Rules 2024
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NMFNHL
NMFNHL is a competitive ‘Old-timer’ recreational hockey league. We continuously seek to create an environment where every player is physically able to return to their other activities the next day. As such we strictly enforce the rules set out below. The rules of play fall under the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada.
Stick Fouls – Sticks are for propelling the puck. Sticks are not to be used to cross check or slash opponents. These fouls will be penalized with very strict enforcement.
NMFNHL rules are as follows:
General Rules
R1)
Minimum age is 35 or older as of Sept 1st of the current year.
R2)
The age exception is the sons of players that are 30 will be allowed to join and be paired on the team with their father. Any exceptions are at the discretion of the captains committee.
R3)
No body checking.
R4)
Slapshots are allowed. Discretion and restraint should be exercised in order toprotect other players.
R5)
Two Line Passing is allowed.
R6)
The defending blue line will be utilized for icing calls.
R7)
No delayed/touch icing. Whistle will be blown when the puck crosses the icingline.
R8)
Standard protective hockey equipment including a hockey helmet is mandatory (shield or mask & neck guard are recommended).
R9)
If the goalie’s helmet/blocker/catcher comes off the play will be blown down.
R10)
Protection of the Goaltender:
Goaltender interference refers to any attacking player who, by means of their stick or body, interferes with or impedes the movements of the goaltender by actual physical contact. While incidental contact with the goaltender may occur, attacking players must make an effort to avoid contact in all circumstances. The onus is always on the attacking player and players who do not make an effort to avoid the goaltender will be penalized.
R11)
A Goaltender is not ‘fair game’ just because they are outside their goal crease. A penalty under this rule will be called where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with the goaltender anywhere on the ice. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goaltenders for infractions they commit within the vicinity of their goal.
R12)
Where an attacking player is tripped, hooked, cross-checked, or otherwise interfered with, falls, and makes contact with the goaltender, there must be an effort by the attacking player to avoid making contact with the goaltender. If the player does not make an effort to avoid contact with the goaltender, then they will be penalized for interference with the goaltender. The referee should also penalize the defending player who committed the initial foul under the appropriate rule.
R13)
An attacking player is NOT committing a foul by simply standing in the goal crease. However, if while standing in the crease before the puck enters, the attacking player attempts to play the puck, interfere with the play, or impede the goaltender’s vision or movements, then no goal may be scored. If the puck enters the net in this situation, the goal will be disallowed.
R14)
Running Goalies will not be tolerated and repeat offenders may be suspended at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.
R15)
Each team must have at least 6 skaters to avoid default. If a game is defaulted, teams may borrow players or share players to play out the ice time.
NOTE: A team may borrow a goaltender from another team or import a goaltender from the spare list whenever needed without default.
R16)
One hour per game as follows:
• 3 min warm up, two 22 min periods, both straight time periods.
• no overtime
• last 2 minutes of regular season games will be stop time if the game is 2goal difference or less and if time permits.
• Teams will keep the same benches and not change ends after periods.
R17)
During the course of the game the referees, alone, are in control and their decisions are FINAL. The captains are simply players, during the game, and cannot make or change a call.
R18)
Each team has a captain who will have a C to be identified by the officials. The Captain should be the player to discuss on ice issues with the officials. Alldiscussions must be sensible and question based.
NOTE: The referee’s crease must always be observed.
R19)
Pucks hitting the end zone mesh and returning to the ice surface will not be whistled down and play will continue.
PENALTIES
P1)
MINOR penalties are 3 minutes each and the ensuing face off will be in the defensive zone of the team that took the penalty.
Note 1: Any stick striking an opponent player anywhere above the waist (including arms gloves wrists, etc.) is considered a penalty at the discretion of the referee.
P2)
Offsetting coincidental minor penalties at the same stoppage of play are not time penalties and does not cause either team to be shorthanded.
P3)
Three MINOR penalties in the same game is an automatic game ejection. Player must go directly to the dressing room. Last penalty to be served by a team player.
P4)
A player who slew foots an opponent shall be assessed a Double Minor penalty. Should the player be moving (skating) or if an injury results from the infraction, the player shall be assessed a Match Penalty. A Match Penalty shall be assessed any player who attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent from a slew foot.
P5)
10 MIN MISCONDUCT penalty is not a time penalty but is served by the player.
NOTE: 2 such penalties in one season is an automatic review by Disciplinary Committee for possibly disciplinary action.
