League Rules (Full Ice)
COMMUNITY HOCKEY LEAGUE
Full Ice - PLAYING RULES
2024-2025
Rule 1: Equal Ice Time
a. The CHL will operate based on equal ice time, as close as feasibly possible, for all players during every game.
b. In U10 through U21 divisions it is acceptable to play fewer defense pairings than forward lines. All forwards should play as equal as possible, and all defensemen should play as equal as possible, with a minimum of two defensive pairings and a maximum of three forward lines. An exception to this would be in the case of a team having less than ten skater’s players must be switched between forward and defense.
c. Failure to adhere to CHL Equal Ice Rules during regular season may result in the suspension of the coach.
d. Any offense in a playoff game or on championship weekend will result in a minimum of a one game suspension. Additional penalties including game forfeiture, two game suspension, or a season suspension will be considered at the discretion of the League Commissioner and / or the CHL Disciplinary Committee.
e. If during a game a player on the game sheet misses playing time, that ice time is not to be made up at the expense of another player’s ice time.
f. U9 & U10 must follow Pathway guidelines
Rule 2: HC/OHF/MHAO
a. The rules and penalties of Hockey Canada, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario will apply subject to any rules amended by the CHL Board as outlined below.
Rule 3: Team Structure and Balancing
a. All teams entered in each division by a member association are to be on a Major/Minor basis.
b. Players may be transferred between associations. Association presidents must be advised to initiate any player movement (ref. GLHA Article 20).
c. All teams within an association are to be balanced.
d. In the event of an alleged imbalance, the CHL will notify the offending member association at the November meeting, who must respond within seven (7) days. If there is no response or an unsatisfactory response is received, the team may be in-eligible for playoffs or moved up a division. In addition, the coach may be suspended and/or games forfeited.
e. The CHL will be flexible, re: player movements, to accommodate associations to field competitive teams where player numbers are an issue. Major players could be allowed to play on the minor teams with CHL board approval.
Rule 4: Team Rosters
a. All teams must follow Alliance Rule Book guidelines for team rosters.
Rule 5: Colour Conflict
a. Referees will determine if a colour conflict exists.
b. The home team is responsible for avoiding a colour conflict in the body of the team sweaters.
c. Failure to comply will result in the home team rescheduling the game.
d. Team colours to be submitted by each association to the CHL no later than the October meeting for posting on the website.
Rule 6: Game Officials (On Ice/Off Ice)
a. The home team will provide a competent timekeeper/scorekeeper, referees, and an approved game sheet.
b. All referees must be at least 2 years older than the division age limit.
c. Two carded Alliance officials shall officiate at all league and playoff games. In the event only one referee shows for a league or playoff game, the visiting team will leave the ice surface and the home team will use the ice for a practice. No game shall start with one referee on the ice. Any coach who plays a game, including an exhibition, on this ice will be subject to a one game suspension and the game will be replayed. If repeated, further suspensions may apply.
d. For U14 & U15 divisions, three carded Alliance officials must be scheduled. However, where only two carded officials show up, the game may be played.
e. CHL teams may submit any 'officiating' issues to the LRG via their Convener with a copy of the game sheet. The Convener reviews and if warranted passes along to their CHL Rep. The CHL Rep. forwards the issue to the CHL Commissioner for follow-up with the LRG.
Rule 7: Game Sheets
a. The game may not start until the game sheet is fully completed and approved by the referee.
b. The game sheet must be completed by the Home team and given to the Visiting team no less than 15 minutes prior to game time.
c. The CHL will use online game sheets. If a paper game sheet is used the coach will take a photo of the game sheet and send it to their convener and to [email protected],(Both teams are required to send the game sheet to their conveners and to [email protected]).
d. Tournament and exhibition game sheets - the coach is responsible to send photos of all tournament game sheets to their conveners and to [email protected] within 72 HRS or before their next game if it is within the 72 HRS, failure to do so will result in the coach being suspended.(as per rule 15 (g2 – g3 – g4))
e. A certified Trainer must be on the game sheet. Failure to have a certified Trainer on the game sheet will result in a suspension to both Head Coaches and the game replayed.
f. All penalties must appear on game sheet.
g. It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to check their game sheets and report any discrepancies or questions to their convenor within 48 hours of the game being played.
h. Head coach is responsible for players/coaches to sit out suspension(s) as per OHF minimum suspension list or additional suspensions could be given by the League Commissioner. Suspensions must be listed on game sheets.
Rule 8: Game Results
a. A game will be considered complete when 5 minutes of the 3rd period has been completed.
b. All suspended games under 25 minutes will be reviewed by the CHL Board.
Rule 9: Pegging of Nets
a. Nets will be pegged for all games in all CHL divisions.
b. All associations are responsible for supplying schedules (for their home games) to arena staff.
