Northern Virginia School Hockey League
NVSHL Varsity and Junior Varsity Operating Rules
I. GENERAL LEAGUE RULES
A. All NVSHL games will be played under the rules of USA Hockey youth.
B. The NVSHL Board of Directors or the NVSHL Operating Committee, according to
the NVSHL Bylaws, may modify or supplement USA Hockey rules with local rules applicable to games involving NVSHL teams.
II. STRUCTURE
A. The NVSHL Operations Committee shall determine the structure of the league, the number of league games to be played, the starting date for league games and the length of the season no later than October 1. The Operations Committee shall make this determination in accordance with the Operating Rules approved by the Members.
B. The NVSHL shall consist of three divisions of competition. Varsity Division will be for teams that have achieved a higher level of talent, the Junior Varsity Division will focus entirely on the principles set forth in the NVSHL Mission Statement and the Middle School Division which will also focus entirely on the principles of the NVSHL Mission Statement.
1. Each team will be asked to specify its divisional preference at the NVSHL Annual Meeting
2. It will be necessary that the NVSHL’s Varsity Division consist of at least 60 percent of NVSHL member teams excluding the Middle School teams.
3. The NVSHL Operations Committee will make every attempt to accommodate each team’s divisional request, but it reserves the right to move teams up or down a division based upon considerations of talent or safety.
C. NVSHL member schools that want to put forth two teams will be required to register two separate clubs with USA Hockey. As of January 15, rosters will be frozen for the remainder of the season. No player can be permanently added to a roster after January 15 and the declared rosters will become final for playoff purposes. The penalty for the coach who adds players to the roster past the January 15th date – forfeiture of games played with illegal player(s), one game suspension for offending coach, and a six (6) month suspension from all NVSHL-Activities for the offending coach to be served from July through December of the subsequent season. The offending coach may appeal the penalty to the NVSHL Executive Director.
D. Players who are named on the submitted Varsity Division roster at the beginning of the season cannot be moved down to the Junior Varsity Division level. The penalty for the coach who moves Varsity Registered players to the Junior Varsity illegally – forfeiture of games played with illegal player(s), one game suspension for offending coach, and a six (6) month suspension from all NVSHL-Activities for the offending coach to be served from July through December of the subsequent season. The offending coach may appeal the penalty to the NVSHL Executive Director.
E. A Junior Varsity player can move up to the Varsity level for two games. Appearance in a third Varsity game dictates that player will remain on the Varsity team for the remainder of the season. The penalty for the coach who uses illegal players in the Junior Varsity game(s) – forfeiture of games played with illegal player(s), one game suspension for offending coach, and a six (6) month suspension from all NVSHL-Activities for the offending coach to be served from July through December of the subsequent season. The offending coach may appeal the penalty to the NVSHL Executive Director.
F. It is recommended that schools that have enough players to put forth two clubs separate their talent into A- and B-level clubs.
G. For subsequent seasons teams will have to submit requests to the NVSHL Operations Committee to move up or down a Division.
H. The League maintains team standings, recognizes game scores, monitors assessed penalties, and imposes disciplinary actions associated with those penalties.
III. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
A. To be eligible to represent the school in any NVSHL sponsored contest a student shall meet the following requirements:
1. BONA FIDE STUDENT RULE - To be considered a bona fide student under this rule, a student must be a full time resident within the geographic district of the school for which he/she wishes to play no later than January 15 of the year in which the player wishes to play and must be rostered on or before that date.
2. GRADE RULE - The student shall be enrolled in the last four years (Freshman-Senior) of high school.
3. ENROLLMENT RULE - The student shall be enrolled in the school they represent.
4. Home schooled players will only be eligible to play for the school to which their residence is zoned.
B. AGE RULE-The student shall not have reached the age of 19 on or before the first day of August of the school year in which he/she wishes to compete.
C. TRANSFER RULE-The student shall not have enrolled in one high school and subsequently transferred to another school without a corresponding change in residence of his/her parent, parents or guardian.
D. A student who transfers into a NVSHL member school must present his/her transfer situation to the Executive Director before he/she becomes eligible to participate in NVSHL games. The onus will be on the student-athete to present his/her transfer situation and he/she will be responsible for providing written information to support the transfer.This rule applies to students who tranfser from other NVSHL member teams, from outside NVSHL area and any other transfer situation. This rule does not apply to students entering grade nine. The Executive Director will accept the information presented by the transfer student and make a decision on eligibility standards by considering , first and foreost, the VHSL transfer eligibility standards as outlined in the current VHSL Handbook. In cases where the transfer situation in not specifically covered by VHSL policy, the Executive Director will make a judgement based as closely to the VHSL policy as possible.
