Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC

Playing Rules and Procedures – Updated 11-7-2022

 

Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC is a USA Hockey Program. All games are played using the 2021-2025 Official Rules of Ice Hockey. Our programs are private invite only format and certain levels of skill are required to participate.

 

Program Policies

Frederick Adult Hockey also fully supports and enforces the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy. Players will be penalized an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty (Zero Tolerance) any time they:

  1. openly dispute or argue any official’s decision;
  2. use obscene or vulgar language directed at the officials, players on the opposing team, in the penalty box, or loud enough for spectators and off-ice officials to hear it;
  3. visually demonstrate any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.

Age Requirement: All participants in our league MUST be at least 18 years old. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Attendance: Prior to the start of the game Captains must provide the scorekeeper with the correct lineup for the game including any substitutions. Failure to provide the complete and accurate lineup prior to the game start will result in a forfeit. The determination of a complete and accurate roster will be determined by Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC. If the Captain is using a pre-printed roster label, players who are absent must be crossed off the list, and any substitute players must be added including jersey numbers. When the game is over the captain needs to double check the score sheet and then sign the score sheet verifying the attendance and stats for that game is correct. In order to get credit for playing in a game a player must actually be fully dressed in their hockey gear and actually take to the ice. Standing on the bench in a coaching capacity does not count as a game played. If a Captain does not sign the score sheet it is considered to be correct.

Illegal Players: An illegal player is any player who:

    1. Participates in a pre-game warm-up or a game while suspended; or
    2. Is not properly registered with Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC and USA Hockey; or
    3. Is a rostered goalie who skates out during the game.
    4. Is a substitute player with a higher skill level than the player who is missing without approval according to the Substitute Players section.
    5. A substitute player who was not approved by the opponent’s Captain.

Knowingly Using an Illegal Player: It is the responsibility of all team Captains to be aware of who is and isn’t eligible to play for their teams. If the captain is not present at the game, responsibility will fall to a team representative/acting captain. Any player who knowingly plays while being an illegal player as defined above will be suspended a minimum of one game from all teams in Frederick Adult Hockey programs. In addition, the Captain (team representative/acting captain if the captain is not present) of the team that the player has illegally played for will be suspended a minimum of one game. Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC will review the circumstances surrounding how and why the player was allowed to play on a case by case basis and assess the appropriate suspensions. There will be an automatic game forfeit if a team is caught intentionally using an illegal player. If an illegal player is suspected during the game, the opposing captain must note an “Illegal Player Protest” on the scoresheet. The game will be played in its entirety. After the game, Frederick Adult Hockey will contact the captains of both teams to request additional information and will render its decision regarding whether a forfeit is awarded. Players who are determined to not be registered with Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC and USA Hockey will be immediately removed from the game.

If a game is forfeited, individual player statistics for the game will count for the protesting team’s players, and the protesting team will be awarded a win. No goals or assists will be added to the statistics for any players of the forfeiting team; however penalty minutes will be awarded. If there is a tie in the standings when playoff seeding is determined, the final score of 5-0 will be manually applied for tie breaking purposes.

Minimum Players: Teams must have a minimum of 6 rostered players in each game for the game to count towards standings. If a team has less than 6, the game is forfeited and the opposing team is awarded the win. The players on ice may decide to play the game, however the stats for the forfeiting team will not be counted.

Warm Up Time: Teams will be allowed at least five minutes to warm up prior to the game starting.

Goal Limit: Players may not score more than three goals in regulation play. Additional goals beyond three will not count and no penalty is awarded. The goal limit is removed in overtime play.

Mercy Rule: At any time during the game, if the difference in the score reaches 7 goals, the referee shall instruct the score keeper to change the game time to running clock. If the difference in the score later drops to 6 goals the game time shall return to stop clock.

