Playing Rules and Regulations
This AHAI rule is being reprinted here to make sure everyone is aware and understands it as we begin the new season.
Article II - Team and Player Eligibility
A. No player may by rostered or play on more than one AHAI Tier II team during the same playing season, except as follows:
1. A goalie may be rostered on two teams, provided that play on the second team is a back up goalie only and it is designated on the roster that this is the player's second team. No such backup goalie may play in a state tournament playoff or championship game for the second team unless that second team loses a goalie due to injury, illness or misfortune, and provided that the goalie who has been replaced must return as soon as he/she becomes available.
B. No AHAI player, team or member shall:
1. Play any Illinois team that is not a member of AHAI and USA Hockey;
2. Participate in any game, practice, event or other activity with which a person or entity suspended by AHAI and/or USA Hockey is participating or otherwise involved;
3. Use any player not properly rostered to its team, and may not play any team using a player not properly rostered to the team it plays.
C. No AHAI member team may use any illegally or non-rostered player or play using an illegally or non-rostered player.
*See NIHL Playing Rule Article 1, Paragraph 6B. 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 Board of Directors. 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. Unless otherwise agreed by the Board of Directors prior to the playing season, all member organization teams that register with AHAI, as a Tier II team, must register with NIHL.
3. A. Member organizations shall submit completed and signed rosters as approved by NIHL and certified to be true and correct by the President and organization Registrar of each member organization. NIHL will accept the following electronically-generated forms issued by USA Hockey to be submitted 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 their Team Information Report on or before scheduling. 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 each team by the day of Seeding Round Scheduling 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. A USA Hockey Official Player Roster for each NIHL team shall include signatures of all players, coaches, managers, and Presidents. All official rosters must contain two (2) goalkeepers.Each member organization's Registrar will fax the completed signed rosters to the NIHL Registrar no later than October 1st of the current playing season.
Note: Although Girls' official team rosters are not submitted to AHAI until December 31st, they must be submitted to NIHL by the October 1st deadline due to League game participation.
4. Any member organization who has not submitted a USA Official Player Roster (with signatures) for each team by the October 1st deadline will receive the following fine: $25.00 for each team not received.
B. Players may be added to a Completed Roster only until the deadline imposed by AHAI (October 15th for submitting rosters at AHAI for that age level) by submitting the following to the
NIHL Registrar:
1 . A letter on organizational letterhead asking that the player(s) be added, accompanied by a USA Hockey Supplemental Roster containing all the player(s) information, and signature(s).
C. Any member organization who has not submitted the necessary paperwork to the NIHL Registrar for adding players before or after the October deadline 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 before the NIHL Rules & Ethics Committee.
D. After the October 15th deadline, players may be added to Completed Rosters by submitting the following to the NIHL Registrar:
1. A letter on organizational letterhead showing that all criteria has been met for the player(s) for the current playing season, accompanied by an AHAI certified roster.
2. In any case, no player may skate on a NIHL team until the above has been received and approved by NIHL.
Note: All requests to add players before or after the October 15th. deadline MUST come from the organization's Registrar only. All other requests will not be accepted.
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 the 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 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.
Any proposed exceptions to this 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. 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. A 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 thereis 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. If required by NIHL, on or before the NIHL Scheduling Meeting or the start of the NIHL season, all coaches and assistant coaches of NIHL teams shall attend a meeting held by the Rules & Ethics Committee and the NIHL Statistician.
Attendance is mandatory for all NIHL coaches. At this meeting, the general intent is to review NIHL/AHAI/USA Hockey rule changes, scoresheet responsibilities, behavior (especially misconducts and other important issues). A referee official will be invited to review rule interpretations.
5. All scoresheets must be accompanied by a NIHL fax coversheet and faxed to the NIHL Statistician by the HOME TEAM by the earliest of the score sheet deadline or within 72 hours of the playing of the game. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in a $100.00 fine to the member organization involved.
All scoresheets for games played the last day of the seeding round or regular playing season must be sent by facsimile transmission to the NIHL Statistician by the Home Team no later than the time determined for the current season. (Refer to NIHL calendar for specific dates and times).
6. Any organization with outstanding fees greater than $100.00 after the President's Meeting will not be allowed to schedule that team.
7. The home member organization supervisor of officials will assign only registered IHOA/AHAI/USA Hockey referees for each game.
8. Prior to the last week of the season (or any tiering round), NIHL will report what scoresheets are missing by team level to each member organization. The member organization will then have twenty-four (24) hours to fax the missing scoresheets, or they will not be counted. The Statistician will then determine the standings according to NIHL records. If there are any challenges to NIHL standings, they must be made within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of final standings. After the standings are determined, the Tournament Committee will meet and arrange the pairings based on the final and approved standings. The pairings will be announced after review of any challenges.
9. A minimum $300.00 fine will be imposed for any missing scoresheet not turned in to the NIHL Statistician by the end of the league playing season or session. The HOME TEAM will be assessed a loss for missing scoresheets. The final determination and levying of any fines will be made by the NIHL Rules & Ethics Committee.
10. 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 within fifteen (15) days of the original game or before the end of the regular season or tiering round, whichever comes first.
Both teams are responsible for rescheduling the game, but the team cancelling or causing the scheduled 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 sending the completed rescheduling form to the NIHL Statistician within seven (7) days (postmarked within 7 days or by confirmed facsimile transmission). 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 accomodate 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.
11. 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 potentialforfeit, 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
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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. 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. Failure to do so may result in a $1,000 fine being assessed to that team.
5. All players must wear protective equipment recommended by USA Hockey during games and warm-ups. In addition, all players must wear a neck guard 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 each team shall be entitled to call one (1) minute time out. This is in addition to any “Officials Time-Out”.
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 disignations 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.