E. SEMESTER RULE-The student shall not have been enrolled in the last four years of high school for a period of more than eight consecutive semesters, beginning with the semester in which he/she was enrolled for the first time in the ninth grade. The eight consecutive semesters shall be counted continuously from that point, regardless of whether or not he/she remains continuously enrolled in school.
F. Not being in suspension status with their school or USA Hockey. Students in a suspension status imposed by either their school or USA Hockey are not eligible to practice/play with a League team.
G. Being registered as a player with USA Hockey and the NVSHL for the current season.
H. Demonstrating to their team coach that they know USA Hockey rules and have hockey skills sufficient to not be a hazard to either themselves or other players.
I. Carry-Over Suspensions.
1. Players with "carry-over" game misconduct suspensions from previous seasons must serve the suspensions in NVSHL league rather than non-league games, provided the game misconducts were received in a league game.
2. Suspensions must be served even if the player changes teams during or between seasons.
3. If the first game scheduled for a player with carry-over game misconduct suspensions is a non-league game, the player must miss that first non-league game also, per USA Hockey rules.
4. Allowing a suspended player to play in a game will result in the forfeiture of the game by the team, the suspension of the coach from League team practices and games, and the continued suspension of the player.
J. Continuing Eligibility.
1. Allowing an ineligible player to practice/play in a game will result in the forfeiture of the game by the team, the suspension of the coach from League games, team practices and non-league games, and the continued suspension of the player.
2. The League may add additional suspensions
K. Requirements. Students are ineligible to play on or practice with a League team until:
1. Their properly completed Individual Membership Registration (IMR) form, the USA Hockey Form 1-T, and fees have been received by USA Hockey.
2. They have been registered with the League.
3. Provisional Teams. Student eligibility for provisional teams is similar to that for teams with students from one school except:
i) No student may play in a NVSHL league game for a Provisional team until his/her name has been included on the Provisional Team’s USA Hockey Roster and its NVSHL Roster;
ii) The Provisional Team’s NVSHL Roster has been approved by the NVSHL Registrar and Operating Committee, and Executive Director.
iii) Provisional Teams may not combine students from more than two schools. Additions to a Provisional Team’s NVSHL Roster must be submitted to the NVSHL Registrar for approval on an NVSHL Roster form at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the date on which any student added to the Provisional Team’s NVSHL Roster first plays in a NVSHL league game. No student may be deleted from any Provisional Team’s NVSHL Roster for any reason after the Provisional Team’s NVSHL Roster is initially approved by the NVSHL Registrar and Operating Committee pursuant to Rule IV, B of the NVSHL Operating Rules. Provisional Teams may not combine students from more than two schools.
IV. TEAM REGISTRATION
A. Regular Membership: Is open to school-based teams composed of eligible students interested in the sport of ice hockey. Each school-based team must designate an adult Member Representative to the League. The League will work with the Member Representative in matters pertaining to the League and the Team.
B. If a team declares to be in the Varsity Division, that team is not allowed to participate in any other league.
C. Provisional Membership: Is granted to two schools that partner to form one team. Provisional Members must also assign an adult Member Representative to the League.
1. A school that can roster 15 players must play as a Regular Member unless that school does not have a goaltender among those 15.
2. If a team becomes “Provisional” because of lack of goaltender, that team may only roster a goalie from an outside school.
3. A Provisional Team must exhaust interest among capable players from the “base” school before rostering players from a second school.
4. No Provisional Team may be comprised of players from more than two schools.
5. Provisional Teams will document the steps taken, within each school, to market and promote team membership from the beginning of the school year until the end of the NVSHL season. These steps are to be submitted to the NVSHL Executive Director and the Operating Committee at a date to be determined annually.
6. Provisional Team rosters will be submitted by the deadlines as decided by the NVSHL Operating Committee.
7. No more than 4 players on a Junior Varsity (JV) team shall comprise players currently rostered on a travel ice hockey team that plays at the Tier 1 or Tier II Upper A level or above.
D. Communications. Since the League will use an internet-based communications system, each team must have access to the Internet and provide the League with an e-mail address for electronic communications.
E. Game Ice. Each team planning to compete in League Scheduled games in Varsity or Junior Varsity is responsible for providing half of the total games slots for the NVSHL Season (example, if the NVSHL Regular season is 10 games long, teams are required to provide 5 slots for home games). The five home slots need to be submitted to the league by September 15.
1. The game slot must be a minimum of 1.5 hours long. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved in advance by the League Scheduler.
2. The game slots must be on Sundays through Saturday during the League's announced season. Game slots scheduled during the holiday season are not acceptable for scheduling League games. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved in advance by the League Scheduler.
3. On Sundays and weekdays, games cannot begin before 4:00 PM or after 9:00 PM. Games cannot begin later than 9:40 PM on Fridays and Saturdays unless approved by the Executive Director.
