The Garden's Ice House Adult Hockey

League Philosophy
Provide a safe, fun, competitive and respectful environment, in a family setting, for adult recreational hockey.

Playing Rules and Procedures
The Adult Hockey League is a USA Hockey Program. All games are played using the 2005-2007 Official Rules of Ice Hockey (click on the link to view the entire rule book), except as strengthened in this document . The Gardens Ice House also fully supports and enforces the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy. For the purposes of the Adult Hockey League, players will be penalized a misconduct penalty (Zero Tolerance) any time they:
(1) openly dispute or argue any official's decision;
(2) use obscene or vulgar language directed at the officials, players on the opposing team, in the penalty box, or loud enough for spectators and off-ice officials to hear it;
(3) visually demonstrate any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision.
A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.

All participants in our league MUST be at least 18 years old. NO EXCEPTIONS!

League Modifications

Player Identification - all players who have properly registered with USA Hockey, the league and who have paid their registration fees will wear a league-provided sticker on the rear portion of their helmet. Any player who does not have this sticker on his/her helmet will not be permitted to participate in the game. If a player obtains a different helmet during the season, he/she must present the old and the new helmet plus photo ID to a League Commissioner before their next game. The League Commissioner, after verifying the player's registration, will scrape the sticker from the old helmet and give the player a sticker for the new helmet.

Illegal player - An illegal player is any player who:
1. Participates in a pre-game warm-up or a game while suspended; or
2. Is not properly registered with the League; or
3. Is not on the team roster.

Player Identification Check - A team captain may request the officials perform a player ID check any time before the game and during the game up to the beginning of the third period. When requested, the officials will require the player(s) in question to immediately leave the ice surface. The game will continue as soon as the player leaves the ice. The score keeper will call the Duty Commissioner to the scorer's bench. The Duty Commissioner will require the player(s) in question to produce photo identification and will verify that the player's name(s) appear on the team roster. If the player in question is an illegal player, the team that he is playing for will forfeit the game, 2-0. If the player is not an illegal player, the team requesting the ID check will lose their team time out, if the check was requested before the start of the game; or be charged with a bench minor penalty for delay of game, if the ID check is requested during the first or second period of the game. All time used for the ID check is lost time and will not be added to the curfew time of the game.

Mercy Rule - At any time during the game, if the difference in the score reaches 7 goals, the referee shall instruct the score keeper to change the game time to running clock. If the difference in the score later drops to 6 goals the game time shall return to stop clock. At any time during the game if the difference in the score reaches 10 goals, the game will be terminated, with the existing score and statistics considered final. The teams will go through the end-of-game handshake and the referees and scorer will depart the rink. The score will be removed from the clock. The time remaining in the ice slot will be placed on the clock and started. The teams may practice or scrimmage for the remainder of the ice slot.

Team jerseys - All players and goalies on the same team must have similarly colored jerseys. The jersey for each player and goalie of the team must have a unique, permanently affixed, ten inch high number on the back of the jersey. (Taped-on numbers are not permitted.) This number must correspond to the number for that player or goalie on the team roster. This requirement is in effect from the opening day of the season. If teams are waiting for jerseys to be delivered they may ask, in writing from the League Commissioner, for an extension of this date not to exceed one month. Any player who attempts to play wearing a jersey of the wrong color, that has no number, or with an improper jersey number (taped on, or wrong size number, etc.) shall be required to leave the ice surface and may not participate in the game until the jersey errors are corrected
If team jerseys are deemed too similar in color by the referees, the visiting team will wear league-provided orange vests.

Rule 202 - Composition of Teams: The maximum number of players on a roster is limited to 25, with only 18 skaters and 2 goalies dressed for each game.
Players may skate on multiple teams as long as the teams are not in the same division.

Identification of captains: Team captains and alternates will wear a “C” or “A” on their jersey. The league will provide iron-on letters for teams who cannot provide their own. These players shall also be identified on the team roster. They are the only players who may discuss game situations with the officials. If none of the team captains or alternates are present, the team will appoint a bench captain for the game and notify the officials of this before the start of the game.
Goalies may not act as a team captain. Goalies who have acted a captain (organizing the team, making registration payments, etc.) must appoint an on-ice captain during games.

