ARHL Rules
Airdrie Recreational Hockey League
Rules and Regulations
The Airdrie Recreational Hockey League (ARHL) will be governed by the rules of Hockey Canada Rulebook. The following supplemental rules will also be enforced by the league executives and are deemed as “minimum” playing rules. The ARHL has the right to add additional disciplinary actions and / or suspensions if they feel a team(s) or player(s) are having a detrimental effect on the safety and reputation of the league.
Player Eligibility
1. A player will be defined as any skater or goalie (full or part time) that has signed the player waiver form and is registered on a team Roster with the ARHL.
a. All players must be 18 years of age or older.
b. Any team that has a player playing in a game, without the liability forms signed, will automatically result in a 1-0 loss for that game.
2. The ARHL will reserve the right to refuse any player registration into the league.
3. Teams will be limited to a maximum roster of 22 skaters and 3 goalies on their roster.
4. Team spares should be labeled on the team roster sheet and can play provided they have filled out the liability waiver with ARHL.
5. Teams are required to have a minimum 5 skaters and a goalie on the ice and ready to play at game time scheduled.
6. Team rosters must be completed and submitted to the league by September 15th of that season. All rosters may be modified but will be locked by January 30th of that playing season.
Regular Season Standings
1. The ARHL will track league stats including wins, losses, ties, goals, assists, and penalty minutes.
a. In the case that there is a discrepancy between the online stats and in game stats the team rep must contact the ARHL executive to have the stats changed.
2. Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a regulation loss.
a. During regular season at the end of the 3 periods of hockey, the game will enter into a 3 player ( Per Team ) Shootout after each team shoots with there players the game will be deem final either with a Win or Lose or Tie. 6 shooters only if time permits
4. In the case of TWO teams being tied in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season, the following tie breaker formula will be used to determine playoff seeding:
a. Head to head record
b. Goal differential
c. Least penalty minutes
d. Coin toss
5. In the case of THREE or more teams being tied in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season the following tie breaker formula will be used to determine playoff seeding:
a. Goal differential
b. Least penalty minutes
c. Random draw
Schedules
1. All games will be scheduled and organized on www.arhlhockey.com
a. Team reps are responsible to ensure their team shows up to play all games throughout the season, playoffs, and tournament.
2. All forfeits will be recorded as a 1– 0 win for the opposing team.
3. Any team/player being expelled from the ARHL will do so with no refund of their regular season or playoff.
Games
1. All ARHL games will have an allotted time slot of 1.25 hours
2. Warm-up will be 5 minutes from the start of the permit time.
3. Periods will be 14 minute stop time.
4. There will be a 30 second intermission between periods.
5. If there is time permitting (3-4 minutes) a shootout will take place, after 3 shooters if there is no winner the game will end as Tie
8. Each team will be permitted one 60 second time out each game.
9. Visors are mandatory and there are no exceptions to this rule.
10. Officials and timekeepers are expected to be on ice 5 minutes before game time with score sheets completed for game start.
Penalties and Suspensions
1. The ARHL will be regarded as a NON-CONTACT hockey league; any body contact will be called a penalty at the discretion of the on ice officials.
2. ARHL has a zero tolerance policy towards verbal or physical abuse of on-ice officials, arena staff, or ARHL members. Any player who threatens the safety and well-being of any on-ice of off-ice official will be reviewed and will receive a maximum lifetime ban from the ARHL.
3. Any player who is assessed THREE (3) PENALTIES in one game shall be ruled off the ice for the
remainder of the game (Game Ejection).
It shall be necessary to place a substitute on the penalty bench immediately to serve the third penalty.
Any combination of minor, bench minor, or major penalties shall apply to the personal total of any individual in the game.
Double minor penalties will count as 2 infractions towards the 3 penalty maximum.
b. Any player that is ejected from a game in ARHL may be suspended at the discretion of the ARHL executives
4. High sticking the puck will result in a whistle and stoppage of play.
5. A high stick that causes an opponent to bleed may be treated as a double minor at the discretion of the on ice officials.
a.the double minor will count as two stick infractions and may incldue a mandatory ejection for the offedning playerand further review from the ARHL board
6. Any gross misconduct penalty will carry an automatic game suspension that can be appealed to the ARHL executive.
7. Match penalties will be reviewed by the ARHL executive. Suspensions and disciplinary action will be levied following this review and could result in additional suspensions and / or removal of this player from the league.
8. Any player that plays an ARHL game while under a current suspension will be banned from the League indefinitely.
a. A suspended player is not allowed on the bench or dressing room in any ARHL game, in any division, for the duration of the suspension
8.a. Any spare player who receives a 5 min and or 10 min misconduct may be banned for the remaining season
9. All players will follow local and provincial health protocols for the management of COVID19. Any violations of those protocols or guidlines will be grounds for removal from the ARHL without refund.
