1 of 6 - Rules & Policies

[GAMES Available]

Welcome to the Just For Fun Hockey League. We are sure you will be thrilled with your JFFHL season.

This is the first in a series of 6 pre-season messages you will receive.
I have attached the League Rules (below).

Please familiarize yourself with them.

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Please print for your reference.

JFFHL Rules & POLICIES

Please be aware, players in the JFFHL who simply come out and play their games, following the rules, respecting their competition, and enjoying the game, will never have to concern themselves with the penalties or fines noted below.

Our rules are designed to promote fair play, respect, and consideration of others.

We sincerely hope that we NEVER have to fine or suspend any player, but we must have tough policies in place to deter those who try to destroy our mission to have a fun, yet competitive league.
PLAYING RULES – Section A

RULE 1 A
All games will be 50 minutes in length, including a 2-minute warm-up. The rink clock will count down ice time; no other time clock will be used. This will eliminate wasted ice time changing ends or having the scoreboard time run out before the ice time is used.
RULE 2 A
For all minor penalties, play is stopped as in a normal game situation (ii.e., immediately or delayed), when stopped the team that would normally go on the power play is awarded a penalty shot.

RULE 2B Penalty Shot Procedure - All players on the ice, stand inside the opposite blue line, the ref blows his whistle and the player taking the penalty shot begins skating, as soon as he/she crosses the defensive blue line, all players on the ice rejoin the play. If the player scores, play is stopped and a face-off result, if the goalie makes the save, play continues as if the player had been on a breakaway.

DETERMINING WHO TAKES A PENALTY SHOT - when penalty shots are called, they should always be taken by the player who was fouled, it's up to the players to decide this and do it quickly (in the Munchies division, the Bench Boss should tell the player who is to take the shot). When this isn't clear, let the player with the least points on the team have the shot. Keep it fun!

RULE 3 A
For all other whistles (i.e. offside, icing, goal tender freezes puck etc.) the ref will whistle the play down, immediately all offensive players must clear the defensive zone, the ref will again blow his whistle to signify the zone has been cleared, play continues with the defensive team taking over possession. Should the defensive player with the puck begin forward momentum, at any time, the game shall be deemed to be 'on'. Offensive players must continue to clear the zone if the defensive player does not begin forward momentum.

RULE 4 A
The puck is considered ‘in play’ as long as it is within the confines of the ice surface. If the puck is shot over the glass but comes back into play off the mesh or walls, play will continue with no whistle. If the puck does leave the playing surface and a whistle is required, a standard face-off will result.

RULE 5 A
There will be no 2 line offside plays, as we will not be using the centre ice line.

RULE 6 A
Slap shots ARE allowed.

RULE 7 A
Full gear is required in all divisions, including a CSA-approved helmet AND cage for all players. Players playing under 18 MUST wear a CSA approved helmet, cage and BNQ approved neck guard

RULE 8 A
The ‘even up rule’ comes into effect ONLY when a team is down by 5 or more goals. The team that is behind will be allowed to play with one additional player (6 + a goalie). That team will be permitted to keep the extra player until the game is over or tied, at which point they will revert back to 5 on 5 play. Unless the goal differential becomes 5 again, play maintains at 5 on 5.
ROSTERS, ICE & PLAYING TIME - Section B

RULE 1 B
Any player found to be playing for a team other than his designated team for any league games will be suspended for the balance of the season with no refund. If this happens during the last 5 games of the season, the player will be suspended for the balance for the next season. A $25 fine will also be levied.

RULE 2 B
Players sign up to play in a ‘league’, not on a specific team, the computer designates who plays on what team and at what time. Times assigned WILL NOT be altered for any player, for any reason.

RULE 3 B
Each game the computer generates a different roster for each team, from the player pool available to play for that week, no changing of games or rosters will be permitted, for any reason. Players are to report to the sign-in table at the rink, no more than 30 minutes prior to their scheduled game time, where they will be required to sign the game sheet and be assigned to a specific team and dressing room.

Absolutely no player placement requests will be considered for any game or division. The computer determines where and when you will play.

