Rules/By-Laws

2024-2025 ERHL RULES AND BYLAWS   

 

Eligibility

 

  1. All players must:
  2. Be at least 18 years of age.
  3. Registered with USA Hockey
  4. Registered with Eagles Recreational Hockey League(ERHL).
  5. Each player is responsible for paying the season’s league fees by the applicable due date. Any player that has not paid in full by the applicable date will not be allowed to participate in any ERHL functions, including games.
  6. All players that are rostered on a team and are either dropped from a roster or want to become a sub only, MUST inform ERHL of such changes.  Said player also must re-register as a sub and will receive a new sub player card.  Any team captain or player not adhering to this are subject to discipline up to and including suspension and removal from ERHL with no refund.

 

Registration

  1. Registration will be broken down into two payments.  One to start the season and the second being at the approximate halfway point. 
  2. Registration will be cut off two weeks after the start of the season.  This includes subs.  If a player has not made the registration window for the first half, then the player must wait until registration opens for the second half of the season. 
  3. If a player has not made a second half payment by a pre-determined date from ERHL, they are not allowed to participate in the second half of the season. 
  4. There will not be exceptions to our registration.

 

Rosters

 

  1. The maximum number of players that may be on any team roster is 18 skaters plus two (2) goaltenders. The minimum number of six (6) players must start a game.
  2. The team's final or official roster will be due at a date specified by ERHL. No changes will be allowed to a team's official roster during the season without prior written ERHL approval.
  3. Teams that deviate from their official roster without prior ERHL approval will be penalized.
  4. Only registered players listed on official team rosters will be allowed to play at ERHL games. ERHL will provide a list of designated substitutes. Substitutes are allowed to sub within a division higher than or in the same division in which he/she is rostered. Exceptions to this rule will be in the event of any long-term injury or absence and will be reviewed and approved by the ERHL Board.
  5. Each player in uniform must be clearly noted, including uniform number.  Please note that while players may have the same number on the season roster, no two players may wear the same number during any league game.  
  6. Substitutes may only be used if a team has less than thirteen (13) skaters and a goalie.  If a team is using substitutes, the team may not go over 13 skaters.
    1. Players registering as a sub will have a one week waiting period before expecting to play.  This allows ERHL to vet the player as well as get their player’s card to the rink.
    2. Receipt for paying as a sub IS NOT proof of eligibility to play.  A 24/25 player’s card must be presented in order to play.
    3. A sub is not allowed to skate for the same to team more than 2 consecutive weeks in a row.
  7. A player may not be rostered on more than one team.
  8. Beginning in the 2018/2019 season, a player already rostered on a team may sub on another team in his/her division or higher. An additional fee will be charged at a rate of $10 per game payable via signupgenius.com. This additional fee does not apply to goalies. Players on the sub list, regardless of position, will still pay the $28 “pay-per-game” rate.  The sub shall then show payment has been made to scorekeeper before game has begun.  If no payment has been verified, then the player shall be removed from the game until proof can be shown.
  9. Each team shall elect a team captain. Captains(C) and alternate captains(A) are the main point of contact with game officials during games.

 

Jerseys

 

  1. Teams may use the same jersey for “home” and “away” games.
  2. Teams must have a dominant jersey color different from the other teams in their division.
  3. Any disputes over team color, team with the longest tenure in the ERHL will have the right to the color. Any disagreements will be handled by the ERHL Board of Directors.
  4. All jerseys, with the exception of the logo, can be any shade of the same color. It is not required that the jersey be an exact match in all details.
  5. While goaltenders will be allowed to wear non-matching jerseys, goaltenders are requested that they have one dark and one white jersey available, especially when substituting for teams.  
  6. Each player's jersey must have the player's number permanently affixed to the back.  Please note the following specific requirements regarding numbers:
    1. Taped numbers are not acceptable.
    2. Jerseys with no numbers are not acceptable.
    3. Different players may not wear the same number in the same game.

 

ERHL Rules

 

The following rules amend the rules of USA Hockey. At all times, however, the rules of USA Hockey remain in effect. These can be found at www.usahockey.com. USA Hockey Rule Classification will be considered “Non-Check Adult.”

 

Alcohol Policy:

 

  1. Alcohol on the player’s bench is strictly prohibited.
  2. Any player found to have alcohol on the bench or is visibly intoxicated, will be immediately ejected from the game and the team assessed a bench minor.  The ERHL Board reserves the right for disciplinary action up to and including suspension for use of alcohol, vape product and drugs during games.

 

Game Play

 Player Minimum and Forfeits:

  1. Game times are to be no later than five(5) minutes, including warm-ups, after posted ice times, or five (5) minutes after the ice is ready in cases when the arena is behind schedule. Any team not fielding the minimal number of players (6) will be assessed a “Delay of Game” penalty.
  2. Any team not fielding at least six (6) players by the ten-minute mark (10:00) of the first period will lose by forfeit.
  3. Any team not fielding a uniformed goalie by the ten-minute mark (10:00) of the first period will immediately lose by forfeit.   
  4. Any time a game is forfeited, the “winning” team has the right to the balance of the ice time.

