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.

HockeyFinder Hockey League Rules

RULE #1

The first and most important rule of this league is that EVERYONE is to have FUN. These are mixed level games so by signing up to this league you acknowledge there will be less and more skilled players than you playing. Please be aware of this and do your best to include everyone in the game. Rough and unfriendly play will NOT be tolerated.

(a) All USA Hockey rules are in effect unless otherwise stated.

(b) Hockey Finder has final authority concerning all rules and regulations including, but not limited to, suspensions, expulsions and general discretion of conduct.

General Rules

THE FOLLOWING RULES AND REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HF ADVISORY BOARD AS WELL AS CAPTAINS OF THE LEAGUE TO HELP ENSURE PLAYER SAFETY AND MAINTAIN A FUN-FRIENDLY-SOCIAL LEAGUE.
  1. This is a NO CHECK, NO BS, friendly league. Being ejected from a game will automatically receive another game suspension. A second ejection will result in an expulsion from the league without refund.
  2. Absolutely NO FIGHTING. This will result in an automatic expulsion from the league without refund.
  3. No slapshots - the hockey stick cannot break a horizontal plane. No faking a slapshot. Either offense results in a whistle and faceoff in offending player's defensive zone.
  4. Face offs only at the 9 dots, nearest spot to the same zone that the puck was last played from.
    • 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.
  5. End-zone faceoffs for penalties.
  6. It doesn't happen very often, but if there's a blown icing call, restart at center ice instead of all the way down.
  7. All games will be 60 mins and consist of 3 periods. 2 - 17 mins run time periods and a 3rd period based on the remaining time.
  8. Last 2 mins of the game shall be played stop time only if the goal differential is 2 or less and there's enough time still left in the ice rental. Trailing team, fan, ref or anyone for that matter can watch/stop the clock. Play shall not be stopped when the game is tied.
  9. Entering the third period, a team trailing by five (5) or more goals will be allowed to ice one (1) additional skater for the remainder of the game or until the goal differential is less than 5. Should that team receive a penalty they would play 5v5 for the duration of the penalty. A second penalty with time still remaining in the first one would result in 4v5. A third penalty with time still remaining in the first two would still be played 4v5 and that penalty wouldn't start until the first one is finished.
  10. If there are no referees then the game will be played pickup style with each team responsible for keeping their own score.
  11. 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 place the goalie board on the net or play with an extra skater. If both goalies are missing teams will use the goalie boards or flip both nets forward from their pegs and have to bounce the puck off the back boards and in to score a goal. Refs will still do the game and everyone will make the best of the situation.
  12. All players must agree to the league's terms and waiver. This is part of the online registration process.
  13. 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 under 10 skaters and/or has no goalie.
    • All subs must be registered with Hockey Finder, and be an active league player playing in the current season. Only exception is for sub goalies.
    • All subs must be within the skill range for the division and ideally a similar skill level of the player they are replacing.
    • Subs are allowed during playoffs if the individual(s) is cleared by the opposing captain.
    • Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in an ineligible player and the game will be forfeited.
    • Teams can use as many subs as needed however no more than needed to get to 10 skaters.
    • Non active players (not playing 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.
  14. Teams, as absolute last resort for competitive balance, may be subject to roster adjustments at any point in the season.
  15. Only registered players on team rosters or on approved sub lists may play.
  16. Regular season games do not have overtime or a shootout. If a game is tied at the end of the 3rd period it is recorded as such. 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 sudden death shootout will be held until a winner is determined.
  17. Alcohol Usage - The consumption of alcohol prior to the game at the arena is unacceptable. Players will not be allow to play should the captain and/or ref feels the player is under the influence of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol post 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 premise.
  18. Hockey Finder reserves the right to remove a player from a division or the league if they do not fit the skill level or play in the spirit of the program. The player will be offered either another division to move to if there are spots available or a pro-rated refund.

Unspoken Rules

Be aware of your ice time - Remember to take quick shifts and keep ice time equal.

These are mixed level games. Be aware of lower level players and give them time and space. Be aware of more skilled players and do not slash or hook them.

Minor/Major Penalties

  1. Any player having been assessed three (3) minor penalties in the same game will be automatically ejected from that game however no further discipline will result.
  2. Players ejected because of a major penalty or a 10 min misconduct will automatically receive another game suspension. A second ejection because of a major penalty or a 10 min misconduct will result in an expulsion from the league without refund.
  3. If a player is ejected during a second game in the same season this will result in an automatic expulsion from the league without refund.
  4. A third ejection resulting from incidences from multiple seasons will result in an automatic expulsion from the league without refund.
  5. Body checking penalties will be deemed as two (2) offences. Two (2) body checking penalties in the same game will result in the immediate ejection from that game plus a further game misconduct.

Playoffs

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 sudden death shootout will be held until a winner is determined.

5 vs 5 Rules

  1. Blueline icing.
  2. Two line passes are ok.
  3. 5 second faceoff rule. In order to maximize ice time and keep the game moving the refs have been instructed to drop the puck 5 secs after they get to a faceoff circle.
  4. All minor penalties are two minutes and we be served as normal unlike the 3 vs 3 rules.

3 vs 3 Rules

  1. Face-offs will occur only at the beginning of each period or in case of coincidental penalties (see Minor Penalties).
  2. When play is stopped due to the goalie controlling the puck or a goal was 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. They may not challenge the opposition until they have all exited the zone. Attacking prematurely may result in a penalty for the offending team.
  3. There is no centre-ice (red) line, and therefore no icing calls or offside passes.
  4. Teams do not switch ends after each period.
  5. In the absence of a goaltender, teams will play with four (4) skaters. The fourth skater may not exit their zone except to change or in the last shift of the game. Fourth skaters are not required to change on the buzzer and can change at any time.
  6. All minor penalties will result in an immediate breakaway situation for the offended player. The referee will place the puck on the centre face-off spot and the remaining players will line up, stationary, on the backside blueline. Play will commence on the referee s command and the shift resumes as normal. If the offended player is injured and unable to perform the breakaway, the coach will assign one (1) player from the ice to replace that player.
  7. Coincidental penalties shall result in a faceoff at centre ice.
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