action: faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Hockeyfinder.com is the newest and best way to organize, advertise and promote pickup hockey games, open hockey for arenas and hockey clinics. This tool is available to anyone, anywhere and is completely FREE.

Players register now and find a game near you!

Organizers/Arena Managers request access to our organizer control panel and start giving players more places to play!

Our system allows for hockey players of all ages and abilities to participate in a hockey game with no permanent time commitment. You can sign up for one game, or many, as your schedule allows.

In addition the system allows for hockey teams to scrimmage with other hockey teams or other hockey players, or even a pickup hockey player for your match.

Check our open hockey schedule to find a hockey game near you.

What is HockeyFinder.com ?

  • Find pickup hockey games for youth
    and adults
  • Find hockey clinics & leagues
  • Reserve your spot in advance (How do I sign up? Click here)
  • Add your name to a waitlist if skate is full
  • See who else is playing and if there's two goalies
  • Choose which team you want play on - With your friends or against them
  • Add comments and communicate with other players with Facebook
  • Automatically import your hockeyfinder calendar to Outlook, google cal, or most calendar programs.
  • One log in account can control multiple hockey players. Log in, go to My Account, and select Add Player.
  • Locate an arena in the
    Hockey Finder rink directory
  • Learn how to play for free by becoming a Hockey Finder captain and looking after one of our skate times. Contact us today!

  • Post Public games to find players and get more exposure
  • Post Private games so only players you approve can see your games and sign up
  • Individuals, arena managers and coaches can add their pickup hockey, open hockey and hockey clinic to our site for *FREE!*
  • If you choose, HockeyFinder.com can collect funds in advance from each player ensuring payment
  • Add a waiver for added protection which players must agree to before signing up online
  • Easily input games with our 'duplicate' skate time option
  • Have your skate times listed on your website with the Hockey Finder plugin
  • All registered skaters in your area will get an email about your game.
  • Never be short on goalies or skaters!
  • Players know what color jersey to wear from the beginning. No time wasted on stick throws or jersey changes.
  • Contact all the players who are registered to your event with a click of a button
  • Add your pickup hockey game time
  • Sell more ice
  • Increase revenue from open hockey
  • Reduce time spent trying to keep your game organized
  • Automatically show your game schedule on your website with the Hockey Finder plugin
  • Players acknowledge a waiver when they sign up for your skate time
  • Contact all the players who are registered to your event with a click of a button
  • Prepayment option
  • Update your information in the rink directory
  • HockeyFinder is free to use!
  • Click here to learn more and add your open hockey
  • Post Public and Private games
  • Optional pre payment
  • Automatically show your game schedule on your website too
  • Unique RSS feed for your scheduled game
  • Communicate with the Hockey Finder facebook application
  • Custom page for your hockey events with the ability to add a logo and text
  • Add a waiver
  • Contact all the players who are registered to your event with a click of a button

WHAT IS HOCKEY FINDER?

    Hockey Finder is a website designed for players to find a game, as well as help organizers find players. It's quickly becoming the central location for pickup hockey. Register today and get in on the action!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

    Organizers (Individuals/Arena Managers/Coaches) post their pickup hockey game, open hockey game or hockey clinic on the website so that players can sign up online in advance. This makes it easier for the organizer to manage his/her hockey game/clinic and for players/students to find them.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

    Step 2. Fill out the form. Make sure all the fields with a * beside it has been filled.
    Step 3. Find the game you want to register for and click the Sign Up Now link.
    Step 4. Select whether you want to PLAY AS a skater or goalie. The captain option is for those who are organizing the ice time.
    Step5. Select the TEAM you want to play on. Either light or dark or leave at random to let the system place you. You can switch teams after you sign up.
    Step 6. Choose the player you wish to sign up to the game. The default player is the main player on the account. Click the arrow button to the right to change players.
    Step 7. Check the Hockey Finder and Organizer Waivers then click the SIGN UP button.

CAN I POST A PICKUP GAME, OPEN HOCKEY, OR HOCKEY CLINIC I ORGANIZE?

    YES! Any pickup hockey game can be posted here. From ice hockey, pond hockey, roller hockey, adult and youth hockey, all our welcome. And it is FREE!

HOW DO I POST A PICKUP GAME?

    You can post your games with our Organizer Control Panel. Simply contact us with your username and request you have access to it.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO POST A GAME

    All games are FREE to post!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SKATE?