RULE 4 B
All players are to play EQUAL ice time. All teams should simply use the ‘next in line’ OR ‘1 on 1 off’ system to change players. Positions are not important. On average shifts will be about 2 minutes in length and any player who does not change regularly will be given one warning by league officials and then suspended for one game for the second offense and the balance of the season for the third. No refunds will be provided to any suspended player.

Players abusing shift times should be brought to the attention of league officials who will in turn deal with any problems accordingly. Warned and suspended players' names will be posted on our Bulletin Board so everyone will know who the offending players are and can politely remind them to change regularly.
EXCEPTIONS TO RULES: 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B
Players will be permitted to 'adjust' their schedule ONLY for reasons related to these two circumstances:

1. A player may post his scheduled game time and pick up an available posted game at another time IF it is to accommodate a work-related situation.

2. A player may post his scheduled game and pick up an available posted game at another time IF it is for transportation purposes (i.e. a ride to the game)
Permission to adjust schedules may be revoked it is determined that the player is moving to improve the team he is playing with or to specifically 'partner' with another player to create a superior on-ice situation.

RULE 5 B
All 5 players on the ice MUST change lines on any face-off (goal, puck out of play, penalty shot).
There are only 3 exceptions to this rule;
1. If a penalty is called, the person awarded the penalty shot will complete the play and then go directly to the bench.
2. If a goal is scored on a penalty shot, the players who just came off the bench are not required to change until the next face-off or after a normal shift time.
3. There aren't sufficient players on the bench to accommodate a complete line change or a player on the bench requests additional time off.
RULE 6 B
Players do not have to commit to being at every scheduled game. If you cannot make a scheduled game; it is YOUR responsibility to post your absence to the online Bulletin Board 24 hours in advance. If a situation arises after the 24-hour limit, you should still post, so other players can pick up your spot, but if we are not successful, a fine will of TWO game credits lost, be levied.

Players are required to notify the league (by way of posing) at least 24 hours in advance if they will be unavailable for a specific date or game, players NOT notifying the league (no-show) will lose TWO game credits each occurrence. It is ALWAYS advisable to post to the board, regardless of the notification period and if a situation should occur that prevents you from posting to the board, ALWAYS call and leave a message. We understand that situations can happen, but without any notification, players will always lose TWO game credits.
RULE 7 B
Players may miss as many games as they like with no loss of game credits, providing proper notification has been provided, regardless of if their position was filled on the roster.

PLAYERS - If a player is unable to attend a scheduled game, they must post on the league Bulletin Board, notifying Open Enrolment players that a roster spot is available. This posting MUST appear at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled game time.

Players missing a scheduled game and NOT posting on the board 24 hours in advance will lose TWO game credits. Failure to post more than twice in a season will result in the loss of FOUR game credits for each subsequent occurrence. The player will also be REMOVED from Full-Time status and reassigned to Open Enrolment status for the remainder of the season.

All players may fill any roster openings by posting (in the same thread) on our league Bulletin Board.

GOALTENDERS - If a goaltender is unable to attend a scheduled game, they must post on the league Bulletin Board, notifying other goaltenders that a roster spot is available. This posting must appear at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled game time. In addition, they must contact the league office by email and text/phone, at 519-697-7291, leaving the information pertaining to the game, so every effort can be made to fill their position. If a situation arises after the 24-hour limit, the goaltender should still contact us by phone and email, so we can try to fill your spot, but if we are not successful, a fine will of THREE game credits lost will be levied.

Goaltenders missing a scheduled game MUST posting on the board AND contacting the office or a fine of TWO GAME CREDITS will be lost.

RULE 8 B
All players are able to ‘fill in’ when regular players are away from a scheduled game and have posted roster openings on our Bulletin Board. When another player agrees to ‘fill in’ for a player on the Bulletin Board, they assume all responsibility of the scheduled player, and one of their game credits will be used.

