1. General
1.1. Effective
Date
These rules shall be effective immediately upon approval
by the Northern California Junior Hockey Association (NORCAL) Board of
Directors at the first full NORCAL Board meeting held at the Board's discretion
after the Annual Meeting. Subsequently, no change of rules shall be made by the
Board during the following playing season except by unanimous consent of the
Board of Directors at two consecutive Board meetings.
1.2. Precedence
These rules supplement rules issued by USA Hockey and the
California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), the USA Hockey local affiliate
organization. These rules may place additional requirements, restrictions, and
penalties upon clubs, teams, players, officials, and other individuals
participating in the NORCAL league. In the event of other conflicts, the USA
Hockey, CAHA rules and NORCAL Bylaws shall take precedence over these rules and
regulations.
1.3. NORCAL
NORCAL is the league governing body in Northern California
recognized by CAHA for teams competing for state or national playoffs at the
Tier I ("AAA"), Tier II ("AA"), "A," and "B" levels.
1.4. Applicability
of Rules to Teams
a)
NORCAL member clubs agree that all teams
competing toward a NORCAL, state, or national championship, or otherwise
playing as a part of the NORCAL schedule, shall be subject to applicable NORCAL
rules. Special teams and house teams not playing as a part of the NORCAL
schedule and not competing toward a NORCAL, state, or national championship are
not governed by these rules, except as follows: NORCAL member clubs and
associations are expected to comply with all applicable USA Hockey and CAHA
rules with respect to ALL teams and participants; Special teams are included in
rule 5.2.1.
b)
NORCAL may investigate and review any incident
or penalty involving a NORCAL member club or any player, coach, team official,
or other person registered with USA Hockey through a NORCAL member club.
c)
In this and all NORCAL rules, each reference to
a "coach" without further qualification shall refer to every rostered coach
without regard to designations such as head coach or assistant coach.
1.5. Responsibility
for Rules
All players, coaches, parents, member clubs, and NORCAL
officials are responsible for knowing and following applicable rules and every
participant is responsible for his/her behavior and maintenance of eligibility.
The head coach is responsible for his/her team's compliance with all rules and
regulations.
2. League
Organization and Governance
2.1. CAHA
Leagues
NORCAL is one of the leagues recognized by CAHA for
conducting youth ice hockey competition at the Tier II, "A," and "B" levels.
Top teams from NORCAL and from the Southern California Amateur Hockey
Association (SCAHA) meet each spring for state playoffs conducted by CAHA
2.2. NORCAL
Governance
NORCAL is a nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of
Directors consisting of the presidents or designated representatives of each
member club or association and the elected and appointed officers of the
corporation. Voting members of the Board of Directors include the president or
designated representative of each member club and the elected officers of the
corporation, which are specified in its Bylaws. The affairs of NORCAL are
conducted in accordance with its Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and policies
that may be adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time.
2.3. Board
Meetings
The time and location of NORCAL Board of Directors meetings
are posted on the NORCAL web site. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
are open to the public. Persons having issues or questions involving the
operation of the league should raise their issues or concerns through their
club or association president or representative.
2.4. Board Meeting Attendance
Each member club shall be responsible for representation
at NORCAL Board and other meetings and for the dissemination of these Rules and
Regulations as well as other NORCAL league information to its members. Any club
not sending an appropriately designated representative to two or more
consecutive meetings of the NORCAL Board of Directors, or failing to provide an
appropriate representative at the Team Placement Meeting for any reason barring
"acts of God," shall be fined $500 and $500 additional for each consecutive
missed meeting thereafter.
2.5. Age
Levels
Regular competitive teams are classified according to age
and competitive levels. USA Hockey age levels are based on birth year and may
be found in the USA Hockey Annual Guide and the NORCAL web site. NORCAL currently
provides organized league play only in the Youth division. Girls playing in the
youth division must comply with the applicable age requirements.
2.6. Competitive
Levels
TIER I - Highest level of youth hockey recognized by USA
Hockey; teams recruited on regional or statewide basis. Championships are
conducted at state, district, and national levels. USA Hockey does not
recognize Tier I at the Mite or Squirt age levels.
Tier II - Considered highest level of club-based hockey.
CAHA rules require that teams maintain a minimum number of returning club
players to qualify for state playoffs. Championships are held at NORCAL, state,
district, and national level. USA Hockey does not recognize Tier II at the Mite
or Squirt age levels.
"A" Division - Championships held at NORCAL and state
levels; teams in all age divisions. CAHA rules require that teams at the
Peewee, Bantam, and Midget levels maintain a minimum number of returning club
players to qualify for state playoffs. NORCAL rules extend that requirement to
the Squirt level. NORCAL does not recognize A/B distinction at Mite level.
"B" Division - Developmental level; championships held at
NORCAL and state levels; teams in Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget levels.
NORCAL rules require that teams at the Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, and Midget
levels maintain a minimum number of returning club players to qualify for state
playoffs.
2.7. Member
Clubs
Only teams fielded by NORCAL clubs or associations in good
standing may participate in the NORCAL game schedule or playoffs. NORCAL member
clubs may be either non-profit or for-profit organizations. New member
organizations may be accepted in accordance with NORCAL Bylaws. These clubs and
teams agree to abide by all NORCAL Rules and Regulations, NORCAL Bylaws, NORCAL
Codes of Conduct and decisions; to keep their teams, players, and team
officials informed of all NORCAL rules, policies, decisions, and other
pertinent information pertaining to their participation in NORCAL sanctioned
events and activities; to pay all assessments and fines; and to provide all
necessary resources as established by standards, rules and regulations of USA
Hockey, CAHA , and NORCAL for the conduct of their home games. Member Clubs for
the 2009-2010 season are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Thunder |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tri-Valley Blue Devils |
|
|
|
|
San Jose Junior Sharks |
|
3. Team
Registration and Fees
3.1.
All teams must be registered with
3.2. Regular
Season Teams
Any youth division team formed to play competitive games
throughout the course of the regular fall and winter season at the Tier I, Tier
II, A or B levels shall be classified a regular season team regardless of
whether that team is playing within the NORCAL schedule. NORCAL shall assess
each participating club annual dues in the amount of six hundred dollars ($600)
per team for each team registered. Tier I teams and Mite teams participating in
the NORCAL Mite exhibition schedule are assessed three hundred dollars ($300).
3.3. Special,
Tournament, and House Teams
Special teams formed to compete in special tournaments are
not required to register with NORCAL and shall not be governed by these rules
except as specified in Rule 1.4. Any special team not registered with NORCAL
that is rostered under the USA Hockey Association number assigned to any NORCAL
member club must provide a true copy of that team's roster to the NORCAL Roster
Manager at least forty-eight (48) hours before that team competes in any game
outside its club. House teams are teams playing only within a single club or
association. House teams are not required to register with NORCAL and shall not
be governed by these rules except as specified in Rule 1.4.
