: Rules

   

MBHL Rules - Section 1

COMPLIANCE WITH NAAHA RULES AND GENERAL REGULATIONS

All rules and general regulations that are covered in the NAAHA section of this guidebook pertain also to the MBHL unless they are specifically superseded in this portion of the guidebook entitled MBHL GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.

All general rules and regulations that are covered in the NAAHA section of this guidebook that do not pertain to the actual running of the MBHL must be adhered to when participating in NAAHA crossover games, tournaments, etc.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 2 

CLASSIFICATION OF TEAMS

2.1 MBHL Boy's teams will be classified as follows:

• Major - One or more second year players on a team.
• Minor - All first year players on a team.
• Open -No more than five (5) second-year players on a team.

 2.2 The MBHL will only conduct open divisions if the number of entries is sufficient to warrant them. If there is an open division in any age classification, an organization cannot enter a team into it unless they have entered either a major or minor team in that particular age classification.

2.3 Age classifications in the MBHL and NAAHA are determined by birth dates within the calendar year (i.e., between January 1^st and December 31^st.

 

 

MBHL Rules - Section 3

 TEAM ELIGIBILITY

3.1 All MBHL registered organizations may submit one (1) team into any MBHL division. No organization will be allowed more than one team in a division unless otherwise "grandfathered" in by the Board of Directors.

3.2 The MBHL will have the authority to approve the number of teams per organization that can enter the league. Approval is required initially by the Executive Board with final approval by the Board of Directors. Approval would be required for any additional teams over the number that an organization had during the prior season.

3.3 No MBHL team (one that is competing in an MBHL division) may participate in any other league.

3.4 Any MBHL organization that did not have a team in the Squirt Major division during the preceding season will not be allowed to participate in that particular classification (by birthdate) in subsequent years. This rule is subject to annual review of teams on a case by case situation. If waived, new team can have a maximum of 5 MBHL players on team, only 2 from one team. Other current MBHL players have to be cut or released from their team before they can play for this team.

3.5 Any MBHL organization that did not have a team in any other division(s) (see Rule 3.4 above) in the preceding season, or any organization new to the MBHL, may only sign a maximum of five (5) players per team who were rostered in the MBHL during the preceding year, of which no more than two (2) players shall have played for the same MBHL team.
 

MBHL Rules - Section 3b

MBHL CLUB TEAMS

3A.1 MBHL member teams may register as USA "Club" teams as long as the following conditions are met:

1. The MBHL Registrar must be notified by the Organization Director as soon as possible of the intent of that organization to register any or all of their teams as USA "Club" teams.
2. The USA "Club" team roster must be the same as the MBHL roster. A copy of the Club team roster MUST be placed on file with the MBHL Registrar.
3. No MBHL game will be cancelled or postponed, unless authorized by the MBHL Registrar, in order to play a game, tournament or scrimmage with a USA Hockey team.
4. All Club teams must notify the MBHL Registrar in writing at least three weeks in advance of their travel plans.
5. Before a Club team is allowed to travel or compete in a tournament as a Club team, all games affected by the travel permit must be re-scheduled and verified by the Division Commissioner.
6. No MBHL player may appear on a Club team roster other than the MBHL team's Club team that he is registered with. If his MBHL team opts NOT to register as a Club team, then he may not play with another Club team. (Refer to NAAHA rule 13.6, re: All Star Teams, and to MBHL Rule 5.8, Player Eligibility).
7. All Club teams must follow MBHL and NAAHA rules unless playing "out of state". Club teams ARE allowed to play USA Select teams. (REV 6-13-90).
8. Any player, team or teams that violate the above mentioned rules will be suspended from MBHL league play.
9. The rules outlined in this section are subject to annual review by the Executive Board at their April meeting.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 3b

PLAYING "CLUB" TEAMS

3B.1 No MBHL team shall play a scrimmage or exhibition game versus a "Club" team. The coach of any team that engages in such a game shall receive a one-game suspension and must appear before the Executive Board. A second such offense shall result in the coach's expulsion from the League.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 4

ROSTERS

NOTE: the Metropolitan Boston Hockey League strongly recommends that all teams carry a minimum roster of fifteen (15) players: nine (9) forwards, four (4) defense, and two (2) goalies.