4. To the extent possible, a team's games will be scheduled to play on slots the team provided.
F. Acceptability. The game slots proposed by a team for the League's use must be acceptable to the League for scheduling games. If the slots are not acceptable to the League, the League Scheduler will notify the Member Representative that the slots are not acceptable. The Team is responsible for arranging for alternative game slots in time for the League to use the slots for scheduling games.
G. Fees. Prior to the NVSHL Annual Meeting, the League will determine and announce fees to be collected from each member team for funding the League's hockey program for that season. The fees will not include costs of non-league games, practice ice or for other costs associated with fielding a team. The Fees include but are not limited to:
1. Costs of referee fees for League games.
2. Costs to fund playoff and championship games including game ice, referee fees, support costs, and other costs associated with hosting the games.
3. Costs for League awards to teams and players.
4. Costs to provide funding attributable to League scheduling and other League errors.
5. Reasonable costs incurred by League Schedulers and other appointed League staff in providing administrative management of the League during the season - including, but not limited to, scoresheets for each team during the season, reimbursement for postage, toll calls, and faxes and Directors and Officers Insurance, stipend for executive director, etc.
H. Team Registration Schedule. Registering teams and players with the League is a straightforward process. Questions concerning Team Registration should be addressed to the NVSHL Registrar. Registration procedures for teams include:
1. Declaring Intent to Field a Team. A club must advise the League at the Declaration Meeting of its intent to field a team (including the type of team).
2. Registration Process:
a. Download the annual NVSHL team registration form from the NVSHL website
b. Mail to the NVSHL Registrar the completed registration form (available on NVSHL website) and copies of each player and coach USA Hockey confirmation forms (including bar code)
c. NVSHL Registrar will roster the team with USA Hockey
d. NVHL Registrar will email team representative your USA Hockey Form 1-T
e. Mail your NVHSL fees to league treasurer by deadline.
f. Changes to NVHSL roster may be made until January 15 by sending changes (names, USAH Confirmation numbers etc), via email, to the Executive Director and copy the NVSHL Registrar. Upon approval of the change by the Executive Director, the Registrar will adjust the rosters and send a new Form 1-T to the team representative.
3. Providing the NVSHL registrar with a NVSHL Roster Form only if requested by the Executive Director, the NVSHL Operations Committee or the NVSHL Board of Directors.
4. Teams that do not complete the League's registration procedures in a timely manner are not assured of season membership.
5. Financial Responsibility. No school may register teams to play in the current season if they have outstanding fees owed to either the NVSHL and/or USA Hockey.
V. ROSTERS
A. Player Registration. Players must not practice/play with a League team until registered as a member of the team with USA Hockey and the League.
B. All NVSHL teams shall appoint a registrar who will be responsible for coordinating USA Hockey electronic registration. The NVSHL registrar will
assist in the USA Hockey electronic registration process. The NVSHL registrar will formally certify each roster prior to that team beginning NVSHL
competition. All NVSHL games played prior to certification of the team’s roster shall be deemed forfeits.
C. Teams are not registered for League play until the NVSHL registrar certifies a team’s roster and all League fees have been paid. If a team not properly
registered with the League plays a League scheduled game, the game will be a forfeit for the offending team
D. Roster Changes. All roster changes must be reported promptly to the USA Hockey Registrar and the League Registrar. Any new player added to a
team's roster must be registered with the League Registrar prior to participating in a NVSHL League game. A team playing a new player not
registered with the NVSHL in a League scheduled game shall be deemed to have forfeited that game. If the player was also not registered with USA
Hockey, the Coach will be immediately suspended from further games, both League and Non-League, until disciplinary action has been determined by the Disciplinary Committee.
VI. SCHEDULES
A. Scheduling shall be done by the league scheduler and the League schedule shall be distributed to each school via posting on the League Web Site no later than 31 October. The League follows, to the extent possible, each school's sports program criteria regarding student eligibility, scheduling of athletic activities, and examination period / holiday / emergency closing restrictions on school sport activities. Each team is responsible for advising the League Schedulers of dates/times when games can not be played because of school activities, closings, exams, or other school-related reasons.
B. Schedule Changes. Changes in the League Season Schedule require the League's approval. Independent rescheduling of a League game is prohibited. Changes in the League Season Schedule are not official until the Executive Director has been notified and the schedule changes have been posted on the league Web Site.
C. Exceptions. Schedule changes are not permitted after the League Season Schedule has been distributed to each school via posting on the League Web Site, except under the following conditions:
1. School Closings. If at least one of the schools scheduled to play has closed due to severe weather, a game may be postponed at the timely request of the team whose school has closed.
2. Severe Weather. If hazardous road/driving conditions (as announced by State officials for the areas affected) could affect the safety of the players, coaches, and parents occurs after school hours but before the scheduled game time, the game may be postponed. Member Representatives must request postponement of the game from the League Scheduler prior to postponing the game.