3.4. Girls'/Women's
Teams
Girls'/Women's teams playing in the NORCAL playing schedule
will in all aspects be governed by these rules. Teams registered in the USA
Hockey Girls'/Women's Division and not playing in the NORCAL playing schedule
shall be treated by NORCAL as special teams even though playing for a state or
national championship.
3.5. Preliminary
Team and Ice Slot Declarations A and B Youth Teams
All clubs shall make a preliminary team declaration with a
plan for ice slots to the NORCAL scheduler by August 24. The declaration shall
consist of a list of teams the club expects to form with the age division for
the teams and a projection of the competitive levels for each team (A or B).
The plan for ice slots may be a full submission that meets the requirements
under section 3.7.1(c) herein: it must at least specify the days and times
planned to be submitted to meet the requirement.
3.6. Initial
Team Registration Tier I and II Youth Teams
All clubs fielding Tier I or II teams shall submit an
initial properly completed team roster to the NORCAL Roster Manager and a check
for one-half of the annual fee determined by the NORCAL Board to the NORCAL
Treasurer by August 15. Tier I teams do not play within a NORCAL schedule and,
therefore, do not submit ice slots. The number of ice slots to be submitted for
Tier II teams will be determined by the NORCAL General Manager following the
submission of initial team rosters and team deposits
3.7. Team
Registration A and B Youth Teams
3.7.1. Initial Team Registration
All club teams to be included within the NORCAL playing
schedule must be registered with NORCAL by September 5. Initial team
registration shall consist of the completion of all the following:
a)
Submitting to the NORCAL Roster Manager a
properly completed USA Hockey team roster. (This roster will be designated the
team's initial roster.
b)
Submitting to the NORCAL Treasurer a deposit for
one-half of the team registration fee determined by the NORCAL board for each
team.
c)
Submitting to the NORCAL Scheduler thirteen (13)
game ice slots for each team except only ten game ice slots are required for
each Mite team. Ice slots must be identified by date, start and end times, rink
and ice surface (for multi-surface rinks) and must be within the date and time
scheduling guidelines established by NORCAL. Please see Section 5.2 for length
requirements. All game slots must be for clean ice. Note that provisions in
Section 5.10 affect requirements for submitted ice. Unused ice slots will be
returned to the member club as the scheduler determines them unnecessary during
October and November. A club with three
or fewer teams must provide an additional eight game slots for Scheduler use.
Any club with Midget 16 and/or Midget 18 teams affected by SAT blackouts must
provide a minimum of two Friday or Sunday slots for each such team after the
Thanksgiving break.
3.7.2. Final
Team Registration
All teams initially registered as described above must
complete final team registration with NORCAL or be formally dropped according
to the procedure found in section 3.12. Final registration shall consist of all
of the following
a)
Submitting to the NORCAL Roster Manager a
properly completed USA Hockey team roster. This roster will be designated a
team's preliminary roster. A preliminary roster will not be considered
properly completed without original signatures in blue ink from all players and
initials in blue ink from adults entered on the roster. Players' signatures are
optional on Mite and Squirt team rosters. The preliminary roster must be
received by the Roster Manager by September 30.
b)
Submitting to the NORCAL Roster Manager a
properly completed USA Hockey full team roster or supplementary roster
detailing changes to the team's preliminary roster. This roster (full roster
and supplementary roster) is designated a team's final roster. A final
roster will not be considered properly completed without original signatures in
blue ink from all players and adults entered on the roster. Players' signatures
are optional on Mite and Squirt team rosters. In addition, the final roster
submission must include credentials documents (birth certificates or USA Hockey
defined equivalents) for all players on this roster who were not rostered on a
NORCAL travel team during the prior season. The final roster must be received
by the Roster Manager by October 31.
c)
Submitting to the NORCAL Treasurer the balance
of the team's registration fee by October 31.
3.8. Minimum
Team size
To be included within the NORCAL schedule, a team must meet
CAHA requirements for minimum team size at the time of the final team roster
submission.
3.9. Failure
to Maintain Required Ice Slots
Any club that fails to provide and maintain the required
number of home ice slots for its registered teams shall be fined five hundred
dollars ($500) per ice slot shorted. Upon recommendation of NORCAL General
Manager, the NORCAL Board may disqualify one or more teams from league
competition if sufficient ice slots are not provided.
3.10. Late
Registration A and B Youth Teams
Teams intending to play within the NORCAL schedule that miss
any deadline in the above sections are considered late. Late teams that
complete the initial registration requirements by September 30 may have their
schedule reduced by two games and shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200).
Late teams that complete the initial registration requirements between October
1 and October 31 shall have their schedule reduced by four games and be fined
three hundred dollars ($300). Late teams that complete the initial or final
registration requirements after October 31 but prior to CAHA deadlines shall
have their schedule reduced by eight league games and be fined six hundred
dollars ($600). Opponents for reduced games shall be determined by a random
draw of teams conducted by the NORCAL General Manager.
3.11. Addition
and Deletion of Players following Initial Team Registration
No transaction adding or deleting a player from a team
roster is complete without written confirmation from the NORCAL Roster Manager
or the Roster Manager's designee.
3.12. Dropping
Teams
A club or association that drops a team registered to
participate in the NORCAL schedule shall be assessed a penalty of three hundred
dollars ($300) for each team dropped after September 30. Written notice of
dropping a team must be made to the NORCAL General Manager and to the NORCAL
Scheduler. In addition, any applicable penalties for game forfeiture shall be
imposed when the dropping of a team requires cancellation of scheduled games
within ten days of the receipt of the drop by NORCAL.
4. Individual
Registration, Tryouts, and Player Movement
4.1. Individual
All Individual players, coaches, and managers must be
registered for the current season with USA Hockey prior to participating in any
USA Hockey activity.
4.2. Player
NORCAL Registration
Each player must be properly registered for the current
season with USA Hockey and included on a team roster submitted to the NORCAL
Roster Manager before being permitted to play in any game.
a)
Youth teams: No player may be registered on more
than one USA Hockey Roster at the same time.
b)
In-House teams: Players registered on a USA
Hockey roster may be simultaneously registered on an in-house team so long as
such dual registration does not cause a player to be registered on two teams
that compete directly against each other in the NORCAL schedule or in any other
games leading toward a NORCAL or CAHA, or USA Hockey Championship.
c)
No player on the roster of any USA Hockey
registered college team may be rostered on any other Tier, A or B team in
NORCAL.
4.3. New Mite-age Players
New mite-age players must sign up to play at a rink no
further than thirty miles from their primary residence unless approved by
NORCAL. If there is no rink within thirty miles of the player's primary
residence, the player must sign up to play at the rink closest to their primary
residence.
