the Rules & Ethics Committee
for appropriate action. C. All
member organizations shall have a facsimile number and e-mail address
to receive any and all NIHL correspondence. The facsimile number and
e-mail address shall be included in the documentation provided to NIHL
under Article 1B. D.The
privilege of playing in NIHL is limited to teams rostered by Member
Organizations, and to teams of non-member organizations granted playing
privileges by the Executive Board to play in the Midget and Girls Gold
playing divisions. Teams of non-member organizations must apply
to the NIHL Executive Board for permission to play in the Midget or
Girls Gold playing divisions. The Executive Board shall exercise
its discretion whether to accept the application. Teams of non-member
organizations must pay a participation fee in an amount determined by
the Executive Board, as well as the usual team fee for the playing division.
Such participating teams are subject to all of NIHL’s Playing Rules
and Regulations and By-Laws, including rostering, player eligibility,
scheduling duties and obligations, NIHL Tournament, and disciplinary
rules. E.
All-girls teams shall have the following options for entry into NIHL
playing divisions: A. NIHL Girls Gold Division
(preferred). B. NIHL Youth Divisions:
Gold or Silver: Age Appropriate. All-girls teams may not
“play down” nor may they enter at the Youth Bronze level as the
Girls Gold division is of the same caliber of play. This rule shall
be waived at a specific age level only if less than 5 girl’s teams
enter at that specific Girls Gold age level. Only the teams that
have entered at that level – by the September Board of Directors meeting
– will have the rule waived for them. 2. To play for a member
NIHL team, a player must be eligible to appear on an official roster
for that team in a Tier II State Tournament sanctioned by a governing
organization or, if none, a roster approved by the NIHL Registrar. Any
player who does not live in the State of Illinois is subject to the
same rules and restrictions imposed by AHAI on Illinois
residents. 3. A. Member organizations
shall submit the following electronically-generated forms to the NIHL
Registrar. 1. A USA Hockey Team Information Report (TIR) for each NIHL team containing all player information must be submitted to the NIHL Registrar by each member organization’s Registrar no later than the day of Seeding Round Scheduling for the current season. Note: Teams whose TIR have not
been received will NOT be allowed to schedule. 2. Each member organization
shall submit a completed Pee Wee Instructional Checking Clinic Declaration
form for each of their Pee Wee teams with the Team Information Report
on or before Seeding Round Scheduling for the current season.
This completed form shall contain the printed name of each first year
Pee Wee player followed by their parent’s signature, as well as the
signature of the organization’s President and Registrar, declaring
that these players have participated in at least two (2) hours of an
instructional checking clinic prior to the beginning of the season.
Any member organization who has not submitted a completed Pee Wee Instructional
Checking Clinic Declaration (with signatures) for the current season
will receive the following fine: $25.00 for each team not received.
Goalies must participate in the clinic and sign the Declaration Form.