3. Extraordinary Circumstances. In the event of extraordinary circumstances not foreseeable at the time of scheduling, one team may request of another team that a game be rescheduled. Should the request be denied, either team shall have the right to appeal to the Executive Director for a final determination. In any case, a League Season game will not be considered rescheduled without approval of the League.
4. Failure to Appear. When a team fails to appear for a game in which the time and venue correctly appear in the official NVSHL schedule, and where the two teams did not agree in advance to reschedule the game and notify the NVSHL league scheduler accordingly, the game will automatically be a forfeit win for the non-offending team. If the non-offending and offending teams prefer to play the game, it may be rescheduled at the convenience of the non-offending team and at the expense (ice costs and referees) of the offending team.
5. Scheduling Errors. Although infrequent, League scheduling errors may occur. If the NVSHL schedule is wrong, or has more than two teams scheduled for an ice slot, the teams in attendance shall figure out which two teams will compete during the ice slot and contact the Executive Director as soon as possible. Teams that have booked ice slots or provided the League with inaccurate information regarding the existence of an ice slot for League Scheduling purposes will be held responsible for costs associated with League rescheduling of affected games. These costs include the costs of replacement ice, referees, and a $50 fine. The League has the option of accepting either a replacement ice slot from the offending team or a cash payment of the cost of replacement ice the League used to reschedule the affected game.
6. Costs of Postponed/Rescheduled League Season Scheduled Games.
a. The League will bear the costs of rescheduled games when the games had to be rescheduled because of a League scheduling error.
b. Any expenses incurred by the League (such as referee and game ice fees) as a result of a request for a rescheduled game will be the financial responsibility of the team requesting the schedule change.
c. Any expenses incurred by the League (such as SHOA and game ice fees) as a result of a rescheduled game caused by unplayable ice conditions, as determined by USA Hockey referees, will be the financial responsibility of the League team that provided the game ice slot. (Note: The affected team should seek relief from the rink that failed to provide playable ice in accordance with their contract for game ice.) The responsible team will be responsible for either providing additional game ice that the League can use to reschedule a game or the cost of ice used for the rescheduled game.
d. Any expenses incurred by the League (such as referee and game ice sfees) as a result of a rescheduled game caused by school closings or severe weather conditions, as determined by State officials, will be the financial responsibility of the league.
D. Lack of Certified Officials. The League will arrange for referees for League games. In the event that USA Hockey referees do not show for a scheduled game, the contest will not be played. If only one referee is available for the League game, both coaches must agree to play the game and will sign the score sheet – prior to the game noting their agreement to use one referee.
VII. SCORE SHEETS
A. Game Results. Game results are not official until the game score sheet has been received and reviewed by the league statistician. League standings are based solely on score sheets received, reviewed, and posted.
B. League Game Score Sheet Submissions. The home team is responsible for sending the original score sheet to the NVSHL League Statistician. The score sheet of a League Game must be transmitted electronically to the League Statistician within 72 hours of the completion of the League Game. If a League score sheet is not received in accordance with this rule, the responsible Team will be fined $20.00, the game will not be recorded until the fine is paid, and a team with outstanding fines will not be allowed to play in the playoffs. In the event of a cancellation of a League Game, both NVSHL Member Representatives must notify the League Scheduler within 24 hours of the originally scheduled date. Failure to comply will result in the offending team(s) being fined $25.00.
C. Non-League Game Score Sheet Submissions. The home team is responsible for sending a copy (original white, if available) Non-League Game score sheet to the NVSHL league statistician. A scoresheet of a Non-League Game must be mailed (postmarked) within 3 days of the scheduled game. If a Non-League Game score sheet is not received in accordance with this rule, the responsible Team will be fined $20.00. A team with outstanding fines will not be allowed to play in the playoffs.
D. Game Forfeits.
1. If a team scheduled to play an NVSHL contest fails to appear at the scheduled place and time or, appears without a sufficient number of players to commence play under USA Hockey Rule 201(a), the opposing team shall have a scoresheet filled out and submitted to the NVSHL showing a 1-0 score in favor of the team prepared to play.
E. League Standings. League standings shall be determined on the following basis. Points shall be awarded on the basis of two points for a win and one point for a tie. If two or more teams have an equal number of points, their final position standings will be determined by the results of the games played between the teams considered in the following order:
1. Total number of wins.
2. Points awarded head to head competition.
3. Subtracting goals against from goals scored in head to head games. The teams' positions shall be in order of the greatest surplus.
4. Least penalty minutes in head to head competition.
5. The team with least penalties per game during the regular season will win the tiebreaker.
6. If these tie-breaking techniques do not resolve the tie, the matter shall be resolved by the Executive Director. (Note: This provision, which does not permit consideration of the total goals scored against all other teams, is specifically intended to give no benefit to a stronger team's running up the score on a weak team).