4.4. Coach
NORCAL Registration
4.4.1. Each
coach must be properly registered for the current season with USA Hockey before
participating in any on-ice activity.
4.4.2. Before
serving as a coach in any game on or before December 31 except as an emergency as
specified in rule 5.3.p, a coach must be on the team's roster. All coaches must
submit to the referee either a copy of his/her USA Hockey coaching education
card at the required level or proof of registration for the USA Hockey coaching
clinic required to achieve the coaching level appropriate for the age and
competitive level of the team.
4.4.3. Except as specified in Rule 5.3.p, before
serving as a coach in any game after December 31 a coach must be on the team's
roster. All coaches must submit to the referee a copy of his/her USA Hockey
coaching education card at the required level.
4.5. Playing
Within Age Classification
Players are eligible to play only at the lowest age level
for which they qualify under USA Hockey rules with the following two
exceptions:
a)
A player who by birth is in the last year of
his/her age classification may skate up one age classification following
submission of a properly completed NORCAL "Consent to Skate Out of Age
Division" form.
b)
A mite-aged player may play on a squirt team
without a "Consent to Skate Out of Age Division" form for a club that has not declared or registered
a mite team to play in the NORCAL schedule.
4.6. Playing Below Age Classification
Playing below the USA Hockey assigned age level is not
permitted.
4.7. Penalty
for Playing Unregistered or Improperly Registered Player (Including Age Levels)
Head coaches are required to know the status of their
players and are subject to suspension of up to two games for each game played
by an unregistered or improperly registered player. Any game in which an
unregistered or improperly registered player participates shall be forfeited by
the offending team.
4.8. Player
Movement/Free Agency
All players are free agents between the end of CAHA Playoffs
for "A" and "B" teams or the end of USA Hockey National Championships for Tier
I or Tier II teams until joining a team for the following season.
4.9. Joining
A Team
A player has joined a team when that player or player's family
has done one or more of the following:
a)
Signed a contract, letter of intent, roster, or
other written agreement with a club.
b)
Paid money other than a separate tryout fee to a
club by virtue of which payment the player is assigned or may be assigned by
that club to a specific team.
c)
Played or participated in a NORCAL-scheduled
preseason, tournament, or regular season game with a team unless specifically
noted and otherwise signed by the coach on the game score sheet properly
submitted to NORCAL.
d)
Practiced twice with a team, not including team
tryouts.
Either club or player may appeal to the NORCAL General
Manager in case of a dispute as to whether or not a player has joined a club or
team. The General Manager's determination in the case of such appeal is final.
4.10. Player
Development Requirement
All NORCAL registered Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget 16,
and Midget 18 teams in A and B divisions must meet the following minimum Player
Development Requirement (PDR):
a)
Each team must roster a minimum 50% of its players
from within its member club. A team in violation of the PDR will be included in
the NORCAL schedule and their games will count towards final standings but they
will be ineligible for post-season playoffs including both NORCAL playoffs and
CAHA playoffs.
b)
Any team that falls below the PDR requirement
during the regular season must achieve the minimum level by December 31 and
maintain that level for the remainder of the season to maintain their
post-season eligibility.
c)
In addition to the CAHA definition of players
eligible to meet PDR, players who did not play for any NORCAL Tier, A, or B
team during the previous season may be counted toward the team's PDR
percentage.
d)
To calculate the required number of players to
meet PDR requirements, round to the next lower whole number.
4.11. Exception to PDR Requirement
A team may petition the NORCAL Board for an exception to the
PDR requirement, which may or may not be granted, to accommodate the following
circumstances:
a)
Players were displaced from their previous team
by that club not offering a team at the appropriate age level
b)
The previous club was officially merged with a
new club and the new club is formally recognized by a vote of the NORCAL Board
as a successor club
c)
The previous club has ceased doing business
d)
At the NORCAL Board of Directors' discretion
4.12. Tryouts
Each club shall post its tryout schedule for Tier I, Tier
II, "A," and "B" at its rink in a manner
to give players other than its own members access to dates and times. In
addition, each club shall provide notice of tryout schedules and requirements
to the NORCAL General Manager at its earliest opportunity so that information
can be posted on the NORCAL web site. The tryout start dates for A and B teams
for the next season will be set in the January NORCAL Board Meeting of the
current season. Tryout dates for Tier teams are governed by CAHA rules. It is
NORCAL's intent that tryouts for Tier teams be completed prior to the start of
tryouts for "A" and "B" teams and that all tryouts and team selections be
completed prior to September 15.
4.13. Player
Release
Players and their families undertake a serious obligation
when they join a club. They must expect NORCAL and all other NORCAL clubs to
recognize and honor the agreements they sign or otherwise enter into. A player
wishing to change clubs after joining a team must obtain a release from the
club which he/she has joined (the "home club"). While nothing in these rules
shall be construed to prevent a club from granting a release, the home club
ordinarily is under no obligation to approve a personal preference release.
4.13.1. Personal
Preference Release
A release at the request of a player or family for any
reason other than competitive advancement is a Personal Preference Release.
4.13.2. Process
for Receiving A Contested Personal Preference Release
A player should request a Personal Preference Release from
the home club. If the release is not granted, the player may apply for a
Personal Preference Release to the NORCAL General Manager by completing the
form available on the web site and submitting a non-refundable application fee
of fifty dollars ($50). If the home club fails to respond to that application
within five days of being notified by the General Manager, the General Manager
may grant the release without the home club's approval. If the home club
responds within five days by refusing to grant the release, the General Manager
shall convene a review committee comprised of three persons: the General
Manager, one club president from neither the home club nor the receiving club,
and one other member of the NORCAL Executive Board selected by the General
Manager. The review committee shall issue its decision within ten days of the
appeal. The decision of the review committee may be appealed by either the home
club or the player to the full Board of Directors.
4.13.3. Competitive
Advancement Release
A player meeting the following conditions shall be granted a
Competitive Advancement Release:
a)
The released player moves directly to the roster
of a receiving team at a higher competitive level not available to that player
at the home club.
b)
The release does not reduce the size of the
affected home team to below thirteen players or below one goaltender.
c)
The player is in good financial standing with
the home team. No NORCAL member club or association shall charge a player
receiving a Competitive Advancement release any fees or dues exceeding the
reasonable charges for tryouts, ice time used, and merchandise purchased.
d)
The coach and club president of the receiving
team have signed the release application.
e)
The receiving team and the player recognize and
confirm that the player must remain on the roster of the receiving team through
the remainder to the NORCAL season and playoffs.