Mandatory checking clinic is not required for all girl teams. 3. Each member organization shall
submit in electronic media a spreadsheet (in a common software format
as decided by the NIHL Registrar) containing names and addresses for
all players and coaches rostered to each NIHL team to the NIHL Registrar
by October 15. This electronic spreadsheet shall be considered
the Completed Roster for the team for purposes of participating in all
NIHL games. Note:
Although Girls’ official team rosters are not submitted to AHAI until
December 31st, they must be submitted to NIHL by the October 15th deadline
due to League game participation. 4. Any member organization that
does not satisfy this requirement will receive the following fine:
$25.00 for each team for which the electronic information is not received. B. Players may be added to a Completed Roster only with the prior approval of AHAI and by submitting the following to the NIHL Registrar: 1. A letter on organization
letterhead asking that the player(s) be accompanied by an updated electronic
spreadsheet containing all the player’s information, and with confirmation
of AHAI approval of the roster addition. C. Any member
organization who has not submitted the necessary forms to the NIHL Registrar
for adding players to the Completed Roster will be subject to the following
fine: Up to a maximum of $750.00 for each player added and/or loss of
games in which the player(s) participated, and mandatory appearance
of the organization’s President and Registrar Rules & Ethics Committee. 4. A. In order for a player
at all levels to qualify to play in any NIHL Tournament Game (including
a qualifying game to make the team eligible for the NIHL Tournament),
a player must have participated in a minimum of 60% of the team's NIHL
League games (including the seeding round). Tournament and exhibition
games are not to be considered when determining the 60% minimum. Protested
games (or periods) which are replayed in whole or in part, will not
count toward the minimum game requirement if the player in question
was not rostered at the time of the original game. If during the course of playdown
and/or tournament games, it is determined that a player has not met
the applicable eligibility rule and has participated in these games,
that player’s organization will be subject to the following fine:
$1,000.00 and the loss of any/all games that player participated in. B. For
the purposes of this Rule, rostered shall mean the player is eligible
to play in a game according to NIHL, AHAI, and USA Hockey rules. If
the player is ineligible to play because of injuries, the player’s
missed games because of injury shall not be included for purposes of
determining eligibility. It is the responsibility of the team manager
to ensure that scoresheets are accurately prepared so that it may be
determined if a player is injured (marked INJ on scoresheet),
suspended (marked SUSP on scoresheet), or simply absent for non-medical
reasons (marked ABS on scoresheet) for each game. Further, it
is the responsibility of the team manager to collect and retain a legible
copy of each and every scoresheet for all NIHL seeding round and regular
season games player (HOME and AWAY) by that team. Further, it
is the responsibility of the team managers of the participating teams
to submit to the Chair of the NIHL Rules & Ethics Committee (by
fax or by email) within 48 hours after the game is concluded, a copy
of the scoresheet from any game in which a player or coach received
a penalty or penalties requiring a suspension. Finally, it is
the responsibility of the team manager to submit to the Chair of the
Rules & Ethics Committee (by fax or email) within 48 hours after
the game is concluded, a copy of the scoresheet in which any player
or coach from that team served a suspension. Any proposed exceptions to these
Rules must be reviewed by the Rules & Ethics Committee on a case-by-case
basis, working under the rules of AHAI and USA Hockey. 5. A. Once a player and/or
parent/guardian has signed the roster, that player is “frozen” to
that team. B. During
preseason scrimmages and/or practice games, movement of players between
different levels for purposes of balancing teams within the same organization
will be considered acceptable procedure. 6. A. Except in situations
involving girls players who are dual-rostered to a team in the Girls
Gold division and to teams in the youth division pursuant to Rule 6.B.6
of this same Section below, players may not play for more than one (1)
NIHL member organization. B. No player may be rostered for more than one (1) NIHL team. There are only two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is for goalies, and only under the following conditions: 1. only as a back-up goalie on
the second team. This must be clearly designated
on the Team Information Report submitted at Scheduling and the Completed
Signed Roster. Designations for goalkeepers shall be “DG” (Designated
goalkeeper) and “BUG” (Back-up goalkeeper). Back-up goalies must
be assigned to a USA Hockey official player roster prior to the beginning
of the current season (per AHAI Rule 4b). 2. goalie can only play as back-up
when the primary goalie is unable to play due to injury, illness, or
misfortune. 3. a goalie may not play as a
back-up in any league playoff or championship games, except if approved
by the Tournament Committee. 4. Except as provided in (5), the second team which the goalie plays for must be for the same member organization, but an older age group, and of equal competition level. (Except in the case of a “petition down” situation.) If there is no team at the same level of competition in the lower age group, then the backup goalie shall be from the highest level of the next lower age group available; 5. In case of a Mite team, the
backup goalie may be rostered from the same age category, but must come
from the next lower team of that organization. 6. The second exception
is for girls. Except for goalies, a girl player may be rostered
to a maximum of 2 teams, with a maximum of one team playing in a Girls
Gold division. A girl goalie may be rostered to 2 teams pursuant
to this paragraph, and may also be rostered as a back-up goalie on a
third team subject to all the conditions set forth in the preceding
subsections 1 through 5 of this rule. Example: A Squirt “A”
goaltender may act as Back-Up Goaltender for a Pee Wee “A” team;
A Bantam “AA” goaltender may act as Back-Up Goaltender to a Midget
“AA” team. At the Mite “AA” level a Back-Up Goaltender may come
from a Mite “A” team. At the Mite “A” level, a Back-Up Goaltender
may come from another Mite “A” team or may be another active member
of that same team. All Back-Up Goaltenders must come from the same organization.