The original (WHITE) copy of the scoresheet must be faxed with a completed NIHL Fax Coversheet* to the NIHL Statistician, the yellow copy given to the visiting coach, the pink copy to the home team coach. It is the HOME TEAM's responsibility, under all circumstances, to fax the original (WHITE) copy with the fax coversheet to the NIHL Statistician. If at the end of the seeding round or regular season, the HOME TEAM has failed to fax the scoresheet for a game as provided in these rules, the HOME TEAM will be penalized with a loss for that game and fined $300.00, pursuant to Article 2, Section 9.
* NOTE: A NIHL fax coversheet must be faxed with each scoresheet for contact purposes should a problem arise during the faxing process.
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” rule. This rule requires the remaining NIHL clubs shall not be required to travel to Pekin or Peoria or South Bend or Rockford for their PK/P/R/SB) “HOME” games. This rule does not apply in the Midget Major Elite, Midget Minor Elite, or Girls Gold playing division.
Should a “HOME” game for Pekin, Peoria, South Bend or Rockford be played at another clubs' home rink, then that club shall be responsible to pay for the ice and pay for and schedule the officials. Pekin, Peoria, South Bend, and Rockford 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.)
b. The average goal differential from the game(s) between the tied teams (assuming all tied teams have played each other at least once). Their position will be in order of the greater surplus.
c. Goal differential of the entire regular season.
d. The average number of points acquired in the game(s) between the tied teams and the highest seeded, untied common opponent, which all tied teams have played at least once.
e. Continue point "c" with the next highest seeded, untied team, until all teams have been analyzed.
f. The average goal differential in the game(s) between the tied teams and the highest seeded, untied common opponent which all tied teams have played at least once.
g. Continue point "e" with the next highest seeded, untied team, until all teams have been analyzed.
h. Count the number of losses showing on the records of the tied teams (in regular season play only). Their position shall be in the order of the fewest losses.
i. Count the number of wins showing on the records of the tied teams (in regular season play only). Their position shall be in the order of the most wins.
j. Coin flip.
When three (3) or more teams are tied:
The same system will be used to "separate" one or more teams from the tie (either "ahead" of the remaining tied teams, or "behind"). Once a team (or teams) has been separated from the other tied teams, the system is to be repeated, from the beginning, to separate the remaining tied teams.
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.
Bronze and Silver Levels: The tournament at the Bronze level and Silver levels will consist of a single game elimination format. A total of 16 teams (or less, 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) will be selected based on the final standings of the regular season and seeded from #1-#16. These teams will be selected by a formula dependent upon the number of tiers at the level. If there is only one tier, then the tournament teams and their seeding will be determined by the regular season standings. If there are two tiers, 80% of the total number of eligible teams in their first tier will advance and be the highest seeds, with the remainder of the tournament teams being selected from the second tier to fill out the bracket and assigned the lower seeds. (Note: this formula will be used unless this requires 80% or more eligible teams from the second tier. In this event, more teams from their first tier will be selected until the total number of teams taken from the first tier represents a higher percentage than those taken from the second tier.) The number of teams selected from each tier will be announced at the start or the regular season. The tournament teams will play the first round of single elimination games at the home rink of the higher seed. The winners of these games will then proceed to a host site to participate in the second round games, and if winning, advance to the third round. The winners of the third round games will participate in the championship games, while the losers of the third round games will participate in the consolation games.
6. Rules for Qualifying Games and Single Elimination Tournament:
All NIHL Rules and Regulations apply to qualifying and single elimination tournament games, except as may be recommended by the Tournament Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Minorofficials will be furnished by the member organization hosting. All games are to be played until a winner is determined. In the event of a tie score at the end of regulation play, the overtime format will be as follows: The teams will take a two-minute break, and proceed to play a 4 on 4 sudden death overtime period of the same duration as the standard age appropriate game periods. 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:
All NIHL Rules and Regulations apply to round robin games, except as may be recommended by the Tournament Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. On-ice officials will be furnished by the Tournament Committee rather than by the home team. Minor officials will be furnished by the member organization hosting. If there exists a tie in team standings, the following tie-breaking system shall be used:
a. The points acquired in the games between the tied teams.
b. The goal differential from the games between the tied teams. Their position will be in order of the greater surplus.
c. The number of points acquired in the games between the highest seeded (entering the tournament), untied common opponent.
d. Continue point "c" with the next highest seeded, common opponent.
e. The goal differential from the games between the tied teams and the highest seeded untied common opponent.
f. Continue point "e" with the next highest seeded, common opponent.
g. Count the number of wins (from the tournament). Their position shall be in order of most wins.
h. Count the number of losses (from the tournament). Their position shall be in order of the least losses.
i. Teams allowing the fewest goals scored against in tournament play.
j. The higher seed, as determined by the final regular season standings, shall advance.
8. Playing periods for all tournament games are the same as regular season periods outlined in Article 3.
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.
Article 5 - A (2) Teams
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.
• 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.
4. Abusive or threatening words or actions, on or off the ice, before, during or after a game, towards any officer, or game official, (including referees) shall be considered conduct detrimental to hockey and shall be grounds for the immediate suspension of any individual guilty of such action.
5. A NIHL referee should forward a written bill of particulars to the President of NIHL, against any player, coach or manager given a game or match misconduct penalty or otherwise removed from the game due to extreme verbal or physical abuse, recommending further action, such as probation, suspension or expulsion, as a result of such abusive action.
6. All complaints of violations of conduct or notices of disputes (including suspected roster violations) shall be in writing, on a member organization's letterhead, signed by an officer and directed to the President of NIHL.
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 a written response is forwarded to all involved parties.
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,
• suspension or removal of any player, coach, manager, or team,
• suspension or prohibition of parents and/or guardians of players from attending NIHL games
• 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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