4.13.4. Definition
of Completed Release
The General Manager notifies the player, the home club, and
the receiving club (if any) that a release is complete when all of the
following conditions are met:
a)
The appropriate release application is complete
and the fee (if required) is paid.
b)
The player has been legally and completely
dropped from the home club roster.
c)
The release is approved by the NORCAL General
Manager
4.13.5. Penalties
for Illegal Release
Any player who participates in a game or practice for a
receiving team without a completed release in accordance with these rules is an
ineligible player.
a)
Head coaches are required to know the status of
any player they allow to attend a practice or play in a game and are subject to
suspension of up to two games for each practice attended or game played by a
player without a completed release.
b)
Any club allowing a player to play in any game
before that player has a completed release will forfeit all games in which that
player participates.
c)
A player who intentionally misrepresents his/her
status to a receiving club will be suspended for no less than thirty days.
Regardless of any misrepresentation by a player or family the receiving team is
still subject to game forfeitures and head coach's suspensions for employing an
ineligible player.
4.13.6. Limits On Number of Releases Per Season
No player shall be granted more than one release within a
season.
4.14. Recruitment Restrictions
Each club shall be responsible for informing its club and
team officials of this rule and for adhering to the spirit of this rule by
actively dissuading officials and other persons from engaging in prohibited
recruitment.
No club or team official shall attempt to recruit a player
to an "A," "B," or Tier II team who played for another "A," "B" or Tier II team
in the previous regular season.
Upon receipt of a written complaint from a member club, the
NORCAL President shall appoint a Review Committee comprised of presidents or
designated representatives of three non-affected clubs. The Review Committee
shall conduct a hearing to investigate the charges and shall issue a penalty to
a club and/or team found to be in violation of this rule. The penalty shall
consist of forfeiture of one or more league games and/or payment by the
offending club of a fine not to exceed the amount of dues lost for one season
as a result of the recruitment. Additionally, an offending team shall forfeit
any game in which the Committee determines an illegally recruited player has
participated.
No team which was created initially as a Tier team shall be
permitted to participate in NORCAL league play competing for a NORCAL championship
as an "A" or "B" team while retaining players recruited from other NORCAL
clubs.
4.14.1.
Permitted Activities:
a)
Mailing of printed material to persons who have
participated in summer programs, clinics, tryouts, or other special activities
or who are past club members. However such printed mailings may not include
personalized notes or messages.
b)
Invitations to individuals to participate in
special activities (clinics, summer skates, special teams, pickup) which do not
conflict with regular league play.
c)
Recruitment of players to a Tier I team when
such recruitment is not in violation with CAHA or USA Hockey rules.
d)
Advertising not otherwise prohibited by NORCAL,
CAHA or USA Hockey.
4.14.2. Activities
not permitted:
a)
Offering sponsorship, reduced dues, or other benefits
to a prospective player to join a particular team or club.
b)
Mailing printed materials for club tryouts to
the mailing list of another club or to a USA Hockey mailing list.
c)
Initiating contact with players or family
members from another club for the purpose of promoting the club's program or
otherwise enticing a player to change clubs.
d)
Advertising directed specifically at the
membership of another member club.
e)
Encouraging or allowing members of a club to
contact or continue contact with members or relatives of members of another
NORCAL club when that contact is intended to solicit or arrange for a position
on a team.
f)
Encouraging or allowing players, parents or any
person acting in place of a player or parent to initiate or continue contact
with a player or player's family when the purpose of the contact is to solicit
or arrange for a position on a team other than from the player's current club.
4.15. Block
Recruitment
Block recruitment is not allowed at Tier II, "A," or "B"
levels. Block recruitment has occurred when A) a club has within its rostered
player base 25% or more players who were rostered with another single NORCAL
member club during the previous playing season; or B) a team's roster contains
50% or more players who were rostered with another single NORCAL member club
during the previous season.
A team or club in violation of the block recruitment rule
will be included in the NORCAL schedule and their games will count towards
final standings but they will be ineligible for post-season playoffs including
both NORCAL playoffs and CAHA playoffs.
Exceptions, which must be approved by the NORCAL board, may
be granted when the previous season's club does not offer a team at a
particular age group, or in the case of a voluntary merger, or when a club is
recognized by NORCAL as successor to a club that has ceased doing business, or
at its discretion.
4.16. Player
Financial Standing
Prior to tryout start date set by NORCAL for A and B teams,
any NORCAL club may submit to the NORCAL General Manager and Roster Manager a
list of players deemed not in good financial standing for the prior year's
playing season. Lack of good financial standing shall be based on failure to
pay dues and/or other costs associated with playing on a regular season team.
Players not in good standing shall not be permitted to participate in team
tryouts or to participate in NORCAL scheduled games until they are determined
to be in good financial standing. Any player remaining on the list following
the beginning of the NORCAL regular season shall be considered an ineligible
player and any game in which such a player participates will be forfeit by
his/her team. A game forfeited by reason of such a financially ineligible
player shall remain forfeited regardless of any subsequent finding on the merit
of the player's inclusion on the list. The NORCAL General Manager may remove a
player from the list and/or recommend Board action against a club that has
failed to make reasonable efforts to resolve legitimate player account
disputes. Any player who disputes a financial claim may appeal directly to the
NORCAL General Manager who may allow the player to participate in tryouts and
practices while the dispute is being resolved.
4.16.1. Further
Limitations On Players Not In Good Financial Standing
Only players in good financial
standing may participate in the NORCAL Pre-Select Tryout Camp or in the NORCAL
Playoffs. Players are considered in good financial standing unless the NORCAL
General Manager is informed in writing ten days before the above listed events
occur.
4.16.2. Limitations
On Clubs Declaring Players Not In Good Financial Standing
Players who appeared in NORCAL or
CAHA playoffs are assumed by NORCAL to be in good financial standing for the
previous season and may not be placed on the list described in this rule.
4.17. Player
Movement Within A Club
A player who has been properly registered on a club's team
may move to another team within that club provided all eligibility requirements
are met and the player is properly re-rostered before the move takes place. A
player may not, however play for more than one team within a club within a
48-hour period. A player violating this rule shall be considered an illegal
player for all games in which he or she participated during the 48-hour period
in question. During the regular season, clubs with more than one team competing
for the same NORCAL championship must release any player before moving that
player from one such team to another.
4.18. Player
Movement Between Divisions
A player may move down a division (e.g., from "A" to "B,"
from Tier II to "A," From Tier I to Tier II) on or before October 31. A player
may move up to a higher division on or before December 31. Players who move
between Divisions after these deadlines must receive permission from the NORCAL
General Manager and are ineligible to participate in NORCAL or CAHA playoffs.