Rule 304a - Equipment: All players are required to wear full hockey equipment (face mask and mouth guards are strongly recommended, but optional for adults. Players not wearing the required equipment will be assessed a minor penalty and will not be allow to play until the proper equipment is in place.
Required equipment: (all equipment must be approved for ice hockey use)
Helmet
Elbow pads
Mid-section protection - hockey pants or girdle/shell
Gloves
Knee/shin protectors
Ice Skates (obviously)
Strongly recommended, but optional equipment:
Mouth guard
Full or partial face protection
Shoulder/chest protector

Rule 404d - Misconduct Penalties (Excessive penalties): If a player receives four penalties in a game, he/she will be excused form the remainder of the game with no game suspension.
If a player receives five penalties in a game, the player will receive a game misconduct and a one game suspension.
If a team receives 15 penalties in a game, the game will be terminated. If the offending team is losing, the score will be recorded as the final game result. If the offending team is winning or tied, the score will be recorded as a 2 – 0 loss for the offending team.

Rule 410 - Supplementary Discipline: League Management, at their discretion, will investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and will assess additional suspensions for offenses that may occur before, during the game, or after the game, whether or not the offense has been penalized by the referee.

Rule 601g(1) - Physical abuse of officials: Any player who physically abuses or threatens physical abuse of any league official, the referees, or score keeper shall be permanently expelled for the league. Threatening physical abuse includes, but is not limited to: chasing the official, making verbal threats towards the official, bumping the official, touching or grabbing the official, or acting in any way that would make the official fear for his or her safety. Permanent expulsion means the player has a lifetime ban on playing adult hockey, both ice and inline, at The Gardens Ice House.

Rule 601g(3) - Other Misconduct: Any player who verbally threatens another player (as noted above) shall be permanently expelled from the league. This includes threats made before, during or after the game.

Rule 617 - Fighting or fisticuffs: Any player given a fighting penalty will be suspended for three games for the first offense, five games for the second offense, and for the third offense shall be expelled from the league for remainder of the season and will forfeit any fees paid. Fighting, for the purposes of the Adult Hockey League includes, but is not limited to the following:
1. Punching, or attempting to punch another player. Physically hitting or striking the player is not a requirement.
2. Any quarrel, wrestling, or shoving between players that requires stoppage of play or disruption in the game to resolve or break up.
3. The player who initiates the altercation shall be deemed the aggressor and assessed a fighting penalty with the associated suspensions. A minor penalty may be imposed on a player who, having been struck, attempts to protect himself, or retaliates with a blow or attempted blow. The official has the discretion to assess harsher penalties if the player continues the altercation.

Rule 620 - Icing: All divisions use the defensive blue line for icing calls.

Rule 633 - Slashing: Officials shall award a double minor penalty to any player who makes stick contact with a goalie while he is in the crease, who has covered or caught the puck, regardless of whether or not the Referee has stopped play.

Rule 635 - Start of Game and Periods: If the start of a game is delayed by events that are not the responsibility of the teams participating in the game, e.g., the ice is not resurfaced on time, an earlier game runs over the allotted time slot, etc., then the game curfew time shall be adjusted so that the full one hour and 20 minutes is allowed. Any questions regarding game curfew times shall be referred to the Duty League Commissioner before the game starts.
If the start of a game is delayed by a team failing to appear on the ice promptly, the situation shall be addressed under Rule 635e.
If a team does not have enough players on the ice to begin the game after the designated warm-up period has ended, the referee shall direct the scorekeeper to place 5 minutes on the clock and start the clock. If, after the 5 minutes have expired, a team still does not have enough players on the ice to start the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing team. If neither team has enough players to start the game the referee shall refer the issue to the League Commissioner.

Rule 637- Time of Match: All games of the A, B, C and Women's Divisions shall consist of three 15-minute, stop-clock periods. There will be one minute allowed between periods. The ice will not be resurfaced between periods. All games must be completed in the one hour, 20 minute curfew time. Before the third period starts the officials will confirm that at least 30 minutes remain in the ice slot. If less than 30 minutes remain, the official will direct the scorer to put half of the time remaining on the clock for the third period. All games of the Salt and Pepper, and the Old Salts Divisions shall be limited to a one hour, 10 minute curfew time.