Do not consider NIHL’s metallic divisions when rostering a Back-Up
Goaltender; use only AHAI’s “AA” and “A” designations. 7. Players, and/or
coaches, shall not participate in any NIHL game while under suspension
by USA Hockey, AHAI , NIHL, or any other league in addition to NIHL
in which the team may participate. While under suspension, coaches and
players are not allowed to be in contact with the bench by use of hand
signals, head sets, or any other means of communication. Article 2 - Season &
Schedule 1. Scheduling and playing
of NIHL League games shall take precedence over all other games, except
State Tournament Elimination and Final games. League games shall mean
those games which count towards the NIHL?standings or are played
in the NIHL Tournament. Teams must fully participate in League games
and Tournament games. 2. Each year the Board of Directors shall establish the NIHL season which may be divided to accommodate tiering among its members. All games are to be played by or on the final day of the regular season or the end of
the seeding round. Final standings, determining eligibility for and
placement in the play-offs, are to be based on games played by the close
of the season and properly reported. If there is sufficient time between
the close of the season and the beginning of the play-offs and if one
(1) game that could effect the participation in the
play-offs the Tournament Committee may give approval for the game(s)
to be played and included in the standings. 3. A. During the Scheduling
meeting, each member organization will be limited to one (1) scheduler
per team plus one master scheduler. Any additional attending members
may be asked and will be required to leave the scheduling meeting. B. All
organization’s must have ice schedulers present at all Scheduling
meetings. Failure to do so will result in a $500.00 fine to the organization
involved. C. If,
on the day of Scheduling, the person designated to schedule a team’s
games does not show up, the following fine will be assessed: Up to a
maximum of $1,000.00 and mandatory appearance of that organization’s
President or designated person before the NIHL?Rules & Ethics Committee. 4. Scores for all NIHL
Seeding Round and Regular Season games must be recorded on NIHL’s
electronic recording system by the HOME TEAM within 48 hours after the
game is concluded, or no later than the time and date set by NIHL for
recording of all game scores for that Seeding Round or Regular Season.
Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in a $100.00 fine
to the member organization involved. 5. Any organization with
outstanding fees greater than $100.00 after the President’s Meeting
will not be allowed to schedule that team. 6. If any HOME TEAM fails
to record the score of any game on NIHL’s electronic system within
the deadline set by NIHL for that Seeding Round or Regular Season, the
result of that game will be considered a LOSS for the HOME TEAM, subject
to review by the Executive Board. The Executive Board will determine
Regular Season final standings based on scores recorded on the NIHL
electronic system and losses imposed for failures to record game scores,
and thereafter the Tournament Committee will meet and arrange the pairings
based on the final and approved standings. Any challenges to the
Regular Season final standings must be made by the member organization’s
President or NIHL Representative directly to the NIHL President within
twenty-four (24) hours after final standings are announced on the NIHL
website. The Tournament pairings will be announced after review
of any challenges. 7. A minimum $300.00 fine
will be imposed for any game score that is not recorded by the HOME
TEAM manager on the NIHL electronic system by the deadline set by NIHL.