4.1 MBHL team rosters, except Mite, Squirt Minor, and Girls' divisions, will remain open until October 1st of the current season. Mite, Squirt Minor, and Girls' rosters will remain open until November 15th of the current season. On or before the due date a maximum twenty (20) player roster (Midgets and Juniors, 25) must be submitted on an official MBHL registration form with signatures of team members to the league registrar. Any player whose name does not appear on the roster shall be ineligible from further league competition.

    4.1.2 Roster sheets must be handed out at the annual meeting.

    4.1.3 All teams that properly submit rosters to the MBHL registrar, on or before the due dates, are eligible to compete in the MBHL playoffs. Any team that does not meet the deadline will be fined the sum of two-hundred ($200.00) dollars as well as being excluded from the playoffs if said teams do not submit their rosters to the registrar by December 1st of the current season. The specified fine will be levied on the organization that the delinquent team(s) play for and will be in the amount of $200.00 for each delinquent team within that organization. Failure to meet both of the above mentioned deadlines will result in the delinquent team(s) being dropped from MBHL membership.

4.2 Any additions or changes to the roster after the due date is subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

4.3 In order to participate in the playoffs, all players must compete in 75% of their teams league games. League suspensions and injuries shall be counted as games played with the approval of the Board of Directors.

4.4 A minimum number of players needed to play a game is six (6).

4.5 All players must fall within the normally accepted age classification in order to compete in a certain level. No player will be allowed to compete in an age level for which he is too old. Any player will be allowed to play up in age levels although the MBHL does not endorse such action, but with a limit of four (4) players per team.

4.6 Teams that do not submit their rosters by the due date will ineligible for MBHL playoffs or divisional championships for that season.

4.7 No MBHL organization will be allowed to hold tryouts until the Monday after the completion of Metropolitan Boston Hockey League playoffs.

4.8 If a player not on an official MBHL team roster appears on any practice ice, game or scrimmage ice, that team's coach will be suspended from coaching in MBHL for 1 year from time of infraction. Additionally, the offending player may not play for that particular team next year.

4.9 All programs shall use the "official" MBHL player Registration form.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 5

ELIGIBILITY

5.1 A player may participate for only one (1) MBHL organization per season without League approval. A player is not restricted to any one organization from season to season. However, no player may move to another organization unless all financial commitments are fulfilled with the preceding organization. No player will be allowed to play in the MBHL if he/she owes money to another MBHL organization.

5.2 Any player who desires a transfer to another MBHL organization, is required to obtain a written statement from the releasing organization. After final rosters have been submitted, a special 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors will be required in order to add the player to another roster. Each case will be evaluated on its individual merits.

5.3 If a player appears in one (1) league game with a team, or if his/her parent or guardian pays a deposit to a team, or signs the MBHL registration form for the upcoming season (whichever comes first), he/she is committed to that team for the remainder of the season.

    5.3.1 All MBHL organizations must use the standard MBHL registration form. This form explains that when the applicants sign and pay the fee, they are committed to that team and are responsible for all financial obligations to that team for the rest of the current MBHL season..

    5.3.2 A player shall be suspended from the Metropolitan Boston Hockey ague for the season if a parent, guardian, or player commits to more than one MBHL team in any of the following ways:

1. Signing the Commitment Registration Contract with more than one MBHL organization;
2. Paying a commitment fee to more than one MBHL organization;
3. Skating in a game or scrimmage with various MBHL organizational teams. (Revised 9/2/98.)

5. 4 If an organization has more than one (1) team in the same age level, each team will be treated as a separate organization for purposes of player eligibility.

5. 5 No MBHL registered player may appear on two MBHL rosters.

5. 5.1 Players that appeared in an MBHL league game or a NAAHA game with a team that has ceased operation are NOT eligible to play for another team until they receive a release from the most recent organization that they played for.

5. 6 The eligibility rules for Minor Juniors and Juniors will be the same as the Massachusetts High School eligibility rule.*

5.7 The rules and regulations of NAAHA player eligibility as defined in the NAAHA General Rules and Regulations section of this guidebook must also be adhered to by MBHL member organizations.

5.8 No MBHL-registered player may participate for a non-MBHL or non-NAAHA sanctioned "All Star" team from the day after Labor Day of each year until the completion of the MBHL playoffs.

"All Star" teams shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Any team being organized to compete in Spring or Summer Leagues or tournaments.
2. USA Select Teams.
3. Any other "All Star" team organized under any name or organization.
   (Also see MBHL Rule 3A.1, paragraph 6)

The penalty for any player found to be competing on any "All Star" team as mentioned above, without approval of the MBHL Registrar, shall be suspension from all MBHL games, tournaments, scrimmages and practices for the balance of the season. Also, suspension from trying out for and competing for an MBHL team for the complete following season.