Beginning with the 2006-2007 season, officials shall strictly enforce the USA Hockey Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis on calling of stick infractions.

Suspensions
The suspended player list will be posted on the league web site and on the league bulletin board. Suspensions will be posted on the day after the game in which the infraction occurs. If a hearing is required the League Management will make every effort to insure the hearing is held within 14 days of the offense. Penalties assessed for violation of Rule 601g, Inflicting harm to a game Official in any manner, or attempting to do so, requires a hearing that is the responsibility of our local USA Hockey governing body, The Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association. They are responsible for setting the date for and conducting the hearing.
Suspended players may attend the games as a spectator but may not be in or near the player's bench, penalty boxes or scorekeeper's bench area.
Carry-over suspensions - Game suspensions assessed but not served before the end of a season will be served at the beginning of the next season in which the player participates.

Protests and Complaints
Recognizing that a vital objective of league play is development of concepts of sportsmanship, protests are not favored and normally may be expected to be denied except in instance of a gross violation of the rules, such as the use of an ineligible player. Protest which are submitted shall be handled in the following manner
Winning teams may not file a protest, only losing teams.
Protests must be submitted in writing by the team captain to the League Director within 48 hours on the completion of the game. Emails are acceptable. Protests submitted by any other team member will not be considered. The League Director, the League Commissioner, or one of the Duty Commissioners will respond to the protest within 72 hour or receipt (unless more prompt response is needed).
ALL referees judgmental decisions are final and are not subject to protest, appeal or review.
A situation may occur which is not appropriate for protest, but with respect to which a team wishes to complain. In such a case, the same basic procedures as for a protest shall be followed. The result of a complaint will have no effect on a game's result, but may serve to clarify league, club, team or individual membership actions and policy.

Registration, Fees and Team Rosters
All teams must pay a deposit that is approximately one-third of the season registration fee. This deposit is typically due one month before opening day of the season. Registration will close on the date the deposit is due. The remainder of the registration fee is due before opening day of the season. The exact due dates will be posted on the web site. A preliminary team roster is due with the deposit payment. Teams who fail to make the final payment date will be subject to a 10% late fee. This 10% late fee will be imposed on the remaining balance due. An additional 10% late fee shall be imposed on any balance due for each 30-day period that passes. Additionally, any team that carries a balance past a 30-day period shall not be permitted on the ice for any games until the balance due is paid in full.
Payments may be made by cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. Payments can be made in person, by mail, or online from the league web site. The preferred method of payment is by a single cash, check, or credit card payment.
USA Hockey registration/membership is required for all participants. All players on each teams roster, including those players considered substitutes, must be registered with USA Hockey within one month after the opening date of the season. If they are not registered with USA Hockey they will be removed from the team's roster. The League Commissioner will inform the team captain in writing before any players are removed from the roster.
USA Hockey membership provides player insurance. Everyone participating in a league game or practice must be a USA Hockey member or the coverage for all players is invalidated. All players who participate in the league must register individually on-line with USA Hockey. Participants must present their confirmation code to the League Commissioner before joining any league activities - games or practices.
There is a 25-players limit on number of players on a team roster. USA Hockey limits the number of players on the bench to 18 skaters and 2 goalies per game.
All rosters will be "frozen" one week before the opening day of the season. This date will be announced during the registration period. No team may add players to the roster any time the rosters are "frozen" except in the following instances:
(1.) During the winter season, teams may add players to their rosters from December 15th until the end of the mid-season break, typically January 2nd , or during the summer season during the last week of June through the first week in July.
(2.) Any team who loses a player due to season-ending injury or moving out of the area may add a player on a one-for-one basis.
No players may be added during the final two months of the regular season regardless of reason. New players must be registered with USA Hockey before playing.
Score sheet printed rosters - no one may make pen-and-ink changes except the League Commissioner or a Duty Commissioner

Refunds: Refunds will only be given when a valid medical letter is presented to the League Commissioner. The medical letter must be on a physician's letterhead, must state the medical reason why the player cannot continue to participate in the hockey season, and must be signed by the physician. Any refund must be approved by the team captain. If the team captain approves a refund by the league, the team must make up the amount refunded to meet the team registration fee. Refunds will be pro-rated with games played.
Team refunds will not be granted regardless of the cause.