F. Falsified Score Sheet. Because of the importance of the score sheet in documenting League and Non-League games, any Coach who knowingly and deliberately causes or allows falsification of a League score sheet (such as by deliberately not listing an ineligible player) shall be suspended from further participation in NVSHL team games until the Executive Director has determined appropriate disciplinary action. The suspended Coach will not participate in any League or Non-League games or practices until such said disciplinary action is served in full.
G. No changes or amendments can be made to the scoresheets, after they have been signed by on-ice officials and head coaches, without the consent of the Executive Director.
VIII. GAME PLAY
A. Game Time. It is the responsibility of the Home Team to monitor the time available in the designated time slot. Both teams must be ready to play at the designated start time.
B. Delayed Starts. In the event the game cannot start at the designated start time or if the game cannot be played for reasons attributed to the teams involved, the following rules apply:
1. Games may begin if at least 60 minutes of game ice time remain for play. Such late starts are acceptable only if one or both teams have been delayed because of weather or traffic conditions. Referees will remain at the rink until the game is called by the coach whose team is present and ready to play either because less than 60 minutes of ice time remains or the other team has forfeited.
2. If a game is to be rescheduled because of inclement weather or lack of ice slot rink, the Home Team must notify the league scheduler immediately. When the lack of ice slot is because of rink operation problems, the league scheduler will notify the team that arranged for and provided the game slot of the non-availability of the ice and request a replacement ice slot. The new game time arranged by the league scheduler should be mutually agreed upon by both teams. If no mutual agreement can be reached within five days, both teams shall submit two available time slots along with their team schedule to the Executive Director for a final decision as to the date the game is to be played. The Executive Director has the right to forfeit or otherwise classify the game if insufficient time remains in the season and both parties cannot agree to a rescheduled date.
3. For situations not covered by the above rules, the league scheduler will attempt to resolve the situation within available resources. When such attempts fail, the situation will be referred to the Executive Director for resolution.
C. Game Periods. Periods shall be 15 minutes stop-time. The Home Team is obliged to provide backup stopwatches for use in the event of a malfunctioning scoreboard clock.
D. Pre-Game Warm Up. Warm up time preceding a League game must be a minimum of three minutes but may not exceed 5 minute.
E. Ten-Goal Differential. In all regular season games between NVSHL teams (whether League or Non League), a 10-goal rule is in effect. Thus, all games are complete upon the first occurrence of a 10-goal differential in the score and the referees will retire from the contest. The home team is then free to use the ice in any responsible manner.
F. Inability to Play Three Stop-Time Periods. In the event of circumstances that prevent completion of three full stop-time periods, two full stop-time periods will be played. Prior to the start of the third period, take the remaining time for the game slot, divide in half and put that time on the clock for the third period. Third period play will not exceed the game-ice time period. (Example: 20 minutes left in game slot = 10 minute stop-clock third period). At no time will a running clock be used.
G. Time Outs. One (1) time out per team is allowed in a NVSHL game at any time, provided that the third period has not been shortened due to time constraints with the scheduled ice slot.
H. Minimum Playing Time. A game is not an official game until two (2) full periods have been completed. If two full periods are not played, the game will not be recognized in the league standings, except in cases of implementation of the 10-goal differential rule or serious misbehavior, such as match penalties (which may have been the cause of the time problem).
I. Games. For all non-playoff games, after the end of regulation play (maximum 45 minutes playing time), games having the score tied shall be considered complete and the game will be recorded as a tie. No additional overtime periods or shoot-outs, or other means of trying to determine a winner of the game shall be pursued.
J. The Home Team is required to wear White jerseys, the Away Team wears Dark jerseys.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Protests. Recognizing that a vital objective of League play is development of concepts of sportsmanship, protests are not favored and normally will be denied except in instance of a gross violation of the rules, such as the use of an ineligible player. Protests that are submitted shall be handled in the following manner:
1. A protest may not be submitted by a winning team. (Only a losing or tying team may submit a protest.)
2. A protest must be signed by the protesting team's coach or NVSHL Member Representative. (A protest which is not so signed shall be returned without consideration of its merits.) It must be mailed or e-mailed to the NVSHL Executive Director and, ordinarily, must be postmarked within 48 hours of the protested game. Protests filed after 48 hours may be considered on their merits, depending upon the reason for the late filing. The protested team will be notified promptly by the Executive Director or his designee and shall have 72 hours to respond unless otherwise requested.
3. An on-ice official's judgment is final and are not subject to protest.
4. The Executive Director will coordinate the protest with the NVSHL Board of Directors and the Board will make a ruling.
5. In the event of the denial of a protest, the protesting team shall pay a fee of $200.00 to the Treasurer of the League.