5.9 Players and applicants for MBHL teams must reside in New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts) or New York. Organizations wishing to roster players from other states of the U.S. request approval from the Board of Directors, and may not roster such players without the Board's approval. Each organization should enforce mandatory practice time for "outside" players in order for said players to participate in scrimmages, League games, or tournaments.

* The language in the MIAA rules defines high school eligibility as follows:
    "59. Student Eligibility: Time Allowed for Participation After First Entering
    Grade Nine
            59.1 A student shall be eligible for interscholastic competition for no
            more than 12 consecutive athletic seasons (i.e. eligible during only four
            consecutive academic years) after first entering grade 9."

    "60. Student Eligibility: Age
            A student shall be under 19 years of age, but may compete during the
            remainder of the school year, provided that his/her 19th birthday
            occurs on or after September 1 of that year. For Freshman competition,
            a student shall be under 16 years of age but may compete during the
            remainder of the school year provided that the sixteenth birthday
            occurs on or after September 1 of that year."

 

Section 5a

COACHES ELIGIBILITY

 5A.1 No head coach or assistant coach of an MBHL registered team shall be allowed to coach an "All Star" team, as defined in Section 5.8, from the day after Labor Day of each year until the completion of the MBHL playoffs.

The penalty for any coach found to be in violation of this rule shall be suspension, for life, from the MBHL and MBHL-registered organizations in any official capacity.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 6

CANCELLATIONS

6.1 All MBHL games will be played on the date and time that they are originally scheduled. If any team is unable to play a regularly scheduled game due to inclement weather or in order to travel or to host non-NAAHA teams as defined in this section, they must notify the Division commissioner and their opponent at the earliest possible date.

6.2 In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, the game must be cancelled within a reasonable period of time that is sufficient notify the rink, referees and the opposing team.

6.3 Postponement of games to travel or to compete in tournaments or to host out of state teams requires a three (3) week written notice the division Vice President and the opposing team.

6.4 All postponed games must be rescheduled within two (2) weeks of the time of postponement with written notice to the respective Commissioner or Division Vice President. All rescheduled games must be played before February 1st. Any games that are postponed after February 1st must be rescheduled at the time of postponement with notice to the Commissioner or Division Vice President at the same time. The game must be played before the end of the season. If two teams cannot agree on a date within the above time frames, then the league Scheduler will select an open date on the home team's ice which will be firm and final.

6.5 The team that is responsible for the postponement or cancellation of a game must provide suitable ice and referees to reschedule same game, if their opponent so desires.

6.6 Any team that postpones or cancels a game but does not meet the outlined procedure will be considered as "no show" by the league and will forfeit said game. If a team is recorded as "no show" for two (2) consecutive games, they will be expelled from any further league competition. If a team is recorded as "no show" three (3) times in a season, they will be expelled from any further league competition. If team is expelled from the league for reason of "no show", they may be accepted back into the league only after a hearing before the Board of Directors that results in a majority vote in their behalf.

 6.7 All MBHL organizations must submit to the Treasurer a bond in the amount of $400.00 for no shows. If a team is recorded as "no show", they must forfeit half the cost of the ice and the full cost of the referees. The "no show" team shall replace it immediately. If they fail to replace the funds used to pay the "no show" costs, they will lose their voting privileges, be declared ineligible for the playoffs and all of their remaining games will not count in the standings. The "no show" bond will be returned after the completion of the MBHL playoffs.

    6.7.1 No show money will not be paid unless a game sheet is submitted containing the signatures of at least one referee, the timekeeper and the coach.

6.8 Any organization that pulls a team out of the MBHL, for any reason, after the schedules are completed, must pay a fine to the league in the amount of $25.00 per scheduled game that the violating team had on the master schedule, regardless of whether the game had already been played or not.

6.9 If any organization's League dues and/or insurance premium fee are not paid in full by October 1^st, that organization's teams will be suspended from League play and all games so affected will be recorded as 1-0 forfeits until all such dues or fees are paid

 

MBHL Rules - Section 8

GAME SHEETS

8.1 All official game sheets must be signed by the opposing aches, referees, timekeeper and the official scorer. Game sheets will be forwarded, without delay, as follows:

1.      White Copy - Division  Commissioner

2.      Yellow Copy - Webmaster 

3.      Pink Copy - Opposing Coaches

8.2 It is the responsibility of the winning team to forward the League copies immediately. In case of a tie, the responsibility will lie with the home team. If the game sheet is not received by both the Commissioner and the Scheduler within two (2) weeks of the playing date, the game will be declared a tie and one point will be awarded to each team. If no official game sheet is available, any written documentation of the game will be accepted unless challenged by the opposing team.