    This depends on the organizer, the area, facilities, etc. Some games require credits purchased online through Hockey Finder. Some organizers collect their own funds. Some games are free. Each skate time will have payment info posted on it. READ THE NOTES!!!

DO MY CREDITS EXPIRE?

    NO! The benefit of hockeyfinder.com is that you can skate when it works for you. No commitment. Skate 10 times a week, or skate once a year. Your credits remain good forever.

CAN I HAVE MORE THAN ONE PLAYER ON MY ACCOUNT?

    Yes! We developed this with families and internet illiterate friends in mind. One account can have several skaters. This makes it convenient for parents and families that have more than one hockey player or your friend who refuses to use the internet. Once you log in click on "my account", and then add a player.

DO I HAVE TO REGISTER TO PLAY?

    Absolutely. You must register in order to be able to sign up for a game. This is necessary for several reasons. One, sometimes for payment alone. Also to keep the number of players consistent. If an organizer only needs 10 players, that is what they post. Remember to read the notes. Also if a skate time changes or is canceled, the only way you can be informed is if the organizer knows you are scheduled to be there.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO CANCEL?

    There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. If you cancel prior to 48 hours of a skate event no credit will be given.

OUR TEAM WOULD LIKE TO SCRIMMAGE WITH ANOTHER TEAM. IS THIS POSSIBLE?

    There are two options for this at the moment. First, you can set up a skate time, have the game posted on the site and list openings for another team with the level of play you're seeking. The second option, is to contact us directly and let us know what you're looking for. We will then let other teams in your area know. We are working on simplifying this process.

Hockey Finder League Rules

RULE #1: FUN FIRST

The first and most important rule is that EVERYONE is here to have FUN. Hockey Finder is a co-ed, mixed-skill, friendly league. By signing up, players acknowledge they will be skating alongside individuals with varying skill levels. Rough or unfriendly play is NOT tolerated.

General Philosophy & Code of Conduct

  • Respect teammates, opponents, officials, and the game.
  • Safety is the top priority.
  • Competitive play is welcome; intimidation, aggression, and ego are not.

Governing Authority

All USA Hockey rules apply unless otherwise noted. Hockey Finder has final authority over all rules, conduct, suspensions, and participation. By registering and paying to play, players agree to the league's terms and waiver. Players not fitting the division's level or spirit may be removed and offered another division or a refund.

USA Hockey Compliance & Framework

Hockey Finder follows USA Hockey's Playing Rules and Points of Emphasis (2025-29):

  • No body checking
  • No fighting or intention to fight (including dropping the gloves)
  • No abusive, discriminatory, or threatening behavior
  • Zero Tolerance Policy enforced by referee, league administrators, and division leadership

Hockey Finder Rules Addendum

In-Game Rules

  • No slapshots - the hockey stick cannot break a horizontal plane. No faking a slapshot. Either offense results in a whistle and faceoff in the offending player's defensive zone.
  • Faceoffs only at the 9 dots, at the nearest spot to the same zone from which the puck was last played.
  • In a situation where the puck goes out of play during game action in the offensive zone, the ensuing faceoff will now remain in that zone, regardless of whether a player from the attacking team or the defending team was the last to touch the puck.
  • End-zone faceoffs for penalties.
  • If there's a blown icing call, the faceoff will take place at center ice.
  • All games will be 60 minutes and consist of three (3) periods: two (2) 17-minute runtime periods and a 3rd period based on the remaining time.
  • The last two (2) minutes of the game shall be played stop time only if the goal differential is two or less and there's enough time left in the ice rental. A player from the trailing team, a fan, an official, or anyone can watch/stop the clock. Stop time will not occur when the game is tied.
  • Entering the third period, a team trailing by five (5) or more goals will be allowed to add one (1) additional skater for the remainder of the game or until the goal differential is less than 5.
  • If there are no referees, the game will be played in a pickup style, with each team responsible for keeping its own score.