Team Jerseys: All players and goalies on the same team must have similarly colored jerseys. The jersey for each player and goalie of the team must have a unique number on the back of the jersey. This number must correspond to the number for that player or goalie on the team roster. This requirement is in effect from the opening day of the season. If a player is wearing a different number on their jersey than what is on the roster, the scorekeeper must be notified of the number change before the game starts. Any player who caught playing without a jersey number on the back of their jersey may be removed from the ice.

Names on Jerseys: Players are permitted to have their Legally Spelled Last Name or a Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC APPROVED nickname on the back of their jersey. Players who have nicknames on the back of their jerseys will need to submit the name to the league for Approval. If your nicknames contains vulgar, profanity or sexual verbiage, your request will be DENIED by the league. Anyone caught with an unapproved nickname on the back of their jersey will be removed from the ice and their captain will receive a 1 game suspension for allowing them to wear the unapproved jersey.

Identification of Captains: Team captains and alternates will wear a “C” or “A” on their jersey. They are the only players who may discuss game situations with the officials. If none of the team captains or alternates are present, the team will appoint a bench captain for the game and notify the officials of this before the start of the game. Goalies may not act as a team captain. Goalies who have acted as captain (organizing the team, making registration payments, etc.) must appoint an on-ice captain during games.

Protests and Complaints: Recognizing that a vital objective of league play is development of concepts of sportsmanship, protests are not favored and normally may be expected to be denied except in instances of an illegal player or gross violation of the rules. Protests which are submitted shall be handled in the following manner:

Winning teams may not file a protest, only losing teams. Protests must be submitted in writing by the team captain to Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC within 48 hours of the completion of the game. Emails are acceptable. Protests submitted by any other team member will not be considered. Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC will respond to the protest within 72 hours of receipt (unless more prompt response is needed). ALL referees’ judgmental decisions are final and are not subject to protest, appeal or review. **Live Barn will not be used as a tool by captains or players to dispute calls made during games. **

A situation may occur which is not appropriate for protest, but with respect to which a team wishes to complain. In such a case, the same basic procedures as for a protest shall be followed. The result of a complaint will have no effect on a game’s result, but may serve to clarify league, club, team or individual membership actions and policy.

Registration, Fees and Team Rosters: Rosters are populated when the individual players who are expected to be on the team, go online and register him/herself onto the team’s roster. A player is not considered on a team’s roster unless they actually go online and register themselves onto that team’s roster EACH SEASON. It does not matter if they played on the team in previous season or if the captain is counting on them as part of the roster, THEY ARE NOT ON THE ROSTER UNTIL THEY REGISTER WITH THE LEAGUE FOR THE CURRENT SEASON. All rosters are subject to approval prior to player registration. Registration is done online with payments made by credit card or debit card.

Roster Changes: In the event a team is struggling to remain consistently competitive, the captains may decide to allow a team to additional players to achieve fair and balanced play.

USA Hockey registration/membership is required for all participants. All players and coaches on each team’s roster, including those players considered substitutes, must be registered with USA Hockey at the time of participation. Participants must provide their active USA Hockey registration code to Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC before joining any on-ice Participants must present their confirmation code to Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC before joining any on-ice  events, games, or practices. If they are not registered with USA Hockey they will not be allowed to participate in Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC on-ice activities until such time as they become registered with USA Hockey. Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC will inform the team captain in writing before any players are removed from the active roster.

Schedule Changes: Schedule changes will be made by Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC only to accommodate games that cannot be played due to rink equipment failure and the closing of the rink due to inclement weather (hurricanes, blizzards, etc.). Teams that have conflicts with published schedule times have two choices:

  1. Show up and make the best of the game
  2. Not show up and forfeit

Any team that fails to appear for three consecutive games will be removed from the schedule without any refund.

Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC offers you a 3rd opportunity to try and swap games with other teams. If the team has an issue with a scheduled game the team captain must send us an email *at least 4 days prior* to the game date that they want swapped. We will get back to the team captain with a list of possible dates/times/teams to swap with/or open ice slots. The captain requesting the change must then contact the other captains that would be affected. If any of the other captains declines the swap, all games will remain as scheduled. If all involved captains agree to a swap, email us the agreement and the change will be processed. The League will not take these steps for you. It is the captain’s responsibility to work out their own game swap. If the captain cannot, then the league rules listed above will be followed. Under no circumstances will the league simply cancel a game and reschedule it for a later date.

Game Forfeits: There are three types of game forfeits:

  1. Advanced -prior to the game date and time
  2. At start of game
  3. Forfeit due to use of illegal player

If a team knows in advance that they do not have enough players and must forfeit the game, the team captain should contact Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC by email and phone, as well as reach out to their opponents if possible.

The teams may use the ice to practice, only players from their teams are permitted to use the ice; they may not invite anyone else on the ice with them. If neither team has enough players to start the game the game shall be declared a double forfeit. Both teams would get zero (0) points in the standings for this game.

Any team that fails to appear for three consecutive games will be removed from the schedule without any refund.

Use of an Illegal player there will be an automatic game forfeit if a team is caught using an illegal player, Plus Game Suspensions for the player and Captain- Refer to above section Knowingly Using an Illegal Player.

Postponement of games due to inclement weather or equipment failure: Any games postponed due to inclement weather or equipment failure will be communicated to the Captains by the quickest means available (phone, email, etc.) It is important that each team captain set up some way of rapidly communicating with the rest of the team. It is also critical that the captain and alternate captains of each team keep their contact information updated with Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC. These games will be rescheduled at the end of the season just before the start of the playoffs. If necessary, the start of the playoff schedule will be delayed to accommodate the make-up games.

Standings: FrederickAdultHockey.com will be the official site for standings. When an odd number of teams make up a division, occasionally one team may need to play an additional game so that every team plays the specified number of games.

Points: Two points will be awarded for a win in regulation or overtime. One point for an overtime loss.

Tie breakers for teams with the same number of place points:

  1. Most overall wins;
  2. Points awarded in head-to-head competition;
  3. Goal differential in head-to-head competition;
  4. Total goal differential;
  5. Fewest penalty minutes;
  6. Coin Toss

For purposes above, “goal differential” shall be defined as goals for less goals against.

Statistics: Game scores, player and goalie statistics will be kept on FrederickAdultHockey.com. Captains will have 48 hours ( 2 days) after a game is completed to contact us with any discrepancies on their roster or statistics and only their roster or team statistics. After that 48 hours (2 days) no corrections or changes can or will be made. When the game is over the captain needs to double check the paper score sheet and then sign the paper score sheet verifying the attendance for that game is correct. Once the roster is signed, no changes will be made to the attendance unless what was verified was posted incorrectly on the website.

Playoff Procedures/Schedules: All teams make the playoffs. Single elimination playoffs will be used. If there are an odd number of teams, the first playoff game will be a qualifier between the last place team and the next- to-last place team. All other playoff games will be first place vs. last place, second place vs. next to last place, etc. Semi-finals will be the highest place survivor vs. the lowest place survivor, and the 2nd place vs. third place survivor. In the event of a tied game after regulation, a 5 minute sudden death overtime period will be played. If the score remains tied after overtime, the game will be decided by a shootout following NHL rules. (See Rule 638 notes below)

The playoff schedules will be posted on the league schedule page prior to the end of the season.

Substitute Players: All substitute players must be fully registered with USA Hockey and Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC before the event. Substitute skaters will not be allowed in playoffs. Substitute goalies may be used in regular games and playoffs with consent from the opponent’s Captain and Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC officials. Substitute skaters may be subject to a per game fee.

When allowed, Captains may obtain substitute players and goalies when they are missing any number of players and meet the following conditions:

  1. The skill level of the sub meets the requirements for the league; and
  2. The skill level of the sub does not exceed the level of the player that is missing; and
  3. The total number of players does not exceed the number of rostered players.

