Rules for the NCJHA 1996/7
Ice Hockey Season
Quick Reference
General | Team Registration | Games | Players | Protests and Appeals | Playoffs | Norcal Board
a. General
a1. Approval of Rules
Rule Changes for 1996/7 were approved by the NCJHA Board of Directors (hereinafter called 'the Board') at their September '96 meeting by a simple majority vote. Any subsequent changes of these rules after September 7 requires a 2/3 majority. All NCJHA clubs should distribute these rules to their members.
a2. Season
The hockey season to which these rules apply begins September 1, '96 and ends April 30, '97.
a3. Scheduled Game Season
Officially scheduled games will start on September 21st. The conclusion of the game season shall be such date as will enable the affected teams to participate in the playoffs. conclusion of the game season shall be such date as will enable the affected teams to participate in the playoffs.
a4. Participating Clubs
Only teams fielded by NCJHA clubs in good standing and the Tier teams may participate in the NCJHA game schedule. These clubs agree to abide by all rules and decisions of the NCJHA, to forward all NCJHA originating information pertaining to their teams' participation to the responsible team manager, to pay all assessments and fines, and to provide all necessary resources for the conduct of their home games.
a5. Tier Divisions
a5.1 The NCJHA Tier Divisions comprise competitive Peewee and older teams playing toward national championships. The divisions are also covered by an additional set of rules. The Tier Commissioner and the Tier Committee are responsible for all Tier teams.
a5.2 Tier I teams are fielded through the NCJHA Rep Club which selects players from all NCJHA clubs based on open tryouts.
a5.3 Clubs may register Tier II teams provided they can field at least 7 skaters for each team with players who participated in that club's previous season, and comply with all CAHA rules pertaining to Tier II hockey.
b. Team Registration
b1. Initial Team Declaration
All clubs will make a best estimate of teams they intend to field accompanied by a check for $200 per team at the August 1996 NCJHA meeting. The responsibility for registering club teams and complying with other necessary conditions resides with the clubs.
b2. Deadline for Team Registrations without Penalty
All club teams must be registered no later than September 7, '96. Teams that fail to meet that deadline will be considered to have registered 'late' and will incur penalties.
b3. Initial Team Registration
Team registration shall consist of a club submitting to the USA Hockey Youth Registrar and NCJHA Roster Manager for each team a properly completed team registration form and making available to the scheduler a minimum of 13.5 home ice slots for A and B Teams.
b4. Completion of Registration
Before a team plays its first game it must have submitted to the Roster Manager the names of all participating players. If players are added subsequently, their names must also be submitted to the NCJHA Registrar before playing their first game.
b5. Late Registration
Teams which miss the initial registration deadline are considered 'late'. Late teams that register by September 21, 1996 shall have their schedule reduced by two (2) league games. Late teams registering between September 22 and October 7 shall have their schedule reduced by 4 games and fined $300. Late teams registering after October 7 but prior to the CAHA deadline shall have their schedule reduced by (8) league games and fined $600. Opponents for reduced games shall be determined by a random drawing.
b6. Dropping of Teams
A team that has been duly registered may incur a penalty in the amount of $300 if subsequently dropped by its club after the 'registration without penalty' deadline. If a team changes division or classification after the Competition Committee's Team Evaluation Meeting, a drop from the previous division or classification must precede the registration in the new division, the club incurring whatever penalties that implies. Any games scheduled within 5 days of the drop will be considered forfeits with the penalties normally associated with a team that is a no-show.
c. Games
c1. Requirements for Proper Games
c1.1 The requirements for proper league games and exhibition games are:
1. Properly scheduled or coordinated through the NCJHA Scheduler.
2. Properly refereed
3. A minimum of 2 periods with at least 12 minutes stop time each (running time is 50% more)
4. Minimum participation: 6 players per team
5. At least 4 minor officials should be provided by the home team
6. Players on teams registered '12 and under' and older teams must sign the game sheet
7. Suspended players must be listed on the game sheet
8. Game Sheets should be properly completed and mailed to the NCJHA Statistician within 10 days after the date of game.
c1.2
Games played outside NCJHA count toward the minimum game requirement (but check f1 for additional information) if a proper travel permit was issued. After returning from travel, copies of all game sheets must be submitted by the coach to the NCJHA Statistician within 10 days and before the end of the season.