The final determination and levying of any fines will be made by the
NIHL Rules & Ethics Committee. 8. All NIHL games will be played; FORFEIT GAMES ARE NOT ALLOWED. Any NIHL game that is not played as scheduled is to be rescheduled as soon as possible. Any postponement of game must be done at least 24 hours prior to game time (except in case of inclement weather). If a game is postponed for any reason, it must be rescheduled before the end of the regular season or seeding round, as applicable. Both
teams are responsible for scheduling the game, but the team cancelling
or causing the schedule game not to be played, shall have the greater
responsibility to make concessions to the convenience of the non-cancelling
team, and must make every effort to play the game at the originally
scheduled home team’s rink. The HOME TEAM is responsible for
recording the rescheduled game on the NIHL electronic system on or before
the date and time for which the game is rescheduled. Teams having
difficulty in rescheduling a game should promptly notify their NIHL
representative, who shall contact the opposing team’s NIHL representative,
to settle the matter between the organizations. At no time will
the tiering round or regular season be extended to accommodate re-scheduled
games. All games must be played within the dates specified in
the NIHL calendar. If the
matter cannot be settled between the NIHL representatives, they should
contact a member of the Rules & Ethics Committee assigned to that
area. The Committee may determine the party which failed to cooperate
and fine the member organization. Any potential forfeit is subject
to the jurisdiction of the Rules & Ethics Committee. 9. All scheduled NIHL
games must be played in a timely manner and all teams must fully participate
in such games. THERE ARE NO FORFEITS ALLOWED IN NIHL GAMES! The Rules
& Ethics Committee shall have the authority to: (1) review circumstances
relating to possible forfeits and the steps taken by the teams to play
the game, (2) determine when and where an unfinished and potentially
incomplete game is to be played, (3) make recommendations to the Board
of Directors on how “points” for a game, subject to a potential
forfeit, will be awarded, (4) recommend the incomplete game is judged
to be “detrimental to hockey”, (5) assess a fine not less than $250.00
against any member organization’s team that flatly refuses to play
another team in league play; and (6) take such steps to protect the
integrity of NIHL. Policy Interpretation:
This rule gives the Rules & Ethics Committee (after investigation)
the ability to impose sanctions against players, coaches, teams, managers,
and organizations which may include: • monetary penalties, • deduction of “points”
from a team’s standing, • directions to play a disputed
game at a certain time or place, • suspension or removal of
any player, coach, manager, or team, • any combination of the above 10. The President shall
appoint a Scheduling Committee which will be responsible for addressing
a numerical imbalance between and among the teams in any given level. 11. As a policy, second
team entry by a member organization will be placed in such a way that,
it will limit the number of games played against another team of the
same member organization participating in the same Level of competition. 12. All teams in a given
age division and the same Level of competition, will play the same number
of League games. Article 3 - NIHL Playing
Rules & Regulations 1. The managers and coaches
in charge of a team for a NIHL game (including tournament games) shall
be regarded as responsible for their team’s player, goalkeeper and
coach eligibility, and for the conduct of their team officials, players
and parents during that game and while at the place where the game is
being played. 2. Each manager, head
coach and assistant coaches are obligated when requested, to do whatever
possible to assist game officials and others involved in controlling
the spectators at that game who are traveling along with the team, or
when playing at their home rink. Suspension for the coach or manager
or the entire team, or an assigned loss of the game could result from
lack of such action in attempting to control any person or group in
the arena. 3. Each team may dress
a maximum of 18 skaters plus two (2) goalkeepers. 4. All players must wear
numbered uniforms in the proper team colors. Team socks must be
mirror image. Players shall affix NIHL “Elite” patches and
NIHL “Sponsorship” patches to both home and away jerseys as directed.
Players shall wear the same number on both home and away uniforms for
all NIHL league, playdown, tournament games, etc. It is the responsibility
of each NIHL team to bring both Home and Away jerseys to all playdown
and tournament games. Violations
to any provisions of this rule may result in a $1,000 fine being assessed
to the violating team. 5. All players must wear
protective equipment recommended by USA Hockey during games and warm-ups.
In addition, all players including goalies must wear a cloth-type neck
laceration protector during all NIHL games and warm-ups. 6. All timing clocks and
scoresheets must be made available to the visiting team. 7. THE TRADITIONAL HANDSHAKE
BETWEEN TEAMS WILL TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS. 8. Only players in uniform
and Team Officials (up to a maximum of four (4)) shall be permitted
to occupy the bench. A Team Official is any person on the player’s
bench who is not on the game scoresheet as an eligible plyer or goalkeeper.