6. The Board of Directors will serve as the protest committee.
B. Complaints. 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.
C. Off-Ice Officials. Training should be provided for Off-Ice Officials. The Home team is responsible for providing Time and Score Keepers. Each team is responsible for providing an adult attendant in the penalty box. The on-ice officials have the right to remove an off-ice official at ANY time if they are hindering the management of the game.
D. League Season. The League Season officially runs from November 1 until the end of the President’s Day weekend.
E. Sponsor's Advertisement
1. Tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and bar advertisements and other regulated commercial endeavors aimed at adults and prohibited for high school youth are neither appropriate nor acceptable.
2. The most prominent feature on the front of the jersey should be the team name / school / logo.
3. The most prominent feature on the back of the jersey should be the player's number. If lettering appears above the Number on the back, it will be either the player's or team's name.
4. The most prominent feature on the sleeve of the jersey should be the player's number. A Sponsor's logo (in the form of a patch with no dimension larger than 4 inches) may appear on the player's jersey sleeve with the Junior Varsity edge of the patch located 3 inches above the cuff or on one shoulder.
5. A sponsor's Name may appear in block letters on the back bottom of the jersey in a band about 2" high.
X. SUSPENSIONS / PENALTIES
A. Fisticuffs (fighting). A player who receives a major penalty for fisticuffs (fighting) for the first time in a season shall be suspended for at least the next two League games of the NVSHL team on which the player was rostered and regularly plays when such penalty was incurred.
B. A player who receives a major penalty for fisticuffs in a second game in a season shall be suspended for the remainder of the season. This suspension shall apply to all practices and games for the NVSHL team on which the player was rostered and regularly plays when the second such penalty was incurred. The suspension may be appealed to the NVSHL Disciplinary Committee. Should the NVSHL Disciplinary Committee consist of a member who is affiliated with the suspended player, that Disciplinary Committee member shall abstain from judgment and the seat shall be filled by the Executive Director.
C. Game suspensions assessed during League games must be served in subsequent League games. If a player receives a Game Misconduct in a league game, and his team’s next game is a non-league game, the player must sit out both the non-league and the next League game.
D. NVSHL Rules apply to all penalties received in non-League Games played between League teams. Game suspensions assessed during non-League games between League teams must be served in subsequent and sequential games that were previously scheduled including USA Hockey referee participation at the time of the penalty.
E. NVSHL reserves the right to impose Supplementary Discipline under USA Hockey Rule 410 for any actions that occur in any game, league or non-league, played by a league team regardless of where it is played and under what rules.
F. USA Hockey rules apply in full to any game played between a league team and any non-league team (regardless of whether the non-league team is registered with USA Hockey) which game is played in Virginia. And, USA Hockey rules also apply in the case of any suspension required by USA Hockey rules even if the game was played outside of Virginia under rules governing the non-league team. For example, a player ejected for fighting in a game played in Maryland under Federation rules must serve a one-game USA Hockey suspension even though Federation rules do not require a suspension. A team will be considered a league team if it represents a school that was a league member (including a school that praticpated as a part of a provisional team) in the last academic year or has declared an intent to participate in the league during the upcoming academic year at the league annual meeting (if a school's declaration of intent is submitted at any time after the league annual meeting it will be deemed retroactive to the date of the league annual meeting for purposes of this rule).
G. Sequential Game Misconduct Suspensions. For each game misconduct penalty assessed during the same season, the formal suspension imposed is increased by one game for each subsequent game misconduct penalty incurred. Upon request of the player's Coach, the Discipline Committee may review the accumulated suspensions for appropriateness and modify the number of game suspensions to be served provided the number of suspensions served will not be less than that prescribed by USA Hockey.
XI. PLAYOFFS
A. In the Varsity Division, the top 12 teams will be selected as playoff participants. Four teams will receive “byes” in the first round.
1. If the league is split into two conferences within Division I, the top three teams in each conference plus the next six highest teams (via points system in VII. – E. of this document) will qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams in each conference will receive the byes.
2. If the league is split into three conferences within Division I, the top three teams in each conference plus the next three highest teams (via points system in VII. – E. of this document) will qualify for the playoffs. The top team in each conference plus the next highest team overall will receive the byes.
3. If the League is split into four conferences within Varisty, the top team in each conference plus the next eight teams regardless of conference (via points system in VII, E of these Rules) will qualify for the payoffs. The top team in each conference will receive a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
4. If the league is split in a manner that includes a conference consisting exclusively of provisional teams, that conference will not be counted for the purposes of determining playoff eligibility described in paragraphs A(1), A(2), or A(3) of this section.
5. Teams will be seeded for playoff games via the points system in VII. E. of this document. However, teams which earn a first round bye will be seeded as the top team in each second round game.