c2. Game Forfeits for No Shows
All teams are required to be present for all NCJHA scheduled games, whether they are league or exhibition games. The only exception: if the team's absence was due to an 'Act of God'. The division's Commissioner will make a determination if a team claims exception under that provision. Teams which incur forfeits are subject to all of the following penalties:
1. they must pay the applicable ice costs and let the non-offending team occupy the ice (if available)
2. they must pay for the referees
3. they will incur a penalty of $50 assessed by the NCJHA
c3. Participation of Illegal Player
If a player participates in a game in violation of NCJHA or CAHA rules, then such a game becomes an automatic loss for the offending team. However, the non-offending team may decline to accept such a loss in which case the original game score will stand.
d. Players
d1. Player Registration
d1.1
Only players in good standing will be allowed to register. All players must be properly registered before they are allowed to step on the ice. Each player can only be registered and play for one club league team or Tier team at any one time. Letting unregistered players participate in any aspect of the NCJHA hockey program is strictly forbidden and considered a violation of NCJHA rules. Players must be registered on teams for which they can properly qualify by virtue of their age. It shall be the responsibility of all clubs to verify that each and every one of their players is of the proper age to play in a particular classification and to make sure that the player can properly play pursuant to territorial rules.
Age classifications are as follows:
'19 & Under' (Juniors) DoB after 8/31/76
'17 & Under' (Midgets) DoB after 6/30/78
'14 & Under' (Bantams)DoB after 6/30/81
'12 & Under' (Peewees)DoB after 6/30/83
'10 & Under' (Squirts)DoB after 6/30/85
'8 & Under' (Mites)DoB after 6/39/87
Games in which players participate who are not in conformance with these rules are losses. Clubs and/or coaches who knowingly or negligently utilize such illegal players may be subject to additional discipline.
d1.2
Except as otherwise restricted by applicable rules, the last day on which a player can be added to or removed from a team is:
Tier Teams: Dec. 15, 1996
A Teams: Dec. 15, 1996
B Teams: Feb. 1, 1997
Under special circumstances exceptions to these deadlines may be granted by the responsible Commissioner provided all other conditions can be met.
d2. Territorial Rules
Each NCJHA-affiliated club (except the "Rep Club,") is assigned a territory in which it is responsible for promoting youth hockey and recruiting players. Clubs are not permitted to use enticement to recruit as new members individuals residing in another club's territory. However, any individual player may register with any NCJHA-affiliated club of choice by September 15th of each year. Player movement is normally not permitted after the September 15th cutoff date. A player seeking permission to change clubs after September 15th must obtain a NCJHA release.
d3. Releases
A release is an authorization by NCJHA for a player to move from one club to another after September 15th. Two classes of releases are (1) conditional and (2) unconditional, defined below. Release requests are subject to approval by the NCJHA Roster Manager with appeal to a Review Committee.
d3.1.1 Conditional Release
A conditional release may be issued when a player's home club is unable to place a player on a team in his/her age division at the desired level. A player is conditionally released to a specified club, age division and playing level only.
d3.1.2 Conditional Release-Fees
There shall be no fee charged for a conditional release. The releasing club shall refund any registration fees or prepaid dues beyond the cost of USA Hockey registration, ice time and related costs incurred prior to issuance of the release, and merchandise received by the player.
d3.2.1
Unconditional Release. An unconditional release is required for a player to change clubs after September 15th except as defined under d3.1.1, above. An unconditional release authorizes a player movement to any team of a specified club. An unconditional release may be granted upon determination by NCJHA that player movement will prevent undue hardship resulting from change of residence or other factors not reasonably foreseeable prior to September 15th. Consideration shall be given to the good of the player, the good of the league, and maintenance of competitive balance among existing teams.