All such persons must be registered in the current season as a coach
with USA Hockey, and must have attained the appropriate certification
level as required by AHAI. A player or goalkeeper on the roster who
is unable to play, other than through suspension, may be on the player’s
bench without being considered a Team Official, if he/she is wearing
the team jersey and all required head and face protective equipment. All
players or coaches who have been suspended cannot participate in any
games during their suspension. Definition of participation includes
“communications with the bench”, or “ sitting on the bench.”
Any infraction of this rule shall result in the mandatory appearance
before the NIHL Rule & Ethics Committee. 9. Playing Times/Penalty Times A. Playing
times for all games (seeding round, regular season and tournament) will
be stop-time periods, except as set forth below. The Gold-Silver and
Bronze teams will retain the same period lengths and penalty times for
the seeding round, regular season and tournament games.The Elite teams
will adjust their period length and penalty times (Mites and Squirts)
after the seeding round games.
Starting with the Fall 2008 seeding round and regular season and continuing
after, the host team will schedule at least sixty minutes of rink time
for any game with eleven or twelve minute periods; at least seventy
minutes of rink time for any game with thirteen minute periods; at least
eighty minutes of rink time for any game with fourteen minute periods;
and at least ninety minutes of rink time for any game with fifteen minute
periods.
B. The
playing time and all NIHL rules pertaining to playing time for the game
must be explained to the referee and the timekeeper by the home team
before the start of the game. C. If
the stop-time periods as specified cannot be played because of a team
being late, it shall be rescheduled by agreement between the coaches. In addition, the minimum time
for the warm-up preceding the game shall be no less than five (5) minutes.
Further, in the event of an injury, third period time must be agreed
upon by both coaches. It is further agreed that notwithstanding the
above, that should the competing coaches agree to play the game, that
once the game is started, the results of that game will be absolute
and final. D. For NIHL League Games (seeding round, regular season and Tournament) each team shall be entitled to call one (1) minute time out. This is in addition to any “Officials Time-Out.” Teams shall not receive any extra timeout during overtime periods in Tournament Qualifying Games or in Single Elimination Tournament games. E. Slaughter
Rule/”Running Clock” 1.
At the point that a five (5) goal deficit exists in the third period,
the clock should remain running with the following exceptions: a. Penalties- the clock should be turned off to list the penalty minutes and turned on at face-off. b. Injury and Official Time-Outs-
the clock should be turned off until the ensuing face-off. 2. At the point in the
third period when a five (5) goal deficit first arises, the clock should
be turned off to record the goal and not restarted until the ensuing
face-off. 3. The clock should remain
running if a goal is scored by either team, and the five (5) goal differential
still exists. However, if the losing team scores a goal to narrow
the deficit to four (4) goals, then the clock is turned off to record
the goal, and not restarted until the ensuing face-off occurs, at which
point normal stop time will again be kept. 4. If a play is stopped
and a penalty expires, the penalized player should not return to the
ice until play resumes. 5. Invoking the slaughter
rule is MANDATORY and is not subject to negotiation between opposing
coaches, or referees. NIHL does not permit
running time EXCEPT under the slaughter rule and seeding round instructions.
