NORALTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

1.       League Structure

President – shall be responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Noralta Junior Hockey League including the following:

1.1.     Shall preside over and chair the board meetings of the league according to the guidelines of Roberts Rules of Order.

1.2.     Shall be an ad hoc member of all standing committees.

1.3.     Shall be responsible for all press releases and public presentations.

1.4.     Shall have the power to suspend summarily any player, coach, trainer, manager or official of any team under the auspices of the league for any conduct on or off the ice which is in the sole discretion of the President is deemed to be unbecoming or detrimental to the game. Such suspensions to be effective until dealt with in accordance with the Policies and Procedures.

1.5.     Shall have the power to prevent summarily any spectator from viewing any game or other activity or entering a facility to view such game or activity under the auspices of the league for any conduct, which in the sole discretion of the President is deemed unbecoming or detrimental to the game. Further the President shall have the power to suspend summarily the player, coach, team official of the team to which the spectator is attached. Such action will be effective until dealt with in accordance with the Policies and Procedures.

1.6.     Shall not vote at meetings of the league unless there is an equal number of votes on any question that is voted upon, in which case the President shall have the casting vote.

1.7.     Shall have the power to delegate any his duties or responsibilities to other members of the board.

1.8.     A President is elected for a term of two years, commencing on odd years.

Vice President – shall be responsible for supervising the following appointed categories:

1.1.     Discipline

1.2.     Referee Liaisons

1.3.     Commissioner

The Vice President shall elect to have the appointed members present reports at regular meetings or present written reports on behalf of the appointed members

VP of Operations – shall be responsible for supervising the following appointed categories:

1.1.     Registration

1.2.     Statistician

1.3.     Special Events

1.4.     Ice Allocator

The VP of Operations shall elect to have the appointed members present reports at regular meetings or present written reports on behalf of the appointed members.

Treasurer – shall be responsible for supervising all financial operations of the league including, without limitation the following:

1.1.     The preparation of financial statements as necessary for scheduled meetings.

1.2.     The preparation of the annual budget

1.3.     The supervision of all banking operations of the league.

1.4.     The supervision of the Ways and Means Director

1.5.     The supervision of the Casino Director

The Treasurer shall elect to have the appointed members present reports at regular meetings or present written reports on behalf of the appointed members.

Past President – shall preside at meetings as an advisor to the President, and aid the President in the daily operations of the league.

Secretary – shall be responsible for the following duties:

1.1.     The recording of the minutes at regular league meetings.

1.2.     The forwarding of the minutes and agenda to the members of the committee at least 48 hours prior to the meeting dates.

1.3.     The distribution of all required documentation or notifications to members as instructed by the elected executive.

1.4.     The maintenance and possession of a minute binder on behalf of the league.

Registrar – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     The recording of the registrations in accordance with the HCR program.

1.2.     The forwarding of the registration lists to the directors or executive as required.

1.3.     The verification of registration lists required for Provincials, tournaments or other league events.

1.4.     Shall provide either a written or verbal report at all league meetings

Statistician – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     The recording of the league statistics and game results for posting on the league website.

1.2.     Correspondence with team representatives in regards to the accuracy of the statistics as recorded on the game sheets. Correspondence may be by fax, email or any other method that the Statistician may deem necessary.

1.3.     Shall provide either a written or verbal report at all league meetings.

Special Events – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     The scheduling and the arrangements of events such as the Provincials, Martin Lavallee Tournament, All-star Tournament and any other special events that the league requires.

1.2.     Shall provide either a written or verbal report at all league meetings.

Ice Allocator – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     The collection of the necessary game slots from participation teams for the preparation of the season game schedule.

1.2.     The acquisition of the ice required for special events. (i.e. Provincials, Martin Lavallee Tournament, All-star events etc)

1.3.     The preparation of an ice summary to be forwarded to the Treasurer for billing purposes.

1.4.     Shall provide either a written or verbal report at all league meetings.

Ways and Means – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     Prepare any plans for fundraising or sponsorship of the league.

1.2.     Arrange for new sponsors of the league.

Casino Director – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     Set up prospective dates for casinos.

1.2.     Correspondence with the gaming commission in regards to casino requirements and reports.

10.1. The arrangement of appropriate banking for casinos.

10.2. The disbursements of casino funds as per the guidelines of the gaming commission and the league treasurer.

Discipline Chairman – shall be responsible for the following:

1.1.     Shall be responsible for communicating with the appropriate team officials in regards to suspensions as indicated on game sheets and within the suspension guidelines of the league and Hockey Alberta.