In the event of uneven match-ups in regular season games, it may become necessary to obtain a substitute player that is a higher skill level than the missing player in an effort to maintain a fair and competitive balance. In such situations, approval from the opponent’s Captain must be obtained prior to the game. If the Captains are unable to reach an agreement, Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC officials will make a final determination.

At least 70% rounded up of the skaters on the team lineup must be on the active roster of the team. For example, if there are 13 players in the lineup, at least 10 skaters must be on the active roster since 70% of 13 is 9.1, rounding up to 10 skaters. If a lineup consists of more than 30% substitute players the team must decide to reduce the number of substitutes or forfeit the game. In the case of forfeit, the players may decide to continue the game however the stats will not be counted for the forfeiting team.

The Captains must inform each other if they are missing any players and provide the details of intended substitutions for approval by the opposing Captain, and work together to balance the teams. Substitutes are not required unless the team does not meet the Minimum Player rules.

 

Suspensions: The suspended player list will be posted on the league web site. Suspensions will be posted on the day after the game in which the infraction occurs.

If a hearing is required Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC will make every effort to ensure the hearing is held within 14 days of the offense. Penalties assessed for violation of Rule 601g, Inflicting harm to a game Official in any manner, or attempting to do so, requires a hearing that is the responsibility of our local USA Hockey governing body, The Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association. They are responsible for setting the date for and conducting the hearing. Suspended players may attend the games as a spectator but may not be in or near the player’s bench, penalty boxes or scorekeeper’s bench area.

Carry-over suspensions: Game suspensions assessed but not served before the end of a season will be served at the beginning of the next season in which the player participates. If a player does not re-register for the same team he earned the suspension on, the suspension will carry over to the next team.

Non-Rostered Sub Goalie suspensions: Will be suspended from playing as sub goalie from all teams until such time the suspension term for the original team has been served.

Right To Modify: Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC is a growing and evolving entity. We reserve the right to modify our rules and procedures at any time without notice in order to improve the services we provide. Any changes will be communicated to the affected Captains and updated on our website.

USA Hockey Rules & Adaptations

Rule 304a – Equipment: All players are required to wear full hockey equipment including a face mask or face shield. Mouth guards are strongly recommended, but are optional. Players not wearing the required equipment will be assessed a minor penalty and will not be allowed to play until the proper equipment is in place.

Required equipment: (all equipment must be approved for ice hockey use) 

  • Helmet
  • Elbow pads
  • Mid-section protection – hockey pants or girdle/shell
  • Gloves
  • Knee/shin protectors
  • Full or partial face protection
  • Ice Skates

Strongly recommended, but optional equipment: 

  • Mouth guard
  • Shoulder/chest protector

Rule 401(B) – Misconduct Penalties (Excessive penalties): If a player receives three penalties in a game, he/she will be excused from the remainder of the game with no game suspension. If a player receives five penalties in a game, the player will receive a game misconduct and a one game suspension.

If a team receives 15 penalties in a game, the game will be terminated. If the offending team is losing, the score will be recorded as the final game result. If the offending team is winning or tied, the score sheet will still reflect goals, penalties, shots etc, up to the point where the game is Terminated. If there is a tie in the standings when playoff seeding is determined, the final score of 2-0 Loss for the offending team will be manually applied for tie breaking purposes.

Rule 410 – Supplementary Discipline: Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC, at their discretion, will investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and will assess additional suspensions for offenses that may occur before, during the game, or after the game, whether or not the offense has been penalized by the referee.