(NIHL Playing Rules & Regulations, Article 3, 9E and Article 3,
1). There are “NO?OTHER?EXCEPTIONS!” Should a game clock run out
of ice time with time left on the clock, the scorekeeper will note the
time remaining on the scoresheet. The remaining time left in the game
will be played with the responsibility on the offending home team to
insure the conclusion of the game in the following manner: 1. The first time the two teams
meet at the offending home teams’ rink, the incomplete game will be
finished prior to the start of the new game. 2. In the event the only remaining
game between the two teams is at the affected visiting
teams’ rink, the affected visiting team will make every effort
to conclude the unfinished game prior to the start of their scheduled
game, and any additional cost to have the original game completed will
be borne by the original home team. 3. If no games remain between
the two teams, it shall be the responsibility of the original home team
to conclude the game prior to the season’s end or the seeding round
end. 10. The home team is responsible
for furnishing a scorekeeper, a timekeeper and referees, or referee
and linesman. Except for Mites and Midgets, referees and linesman must
be a minimum of fourteen (14) years of age and at least two (2) age
classifications older than the players in any game they officiate. For
Midget age games, the minimum age for officials must be eighteen (18)
years of age. For Mites, a referee may be as young as twelve (12) years
of age and less than fourteen (14) years of age, as long as the second
referee used in the game is a Level 2 and (15) fifteen years of age
or older. NIHL league games cannot be played with only (1) one referee. 11. In all NIHL games,
the officials must be qualified as follows: • Using two (2) referees, at
least one must be Level 2 and the other must be at Level 1. • Using a three man system,
the Referee must be at least Level 2 and the linesman may be at Level
1. In
addition, there will be no parent or child or sibling relationship with
regards to a referee and a player; no parent or sibling may referee
a game in which their child or sibling is a participant. Please note:
No games at any USA Hockey level can be officiated by (1) one official. 12. Not less than fifteen
(15) minutes before the game the manager or coach of the home team must
verify that the officials are qualified and tell the visiting coach
or manager of the fact. In the event properly qualified officials
are not present for the game, the home organization must explain the
circumstances to the coach of the visiting team. Any question about
the qualification of the officials must be raised before the start of
the game, and if these questions cannot be satisfactorily answered and
the officials not deemed qualified to officiate the scheduled League
game, the game shall be played as a practice game, or the visiting team
leaves the rink and the home team conducts a practice. Once a game has
been started with the understanding that it is an official NIHL game,
the officials have been automatically accepted by both teams. The use
of the ice as a “practice” game is optional. If qualified officials
are not available, NIHL shall be notified with a reschedule form. When
games are not played because the home team does not have required officials,
the home team shall have the responsibility to make concessions to the
convenience of the visiting team. 13. Game Misconduct Penalty
- A player or coach who receives a game misconduct penalty in a League
game must serve that penalty by being suspended from the next already
scheduled NIHL game, in addition to the next scheduled sanctioned USA
HOCKEY game, which is not a NIHL game. A Game Misconduct Penalty may
not be served in a practice game. Any Game Misconduct may come under
the review of the Rules and Ethics Committee. Documentation must be
provided to Rules and Ethics if the suspended game is not a NIHL game.
For clarification of this rule, contact the Rules and Ethics Committee. 14. A player who is assessed
a penalty in a NIHL league or NIHL playoff game for “Fighting” or
“Fisticuffs” will be suspended for the next three (3) already scheduled
sanctioned USA Hockey games, excluding practice games, and not including
the game in which the penalty was assessed. 15. The official NIHL
scoresheets are for NIHL league, playdown, or tournament game use only.
Do not use for any practice, house or non-NIHL games. Each team’s
manager is responsible for making sure that all copies of the NIHL official
scoresheet are filled out completely using the proper name of the team
as given by NIHL, Level, Tier within metallic level (if applicable),
and is signed by both coaches and all referees. Each scoresheet
must contain all rostered players in numerical order. The following
designations must be entered on all copies
of the scoresheet next to the player’s name when that player is not
skating: Absent – ABS, Injured – INJ, Suspension – SUSP.
In addition, all suspended players must be listed on the scoresheet
under suspensions. 16. Teams will be assessed
a loss and subject to fines if they play a league or tournament game
with an ineligible player. If a team plays an ineligible player during
a tournament game, that team is eliminated from further tournament
competition. 17. “Pekin – Peoria
– Rockford – South Bend – Midwest Maniax” rule. This rule
requires the remaining NIHL clubs shall not be required to travel to
Pekin or Peoria or South Bend or Rockford or Midwest Maniax for their (PK/P/R/SB/MM)
“HOME” games. This rule does not apply in the Midget Major
Elite, Midget Minor Elite, Girls Gold playing divisions, nor in Tournament
games including first round Bronze/Silver elimination games. Should
a “HOME” game for Pekin, Peoria, South Bend, Rockford, or Midwest
Maniax be played at another club’s home rink, then that club shall
be responsible to pay for the ice and pay or and schedule the officials.