Rule 10: Tie Breaking Formula
a. In all league and playoff situations the standings will be determined using this formula. b. If two teams are tied in points:
b.1.The team with the most points earned in games between the two-tied teams gains the highest position (Head-to-Head record).
b.2. If still tied the team with the most total wins against all opponents in the division gains the higher position.
b.3. If the two teams are still tied after b.1 and b.2 have been applied, then the team with the best goal average gains the highest position. The goal average is determined by the following method:
b.3.1. Formula - Goals For divided by (goals for + goals Against) = 0.X
b.3.2. The team with the highest goal average takes the highest position.
b.4. If the two teams are still tied after b.3 has been applied – Then repeat the above using regular season stats. c. If three or more teams are tied:
c.1. The team with the most wins against all opponents in the division would gain the highest position.
c.2. If the teams are still tied after part c.1has been applied, then the team with the best goal average, as determined in part. b.3, gains the highest position and the team with the lowest goal average gains the lowest position.
c.3. If still tied the team with the lowest goals against gains the highest position.
c.4. If still tied the team with the most goals for gains the highest position.
c.5. If two teams are still tied after c.3 and c.4 have been applied. Then repeat the above using regular season stats.
Rule 11: Protest
a. A protest committee appointed by the League Commissioner shall hear protests within 14 days of receipt of the official protest.
b. All protests shall be in writing and shall outline the specific complaint(s) supported by evidence and signed by the CHL representative of the protesting association. The evidence is statements by game officials, coaches, non-partisan spectators and the game sheet.
c. The CHL Representative shall file all protests with the League Commissioner within 48 hours of the time of the complaint or infraction, accompanied by a fee of $75.00 to the GLHA. All protests must be forwarded to the commissioner via e-mail
d. The fee is refundable only if the protest is won.
e. All protest(s) must follow the guidelines of the OHF and the Alliance.
e.1. An appeal, if necessary, shall be in writing or via e-mail and filed with the League Commissioner within 48 hours of the receipt of the protest ruling.
e.1.1. The conduct of the hearing shall be at the discretion of the League Commissioner.
e.1.2. The League Commissioner shall notify the protest committee and the persons involved of the time and the place of the meeting.
e.1.3. The appeal committee will consist of the Chair, League Commissioner and two executive members selected by the League Commissioner.
All other complaints must be filed in writing with the Associations CHL representative, who in turn will present the letter of complaint to the League Chair or League Commissioner who will follow up on all complaints and report back to the board on their findings.
Rule 12: Game Changes
a. It is the intent to have all scheduled games played during the regular season and playoffs. Forfeits must be approved by the CHL Board of Directors.
b. All game changes are to be made through the CHL Rep. of the association requesting the change using the following procedure:
b.1. Changes may only be made based on the parameters of weather, lack of facilities, bereavement, and tournaments. All other reasons for game changes will not be accepted.
i.e., team parties, birthdays, special events, etc.
b.2. If authorized the CHL rep contacts their ice scheduler, who will then contact the other teams ice scheduler and a suitable date for re-scheduling the game will be determined based on ice availability and team schedules as close as possible to the scheduled date. Rescheduled games should not be deferred to the end of the schedule.
b.3. The respective ice schedulers will contact their own team notifying the respective coaches (conveners if required) of the new date and time.
b.4. The home ice scheduler will also contact the London Referee Group assignor, the timekeeper and the Arena staff advising of the new date and time.
c. If a team fails to show for a game, the “guilty” association will incur all costs for re-scheduling the game including ice, referees, and timekeepers.
d. The home association convener must notify the visiting association convener within 24 hours of a game not being played.
e. No game may be re-scheduled to accommodate the serving of a suspension assessed to any player or coach.
Rule 13: Major Penalties and Suspensions
a. The most recent OHF Minimum Suspension list will apply. (The list is located on the Alliance website, Alliance Handbook.)
b. The Commissioner will monitor and implement the Alliance Progressive Coaching suspensions per the Alliance Rules and regulations #35.1.
Rule 14: Fighting
The penalized player will also receive a suspension as indicated by the OHF minimum suspension list and the MHAO fighting progression rules.
Rule 15: Suspensions
a. The League Commissioner shall track and enforce all HC/OHF/MHAO suspensions for Major, Misconduct, Match and Gross penalties.
b. Any player, coach, manager, or person in charge of a team receiving a match penalty shall be automatically suspended until further notice
b.1. The suspended party may not practice or associate with the team until the suspension is assessed.
b.2. After the suspension has been assessed the suspended party may attend practices but will not participate in any league, tournament, or exhibition games until the full suspension has been served.
c. All suspensions must be served in league, playoff or tournament games. Exhibition games do not qualify for games served against the suspension unless the travel permit was issued before the game in which the suspension was received.
d. Any player, coach, manager, or person in charge of the team receiving a gross misconduct penalty shall be automatically suspended as per the OHF suspension list. All gross misconduct penalties are now subject to review by the Executive Director of the Alliance.