8.3 Only those names of players that are actually dressed for games should appear on the game sheets. It is up to the opposing coach to ask the referee to strike from the game sheet all names of players that are not present for the game.

8.4 If game sheets are turned in with missing numbers, those players will lose that particular game toward the 75% eligibility rule.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 9

ALL-STAR TEAMS

9.1 MBHL All-Star teams may be formed in order to provide the advanced players from every competing organization with stronger competition during the course of the season. In all cases the primary obligation of any player competing on an MBHL All-Star team will be with his/her member team first.

9.2 Coaches for the All-Star teams will be appointed by the Board of Directors. Tryouts will be by invitation. All participating organizations will be allowed to send up to five (5) players per division to the tryouts. The All-Star teams will be chosen by the coaches.

9.3 All-Star coaches will work for the Board of Directors. The Board will maintain complete control and responsibility for the All-Star teams. The official name for all All-Star teams will be "Metros".

9.4.           Any expenses that are incurred by the All-Star teams will be divided evenly among MBHL organizations.

MBHL Rules - Section 10

TIMING OF GAMES

10.1 All MBHL games MUST be played on a minimum block of one (1) hour's worth of ice (Juniors must be played on a 1:20 minimum block) and will be divided into three equal periods.

10.2 All games will have a three (3) minute warm-up prior to the art of the game.

10.3 There will be no overtime or "sudden death" played in regular season games.

    10.3.1 There will be no "time-outs" in any MBHL or NAAHA game, including tournament games and playoff games.

10.4 The minimum standard for timing of games will be as follows:

            Stop Time:

1.      First Period                 12 Minutes

2.      Second Period            12 Minutes

3.      Third Period                12 Minutes

The length of the periods may be revised upward in accordance with the amount of ice that is available to play the game. The maximum time for a game period shall be 15 minutes. The periods must all be of the same length and must be stop time. In all cases the format cannot be changed once the game has started without the approval both coaches.

The format to be used is up to the sole discretion of the home team.

As long as the minimum block of ice was provided for a game, game will end when arena management clears the teams from the ice the end of the minimum block of time. In said cases, no protest concerning the timing of the game will be considered by the league and game will stand as recorded.

MBHL Rules - Section 11

SCORER

11.1   The home team is responsible for appointing the official scorer for each game. The official scorer must be fifteen (15) years of age or older. The official scorer will have the responsibility of timing the game. He may appoint the timer. The official scorer must make sure that all game sheets are filled out properly. He must make sure that the referees sign the game sheet and he must sign the game sheet himself.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 12
SUSPENSIONS

12.1   Players

    12.1.1   Any player receiving a fighting penalty will receive a suspension for the balance of the game plus the next league game. If the fight takes place within the last five (5) minutes of the game (including after the game while leaving the ice), the players involved will receive a suspension for the balance of the game plus the next two regularly scheduled league games.

The second fighting suspension received by a player during the season will result in a suspension for the balance of the game plus next two (2) games. If the fight takes place during the last five minutes of the game (including after the game while leaving the ice), it will result in suspension for the balance of the game plus the next three (3) regularly scheduled league games.

    12.1.2   Intent or attempt to injure or kicking as called by the referee will result in automatic suspension from the balance of the game plus the next three (3) regularly scheduled league games. The second such offense by a player during the course of the season will result in suspension of that player from further league action pending a hearing.

    12.1.3  Any player accruing a total of four (4) game-suspensions during the course of the season will be suspended from further league action pending a hearing before the Board of Directors. Any suspensions for reasons other than those listed above will not count against the limit of four (4).

        12.l.3A  Any player receiving a total four (4) penalties (major or minor or a combination of both) during the course of a game shall be suspended for the balance of that game. A second such occurrence will result in ejection from the game in play plus the next game; a third instance by the same player will result in ejection from the game in play plus suspension from further team participation pending his/her appearance before the Executive Board for review of the situation. Game misconduct penalties shall not be counted in the above combination.

    12.1.4   In all cases where a suspension is required according to this section, it will be automatic upon notification of the referee (calling of the penalty). The referee must write said offense (or instruct the official scorer to do so) on the game sheet.