1.2.     Shall arrange suspension hearings and preside as the chair at such hearings.

10.3. Shall provide either a written or verbal report at all league meetings.

Commissioner -

2.       League Play and Playoffs

a.       League Play - League games and their dates shall be set by schedule. The number of games shall be established each year/ season at the fall meeting. The number shall not exceed 28 games per season per team. All league games must be played. All games must have at least 2 hours of ice time available for play. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, NO overtime will be played (Regular season play).

b.       League Points - Two (2) points shall be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a tie, an zero (0) points for a loss.

c.        Playoffs - Shall include teams with the highest point total, using the point system set out in b). above. If teams are still tied, then the team with the most wins shall be the highest in the standings. If the teams are still tied, then the team with the best head to head record shall be considered the highest. If the teams are still tied, then the team with the best goals for goals against ratio shall be the higher in the standings. If the teams are still tied, then the team with the lowest penalty minutes shall be considered the highest.

d.       Playoff Format - All playoff series shall be determined as soon as possible before the start of each season

3.       Team Colors

Each team should have two (2) sets of jerseys, one light and one dark. Light colors shall be worn in the home rink, and dark when playing away from home.

4.       Protests

All protests must be made within 24 hours of the game in question, and be followed by a written protest sent to the President with a copy to the opposing team, within 72 hours of completion of the protested game. The protest shall be accompanied by a non-refundable cheque for $100.00 The defending club must file any defense or rebuttal within 72 hours of being notified by the President of the protest, or within 72 hours of receipt of a copy of the protest from the opposing team.

5.       Team Registration

Players must be registered as required by AAHA and CHA regulations. All players must be registered before participating in any league game. Players are to be assigned a number by the  third league game and are to wear this number for the rest of the season. If for some reason a change has to be made, the Association must be notified in writing of the change and the reason for the change. Teams rosters indicating affiliates must be supplied to the Association. Affiliations of Junior C players up to higher levels of hockey will not be honoured unless authorized by the Noralta Junior Hockey League executive.

6.       Critical Dates

DECEMBER 1st

On December 1st, all Junior teams must reduce to not more than 25, the total of the following items:

a). The number of registered players on their active list

b). The number of unused registration certificates

c). No team may register or dress more than four (4) overage players for any regular season and playoff game within the Noralta Junior Hockey League.

If 25 players are listed, at least two must be goaltenders.

DECEMBER 15th

a). Affiliated player lists must be submitted and approved by Noralta Junior Hockey Association and Hockey Alberta before taking part in any game.

JANUARY 10th

On January 10th , all Junior teams must reduce to not more than 23, the total of the following items:

a). The number of registered players on their active list and

b). The number of unused registration certificates.

c). No team may register or dress more than four (4) overage players for any regular season and playoff game within the Noralta Junior Hockey League.

If 21 players are listed at least two must be goaltenders.

FEBRUARY 10th

a). Final player registration

b). Final date for player transfers

7.       Tampering

No member may invite or allow to participate in a training camp, or to practice or play in any scheduled or exhibition game, a registered player of another member from the previous season in the same or higher category or of the current season in any division or category, without first having secured permission in writing, in the manner set forth below from the member with which such player is registered. For failure to comply with the above regulation, the responsible shall be sanctioned. Such sanction may include any or all of the following:

(i) A fine of up to five thousand dollars to the offending member, payable to the member which file the tampering charge within 30 days of notification.

(ii) The return of two (2) unused player certificates for that season by the offending member to Hockey Alberta.

(iii) Compensation to the club that may lose a player to the offending member through subsequent appeal. The level of compensation shall be determined by Hockey Alberta.

(iv) A minimum ten (10) game suspension (regular season or playoffs) to the head coach of the offending member/team.

(v) A suspension for a period of up to one (1) year to the responsible officials of the offending member.

8.       Underage Players

a.       No member may invite or allow to participate in a training camp, practice or play in any exhibition game any Underage player (17 years old or less) without first obtaining written permission from the minor program registrar/president.

b.       No member may invite or allow to participate in a regular season/play off game any Underage player (17 years old or less) without first obtaining a release from the minor program registrar/president.

9.       Release of Player Procedure

a.       A player desiring to transfer from one team to another within the A.A.H.A. must first secure a release in writing from the club or team of which he is a member. Such release shall be filed with A.A.H.A. Executive Director long with the new registration certificate. In the event of a team using a player not properly registered, the .A.H.A. shall have the right to discipline the club or team as they see fit.

b.       Even though a release has been obtained, the A.A.H.A. Executive shall have the right, in it's discretion, to refuse the transfer from a team within a branch to another team within the same branch.

c.        Where the release of a player is required, it shall be effective only if signed by the President or secretary or by the designated signing officers of the team or club of which the player is a member.

d.       All releases shall be unconditional.

e.       No player shall therefore be transferred from one team to another without his/her consent, nor shall such transfer be made in case of a player or junior age or underage if his/her parents object thereto.

f.         A suspended player shall not be released by his team or club during the playing season.

10.    Game Reports

All teams shall have three (3) copies of the game sheet for each home game (home team to supply game sheets).

a.       Original is faxed to the appointed league designate within (24) twenty-four hours of the completion of the game.

b.       Copy #1 is supplied to the home team.

c.        Copy #2 is supplied to the visiting team.

It is the responsibility of the Manager or Director of the home team to ensure that the game sheets are mailed and/or provided to the league appointed designate within 30 days of the completion of the game. If the game sheets are not mailed and/or received by the league appointed designate, the home team is subject to a $50.00 fine. The home team is responsible for delivering the visiting team's game sheet to their dressing room within ½ hour of the completion of the game.