No refunds will be issued for OE players who do not play all paid games, we will allow only 50% of purchased game credits to be carried over to the next season. Credits will expire after the following season.
MAJOR AND DOUBLE MINOR PENALTIES – Section C
RULE 1C
Major penalties will result in the penalty shot AND the team playing short for 5 minutes. The penalized player will be removed from the game and accordingly fined and possibly suspended.

Any major penalty will result in a fine of $25 per infraction with the possibility of a 10 game suspension (each case is reviewed by the league).
RULE 2C
Double penalties will result in the single penalty shot AND the team playing short for 4 minutes. Normal rules apply (i.e. team scores and one penalty is eliminated)
Double penalties will also result in a fine of $10 per occasion.

RULE 3C
There is absolutely NO CONTACT in any division. Any intentional contact will be called by the ref and may result in a minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the official.
RULE 4C
3 minor penalties (resulting in penalty shots) awarded to one player in the same game will result in an automatic game ejection from that game. No further penalty, fine or suspension will result.

RULE 5C
Fighting is an automatic season suspension and $25 fine.
RULE 6C
We have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy in effect for any abuse of officials. Unlike most hockey leagues, we will not tolerate ANY questioning of a call.

The banging of sticks or foul language will result in an automatic unsportsmanlike penalty and the ‘double minor’ rule will be in effect. The player will automatically be awarded an unsportsmanlike penalty and $5 fine (only one penalty shot, on the original call) is awarded.

The second questioning of a call will result in a 10-minute misconduct penalty and a further $20 fine, a third questioning on the same play constitutes a Gross Misconduct, an additional $25 fine, automatic indefinite suspension, and league review.

PERFORMANCE BOND & REFUNDS– Section D

RULE 1D
All players must provide a credit card number OR post a $100 bond in the form of a post-dated cheque, which will not be cashed if jerseys are returned within no more than 7 days from request or end of the season.
RULE 2D
Players who have received fines or suspensions during the season must pay their fines, in CASH, before they can play again.
RULE 3D
There will be no refunds for any reason once registration has been processed.

RULE 4D
Any cheque returned as NSF by the bank will incur a $50 service charge and the player will not be permitted to play until the amount due is paid in full.
JERSEYS – Section E
RULE 1E
Players are assigned two jerseys at the start of the season and they are responsible for keeping them clean and in good repair throughout the season. Players are required to return both jerseys at the end of the season. These jerseys must have been WASHED, prior to the last game of the season. Any jerseys not returned within 7 days of the end of the season will be billed at $50 each (CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED OR POST DATED CHEQUES CASHED).
RULE 2 E
Players have the option of wearing their own jerseys, but they must have a black or navy for Team Searles and a red or orange for Team Vision Source. OE players may not be assigned jerseys, depending on how many games they have purchased.
RULE 3 E
Each player will be assigned a specific number and must only wear that jersey. No number requests will be allowed; players simply wear the jersey assigned.
GENERAL INFORMATION – Section F

RULE 1F
Players are rewarded with 2 points for an assist and one for a goal; year-end awards will be presented to our assist leaders.
RULE 2F
Goaltender with the lowest GAA will be recognized.
RULE 4F
We ask that players bring out a few pucks to the games, we don't supply pucks.
RULE 5F
We strongly suggest each player have their own waterbottle on the bench for games. Putting the player's name on it for sanitary reasons is a good idea. Goalies are welcome and encouraged to have a bottle on their net.
RULE 6F
When play is called, our refs would really appreciate it if someone can bring the puck to his location for a face-off or penalty shot. Even shooting it to the area is helpful.
RULE 7F
We don't handle keys. If you want your room locked, someone will need to go to the front desk at the rink and get the key, we strongly suggest this.
RULE 8F
We will have our trained JFFHL staff on hand for all games. This staff included First Aid trained personnel.
RULE 9F
Staff members should be notified of any injury or when on-ice attention is required. We will be easily accessible in the timekeepers booth or main lobby area.
RULE 10F
Our staff may at any time ask a parent or spectator to leave the playing area or stands if the person is acting in a manner contradictory to our league intent

RULE 11F
All fined or suspended players will have their names posted on the Bulletin Board

Sincerely,
Chris Dyson
President & CEO