 Teams Choosing Not Play Scheduled Games:

 Teams fielding less than three (3) players will automatically lose by forfeit and be assessed   a $100 fine.

  1. Team representative will be responsible for payment of fine and must be paid within two (2) weeks of “no-show” game. Failure to pay fine on time will result in immediate suspension of team representative until fine is paid.
  2. Teams fielding three (3) or more players but less than six (6) by the ten-minute mark (10:00) of the first period will result in a forfeit but will not be fined.
  3. Any team refusing to pay fines will not be allowed to participate in any playoff games.
  4. Any unpaid fines at the end of the season will carry over to the next season.

 Game Timing

 

  1. Teams will be given five (5) minutes to warm-up
  2. Games will consist of three (3) periods. Each period’s length shall be twenty (20) minutes, running clock.
  3. If the score is tied or within two (2) goals at any time during the final five (5) minutes of the third period, time shall become “stop time.”
  4. All penalties are running clock, except during “stop time” situations. Lengths of penalties are as follows:
    1. Three (3) minutes for Minor penalties.
    2. Seven (7) minutes for Major penalties
    3. Ten (10) minutes for Misconduct penalties.

 Overtime

 

  1. Overtime will consist of 3-on-3 for five (5) minutes.  If game is still tied a shootout will take place.
  2. Shootout format will be three-round shootout with tiebreaker rounds as needed.
  3. All skaters on a team’s roster must shoot before any player can shoot a second time.

 Playoffs

      Eligibility

  1. Goalies: Teams must use rostered goalies. Any/all substitutes must be approved by ERHL Board.
  2. Skaters: Teams must use rostered players only, no subs. Eligibility exceptions for rostered players injured during the regular season must be approved by ERHL Board.

Playoff Format

  1. Playoffs will be single elimination.
  2. Overtime will consist of 3-on-3 for five (5) minutes.
  3. If game is still tied after overtime then shootout will determine winner.

Shootout:

  1. Shootout format will be three-round shootout with tiebreaker rounds as needed.
  2. All skaters on a team’s roster must shoot before any player can shoot a second time.

 

Team Rankings

 

  1. At the beginning of each season, ERHL will rank each team, based on skill level, in order to place them in the appropriate division. This ranking is made at the sole discretion of ERHL and teams may be moved at any time.

a:  Individual players may be moved at the sole discretion of ERHL.

 

  1. The number of divisions may vary for each season, as will the number of teams in each division. At any time during the season, ERHL reserves the right to move any team to a different division if it becomes apparent that the initial ranking was not appropriate.

 

      3.  B League rosters shall contain no more than four (4) players that have  participated in the American College Hockey Association (ACHA I, II, III) or Junior B.

      4.  Team Reps will be responsible to ensure their team's roster complies with this rule, and shall identify any player that will be on their roster that meets this criteria prior to registration.

      5.  Using more than four (4) players that meet this criteria in a game, including subs, falls under the rules of using an illegal player which results in a forfeit.  

      ** Rosters will be reviewed  by the Board prior to the first game.  Anyone with who has played at a higher level than indicated will not be allowed to play in the B league.

 

Penalties

ERHL will not tolerate malicious, unsportsmanlike and/or violent behavior. ERHL will strictly enforce the rules on penalties. Penalties/suspensions incurred during the regular season will carry over into the playoffs and if necessary, into the following season in which the player plays. Additionally, when faced with exceptional team or player misconduct, ERHL reserves the right to increase any of the following penalties, up to and including ejecting the team or player from ERHL without a refund.

 

Length of Penalties and Number of Penalties  

  1. Minor penalties will be three (3) minutes, major penalties will be seven (7) minutes and misconduct penalties will be ten (10) minutes in length.
  2. If a penalty occurs during the third period in a stop time situation or in overtime, minor penalties will be two (2) minutes, major penalties will be five (5) minutes and misconduct penalties will be ten (10) minutes in length
  3. If in a delayed penalty situation and a goal is scored before the penalty is called, the penalty still needs to be recorded on the score sheet and that penalty will count as one penalty towards the five (5)-penalty limits (see below). The penalty will not be served due to the goal being scored.
  4. Double minors always count as two penalties towards the five (5)-penalty limits.
  5. If a player commits a penalty that results in a penalty shot, that penalty will be recorded on the scoresheet and will count as one penalty towards the five (5)-penalty limits. The penalty will not be served due to the penalty shot being given.
  6. When a bench minor penalty is given, the player serving it does not have that penalty count towards the limit of five (5) penalties in a game. It will be recorded on the scoresheet and in the league statistics website as a bench minor with the number of the player who serves it.
  7. Players may also receive a game ejection without the use of game misconduct and suspension.

 

Player Penalties and Game Suspensions (Minor)

  1. A player who receives five (5) minor penalties in one game will be ejected for the duration of the game upon receiving the fifth penalty.
  2. A player who receives five (5) minor penalties more than twice in a 12-month period will receive a two (2) game suspension.  The player will serve the suspension during his/her team's next game(s).