d3.2.2
Unconditional Release-Fees. A player seeking an unconditional release must submit a $50 non-refundable fee payable to NCJHA with his/her release request.
d3.3
Good Standing Requirement. No release shall be granted a player who is not in good financial standing with his/her home club.
d3.4
Roster Manager Approval. All release requests must be submitted to the NCJHA Roster Manager for review. Following a determination of facts, the Roster Manager shall notify Presidents of both clubs of intent to grant or deny release and reason. If there is not objection within five days of notice, the Roster Manager shall issue the approval or denial as proposed.
d3.5
Appeal. If an affected club objects to the decision of the Roster Manager, the NCJHA President shall appoint a Review Committee comprised of the Roster Manager as chair and at least two other persons not affiliated with the affected clubs to render a decision. (If the Roster Manager is affiliated with an affected club, an alternate chair shall be appointed.) The Review Committee shall meet and issue its decision within 14 days of the Roster Manager's initial notification to club presidents.
A player denied a release by the Roster Manager may appeal to the NCJHA President who shall appoint a Review Committee as described under Section d3.4, above. The Review Committee shall meet and issue its decision within 14 days of the appeal. Decisions made by a Review Committee under this section or under Section d3.4 can only be appealed to the NCJHA Board of Directors at its next scheduled meeting.
d3.6
"Rep" Club. A player registering for NCJHA "Rep" Club Tier I team shall be considered conditionally released to the "Rep" Club upon determination by the NCJHA Roster Manger that the player is in good financial standing with his/her home club.
d3.7
Recruitment Restrictions. No club or team official shall attempt to recruit a player residing in another club's territory or a player who played for another club on an unconditional release in the previous season (1) by offering sponsorship, reduced dues, or other benefits to a prospective player, (2) by initiating unsolicited contact with a prospective player or family, or (3) by attempting to persuade a prospective player to join a particular team or club. Each club shall be responsible for informing its club and team officials of this rule and for adhering to the spirit of this rule by actively dissuading officials and other persons from engaging in prohibited recruitment. Upon filing of a written complaint by a member club, the NCJHA President shall appoint a Review Committee comprised of the presidents or designated representatives of at least three non-affected clubs. The Review Committee shall conduct a hearing to investigate the charges and shall issue a penalty to a club and/or team found to be in violation of this rule. Penalty shall consist of forfeiture of one or more league games and/or payment by the offending club of a fine not to exceed the amount of dues lost for one season as a result of the recruitment. Additionally, an offending team shall forfeit any game in which the Review Committee determines that an illegally recruited player has participated.
Tier II level recruitment shall be governed solely by CAHA rules. However, no team which has initially recruited as a Tier II team shall, while retaining players recruited from the territory of another club, be permitted to participate in NCJHA league play as an "A" team or compete for an "A" championship.
d5. Players Moving within a Club
d5.1. Players who have been properly registered on a club's team may, subsequent to playing their first league game with that team, be allowed to play for other teams of that club provided they satisfy all eligibility requirements. However, they may not play for more than one team of the same classification and division. Players who move under these provisions must be properly re-registered before the move takes place. Players who play for a team without being properly registered on that team are considered illegal and in violation of NCJHA rules.
d5.2 Players will be considered frozen on the team for which they play their fifth NCJHA game of the season, subject to other deadlines. Players who move between teams after having been frozen are ineligible to participate in the NCJHA or CAHA playoffs.
d6. Hardship Goalie Moves
Notwithstanding any other provisions in these rules, the respective division commissioners may authorize goalie moves within and between clubs provided there is a hardship determination by the division commissioner. Such goalie moves shall only be authorized for classifications older than '8 and Under'. All goalie moves shall be reported in writing to the NCJHA Roster Manager.
d7. Suspensions
d7.1 Suspensions shall apply to all hockey activities unless incurred for a game misconduct. If a game misconduct is incurred in a regularly scheduled NCJHA league game, a suspension shall occur in the next regularly scheduled NCJHA league game scheduled by the NCJHA Scheduler as part of the regular season or playoffs. If a game suspension cannot be served in the current season then it shall be served in a league game of the very next season the player registers for. This rule shall apply in addition to any sanctions imposed under USA Hockey Rules.