Pekin, Peoria, South Bend, Rockford and Midwest Maniax shall provide
the minor (off-ice) officials. The
“VISITING” team, which decided NOT to travel, will pay all costs. Article 4 - Tournament 1. NIHL will host a season
ending Tournament at each age and competition level to determine Championship
Teams. The Tournament Format may be determined by the Tournament Committee.
The Tournament Format may vary from season to season, as the Format
will be dependant on the number of NIHL teams, the number of Tiers (if
any), the age and competition levels of the NIHL teams, etc. Tournament
Committee recommendations shall be approved by the Executive Board. 2. a. Any team which successfully
petitions to “play down” shall not participate in any NIHL?playoffs,
championships or awards for that season. (By-Laws, Article 3 - Paragraph
4). b. In
a division which has three (3) levels of play, and in the case of a
team being the only team from the member organization participating
in that division, should that team be moved to the lowest level, either
voluntarily or by action of NIHL once the season has begun, the team
shall be ineligible to participate in the NIHL tournament for the level
the team was playing at the end of the season. 3. Teams eligible for the playoffs are determined from the final standings and points earned; two (2) points per game won, and one (1) point per tie game. 4. When teams are tied in point totals, the following system will be used to determine which of the tied teams will be selected and/or which team will rank higher in assigning the numbers for appropriate payoffs. a. The average number of points acquired in the game(s) between the tied teams (assuming all tied teams have played each other at least once.) The NIHL Executive Board, in conjunction with the NIHL Rules and Ethics Committee, reserves the right to alter the final standings under extenuating circumstances, to better and more accurately reflect a fair interpretation of the competition of the NIHL tournament. 5. Tournament Format: Gold and Elite Levels: The tournament at the Gold and Elite levels will consist of a round robin type of format. The top 6 or 8 teams (as determined by the tournament committee, based on the total number of teams at each level, and to be announced at the start of the regular season) as determined by the standings of the regular season, will advance to the round robin. These teams will be divided into two brackets, with each team playing the other teams in their brackets to determine which teams, finishing first in their brackets, will play in the championship games, and which teams, finishing second in their brackets, will play in the consolation game. 6. Rules for Qualifying Games and Single Elimination Tournament: If a tie still exists after any overtime period, the teams will take a two-minute break and continue to play overtime periods until a winner is determined. If there is not sufficient ice time to complete the game, the scorekeeper will note the time of the game on the scoresheet, and the game will be rescheduled from the point at which ice time ran out. If there are any rescheduling problems, the decision of the NIHL Tournament Chairman and the NIHL President shall be final. Teams are not required to change ends during overtime periods. 7. Rules for Round Robin Tournament: a. The points acquired in the games between the tied teams. g. Count the number of wins (from the tournament). Their position shall be in order of most wins. 8. Playing periods for all tournament games are the same as regular 9. No fees or admission will be charged at NIHL Playoff games. Admission or fees may be charged only at the NIHL Championship Games, subject to the control of the Tournament Committee. 10. Team managers and coaches need to consult with their organization’s NIHL Director regarding the tournament rules and regulations prior to the start of the tournament. 11. All non-probationary organizational members of NIHL shall have an equal opportunity to host one or more levels or segments of the Tournament, including those organizations subject to the Peoria Rule, without regard to their geographic location. NIHL may organize a division for the youngest skaters to participate in a shortened season. If sufficient interest exists, “major” and “minor” Mite A-2 levels of competition may be formed. To be eligible to participate in the major Mite A-2 level, the players must be eligible to participate in the Mite level in the following full season. To be eligible to participate in the minor Mite A-2 level, the players must be eligible to participate in the Mite level in the following two (2) full seasons. Article 6 - Suspension & Expulsion 1. Rules & Regulations shall be governed by the Rules & Regulations of NIHL; if none, or if not specifically covered by the Rules & Regulations of NIHL, then the Rules & Regulations of USA Hockey and AHAI shall apply. 