Roster & Sub Rules

  • Teams may be subject to roster adjustments at any point in the season to improve competitive balance.
  • Subs - Teams can only field players from their roster; however, a sub player can be used according to the following:
    • Only request subs if your team has fewer than 10 skaters and/or no goalie.
    • All subs must be registered with Hockey Finder and be an active league player playing in the current season. The only exception is for sub goalies.
    • All subs must be within the skill range for the division, and ideally, a similar skill level to the player they are replacing.
    • Subs are allowed during playoffs only if the opposing captain approves the individual(s).
  • Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in the player being ineligible, and the game will be forfeited.
  • Teams can use as many subs as needed; however, no more than required to get to 10 (ten) skaters.
  • Non-active players (players not registered in the current season) may NOT be used for any reason except for goalies. Goalies do not have to be active league players.
  • Captains who violate this rule will not be asked to return as a captain.

Goalie Rules

  • If one or both teams do not have a goalie, the game will still be played as a regular game. If one goalie is missing, that team will either use the goalie board on the net or play with an extra skater. If both goalies are missing, teams will use the goalie boards or, if boards aren’t available, flip both nets forward from their pegs and must bounce the puck off the backboards and into the goal to score. Officials will still work the game, and everyone will do their best to make the most of the situation.

Alcohol Policy

Alcohol Usage - The consumption of alcohol prior to the game at the arena is unacceptable. Players will not be allowed to play should the captain and/or ref feel the player is under the influence of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol after the game is at the discretion of the players. Hockey Finder in no way encourages or endorses the consumption of alcohol in the locker room, at the arena, or on the arena premises.

Penalty Definitions

  • Minor Penalty (2 mins) - Three minor penalties in one game = ejection
  • Major Penalty (5 mins) - For severe infractions (e.g., reckless play) - Includes automatic game misconduct
  • Game Misconduct - Immediate ejection + suspension for next game. Permanent removal from the league is possible. Two ejections = automatic expulsion from the league.
  • Match Penalty - Serious violations and dangerous actions (e.g., head contact, intent to injure, spearing, kicking) - Indefinite suspension until the Disciplinary Committee hearing determines eligibility. Game suspension and expulsion are possible.

Zero Tolerance Policy

  • No verbal, physical, or visual abuse toward officials, players, or spectators.
  • No hateful or discriminatory language.
  • All violations = automatic match penalty + hearing.

Suspension & Removals Policy

  • All suspensions must be served in league games (not pickup games). The suspension must be served in the same division where the penalty was originally assessed.
  • If no games remain, the suspension carries to the next season.
  • Captains must report suspensions before the next game.

Arena Rules

All participants are expected to obey all rules and guidelines posted by the management of all arenas. Failure to comply with the posted rules can result in discipline from Hockey Finder, including forfeiture of games and suspension of Captains and/or players.

Disciplinary & Reinstatement Process

Disciplinary Process - A 3-person impartial panel from the Safety & Disciplinary Committee will review the incident in a timely manner. A written decision will be provided to the player within 15 days. The player involved will be suspended from all Hockey Finder participation during the review process.

Reinstatement - Players expelled from the league may request reinstatement after the date specified in their expulsion email. Appeals will be reviewed by Hockey Finder league administrators. Reinstated players will be on probation for a year.

League Expulsion - A player removed from the league for violating any Hockey Finder or USA Hockey rule(s) may be eligible to petition to be allowed back into the league. The Safety & Disciplinary Committee will determine eligibility and the waiting period.

Unspoken Rules

  • Take quick shifts, share ice time
  • Make space for newer players
  • Don't hack or slash skilled players

Playoff Rules

  • Tie break to determine playoff seeding - Total wins, then head to head, then goals against in head to head match up, then total goals against for the season, then total goals for in the season, then flip a coin.
  • If any playoff game should end in a tie, a best-of-three shootout will be used to determine the winner. If still tied, a single player 1v1 shootout will be held until a winner is determined.

5v5 Specific Rules

  • Blueline icing
  • Two-line passes allowed
  • 5-second faceoff rule. To maximize ice time and keep the game moving, the referees have been instructed to drop the puck 5 seconds after they reach a faceoff circle.
  • All minor penalties are two minutes and will be served as usual, unlike the 3v3 rules

3v3 Specific Rules

  • Faceoffs will occur only at the beginning of each period or in case of coincidental penalties (see Minor Penalties).
  • When play is stopped due to the goalie controlling the puck or a goal being scored, a whistle will signal the attacking players to vacate the zone. Once all the attackers have exited the zone, the players may re-enter to resume play immediately.

Regular Season Tie Game Resolution

  • If the game ends in a tie, a shootout may occur with both teams agreeing to it. The game is officially recorded as a tie unless the shootout decides a winner.
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