d7.2 If the appropriate Commissioner receives a written complaint that a suspended player is creating a disturbance during a game, the player is subject to a 30 day suspension pending a review hearing by the proper authorities.
d7.3 A suspended coach may not coach or direct his team during games while suspended.
d7.4 Upon the occurrence of a third game misconduct within one season, the player is automatically referred to the penalty review committee to consider further discipline.
d8. Playing while Suspended
Any player who in violation of NCJHA rules illegally participates in a game while suspended shall be awarded by the appropriate Commissioner a suspension for the next two scheduled games following discovery to be served on the team where the violation took place. The coach of record who allowed such a player to participate shall be suspended for the next two scheduled games of this team following discovery. The game in which the suspended player participated shall be ruled a forfeit. The respective Commissioner shall investigate the violation, and in flagrant cases instruct the Review Committee to hold a hearing to determine the appropriateness of additional penalties.
d9. Protective Equipment
All players must wear approved protective equipment as specified by all applicable rules for the duration of every game. Referees will check out every player prior to each game. Players who report to their team after the referees' checkout may not go on the ice until a supplemental check has been completed. It is the responsibility of the team coach to make certain that his players comply with this rule.
e. Protests and Appeals
e1. Game Protests
Game protests must be presented to the respective Division Commissioner by Tuesday 9 PM for games played during the immediately preceding week. Only protests for games that count toward final rankings will be allowed. Protests based on disagreement with a referee's judgmental decision will not be accepted. The proper person to file a protest is the club president whose club has registered the protesting team. Upon due consideration the Division Commissioner's decision will be either 'the game stands as played' or 'the game will be replayed'.
e2. Appeals and Hearings
e2.1 In the case of a gross misconduct or match penalty the offending team member shall be suspended from participating in all hockey activities until the case has been heard by the NCJHA Review Committee. Hearings must be called within 30 days; if not the suspension shall be automatically lifted on the 31st day following the infraction.
e2.2 Game misconduct or lesser penalties cannot be appealed.
e2.3 For appeals of other disciplinary actions a request for a Review Committee hearing must be filed within 15 days of the disciplinary notification.
e2.4 The final NCJHA review authority rests with the Board which - upon appeal of a Review Committee decision - will hear such appeal at its next scheduled regular meeting.
f. Playoffs
f1. NCJHA Playoffs
The NCJHA playoffs are covered by a separate set of rules. All duly registered 'A + B' teams having played at least 17 games (10 within their league) and their players in good standing who have participated in at least 7 games (6 within their league) are eligible to participate. Up to four teams with the highest end of season ranking in each classification shall qualify for the playoffs. Coaches of teams that qualify to go on to the state finals must certify that their teams are willing and able to participate, and can comply with all applicable CAHA rules.
f2. CAHA 'A' and Tier Playoffs
The California State Playoffs are governed by separate rules. The essential features of these rules for teams and players to be eligible to participate are:
1. Teams and players must be properly registered and in good standing
2. Teams must have played at least 20 games in the current season (a game must have actually been played in order to count)
3. Each participating player must have played in at least 10 actual games of the qualifying team.
4. Properly filled out game sheets signed by all participating players for teams '12 & Under' and older must be provided to the registrar.
Persons responsible for these Rules:
Eileen Castagna, NCJHA President
H&F(408) 362-1306
Lovell Bonnie, Tier Commissioner
H (510) 449-7699
F (510) 371-1123
Melissa Fitzgerald, 'A' Commissioner
H&F(510) 526-6640
Steve Mancuso, 'B' Commissioner
H (707) 584-5539
F (707) 763-3334
Bill Rosenberg, Statistician
F (415) 856-6526
Mike Law, Scheduler
H (415) 694-7470
F (415) 694-7470
Art Lathrop, Penalty Review
H (510) 339-8296
F (510) 646-4379
Jenni Brocklehurst, NCJHA Roster Manager
H (209) 772-0485