11.    Appeal Procedure

a.       Any ruling made by the President or Association against an individual, player or club that is not specifically laid out in the Bylaws, CHA and/or AAHA rule book, or in the league suspension rules, may be appealed by the offending party. An appeal must be launched within seven (7) days of the ruling. The offending party must notify the President in writing at which time the President will form an Appeal Board consisting of three (3) directors from other clubs at "arms length" from the dispute. The Appeal Board will hold a hearing with the President and the offending party and will have the authority to adjust the President's ruling, if it is found to be too severe or unjust. The Appeal Boards ruling shall be final. Any appeal must be accompanied with a non-refundable cheque for the sum of $100.00 made payable to the league.

b.       On notice of the appeal, the players or coaches in question may not resume their status with the club until an appeal hearing has been heard. Any suspension handed down at the appeal hearing will be final.

12.    League Rules

a.       All teams are responsible for ensuring that any damage caused at the arena, accidental or intentional is reported to the rink attendant before the team leaves the arena.

b.       All teams are responsible for paying for any damage caused accidental or intentional. The league is not responsible for individual team finances.

c.        No team shall bring alcoholic beverages or drugs into any arena before, during or after a game. Any player, coach, manager, trainer or other team official found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, shall be suspended from the league.

d.       Players will be required to wear a FULL face mask. Players will not be allowed to participate in any league games, exhibition, regular scheduled, or playoff without this mask.

e.       A coach and a manager are mandatory for each team. Coaches must have "Coach Level" certification. The league must be notified of any changes of Team Officials and/or Directors. At least one member of each team must have Safety/Abuse and Speak Out certifications.

f.         Game ice slots must be forwarded to the Ice Allocator in ample time to schedule for the upcoming season. It is recommended that the slots be 2 hours in length with at least one flood between the second and third periods.

g.       If the season is set at 28 games, you are required to supply at least 21 ice slots on non-sequential dates. Ice slots must include weekday & weekend slots, with at least 30% on an alternate day.

h.       Each regular season game will consist of three (3) twenty (20) minute stop time periods, with a flood between the second and third periods.

i.         No game including playoffs may be cancelled without the Associations permission, with the exception of weather conditions. Rescheduled games must have the approval of the Association.

j.         All teams are subject to the following suspension guidelines.

13.    Minimum Suspension Guidelines

Match Penalties

a). Butt ending (when match penalty is assessed) - 3 games

b). Checking from behind (when match penalty is assessed) - 4 games

c). Checking from behind where a five (5) major penalty is assessed - 1 game - in last 10 minutes - 2 games

d). Molesting Officials - Indefinite Suspension

e). Deliberate Injury - Indefinite Suspension

f). Deliberate attempt to injure - 3 games

g). Hair Pulling (when match penalty is assessed) - 2 games

h). Grabbing the facemask (when match penalty is assessed) - 2 games

i). Spitting on opposing player - 3 games

j). Spearing (when match penalty is assessed) - 3 games

k). Head Butting - 2 games

l). Kicking - 3 games

m). Gross Misconduct - Making a travesty of the game (Rule 33B) - 2 games 

n). Games Misconduct (Verbal abuse of official Rule 47) - 1 game - In the last 10 minutes - 1 game

- If preceded by a 10 min misc. (last 10 min) - 2 games

- If preceded by a 10 min misc. (not last 10 min) - 1 game

o) Misconduct - Rule 47, check to the head minor (in last 10 min) - 1 game

- if any other in last 5 min - 1 game

p) Any Game Misconduct (in last 10 min) i.e., checking from behind-minor - 1 game

Any major - fighting, boarding, charging, slashing, high-sticking, etc.

Fighting

a). 1st offence (in last 10 min)- 1 game

b). 2nd offence (not in last 10 min) - 1 game (in last 10 min) - 2 games

c). 3rd offence (not in last 10 min) - 2 games (in last 10 min) - 3 games

d). 4th offence (any time of game) - 5 games

e). 5th offence (any time of game) - Indefinite

d). Third man in a fight - 2 games

e). Any player receiving a second fighting major during the same stoppage of play. - 2 games

f). Player identified as first to leave the players bench during a fight or for the purpose of fighting. - 3 games

g). Leaving the penalty box as above - 4 games

h). Coach of a team whose player is penalized under the above two points - 1 games

i). Coach whose player is not identified as the first to leave the - 1 game

players or penalty bench during an on-ice altercation.

j). Instigator or aggressor of a fight

- 1st offence - game misconduct

- 2nd offence - game misconduct + 2 games

-          3rd offence - game misconduct + 3 games

-           

Pre-Post Game Altercations

a). Any player involved where majors and game misconduct's - 2 games

are assessed.

b). Coach of a team whose players are so penalized - Indefinite suspension

c). Any team involved in a pre-post game brawl - Fine to be determined

Miscellaneous

a). Team official who is party to playing a player not correctly - 3 Years

registered, or properly affiliated to the team.

b). Team official who is party to playing a player under suspension - Indefinite

Depending on the severity of the incidents, further disciplinary action may be imposed by the Noralta Junior Hockey League.