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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

In the event of a tied game at the end of regulation play of a regular season game, the game will be officially recorded as a tie. However, under the following conditions, teams may conduct a 1v1 shootout to determine a winner should both teams agree to a shootout.

• Available Ice Time: A shootout may occur if there is remaining time in the rental period or if it is the last game of the night AND the rink/rink attendant has previously approved additional time on the ice over the allotted rental period time without incurring any additional charges.
• Shootout Format: Teams will alternate shooters in a 1v1 format until either:
  1. A winner is determined,
  2. The rental time expires, or
  3. The rink attendant instructs the teams to leave the ice.
• Outcome: If the shootout is completed, the team that wins the shootout will be credited with the win in the standings. The losing team will not be awarded a point for the tie during regulation play.
• Referee Involvement: Referees are not required to remain on the ice or manage the shootout. Players are responsible for organizing and officiating the shootout themselves.

Net Management: After the shootout, players are responsible for moving the nets to the Zamboni door, as this is typically the referee's responsibility.