Minor Penalty Two Minutes
Double Minor Penalty Four Minutes
Major Penalty Five Minutes + Immediate Ejection
Misconduct Ten Minutes
Game Misconduct Ten Minutes + Immediate Ejection + 1 Game Suspension
Gross Misconduct Ten Minutes + Immediate Ejection + Minimum 2 Game Suspension
Match Penalty Ten Minutes + Immediate Ejection + Indefinite Suspension Pending Review
9. Any player issued a 5 min Major for fighting will automatically receive an automatic suspensions of minimum 4 games. (Referees discretion)
a. Any player issued a second 5 min Major for fighting will suspended for a minumum of 8 games, or the rest of the ARHL season and will have to have ARHL committee review before able to return the following year
Suspensions
1. Players engaging in injurious actions towards players, league officials, facility staff, or demonstrating actions that reflect poorly on the ARHL will be dealt with as deemed by the ARHL executive.
2. Disciplinary consequences will be determined without prejudice, and in a timely fashion.
3. Any players ejected from a game or assessed a misconduct penalty may be suspended at the discretion of the ARHL executive.
4. These suspensions will be posted on the public side of the ARHL website and will be removed at the end of the season.
5. Any player under a current ARHL suspension that is found to be playing in an ARHL game will be banned from the ARHL indefinitely.
6. The team general manager may also face similar suspension if it is determined that the team general manger was aware of the player suspension.
7. Any team/player being expelled from the ARHL will do so with no refund of their regular season and playoffs.
Player Penalty in Minutes (PIMs) Suspension
40 Penalty Minutes 1 Game
50 Penalty Minutes 2 Game
60 Penalty Minutes Minimum 5 Game Suspension + Reinstatement Hearing Appeals
1. The ARHL executive will not hear appeals regarding penalties assed by referee’s during a game.
2. Appeals may be filed regarding disciplinary action towards players.
a. The appeal must be made in writing (email) within 24 hours of the disciplinary action being communicated to the team GM by the ARHL executive.
b. An appeal process will proceed initiated by the ARHL executive and will incorporate Officials, opposing teams, and captain’s statements.
c. Once an appeal has been heard any decision will be deemed final.
Equipment
1. Teams must have at least one (1) set of matching jerseys with distinct numbers for all players, including spares. (Exceptions can be made if colors are close and a number is visible).
a. In any case where both teams are wearing similar color jerseys it will be the responsibility of the visiting team to change their jerseys.
b. Each team must have a designated captain and 2 designated assistants; these must be permanently signified on the front of the jerseys.
2. Goaltenders will be permitted to wear a jersey that is different in color from their team, but must not wear the same color as their opposition. Goalies cannot be captain or an assistant.
3. All players are required to wear CSA approved helmets with proper fitting chin straps. All players MUST wear a CSA approved facial protector, visor or cage, there are no exceptions to this rule, EVER.
a. Any player participating in the warm-up without a helmet will be assessed a minor penalty for illegal equipment to be served at the commencement of the game, and not be permitted onto the ice until a helmet is being worn.
4. Goalies must wear a CSA approved helmet with a securely attached CSA approved cage.
5. The ARHL recommends that all players wear shoulder pads, but will not require them. All other equipment is mandatory.
The ARHL reserves the right to change or modify any rules without notice provided all registered teams receive written notification prior to the commencement date of the rule changes.
ARHL Playoff format
ARHL Playoffs is single game elimination format
· Eligibility
- Players - must be on the team roster and have played a minimum of 12 games
- Goalies - must be on the team roster and must have played a minimum of 5 games
If a goalie is unable to attend a playoff game due to an injury or absent. You must submit a request for a backup Playoff goalie to the ARHL officials
- Eligible rostered players will be emailed to the GM after the last regular season game has been played
- Each player is asked to bring a Piece of I.D. at the start of the game a present it to the time keeper so they can check for eligibility
Suspensions
All suspensions from the regular season are carried over into the playoffs. Any suspensions given out in the playoffs will be served during the playoffs and carried over into next season if required. The regular season playing rules will be used as a base line for suspensions, but the Board will determine what the appropriate suspension is during the playoffs.
Penalty Cap's
The penalty cap's (team and individual) are only applicable for the regular season and do not carry over into playoffs.
Playing Rules
Same as the regular season
Games
- All games are the same format as the Regular season
- If tied after regulation, No overtime, straight to a 3 player Shoot-out
- Shoot-out
- Home team has the option of shooting first or last
- Each team selects 3 players and the teams will alternate until all six players have shot.
- If still tied, each team will select 1 player who has NOT previously shot, this will continue until a winner is determined
The ARHL reserves the right to change or modify any rules without notice provided all registered teams receive written notification prior to the commencement date of the rule changes.