2. In order to preserve so far as possible the purity of amateur hockey in NIHL, any recourse to the courts, or legal action by a member organization or individual before all rights of the By-Laws, Rules & Regulations of this League shall have been exhausted, shall be deemed ungentlemanly conduct entailing the immediate suspension of any member organization or individual and further rendering the same liable to expulsion by the Board of Directors. 3. Any violation of the By-Laws, or Rules & Regulations of NIHL or any conduct detrimental to hockey, either on or off the ice by any member organization or individual could render such member organization or individual liable to probation, suspension or expulsion by the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Rules & Ethics Committee. a. Any protests must be submitted in writing, and must be received by the NIHL President within seventy-two (72) hours from the day of the game, and must have been channeled through the member organization of the team making the protest and must be accompanied by a $100.00 check from the member organization. b. The $100.00 payment is refundable only if the protest is upheld and is forfeited to NIHL if the protest is denied. Protests that are based on a “Judgement” call or mistake by a referee will be automatically denied. c. All protests will be reviewed by the Rules & Ethics Committee and all practical efforts to hear all sides of the issue(s) including a hearing, if needed, will be undertaken before Article 7 - Rules & Ethics Committee The Rules & Ethics Committee shall have original jurisdiction over the administration and enforcement of the By-Laws, Rules & Regulations of NIHL. The Rules & Ethics Committee shall have the authority to suspend, place on probation, or impose other disciplinary sanctions against any person, team or organization which it determines to have violated the By-Laws or Rules & Regulations of NIHL or for conduct deemed detrimental to the purpose and intent of the By-Laws and Rules & Regulations or detrimental to youth hockey. In addition, it shall have the power to recommend for suspension (by vote of the Board of Directors of NIHL) any member organization which it feels merit such sanction. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of holding a hearing and a vote of the majority of the members of the Committee present at such hearing shall be required for disciplinary action. Decisions of the Rules & Ethics Committee shall be final, unless a Notice of Appeal therefrom is filed and provided in these By-Laws, Rules & Regulations. Any person, team, or organization affected by a decision of the Rules & Ethics Committee may appeal, with the appropriate fee, with the President of NIHL within seventy-two (72) hours after the date that the decision has been rendered and notification given, which appeal shall be acted upon by the Executive Board whose decision shall be final. Any reference in the Rules & Regulations that refer to any Committee having jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Rule (except NIHL Tournament) shall be changed to read Rules & Ethics Committee. The Rules & Ethics Committee shall follow all procedural guidelines for hearings which govern the procedures of the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee. Policy Interpretation: This rule gives the Rules & Ethics Committee (after investigation) the ability to impose sanctions against players, coaches, teams, managers, and organizations which may include: • monetary penalties • deduction of “points” from a team’s standing, • directions to play a disputed game at a certain time or place, • any combination of the above Article 8 - Appeals Appeals of any NIHL committee decision may be made to the Executive Board by the following procedure: 1. Appeals for consideration by the NIHL Executive Board must be submitted, in writing, to the President of NIHL by the affected person, team, or organization through its officers and/or directors. 2. Appeals must be accompanied by a $150.00 filing fee which shall be returned if the appeal is upheld. 3. Appeals must be received by the President of NIHL within seventy-two (72) hours of the Committee decision and notification. 4. Individual, member team officers and/or directors must appear before the NIHL Executive Board at the time and place specified by the NIHL Executive Board and present at the appeal. Non appearance is sufficient reason for denial of the appeal. 5. Decisions of the NIHL Executive Board will be given to the individual, member team officer and/or Board within seventy-two (72) hours after the hearing. 6. All decisions of the NIHL Executive Board are final. |
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