B. Only Regular Members participating in the Varsity Division will be eligible for the NVSHL Playoffs.
C. At no time will any playoff game utilize a "running clock." If playoff games are tied, the following procedure will be employed:
When the third period ends and game is tied, once again assess the amount of time left in the ice slot. If there are 15 minutes left in the ice slot, please proceed immediately to a five-minute sudden death overtime period. If there are less than 15 minutes, please proceed to No. 2 below. There should be representatives from both teams and/or the rink to let you know if the ice slot has been adjusted or if rink management has given permission has been given to play the overtime period in full (15 minutes).
1 - Overtime (if applicable)
2 - Shootout: The shootout will consist of an initial round of three (3) shooters per team designated by each team prior to the commencement of play who must shoot in the order designated. The visiting team shall shoot first in the shootout. The team scoring the most goals during the shootout is the winner. If after the initial round of of three (3) shooters the score remains tied, a sudden death shootout will occur that will consist of one player from each team shooting until the tie is broken. The shooters for the sudden death shootout will be as many as seven (7) additional players designated by each team prior to the commencement of play who must shoot in the order designated. If one team has fewer than ten (10) eligible shooters due to roster size or suspension from play at the conclusion of regulation play or overtime play if overtime is played, the sudden death shootout will continue until the team with the fewest eligible shooters has used all of its eligible shooters at which point the shootout will continue with each team repeating shooters in the original order until the tie is broken. If by reason of injury or suspension from play by penalty, a shooter or shooters designated prior to the commencement of play cannot or is ineligible to participate, an alternate shooter must be designated to take the place of the injured or suspended player in the shootout order until a team has used all eligible and uninjured players. A list of shooters designated by each team must be provided to the official scorer prior to the commencement of regulation play. The final score shall reflect a winning margin of one goal.
XII. ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
A. The NVSHL All- League committee appointed each season by the NVSHL Board of Directors will decide upon the selection of the players who will comprise of players selected for the All-League team.
B. The NVSHL All-Academic shall consist of each player attending member school who achieves a 3.5 Grade Point Average in each of the first 2 grading periods of a season. The burden is on the player and their member representative to submit documentation of eligibility by the required date.
NVSHL Middle School Operating Rules
I) General Operating Rules
1. All NVSHL Middle School games will be played under the U12 rules of USA Hockey youth.
2. When not specifically stated, operating rules of NVSHL Varsity and Junior Varsity will apply.
3. The NVSHL Board of Directors or the NVSHL Operating Committee, according to The NVSHL Bylaws, may modify or supplement USA Hockey rules with local rules applicable to games involving NVSHL teams.
II) Structure
1. The NVSHL Operations Committee shall determine the structure of the league, the number of league games to be played, the starting date for league games and the length of the season no later than October 1.
2. The NVSHL Middle School shall consist of one division of competition.
3. As of January 15, rosters will be frozen for the remainder of the season. No player can be permanently added to a roster after January 15 and the declared rosters will become final. The penalty for the coach who adds players to the roster past the January 15th date forfeiture of games played with illegal player(s), one game suspension for offending Coach.
4. The League maintains team standings, recognizes game scores, monitors assessed
penalties, and imposes disciplinary actions associated with those penalties. Individual statistics will not be published.
5. There will not be any playoff format for Middle School.
II) Player Eligibility
1. To be eligible to represent the school in any NVSHL Middle School sponsored contest a student shall meet the following requirements.
A. Bona Fide Student Rule: The student shall be a regular bona fide student in good standing of the school which the student represents.
B. Grade Rule: The student shall be attending school in one of grade 6,7 or 8.
C. Each Player must provide Individual Membership Registration (IMR) form, the USA Hockey Form 1-T.
D. Transfer Rule: The NVSHL Varsity/JR rule will not apply.
E. A player may not transfer to another team after season begins.
F. A player may only play for team that he/she is register on.
2. Suspended Player: Students in a suspension status imposed by either their school or USA Hockey are not eligible to practice/play with a league team.
A. Allowing an ineligible player to practice/play in a game will result in the forfeiture of the game by the team, the suspension of the coach from League games, team practices and non-league games, and the continued suspension of the player.
IV. Team Registration
1. Regular Membership: Is open to school-based teams composed of eligible students interested in the sport of ice hockey. Each school-based team must designate an adult Member Representative to the League. The League will work with the Member Representative in matters pertaining to the League and the Team.
2. Fees. Prior to the NVSHL Annual Meeting, the League will determine and announce fees to be collected from each member team for funding the League's hockey program for that season. The fees will not include costs of non-league games, practice ice or for other costs associated with fielding a team. The Fees include but are not limited to:
A. Costs of referee fees for League games.
B. Costs for League awards to teams and players.
C. Costs to provide funding attributable to League scheduling and other League expenditures.
D. Reasonable costs incurred by League Schedulers and other appointed League staff in providing administrative management of the League during the season - including, but not limited to, scoresheets for each team during the season, reimbursement for postage, toll calls, and faxes and Directors and Officers Insurance, stipend for executive director, etc.