P6)
5 MIN MAJOR and GAME MISCONDUCT penalties are automatic game ejectionand carry a minimum 1 game suspension. Disciplinary Committee will review and assess if a longer suspension is required. 5 MIN MAJOR is a time penalty to be served by a substitute player of the offending team.
P7)
Fighting is a 5 MIN MAJOR and automatic GAME MISCONDUCT. The player(s) are suspended until the Disciplinary committee has made a ruling. The Disciplinary Committee will determine the severity and length of any suspension. The severity can be up to and including expulsion from the league. FIGHTING HAS NO PLACE IN THE NMFNHL. The minimum suspension for fighting is 3 games.
NOTE 1: Ejected players must not remain behind the end zone glass andexit immediately to the dressing room, or risk further suspension. NOTE 2: It is the referee’s responsibility to break up a fight. Peace makers need not enter the fray. 3rd man to enter a fight will be penalized. This is a 5 MINUTE MAJOR penalty and a GAME MISCONDUCT.
P8)
GROSS MISCONDUCT and MATCH penalties are automatic game ejection and the player is suspended until the disciplinary committee has made a ruling.
SUSPENSIONS
S1.
Throwing a punch may receive a suspension at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee, even if only a minor penalty was assessed.
S2.
Any player receiving 2 multiple game suspensions during any one season will be DISMISSED from the league with NO refund.
S3.
Any player receiving 3 accumulated suspensions over any number of seasonsmay be DISMISSED from the league pending the outcome of a disciplinary ruling.
S4.
Five suspension free seasons may result in rollback of 1 suspension.
S5.
Suspended players are not allowed to be at, or near, the player’s benches or the penalty box area during any part of their suspension.
S6.
Suspensions DO carry over from season to season. Any remainder of a suspension will be served the following season.
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
D1.
A League Disciplinarian will be selected at the start of each season to organize committee meetings/communication after an incident has been reported.
D2.
The Committee will consist of three members. The League Disciplinarian is permanent for the season. Two other captains will be selected on a rotational basis that did not have players involved in the incident.
D3.
Disciplinary Committee will discuss what happened, the severity of the incident and get input from the captains of the teams involved.
D4.
Disciplinary Committee decisions (majority vote by committee members for that issue) are final and are not subject to appeal.
D5.
All communications regarding a disciplinary issue are to be circulated to all captains. Any Disciplinary Committee meetings that are held may be attended by any of the league captains.
D6.
All penalties above a double minor will be recorded in a log by the League Disciplinarian. A brief description and final ruling will be kept in a historical file. Captains are responsible for keeping the League Disciplinarian informed of anything above a double minor penalty.
PLAYOFF FORMAT
1) Single round robin play, where each team will play each other once over the course of 5 weeks.
2) Maximum 6 points are available for each game.
3) Period point system will apply (2 points per period win and 2 bonus points per game win).
4) Period ties, teams split the points and are awarded 1 point each.
5) Game total ties, teams split the bonus and are awarded 1 point each.
6) Round robin team point totals will determine team ranking for the final game. (Tie breaker rules will apply - see below)
7) The top 2 teams, determined from the round robin, will qualify to play for the ‘A’ Cup Playoff Championship.
8) The remaining 4 teams will play similar consolation series games. 3rd vs 4th for the ‘B’ Cup, and 5th vs 6th for the “D” Cup.
9) All playoff, consolation and championship games will have the last 2 minutes of each period stop time regardless of the score.
10) If teams are tied during championship/consolation, a shootout will decide the game. (Shootout rules will apply - 3 player per team shootout) Note: Time permitting.
Tie Breaker Formula
1. Team with the most points during head to head play. In the case of more than two teams being tied in the final standings this rule shall not apply, go to #2.
2. Team with the most wins amongst the entire group.
3. Team with the highest ratio (goals for / (goals for + goals against)) amongst the entire group.
4. Team with the fewest penalty minutes.
5. Beer chugging contest between the 2 captains (best of seven).
Shootout Rules
1. Three players from each team are selected to shoot.
2. One player from each team will shoot simultaneously at opposite ends.
3. Team with the most goals is declared the winner after 6 players have shot or when it is no longer possible for a team to win. IE: After 2 shooters Team ‘A’ hasscored 2 times and Team ‘B’ has not scored.
4. If still tied after 6 player shootout, a sudden death 1 player shoot out will continue until a clear winner is decided. 1 player from each team will shoot simultaneously.
NOTE: players are not allowed to shoot twice until each and every player on the team has shot once. The same sequence is to be kept for players shooting a second time. The shooting players number will be circled on the game sheet by the Timekeeper. |