4.19. Hardship
Goaltender Moves
Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, if no
rostered goaltender for a team is able to play in one or more games during the
season, the NORCAL General Manager may, upon written request, authorize the use
of a substitute goaltender from another NORCAL team provided there is a
hardship determination by the General Manager. The General Manager has final
authority in determining if a substitution shall be permitted and has final
authority in choice of the substitute. Goaltender substitution by non-Mite
players shall not be permitted for Mite teams. All goaltender substitutions
approved under this rule must be approved prior to the game in which the
substitution is made. Such substitution should be noted on the score sheet
submitted by the team to NORCAL. Copy of the authorization for use of a
substitute goaltender must be kept in the team book with the copy of the score
sheet.
5. League
Games and Schedule
5.1. NORCAL
League Game Definition
A NORCAL League game is a game arranged by the NORCAL
Scheduler that is played in a club's required ice slot, or extra ice slot
required by NORCAL, between teams of two different NORCAL clubs or two teams
from the same NORCAL club playing for the same NORCAL championship.
5.2. Game
Scheduling and Supervision
All games between teams competing as part of the NORCAL
league schedule shall be scheduled by the NORCAL scheduler and be under the
direction of the NORCAL General Manager and on-ice supervision of a certified
and registered USA Hockey official. Teams that play most of their games outside
the NORCAL schedule may request the Scheduler to designate a team official to
schedule games with non-NORCAL teams directly.
5.2.1.
No team registered by a NORCAL Club made up
predominantly of players rostered on NORCAL A or B teams will be allowed to
participate in another organized league without formal approval of the full
NORCAL Board before the team commits to participate in the other league. This
restriction is intended to include special teams.
5.3. Standard
League Game Conduct (X, P, G designated games)
a)
A ninety minute time slot for Peewee and older
(seventy-five minutes for Mites and Squirts) on clean ice shall be scheduled
for games. No ice cuts are required between periods. (Note that a 75-minute
slot may be used for Peewee games at the scheduler's discretion.)
b)
A score sheet shall be provided by the home
team.
c)
All coaches shall sign the score sheet and
provide their coaching level, card number, and effective date. Coaches must
have valid USA Hockey CEP card in their possession and show the card to the
game referee when asked to do so.
d)
The score sheet shall list the NORCAL game
number, date, time, location, curfew time, and names of minor officials. The
score sheet must list all players in order of uniform number, with lowest
numbers listed first.
e)
Names of players absent or suspended should be
lined out and noted as "absent" or "suspended" on all copies of the score
sheet. The names of suspended coaches and numbers of suspended and absent
players should be written in the "notes" section of the score sheet. FAILURE TO
NOTE PERSONS SERVING A GAME SUSPENSION MAY RESULT IN FURTHER SUSPENSION FOR
THAT PLAYER OR COACH IN ADDITION TO SUBJECTING THE TEAM TO PENALTIES FOR
ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION OF A SUSPENDED PLAYER OR COACH.
f)
After the game, the home team is responsible for
mailing the completed original score sheet (top white copy with original
signatures of coaches and game officials) to the NORCAL General Manager postmarked
no later than Wednesday following the game. FAX or electronic copies are NOT
normally acceptable as official game records. Incomplete or improperly filled
out score sheets may result in a $25 fine assessed against the offending team
and may not be accepted as game records.
g)
Score sheets more than fourteen days late, in
addition to any fine assessed, shall result in a warning to the president of
the offending club. Late score sheets after a warning may not be accepted. Only
games for which a properly completed score sheet has been received and recorded
by the General Manager may be used for standings, to meet game requirements for
team or individual playoff eligibility, or for statistical rankings.
h)
"T" or "S" or Non-NORCAL Games: NORCAL teams
playing non-NORCAL teams shall be responsible for submitting a properly
completed score sheet to the General Manager no later than the first Wednesday
following the last game played for that trip.
i)
For Peewee and above, games shall be scheduled
for three periods of 15 minutes stop time each. No more than five minutes shall
be placed on the clock prior to the first period for warm-ups. One minute shall
be placed on the clock between each period. No more than one 30-second timeout
per team per game will be allowed. Periods shall not be lengthened to take
advantage of additional time that may be available.
j)
The home team shall provide qualified minor
officials including scorekeeper, timekeeper, penalty box attendants and shot
counters.
k)
Games not played for lack of players to begin
the game shall be referred to the NORCAL General Manager as a possible forfeit.
l)
At the beginning of the third period, if fewer
than 30 minutes are left before the game curfew, the referee shall direct the
timekeeper to place one-half of the remaining available minutes on the clock.
m)
If at any time following a stoppage of play
during the third period, the amount of time remaining prior to curfew is less
than the time on the clock, the referee shall direct the timekeeper to place
the number of minutes remaining for the slot on the clock and go to running
time.
n)
For Squirt and Mite games, the first two periods
shall be fifteen minutes each. The third period shall be either fifteen minutes
or half of the time remaining in the game slot, whichever is shorter.
o)
No game shall count as a game unless at least
two full periods of stop time are played or unless the game is forfeited under
the playing rules.
p)
All NORCAL games require a minimum of one adult
coach on each team's bench. If a coach fails to appear or appears and is unable
to continue for any reason, the team must provide a USA Hockey registered adult
with credentials appropriate to the teams involved to serve as a temporary
coach. Officials should provide a reasonable period of time to find a replacement.
If no replacement can be found, the team without a coach will forfeit the game.
The ice slot length may not be extended due to a delay resulting from a
coaching change. Any properly credentialed coach may serve as an emergency
temporary coach.
q)
The score of a forfeit game shall be recorded as
1-0.
5.4. League
Scheduled Divisions
NORCAL shall schedule league games for the "A" and "B"
Divisions for the Squirt through Midget Age levels. Mite teams may be scheduled
as a single playing division within NORCAL regardless of registration at the
"A" or "B" level. A limited Tier II schedule may be established if two or more
Tier II teams are registered at any given age level.
5.5. Pre-season
Games
The NORCAL pre-season begins as determined by the NORCAL
calendar and shall consist of exhibition games as scheduled for "A" and "B"
teams by the league. The purpose of the pre-season is to provide a tune-up
period for players and to allow league and club officials an opportunity to
assess the competitive levels of the teams. All teams are declared "B" during
pre-season until final team placement.
5.6. Final
Team Placement
Following the next-to-last weekend of pre-season play, the
General Manager will present the final team placements to the full NORCAL
board. There shall be no late registration penalty for a team re-registering as
a result of final team placement.
5.7. Regular
Season Games
The NORCAL regular season shall consist of those games
following the preseason and designated by the NORCAL Scheduler to be regular
season games counting for playoffs.
5.8. Exhibition
Games
Occasionally, the NORCAL Scheduler may schedule exhibition
games for the purpose of providing extra games in playing divisions with a
short schedule or at the request of the involved clubs. Exhibition games
initiated by clubs must have ice slots provided outside the NORCAL required ice
slots. Games designated in the schedule as exhibition games will under no
circumstances count towards final league standings.