Schedules, Standings, Statistics and Playoffs
Games days and starting times for all A, B and C divisions:
Sunday: 12:00 and 10:45 PM
Monday through Friday: 7:45 through 10:45 PM
Saturday: 6:00 through 10:45 PM
Game days and starting time for all age-restricted divisions (40+, 50+):
Winter: Sunday: 50+ - 4:00 through 6:00 PM
40+ - 7:00 through 9:30 PM
Summer: Monday through Thursday - 7:30 through 9:30 PM
Games days and starting time for all Women's divisions:
Winter: Sunday: 1:00 through 4:00 PM
Summer: Monday through Thursday: 8:00 through 9:30 PM
When an odd number of teams make up a division, occasionally one team may need to play an additional game so that every team plays to specified number of season games. When this occurs the first game following either the winter mid-season break or the summer Independence Day holiday will not count in the standings for the team that is playing the additional game.
Web site schedules
Posted by team for the entire season.
Web site schedules are the official schedule, paper copies are not.

Schedule Changes
Schedule changes will be made only to accommodate games that cannot be played due to rink equipment failure and the closing of the rink due to inclement weather (hurricanes, blizzards, etc.).
Teams that have conflicts with published schedule times have two choices.
1. Show up and make the best of the game
2. Not show up and forfeit
Any team that fails to appear for three consecutive games will be removed from the schedule without any refund.

Postponement of games due to inclement weather or equipment failure
Any games postponed due to inclement weather or equipment failure will be immediately posted on the web site. Every effort will be made to contact the teams’ captains by the quickest means available (phone, email, etc.) It is important that each team captain set up some way of rapidly communicating with the rest of the team. It is also critical that the captain and alternate captains of each team keep their contact information updated with the League Office. These games will be rescheduled at the end of the season just before the start of the playoffs. If necessary, the start of the playoff schedule will be delayed to accommodate the make-up games.

Standings
Division place standings will be updated weekly (Friday) on the League web site. Paper copies will be posted on the League bulletin board at the rink. When an odd number of teams make up a division, occasionally one team may need to play an additional game so that every team plays to specified number of season games. When this occurs the first game following either the winter mid-season break or the summer Independence Day holiday will not count in the standings for the team that is playing the additional game.
Tie breakers for teams with the same number of place points
1. Most overall wins;
2. Points awarded in head-to-head competition;
3. Higher GF/GA differential in head-to-head competition;
4. Higher GF/GA differential against all teams
5. Fewest goals allowed against all teams

Statistics
Game scores, player and goalie statistics will be updated each Friday or Saturday to reflect the previous weeks games for each team. Each division will also have a Top 20 point leaders and Goalie Statistics comparison list posted at the league web page. A "Top Guns/Top Stoppers " list for the entire league will also be posted. Paper copies will be posted on the League bulletin board at the rink. To minimize errors in standings and statistics, captains are required to review and sign the score sheet following each game. At this time the captain may have the score keeper to correct any errors in the game statistics

Playoff Procedures/Schedules
All teams make the playoffs. Single elimination playoffs will be used to determine division champions If the division has an odd number of teams in it, the first playoff game will be a qualifier between the last place team and the next-to-last place team. All other playoff games will be first place vs. last place, second place vs. next to last place, etc. Semi-finals will be the highest place survivor vs. the lowest place survivor, and the 2nd place vs. third place survivor. The playoff schedules will be posted on the league schedule page at the shortly after the beginning of the season.

Overtimes/tie breakers
There are typically no overtimes during season games – tie games are permitted. If however, the game finishes with at least 10 minutes remaining in the ice slot, a 5-minute overtime period may be played if both team captains agree to it. The first team to score during the overtime wins. The winning team earns 2 place points, the loser none.
During all playoffs and championships round the following procedures will be followed: 5-minute "sudden death" overtime period; 5-player shoot out; team shoot out. Any player whose penalty has not ended when the overtime period is over is not eligible to be one of the players selected to participate in any of the shootout procedure(s).