        12.1.4A   Any player who receives a penalty in the last game of a tournament, jamboree, or exhibition/scrimmage series, which has a carry-over provision, must serve the remainder of their penalty(ies) in their next scheduled League game. The MBHL rule applicable to the penalty infraction will prevail, regardless of the rules of the tournament, jamboree, or exhibition/scrimmage series.

    12.1.5  If any player fails to serve his suspension he will be considered an illegal player for any games in which he played during the time of suspension. Such games will be forfeited and the suspension must still be served.

12.2 Coaches

Any coach whose team accrues a total of six (6) fights or three (3) intent or attempt to injure or kicking penalties during the season will be automatically suspended and may not coach an MBHL league game pending a hearing.

    12.2A   Any coach whose team incurs fifteen (15) penalties in the course of a game shall be ejected from that game coincident with the calling of the 15^th infraction. If the 15^th penalty is called during the third or an overtime period, he will be suspended for the balance of that game plus the next game.

    12.2B  Any coach assessed a DISQUALIFICATION penalty shall be penalized in accordance with NCAA Rule 4 Sections 5a - 5c, the same as a player:

1. 1^st instance - suspended for the balance of the game plus the next game
2. 2^nd instance - suspended for the balance of the game plus the next two games
3. 3^rd instance - suspended for the balance of the game plus the next three games
4. 4^th instance - suspended for the balance of the game plus the next four games

...and so on. Progressive game disqualification penalties shall carry over to the next season.

Parent or Guardian Interference

12.3   If a parent or a guardian assaults a coach in his or her organization, the organization must act on the incident within two days and supply to the MBHL President a written report of any or all actions taken by the organization. Failure to comply with these measures will result in immediate suspension of the player whose parent or guardian was involved in the incident.

12.4   If a parent or guardian assaults an opposing coach, off-ice official, or a referee, the MBHL will be notified by the on-ice officials or the coach or coaches involved. The MBHL will proceed with a hearing with all parties involved within one week of the incident. If a parent or guardian is found to be at fault then the penalty will suspension of the player who is associated with the parent or guardian for a period of one year from the date of the meeting from all MBHL and NAAHA participation.

12.5 The MBHL will not tolerate any interference to the orderly progress of a game caused by a parent or guardian going to the bench, the penalty box, the scorekeeper's area, or on the ice surface unless requested to do so by an official. Violators of this ruling will be prohibited from viewing their child's practices or League games for a period of one year from the date of the violation. If such an offender, adjudged guilty by the Board of Directors after an appropriate investigation, should appear at his/her player's practice(s) or League game(s), the player associated with the offender shall be suspended for 10 (ten) games.

12.6 Any individual who has served a one-year suspension for a rules violation and is subsequently reinstated shall be banned from the MBHL for life if he/she commits a second infraction for which the penalty is a one-year suspension.

For purposes of this section, a "Guardian" shall be deemed be the person who is responsible for the player or players that were participating in a game at the time of the incident. The MBHL Board of Directors reserves the right to determine guardianship in these instances.

 

MBHL Rules - Section 13  

PROTESTS AND WAIVERS

 

13.1  The MBHL shall not recognize nor allow protests, in accordance with NCAA Rules.

13.2          The MBHL rules as they exist from time to time may not be waived for any reason

 

MBHL Rules - Section 14
 

PENALTIES

14.l   The penalty structure of the MBHL will be as follows:

    MITES:

1.      Minor penalties -- 1 minute

2.      Major penalties -- 3 minutes

    SQUIRTS through PEE WEES:

1.      Minor penalties -- 1 1/2 minutes

2.      Major penalties -- 5 minutes

    BANTAMS through JUNIORS:

1.      Minor penalties -- 2 minutes

2.      Major penalties -- 5 minutes

NOTE 1: On all levels the length of the misconduct penalty shall be equal to 1/2 of the overall length of the period. (e.g. 12 minute stop time = 6 minute misconduct, 15 minute stop time = 7 1/2 minute misconduct)

NOTE 2: On age groups where the minor penalties are two (2) minutes, the length of the penalty is always 2 minutes regardless of the length of the period (12 or 15 or 20 minute stop time).

NOTE 3: The calling of matching penalties ("coincident" penalties) shall leave the teams playing 5-on-5. The penalized players must wait for the next stoppage of play following the expiration of their penalty time before they can leave the penalty box.