 

Player Penalties and Game Suspensions (Major and Misconduct)

  1. For the first Major Penalty in any one game, the offender, except the goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the ice for seven (7) minutes, during which time no substitute shall be permitted.
  2. A player who receives two (2) Major penalties in the same game shall be assessed a Game Misconduct in addition to the major penalty. The player or goalkeeper shall be suspended for his team’s next two (2) games.

 

Player Penalties and Game Suspensions (Fighting)

  1. A player who receives a Fighting major will be ejected for the duration of the game upon receiving the fighting penalty.  The player will also receive a two (2) game suspension. (Amendment 1 to USA Hockey Rule 613. Fighting)
  2. A player who receives a second Fighting major in the same season will receive an additional three (3) game suspension. (Amendment 2 to USA Hockey Rule 613. Fighting)
  3. A player who receives a third Fighting major in the same season will be suspended for the remainder of the season. (Amendment 3 to USA Hockey Rule 613. Fighting)

 

ERHL Rule 1: Suspended Players

  1. A player who is suspended for a season or remainder of a season will be treated as a new player who must re-apply to play in ERHL. ERHL reserves the right to refuse to allow the player to return to the league and under no circumstances will any player trying to return from an extended suspension be guaranteed a spot on any ERHL team.
  2. Any player suspended for a season will be subject to review by the ERHL Board prior to reinstatement.

 

ERHL Rule 2: Replacing Suspended Players.

  1. Teams must maintain the required minimum number of players described above. If, because of a player suspension that extends for the balance of the season, a team falls below this number, the team may replace the necessary players with prior ERHL approval.  Alternatively, ERHL may assign players to the team roster in order to help the team meet the minimum player requirements.

 

ERHL Rule 3: Ineligible Players.

  1. ERHL will strictly enforce the roster requirements discussed above. Only players registered with USA Hockey and ERHL will be allowed on any team's official roster.
  2. With the exception of goaltenders, only players on a team’s roster will be qualified to play in playoff games. Captains should consult with ERHL to confirm player eligibility.
  3. If any time during a game or afterwards a team is caught with any players not on the team's official roster, players serving a suspension or other penalty, or similar misconduct, the offending team will forfeit the game. If discovered during the game, the forfeit will be immediate and will occur regardless of the score. The Captain of the offending team will be suspended for not less than one (1) games.  NOTE:  This suspension will be issued to the team captain, regardless of whether he/she is present for that game.
  4. Any team caught violating this rule a second time in a season will be banned from any playoff games, regardless of the team's ranking. The Captain of the team will be suspended for no less than five (5) games.
  5. Any team caught violating this rule a third time in a season will forfeit the balance of the season and will be barred from play with no refund.
  6. Any team caught violating this rule during the playoffs will be suspended from further play.
  7. All players must bring their ERHL player identification card to the game. In the event that a player card is not delivered to the rink in a timely manner, the player must present their temporary card until it arrives.  Replacement cards will now cost $20.

 

ERHL “Gretzky Rule”

  1. Games in B, C and D Divisions, no player may be allowed to score more than three goals.  When a player has scored three goals, the scorekeeper shall notify the on-ice officials, who will notify both teams that the player has scored three goals.
  2. If a player scores a fourth goal, the goal shall be disallowed and the following faceoff will take place at the opposing end (similar to icing call).
  3. If the player scores a 5th goal, the goal shall be disallowed and the player will be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
  4. Any player that scores three (3) goals in regulation will be allowed to score in overtime or shootouts.

 

Appeals Process: Player Suspension

  1. Any player, either individually or through the team Captain, may appeal game suspensions assessed by ERHL within 7 days of the penalty being issued. The appeal must be in writing or email and sent to the ERHL Board of Directors.
  2. The appeal must clearly and concisely explain why the player believes the penalty was inappropriate and should identify any witnesses to the event.  ERHL does not consider challenges to a Referee's call to be a valid basis for an appeal.
  3. The ERHL Board of Directors will review the appeal. At its discretion, ERHL may elect to interview witnesses or have them submit statements regarding the penalty.
  4. Under no circumstances should league representatives, officials, scorekeepers, etc. be approached to discuss the penalty.  Such conduct may be considered harassment and the player initiating the conduct may be penalized.  Only written appeals will be considered.
  5. The player will be barred from play and serve the assessed suspensions while the appeal is pending. ERHL will endeavor to respond to any appeal in a timely fashion.

 

Reservation of Rights.

  1. ERHL is committed to providing a safe and successful league. As a result, it reserves the right to suspend, expel or otherwise prevent any player or team from playing that ERHL determines, in its sole discretion, to be detrimental to the safe and successful operation of the League. ERHL also reserves the right to refuse or deny the application of any prospective player or team that ERHL determines, in its sole discretion, to be detrimental to the safe and successful operation of the League.

ERHL reserves the right to change its rules or guidelines at any time. Teams and players are encouraged to check the League's website throughout the season for any updates.

Reviewed and approved on 8/21/2024

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