5.9. League
Standings
League standing shall be based on points earned by play or
forfeit (2 points for wins, 1 point for ties, 0 points for losses) during
regular season games which will normally include an equal number of games
played among all teams in a playing division. In the event that there have not
been an equal number of games played by each team (i.e., cancellation of game
due to reasons beyond the control of the affected teams or an unbalanced
schedule), standing shall be determined by each team's percentage of possible
points earned (total points earned divided by two points for each game played
or forfeited).
5.10. Considerations
for Scheduling Pre-Season and Regular Season Games
The following considerations shall be followed by the NORCAL
Scheduler for pre-season, regular season, and exhibition games. Playoff games
are considered separately elsewhere in these rules and in the NORCAL Playoff
Rules:
a)
Games shall normally be scheduled for Saturdays
and Sundays. Friday evening games shall be scheduled only with consideration
for traveling time considering evening traffic flow. Weekday games may be
scheduled subject to the agreement of the affected club presidents or
representatives.
b)
"P" and "G" Games shall not be scheduled to
start before 7 a.m. or after 11:30 p.m. Mite and Squirt "P" and "G" games shall
not be scheduled to start after 8:30 p.m.
c)
Whenever possible, younger teams shall be
scheduled for earlier time slots and older teams for later time slots.
d)
Although ice slots submitted by a club will
normally be used for that club's teams, slots submitted to NORCAL may be used
by the Scheduler for any teams as necessary, subject to the approval of the
designated home team club and the club whose ice slot is used. Home games may
be played at rinks other than the home rink. An equal number of home and away
games is not a scheduling requirement, but will be achieved whenever feasible.
e)
If two games are scheduled for the same day,
there must be at least four hours separation and there must not be more than
one hour normal driving time between the rinks at which the games are scheduled
f)
No games may be scheduled after 2 p.m. on
Halloween for Mites Squirts or Peewees, or at any time on Thanksgiving weekend,
Christmas/New Years break, Martin Luther King weekend, Presidents' Day weekend,
or after Noon on Super Bowl Sunday.
g)
No Midget 18 or Midget 16 games may be scheduled
on designated SAT Saturdays prior to 5:00 p.m. or on the preceding Friday
evenings.
h)
No Bantam A, Midget 16A, or Midget 18A games may
be scheduled during NORCAL or CAHA Select Team Tryouts
i)
No games shall be scheduled to create a playing
conflict for players participating in a NORCAL sponsored special tournament
team.
j)
Consideration should be given to scheduling at
least two games (e.g., Saturday afternoon or evening and Sunday morning) when
travel distances necessitate an overnight stay.
k)
No schedule change shall be made in regular
season games without the approval of the NORCAL General Manager
l)
No scheduling consideration shall be made for
any NORCAL team or individual player for participation in any non-NORCAL league
or event not already described in this rule.
5.11. Protective
Equipment
Each player must properly wear USA Hockey approved
protective equipment as specified by all applicable rules for the duration of
each game while on the ice, players' bench, or penalty box. Referees will check
out every player prior to each game. Players reporting to their team after the
referee's checkout may not go on the ice until a supplemental check has been
completed.
5.12. Team Book
The head coach of each team shall be responsible for having
an accurate and complete team book available at every game the team plays. The
head coach may delegate the custody of the book to the team manager or other
team official. The contents and organization of the team book shall be in
governed by CAHA Rule 22.2. This NORCAL rule supplements the CAHA rule by
requiring additional items.
All materials must be in a three ring binder with plastic
cover on the front cover and along the spine. The team's name shall be
displayed both on the front cover and the spine. A divider tab should identify
each section with the title of the section. Each item should be placed inside a
sheet protector. Each person appearing on the roster should have an individual
name tab by last name (and in the case of two individuals with the same last name,
the first initial).
The following lists the required contents and required organization of all team
books:
TAB I: Team Information:
a)
Certified Team Roster (1-T)
b)
Sanctioned game score sheets, arranged
chronologically from the most recent
TAB II: Coaches' Information
a)
Signed USA Hockey Consent to Treat forms
b)
Signed USA Hockey Waiver of Liability forms (not
required for on-line registrants
c)
Signed USA Hockey Code of Conduct forms
d)
Copy of back of USA Hockey Coaching Education
Card with legible signature
e)
Acknowledgement of awareness of USA Hockey
Coaches Code of Ethics
TAB III: Managers' Information:
a)
Signed USA Hockey Consent to Treat forms
b)
Signed USA Hockey Waiver of Liability forms (not
required for on-line registrants)
c)
Signed USA Hockey Code of Conduct forms
TAB IV: Players' Information (a tab for each player with
each player's information maintained separately)
a)
Copy of each player's birth certificate
b)
Signed USA Hockey Consent to Treat form
c)
Signed USA Hockey Waiver of Liability form (not
required for on-line registrants
d)
Signed USA Hockey Code of Conduct form
e)
Appropriate documentation for any player not
born in the
Tab V: Additional NORCAL Required Material
a)
Notarized AKA form for any player who goes by a
name other than that shown of the birth certificate
b)
Completed consent to skate out of age division
form
c)
Properly completed release form for any player
who moved from a different club during current season
d)
Other documents that from time to time may be
required by the General Manager or Roster Manager
5.12.1. Access
to Team Book
The NORCAL President, NORCAL
General Manager, Roster Manager may inspect team books at any game. Any
deficiency shall be reported to the NORCAL General Manager who, in turn, shall notify
the affected club president. Deficiencies must be corrected or a written plan
of correction approved by the General Manager, within seven days of
notification. Failure to comply with this rule will result in forfeiture of
games played with a non-compliant team book.
Opposing coaches or team managers
may inspect score sheets at any game to verify scores and served suspensions.
Teams are advised to carry a copy
of the team book to games and to maintain the originals to be used only for
credentials check prior to tournaments or playoffs.
5.13. Game Forfeit for No Show/ Refusing to Play
All teams are required to be present for all regularly
scheduled NORCAL games (including exhibition games). Games not played may
result in forfeiture by the team(s) responsible for canceling. Teams that incur
forfeits must
a)
Pay ice costs for the full ice slot and allow
non-offending team to occupy the ice (if available)
b)
Pay for any actual referee costs
c)
Pay a $200 penalty assessed by NORCAL
However, if a team's absence was unavoidable as determined
by the General Manager, the forfeiture penalties shall not apply and the game
may be rescheduled.
Any team that refuses to play or continue play (unless the
General Manager determines the refusal to be appropriate), will be subject to
the same penalties as a No Show. Disagreement with on-ice or off-ice officials
is never a valid reason for refusal to continue play.