E. Each Middle School Team shall be under the umbrella affiliate of a NVSHL Varsity or JV team for which it is Zoned by appropriate school board. The NVSHL Varsity/JV shall be identified prior to registration. A team not under the umbrella of a NVSHL Varsity/JV team will not have membership privileges.
F. Team Composition must be approved by Executive Director and abide by following requirements:
- Middle School teams that can roster 20 players must play as a non-combined school. Each Middle School team must provide roster spot for all players prior to becoming combined or provisional combined.
- Combined teams shall consist of Middle Schools that are zoned for the Varsity/JS High School identified as Umbrella affiliate.
- Provisional Combined Middle School teams may consist multiple Middle Schools that are zoned for different High Schools, approval of Executive director is required.
- Each team must have access to the Internet and provide the League with an e-mail address for electronic communications.
- Game Ice. Each team is responsible for providing half of the total games slots for the NVSHL Season (example, if the NVSHL Regular season is 10 games long, teams are required to provide 5 slots for home games). The five home slots need to be submitted to the league by Oct. 15. The game slots proposed by a team for the League's use must be acceptable to the League for scheduling games. If the slots are not acceptable to the League, the League Scheduler will notify the Member Representative that the slots are not acceptable. The Team is responsible for arranging for alternative game slots in time for the League to use the slots for scheduling games.
- The game slot must be a minimum of 1.5 hours long. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved in advance by the League Scheduler.
- The game slots must be on Sundays through Saturday during the League's announced season. Game slots scheduled during the holiday season are not acceptable for scheduling League games. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved in advance by the League Scheduler.
- On Sundays and weekdays, games cannot begin before 4:00 PM or after 9:00 PM. Games cannot begin later than 10:45 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
- To the extent possible, a team's games will be scheduled to play on slots the team provided.
- Registration Process will be followed as outlined in Varsity/JV Operating Rules
V) Game Play
1. Game Time. It is the responsibility of the Home Team to monitor the time available in the designated time slot. Both teams must be ready to play at the designated start time.
2. Delayed Starts. In the event the game cannot start at the designated start time or if the game cannot be played for reasons attributed to the teams involved, the following rules apply:
3. Games may begin if at least 60 minutes of game ice time remain for play. Such late starts are acceptable only if one or both teams have been delayed because of weather or traffic conditions. Referees will remain at the rink until the game is called by the coach whose team is present and ready to play -- either because less than 60 minutes of ice time remains or the other team has forfeited.
4. If a game is to be rescheduled because of inclement weather or lack of ice slot rink, the Home Team must notify the league scheduler immediately. When the lack of ice slot is because of rink operation problems, the league scheduler will notify the team that arranged for and provided the game slot of the non-availability of the ice and request a replacement ice slot. The new game time arranged by the league scheduler should be mutually agreed upon by both teams. If no mutual agreement can be reached within five days, both teams shall submit two available time slots along with their team schedule to the Executive Director for a final decision as to the date the game is to be played. The Executive Director has the right to forfeit or otherwise classify the game if insufficient time remains in the season and both parties cannot agree to a rescheduled date.
5. For situations not covered by the above rules, the league scheduler will attempt to resolve the situation within available resources. When such attempts fail, the situation will be referred to the Executive Director for resolution.
6. Game Periods. Periods shall be 15 minutes stop-time. The Home Team is obliged to provide backup stopwatches for use in the event of a malfunctioning scoreboard clock.
7. Pre-Game Warm Up. Warm up time preceding a League game must be a maximum of three minutes.
8 Ten-Goal Mercy Rule is in effect in all games between NVSHL teams (whether League or Non League). Once a 10-goal differance in the score occurs, the game is over.
9. Inability to Play Three Stop-Time Periods. In the event of circumstances that prevent completion of three full stop-time periods, two full stop-time periods will be played. Prior to the start of the third period, take the remaining time for the game slot, divide in half and put that time on the clock for the third period. Third period play will not exceed the game-ice time period. (Example: 20 minutes left in game slot = 10 minute stop-clock third period). At no time will a running clock be used.
10. Time Outs. One (1) time out per team is allowed in a NVSHL game at any time, provided that the third period has not been shortened due to time constraints with the scheduled ice slot.
11. Minimum Playing Time. A game is not an official game until two (2) full periods have been completed. If two full periods are not played, the game will not be recognized in the league standings, except in cases of implementation of the 10-goal differential rule or serious misbehavior, such as match penalties (which may have been the cause of the time problem).
12. No additional overtime periods or shoot-outs, or other means of trying to determine a winner of the game shall be pursued.
Email
Print