e. No member of the Board of Directors shall be eligible to participate in a hearing on a suspension or a hearing involving the association in which he or she represents.
f. It is the responsibility of the coach to know if he has a player or team official with an OHF suspension. If unsure, the coach must contact their convenor before the suspected party participates in any league, tournament, or exhibition game.
g. Any coaching staff that receives a suspension that is involved with more than one team, must serve the suspension with the team that the suspension was received with, and cannot participate with the other teams until the suspension is served in its entirety.
g 1 If a player participates in a game while subject to suspension the following penalties will apply:
g 2 The first offence will result in the coach being suspended for three (3)) games and/or a forfeit of the game(s) at the discretion of the CHL Board.
g 3 The second offence will result in the coach being suspended for four (4) games and/or a forfeit of the game(s) at the discretion of the CHL Board. g 4 The third offense – the coach is suspended until a hearing is held.
g.5 A game cannot be changed or added to lessen the suspension.
g.6 The league may add to any minimum suspension if warranted by the
disciplinary committee as selected by the CHL Board.
g.7 All OHF suspensions must be served in their entirety and be registered on
a game sheet.
Rule 16: Game Periods & Procedures
a. The U9 (full ice) to U21 divisions shall consist of 13/10/15 minute periods (which includes a 3-minute warm up and handshake). The clock will start when the referee’s step on the ice. The buzzer will sound at the 11-minute mark to end warmup and begin the handshake and the start of the game. The clock will not stop until the first stoppage in play.
b. The U9 division will begin full ice games in January.
c. All periods will be stop time.
e. Curfews for all games are to be noted on the game sheets (50 min.) prior to the start of the game.
f. Timekeepers are to note the actual game start time in the timekeeper’s notes section.
g. Time remaining on the game clock at curfew must be noted in the timekeeper’s notes section.
Rule 17: Penalty Minutes
Any player receiving 6 minutes in minor penalties shall be ejected from the game (GE101) to be entered on game sheet.
Rule 18: Schedules and Playoffs (U9 to U21 Divisions)
a. Game schedule will be the responsibility of the CHL Board of Directors and will be published and distributed to member associations as soon as possible.
b. Playoffs will be held at the end of the regular schedule and arranged annually by the CHL Board of Directors.
c. The playoff schedule is not subject to change without CHL Board approval
d. All coaches should contact their association CHL Rep prior to the playoff meeting to block out questionable dates. e. The CHL will procure suitable awards to be presented to all players on the League Championship teams and the two participating teams in the CHL Championship games.
f. The winning team in each of the Major 'A' Group CHL Championship Games will advance to the Alliance Provincial Championships.
Rule 19: Championship Weekend Rules
a. Following are the rules that apply for all U-9 to U-21 championship weekend games:
b. All rules from the regular season apply in the championship weekend games except for game officials for U-16, U-18, and U-21 - where 3 or 4 carded officials may be scheduled at the discretion of the CHL Board.
c. All teams must be prepared to play 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. A delay of game penalty may be assessed at the discretion of the attending CHL Board members
d. The teams will line up to shake hands at the beginning of each game.
All games will be 13 – 10 – 10-minute periods with no curfew. The clock will start when the referee’s step on the ice, the buzzer will sound at the 11-minute mark to indicate end of warmup and will not stop until the first stoppage in play.
e. The winners of the semi-final games will advance to the championship game.
f. Tie Breaker Rules: The following rules will apply to break a tie in all non-curfew games:
f.1. Players serving a penalty at the end of regulation time continue to serve the balance of the penalty in the overtime period.
f.2. There will be a 5-minute sudden victory period of 3 on 3 hockey.
f.3. If a team has or receives a penalty the opposing team will ice 4 players for the duration of the penalty.
f.4. Players can be freely rotated between clock stoppages.
f.5. Goalies may be replaced with a skater at any time. f.6. If still tied at the end of the overtime period, a shootout will take place. Each team will identify three shooters and two alternates prior to the game. The shooters will shoot at the same time and the team with the highest total after three shooters will be declared the winner. If it is still tied, the shootout continues (the same player cannot shoot again until 10 players have been used) with the first team to score without the other team scoring will be declared the winner. Any player in the penalty box at the start of the shoot-out is ineligible for the shootout.
g. Time – outs will not be permitted.
NOTE: Community Hockey League representatives will be on hand during the weekend to monitor games to ensure rules are adhered to.
Rule 20: Bench Rule
a. No one shall be on the bench during a game other than rostered coaches, managers, trainers, and players in full uniform.
b. All team officials must be a minimum of 16 years old and be at least (2) years older than the players.
Rule 21: Travel Permits
a. All exhibition games and tournaments must be played with approved travel permits from their association.
b. Each association will supply a spreadsheet of issued travel permits monthly to CHL Chair and notify if any last-minute tournaments.
c. No travel permits will be issued for any team during Championship Weekend or beyond until their team has been eliminated from the playoffs.