5.14. Non-NORCAL
Game Notices
At least seven days before a game is played against a
non-NORCAL team, the NORCAL team must file a Non-NORCAL Game Notice with the
General Manager. An online form is available on the NORCAL web site. All
information on the form must be completed. The Non-NORCAL Game Notice must also
be submitted by a NORCAL team hosting a game or tournament including non-NORCAL
teams. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a $100 fine.
NORCAL Game numbers must be acquired from the NORCAL
scheduler for all games with non-NORCAL teams.
5.14.1. CAHA
Travel Permit
Before a NORCAL team may travel
outside the State of
6. Penalties,
Suspensions, Appeals, Protests
6.1. Minor,
Major, Misconduct Penalties
Minor, major, misconduct penalties called by on-ice
officials are not subject to further review.
6.2. Game
Misconduct Penalties
Game misconduct penalties called by on-ice officials are not
subject to review except for procedural errors. The affected team's club
president may make a request for review by the NORCAL General Manager. In
making such a request, the club president must provide a copy of the game score
sheet containing the game misconduct penalty in question. Request for review
must be made within 24 hours of the end of the game in question.
6.3. Serving
Suspensions
USA Hockey requires a player or coach receiving a game
misconduct penalty to serve a suspension during the next game already
scheduled. NORCAL requires a player or coach receiving a game misconduct
penalty in a NORCAL game to serve their suspension in a NORCAL game. For Tier
teams, games played in CAHA Tier Weekends may be used to serve suspensions
received in NORCAL games. Note that a player or coach may be required
to sit two games to meet both
6.3.1. Suspensions At End of Season or Playoffs
Suspensions received in a player's,
coach's, or team's last game of the NORCAL regular season shall be doubled
unless the regular suspension can be fully served in the NORCAL playoffs.
Players, coaches, or teams receiving multiple suspensions in the last game of
the season may be subject and may subject the club to further sanctions through
Supplementary Discipline. If a player or coach receives a game misconduct
penalty during a team's last regular season or playoff game of the season, any
unserved suspensions shall be served by that player or coach during the first
league game(s) (pre-season or regular season) of the following season, even if
that person changes teams or clubs. A player or coach receiving a game
misconduct penalty during a regular season game while playing or coaching for a
team to which he/she is not normally assigned shall serve the suspension during
the next regular season game of the team on which he/she is a member.
6.3.2. Requirements
for Clearing a Suspension
A player or coach serving a
suspension must comply with the game sheet requirements specified in Rule 5.3.e
above. A player or coach serving a game misconduct may, but is not required to,
attend the game as a spectator. A coach or player serving a game misconduct may
not be on or near the players' bench, may not serve as a minor official, and
may not in any way give direction to his team from the stands or through a
third party. Violation of this rule may result in supplementary discipline. A
player or coach serving a game misconduct shall not engage in any disruptive
behavior before, during, or after the game while attending as a spectator.
6.3.3. Penalty
for Wrong Player/Coach Serving Suspension
Any coach found to have the wrong
player or coach serve a suspension will be subject to supplementary discipline,
game forfeiture, and a minimum 3-game suspension.
If a player plays in a game for
which he/she was suspended, that game shall be forfeited by the offending
player's team. Additional games played following the game in which the imposed
suspension was not served may also be forfeited following a hearing conducted
under NORCAL procedures. Whether or not the additional played games are
forfeited by the team, no games participated in improperly by the player owing
the suspension may count toward that player's post-season eligibility.
In the event that any coach
participates in a game while suspended, the NORCAL General Manager shall
suspend the offending coach for the next two scheduled games following
discovery of the illegal participation. (If the team does not have additional
scheduled games, the General Manager shall designate the additional games to be
served.) The games in which the suspended coach participated may be ruled a
forfeit. The General Manager shall investigate the violation and may consider
Supplementary Discipline.
6.4. Match
Penalties
Match penalties shall be reported to the NORCAL General
Manager within 48 hours of the end of the game. The head coach of the team that
incurs a match penalty is responsible for making the required reports to NORCAL
and any other entity required.
6.5. Causing
A Disturbance When Removed or While Suspended
Upon written complaint to the General Manager, any player or
coach who is found to have created a disturbance during a game for which he/she
has been removed or is suspended shall be subject to Supplementary Discipline.
6.6. Exceeding
Three Game Misconducts
If the number of accumulated game misconduct penalties and
match penalties for a player or coach exceeds three within one season on any
NORCAL team or teams, the player or coach shall be automatically subject to
Supplementary Discipline.
6.7. Penalty
Review Committee
6.7.1. Make
Up of Committee and Frequency of Meetings
The NORCAL Penalty Review Committee
shall consist of a Chair appointed by the President (normally the NORCAL Vice
President), the NORCAL General Manager, and at least two other members
appointed by the President or the Committee Chair for a specific meeting. One
of the other members must be president of a club not directly involved in the
business of the Committee.
The Committee shall meet as needed
at a time and place to be set by the Chair. Any penalties or discipline pending
review shall be held prior to NORCAL or CAHA Playoffs.
6.7.2. Conduct
of Penalty Reviews
a) The hearings are closed
and informal.
b) Persons appearing before
the Committee may be accompanied by parents/guardians, one coach, club
president or representative, and one other person.
c) Persons appearing before
the Committee may submit written material and request witnesses in their
support to submit written materials.
d) At the discretion of the
Chair, video evidence may be submitted in advance of the hearing for review
and, with prior approval of the Chair, may be shown at the hearing. The person
requesting the video is responsible for providing viewing equipment.
e) The Committee shall
provide the person under review with a clear statement of the specific behavior
being reviewed, the rule under which the behavior is being reviewed, and the
possible outcomes of the hearing.
f)
The Chair shall issue a written decision within five days of the hearing
and shall send a copy of that written decision using email addresses provided
by the recipients to the following persons: the person under review, the club
president of the person under review, and the parents/guardian of a player
under review. After sending such email notice all players, coaches, clubs, or
other persons involved in the decision are considered notified and the terms of
the decision are immediately in effect. If the person under review does not
provide a valid email address at or before the hearing, notification of the
hearing result sent to the club president will be considered formal
notification. Nothing in this rule alters in any way club responsibility for
communication with its membership set out in rule 2.7.
g) In the event a properly
notified player or coach fails to attend a scheduled review, the Committee may
conduct its review and issue a decision in their absence.
6.8. Game
Protests
Game protests must be presented to the General Manager by
Tuesday 9 p.m. for games played during the immediately preceding seven-day
period (Monday through Sunday). A non-refundable fee of $150 (one hundred and
fifty dollars) must accompany a protest. Only protests for games that count
toward final rankings will be allowed. Protests based on disagreement with a
referee's judgment will not be accepted. All protests must be made by a club
president or designated NORCAL representative if club president is not
available.
Upon due consideration, the General Manager's decision shall
be either "the game stands as played" or "the game will be replayed in its
entirety or from the point of protest if practicable."
