As playoffs approach a rules reminder, and new policy!

Double Minors are against a player, not a team

Guys as the standings tighten up and the play becomes more spirited here’s a reminder on the rules, as well as rule change agreed to by captains and league management.

We’re happy to see that there has been relatively little chippy play this season with respect being shown to players and the refs.

As a draft league the guys you are playing against this season could be on your team next season, so play hard but treat everyone with the respect of a friend or brother.

The PHN is all about fast, fun and safe hockey and to keep it that way we have some unique rules to protect players and the culture.

We’re making a change to how some aggressive play penalties will be served.

TRADITIONAL PENALTIES AND AGGRESSIVE PLAY

Holding, hooking, interference, tripping: 2 minutes

High sticking, slashing, cross checking: 4 minutes (minimum 4min penalties).

Roughing, boarding, body checking: 4 minutes (minimum 4min penalties).

From now on a player called for the above aggressive play infractions will serve 4 minutes in the box and not be let back on the ice until a whistle.

However the penalty on the board will be 2 minutes, and his team will only be on the penalty kill for 2 minutes.

After 2 minutes a skater from the team on the PK can get on the ice from the player’s bench to bring things back to even strength, while the offender remains in the box to cool off.

This rule punishes the aggressive player and keeps him off the ice without taking extra ice time way from his teammates.

All of these 4 minute penalties are designed to discourage dangerous play and prevent escalation.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: 4 minutes or more

Any penalty that the referee issues as UNSPORTSMANLIKE is a minimum 4 minute penalty. There is no tolerance for this type of behaviour..

Note: There is ZERO tolerance for any arguing with the referee. The referee at their discretion may issue an UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT penalty up to a GAME MISCONDUCT or more depending on the severity. Please do not argue with the referee at all.

As with the above, double minors for unsportsmanlike play is 4 minutes to the player but only 2 minutes against the team.

THE CREASE RULE

We’re a non contact league and that includes protecting our goalies from injury.

The play will be whistled down and a face off held outside the zone when:

• a player carries the puck into the crease in an attempt to score
• a player stands in the crease in an attempt to screen the goalie
• an opposing player skates through the crease as part of offensive play
• a player contacts or obstructs the goalie in the crease

It’s just a whistle assuming that there was no malice on the play.

A penalty like roughing or interference could be called if the actions of the skater are seen as more deliberate or problematic.

Keep our keepers safe!

PERSONAL PENALITES

These are infractions called on the player who will sit in the box, but no power play is granted.

High sticking the puck: 2 minutes

Players are not to raise their sticks above their shoulders out of safety for others. This will be called and blown down by the referee. The player may leave the box after the next whistle once their penalty is done.

PENALTY LIMIT

If you go over six minutes in penalties, you are ejected from the game.  This will also automatically trigger a review by the Disciplinary Committee and may involve further actions taken.

Once you have exceeded 22 minutes penalty minutes in the regular season, you will automatically be suspended for a minimum 1 game and face a Disciplinary Hearing to determine if a longer suspension or removal from the league will occur.

Penalty minutes reset in the playoffs EXCEPT in circumstances in which you have reached the allocated maximum penalty minutes or have been suspended in the regular season.

INDEFINITE SUSPENSIONS

• Any form of fighting.
• Any verbal or physical interactions with a referee.
• The use of racial, homophobic, sexual, or any other language that is meant to demean someone.
• Any repeat actions that a player has been warned about.
• Any action that is deemed detrimental to the safety of the PHN.

Please be aware that this does not constitute the entire revised rules.

Once again we’re happy to see that there has been relatively little chippy play this season with respect being shown to players and the refs.

Thanks and play safe!