Rule 601 E 3 – Language that is Offensive, Hateful, or Discriminatory: As of October 30 2019 Per USA Hockey, Change to USA Hockey Rule 601(E 3) A Match Penalty will now be assessed by the referees to anyone they hear using language that is offensive, hateful or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

Rule 601F(1) – Physical abuse of officials: Any player who physically abuses or threatens physical abuse of any league official, the referees, or score keeper shall be permanently expelled from the league. Threatening physical abuse includes, but is not limited to: chasing the official, making verbal threats towards the official, bumping the official, touching or grabbing the official, or acting in any way that would make the official fear for his or her safety. Permanent expulsion means the player has a lifetime ban on playing for any Frederick Adult Hockey teams in any capacity.

Rule 601F(3) – Other Misconduct: Any player who verbally threatens another player (as noted above) may be permanently expelled from the league. This includes threats made before, during or after the game.

Rule 615 – Fighting or fisticuffs: Any player given a fighting penalty will be suspended for three games for the first offense, five games for the second offense, and for the third offense shall be permanently expelled from Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC and will forfeit any fees paid. Fighting, for the purposes of the Adult Hockey League includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Punching, or attempting to punch another player. A Punch, or an attempted punch, thrown by any player in the direction of an opponent, regardless as to whether contact is made, is considered fighting.
  2. Any quarrel or wrestling between players that requires stoppage of play or disruption in the game to resolve or break up.

A Major Plus a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed to ANY PLAYER who engages in Fighting. An additional Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who starts or instigates a fight.

A Minor, Double Minor or Major Plus game Misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who, having been struck, continues the altercation by retaliating. A player who does not retaliate after being struck shall not be assessed a penalty for fighting under USA Hockey Rule.

Rule 620 – Icing: Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC uses the red line for icing calls, per the USA Hockey rule book.

Rule 634 – Slashing: Officials shall award a minor penalty to any player who makes stick contact with a goalie while in the crease, who has covered or caught the puck, regardless of whether or not the Referee has stopped play.

Frederick Adult Hockey, LLC, at their discretion may assess additional suspensions to any player who intentionally or unintentionally swings his stick at an opponent or injures an opponent as a result of slashing.

Rule 636B – Start of Game and Periods: If the start of a game is delayed by events that are not the responsibility of the teams participating in the game, e.g., the ice is not resurfaced on time, an earlier game runs over the allotted time slot, etc., then the game curfew time shall be adjusted so that the full one hour and 20 minutes is allowed. Any questions regarding game curfew times shall be referred to the team captains before the game starts.

If the start of a game is delayed by a team failing to appear on the ice promptly, the situation shall be addressed under Rule 633B.

If a team does not have enough players on the ice to begin the game after the designated warm-up period has ended, the referee shall direct the scorekeeper to place 5 minutes on the clock and start the clock. If, after the 5 minutes have expired, a team still does not have enough players on the ice to start the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing team. If neither team has enough players to start the game the game shall be declared a double forfeit. Both teams would get zero (0) points in the standings for this game.

Rule 636A – Time of Match: All games shall consist of three 15-minute, stop-clock periods. There will be two minutes allowed between periods. The ice will not be resurfaced between periods. All games must be completed in the one hour, 20 minute curfew time. Before the third period starts the officials will confirm that at least 30 minutes remain in the ice slot. If less than 30 minutes remain, the official will direct the scorer to put half of the time remaining on the clock for the third period.

Officials shall strictly enforce the USA Hockey Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis on calling of stick infractions.

Rule 638 – Tied Games: If the game ends in a tie, and if time allows, there will be a one minute break, then a 5-minute running time of 5-on-5 sudden death overtime play. Overtime play goes by the NHL point system. During playoff games if the score remains tied after the overtime period, the game will be decided by a shootout following NHL rules. Each team gets three attempts to score during a shootout. Whichever team scores the most goals out of these three shots wins the game. If the score is tied after three attempts, sudden-death rounds will determine the winner. Each team will have the opportunity to shoot in the sudden death rounds. The team that wins the next frame in the shootout wins the game. Players can participate in the shootout as long as they are not serving a misconduct penalty, game misconduct penalty, or match penalty.