6.9. Supplementary
Discipline
In addition to the suspension imposed under these rules, the
NORCAL General Manager may, at his/her discretion, investigate any incident
that occurs in connection with any game and may assess additional suspensions
for any offense committed before, during the course of a game, or any aftermath
thereof by a player, team official, or spectator whether or not such offense
was penalized by the referee.
6.10. NORCAL Right of Appeal
All players, coaches, team and league officials, and parents
have recourse under the NORCAL, CAHA, and USA Hockey dispute resolution
procedures. The full dispute resolution procedures are set out in the NORCAL
Bylaws, CAHA rules, Bylaw X of the USA Hockey Annual Guide.
Suspension or sanction issued by the NORCAL General Manager
(except for suspensions for violations of playing rules or other specific areas
designated under USA Hockey rules) or by the Penalty Review Committee may be
appealed to the NORCAL Board as the first step of that dispute resolution
procedure.
7.
Player and Spectator Decorum.
7.1. Pre
and Post Game Incidents
It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure the
safety of the players, coaches, spectators, and officials before, during, and
after games. Incidents occurring from the time the On-ice officials signal the
players to begin pre-game warm-ups until the score sheet has been signed by the
On-ice officials are governed by the USA Hockey Playing Rules. Altercations
outside those boundaries may also be penalized by this rule.
Such incidents include but are not necessarily limited to:
confrontations (verbal or physical) involving coaches, players, and/or
spectators of opposing teams; confrontations (verbal or physical) involving
coaches, players, and/or spectators with on-ice or off-ice officials
Any pre or post game altercation or disturbance, on or off
the ice, shall be investigated, at the direction of the NORCAL General Manager,
by the involved Clubs' Presidents and a written report shall be submitted to
the NORCAL President and General Manager within 48 hours of the incident. This
report shall include the names of all persons, players, coaches, and spectators
involved or in the immediate area of the incident and steps taken by the Clubs
to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
A police report will be made on any spectator who physically
interferes with a player, coach, team or league official on or off the ice.
7.1.1. Penalties
for Pre and Post Game Incidents
a)
Anyone determined by the NORCAL General Manager
to be an instigator in addition to
any applicable USA Hockey sanctions will be suspended from all NORCAL
activities (including games and practices) for 5 (five) games;
b)
The Head Coach of any team found to be involved
will be suspended for two NORCAL games in addition to any applicable USA Hockey
sanction. (Coaches may be sanctioned as a participant or instigator as well);
c)
All other participants will be suspended for
three NORCAL games.
d)
Involved teams may be put on probation by the
NORCAL General Manager. Any team on such probation, if found to be involved in
a subsequent pre- or post-game incident, will be suspended from participation
in the NORCAL schedule for the remainder of the season and not eligible for any
playoffs or NORCAL sponsored tournament.
7.2. Leaving
Penalty Bench or Players' Bench
Any player penalized under playing rule 625(a) (Leaving
bench to join altercation) is automatically subject to supplementary
discipline.
7.3. Spectator
Decorum
Any
person in the stands during a NORCAL game is expected to display civil
behavior. Anyone causing an unreasonable disturbance in the stands may be asked
to desist or leave the arena by on-ice officials. The home team club officials
may be called on to help control the situation and are expected to cooperate
fully with the on-ice officials. If the situation cannot be dealt with in a
timely and civil manner, the on-ice officials may, at their sole discretion,
direct the players to the player benches and suspend the game until the matter
is resolved. Further, the rink personnel may be asked to call local police to
help control the situation. Any offending spectator will be subject to
supplementary discipline under rule 6.9.
Any
spectator ejected from a NORCAL game by the game referee must leave the rink
immediately. With the aid of the score keeper, coaches of both teams, and
managers of both teams, who all shall be required to cooperate with the
referee, the referee shall note the incident, time and ejected person's name on
the score sheet and submit a report on the incident after the game. Any person
ejected will be suspended from all NORCAL games until a penalty review hearing
is held or until thirty days have elapsed, whichever comes first. The Penalty
Review Committee may impose additional suspension and/or a fine up to $100 levied against the club
associated with the ejected person. This rule will be enforced against NORCAL
spectators ejected by other leagues when such ejection is properly recorded and
reported.
7.4. Noisemakers
No spectator may use a noisemaker of any sort at any NORCAL
game. Repeated offense during a game will result in the offender being asked to
leave the game.
8. NORCAL
Playoffs
8.1. Tier
II Playoffs
Team eligibility for Tier II playoffs will be determined by
CAHA Youth Council
8.2. "A"
and "B" Playoffs
"A" and "B" playoffs shall be conducted to determine the
first and second place teams from among the four top ranked teams at the
Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, and Midget levels at the end of regular season play.
The format of each playoff shall be a round robin followed by a championship
game. The General Manager shall determine seeding for the round robin based
upon regular season final standings. The General Manager shall issue rules
governing each playoff and the playoff schedule of games prior to the playoff.
8.3. Team
Eligibility for Playoffs
From among all duly registered "A" and "B" teams having
played at least seventeen (17) games (not less than 10 of which must be played
within the NORCAL regular season playing schedule as evidenced by the proper
submission of completed score sheets), the top four ranked teams in each
division shall advance to the playoffs. Team rankings shall be determined as
specified in rule 5.9 above.
If two or more teams are tied for end of season standings,
ties will be broken in accordance with the USA Hockey Annual Guide, with the
further provision that in cases involving unbalanced schedules, winning
percentage will be used rather than total points.
Teams registered to a club not in good standing or any team
not eligible to participate in CAHA playoffs will not participate in NORCAL
Playoffs. However, the foregoing notwithstanding, a team based outside
California but participating in a NORCAL regular season division and with USA Hockey
registration and in good standing shall NOT be excluded from NORCAL playoffs
solely by reason of non-membership in CAHA.
In the case of ineligible teams for NORCAL or CAHA playoffs,
the eligible team with the next best record will advance.
8.4. Player
Eligibility for Playoffs
A player must be duly registered and have participated in at
least seven (7) games of that team (not less than six of which must have been
played within the NORCAL regular season schedule as evidenced by the proper
submission of completed score sheets) and be in good financial standing to be
eligible to participate in NORCAL playoffs.
Any player who is ineligible for participation in CAHA
playoffs shall also be ineligible for participation in NORCAL playoffs.
8.5. Obligation
To Participate in Playoffs
All teams eligible for participation in NORCAL and CAHA
playoffs are required to participate in all playoff games. Failure of a team to
participate in playoffs may result in disciplinary action against the offending
club and/or its members including barring the offending club's teams from
participation in future playoffs.
8.6. CAHA
Championships
State playoffs are conducted by CAHA and are governed by
separate rules.