Houston Hockey Series Rules
The USA Hockey sanctioned Houston Hockey Series is one of the most unique experiences in all of adult amateur hockey. The purpose of this league is to give amateur hockey players a one of a kind opportunity to play the game like a professional. The Houston Hockey Series will consist of four adult recreation hockey teams (Willowbrook Wild, Space City Space Invaders, Beaumont Rough Necks, and the Sugar Land Hitch Hikers) representing rinks in Houston which will compete against one another to be crowned as overall City Champions.
All Houston Hockey Series games will take place at Toyota Center in conjunction with Aeros’ home games during the 2009-2010 season. The 12 game season will consist of weekday games and prime weekend dates. Each game will include all of the amenities of the highly regarded “Play Like the Pros” experience, professional locker room settings, player introductions, scoreboards, you name it…
League Rules
The Houston Hockey Series follows the most current version of USA Hockey Rules and Standards of Play for Non-Checking Leagues. The league is to be governed by four team captains (known as the Captains Panel and acting as the Proper Disciplinary Authority in accordance with USA Hockey requirements) who are responsible for their respective teams’ actions and inactions as well as the overall operation of the league. They will handle the day to day functions within the league as well as any disputes concerning compliance with the League Rules and Regulations.
Players will report to their captains any disputes / concerns. Captains will work together to solve any issues regarding rule enforcement, level of play, administrative issues, etc… Should the “Captains Panel” come to a tie during a vote; the League Director will cast the swaying vote. Should the captains need additional input on any matter, decisions will be made by the League Director.
-Houston Hockey Series Level of Play:
This league is exclusively for D-level (Novice) and C-level players. Captains are to use their judgment on player performance within their own teams. The “Captains Panel” will address any issues with limitations or exclusions up to and including dismissal from the league.
-Championship:
The Houston Hockey Series will consist of a 10 game Regular Season in which the team with the most points will be declared Regular Season Champions. The Regular Season will also determine seeding for a two game playoff to determine the post season and overall City Champions.
-Overtime
During the season, we will utilize a five skater shootout to decide the winner. If the five skater shootout ends in a tie, we will proceed to “sudden victory” shootout where all players must shoot before any one player can have another turn.
The Visiting team will shoot first, then home team, in a rotating order until a winner is determined.
During the Playoffs and the Championship game, continuous 5 minute overtime, 4-on-4, sudden victory periods will determine the winner and/or City Champion.
-Substitutions
Players will NOT be allowed to substitute another player for their spot for any game. The only exception will be if a Goalie is unable to play on a given night. The captain will work out a substitution with the League Director.
Official League Rules & Procedures
NON-checking USA hockey rules
All USA Hockey Rules apply as well as the included:
Game play procedures:
On-Ice Disputes:
- All on-ice disputes must be directed through the team captain. Upon which it will be brought to the attention of the referees, or league director.
- The HHS will not tolerate any type of arguments involving players and referees. Whether it be a missed call or a questionable call, the complaint must be made with your team captain, they will then consult the referee as necessary:
- Any argument/yelling/harassing directed towards the referees or other players will result in an automatic minor penalty, with further discipline from league director as necessary.
Points scoring system:
1. 3 points for a win in regulation.
2. 2 points for a win in over-time.
3. 1 point for a loss in over-time.
4. 0 points for a loss in regulation.
Game Play Procedures:
1. Three (3) fifteen (15) minute stop-time/run-time periods.
2. In the event that a team holds a lead of 8 goals or more during any point in a game, the clock shall run, until the lead is again below 8 goals.
3. A game may be turned to run-time, due to time restraints, at the League Presidents discretion. If a game, with 2 minutes remaining in the Third, has a one goal differential, the clock will return to Stop-time.
2. No 2 line passes.
3. No touch icing is in effect.
4. Tag-up off-sides is in effect.
5. The League Director has the right to allow run-time during any game if it falls behind in accordance with the arena schedule.
Over Time Procedures:
(Regular Season)
1. 5-Player Shootout
2. Sudden Victory shoot-out (all players must shoot before any player gets a second shot).
(Playoffs/Championship)
- Continuous 5 minute, 4-on-4, sudden victory periods.
Tie Breaker Procedures:
If two (2) teams or more tie for the playoff seeding or Championship Game—
1. Head to head record between tied teams.
2. Goal differential in games between tied teams.
3. Fewest goals against in games between tied teams.
4. Fewest penalty minutes.
5. Coin toss.
Non-playoff seed tie (consolation)—
1. Fewest penalty minutes.
2. Goal differential in games between tied teams.
3. Fewest goals against in games between tied teams
4. Coin toss.
Additional Penalty Procedures:
1. Fighting, penalty offense causing injury, or official abuse will result in a Game Misconduct.
2. A Game Misconduct results in automatic ejection from current game and player is suspended from the next game.
3. A second Game Misconduct for the same player during the season will result in the player being dismissed from the league.
4. If a suspended or dismissed player does not leave the ice immediately, that team will forfeit the current game; and the team will be moved to last place in league standings.
a. Points will be subtracted from the forfeiting team, until that teams total points is ONE point below the current last place team.
5. A player that acts against another player in a manner that shows intent to injure, the offending player will be assessed a match penalty, which results in automatic dismissal from the game and a game misconduct penalty.
Level of Play Enforcement:
1. Players are expected to be of a D/C skill level.
2. Captains will be responsible for maintaining a level of play that is consistent with D/C performance.
3. If a player consistently and obviously plays at a level exceeding D/C level hockey, and the player’s captain has been unable to mitigate the situation, then the “Captains Panel” will address these issues with limitations or exclusions up to and including dismissal from the league.
On-Ice and Off-Ice Player Responsibility
- Alcohol Consumption: The HHS and its representatives will not allow HHS players and or officials from participating in HHS sanctioned events that are deemed to be under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the player and or official will jeopardize the safety of themselves, other participants, or spectators.
- With this note, we understand that alcoholic beverages will be consumed during the Aeros game leading up to HHS Events. If you choose to consume alcoholic beverages we remind you that it must be done in moderation, or you could be jeopardizing your HHS privileges. (Toyota Center closes alcohol sales before the start of the third period.)
2. The HHS was created to provide a FUN, unique experience to “novice league level” hockey players. With this in mind, we ask that all participants, players, officials, and spectators act in ways only beneficial to the series and the other participants on and off the ice.
3. At any time you are wearing the HHS credentials, jackets, etc. please remember you are a walking billboard for this great series, be sure to promote the HHS in the most positive manner so that it may continue to run year in and year out.
Administrative procedures:
Registration Notes:
1. All players must have current USA Hockey memberships and that information must be included in the registration packets.
2. All players must have a current membership with a local rink / organization to be eligible.
On-ice Officials:
1. Minimum of two (2) USA Hockey certified officials per game.
2. All on-ice rulings are final.
3. All officials will answer directly to the League Director.
Off-ice Officials (scorekeeper/timekeeper/penalty box official):
1. Minimum of one (1) League Stat/score/timekeeper will be present for each game.
2. Duties include but not limited to:
a. Scorekeeping
b. Timekeeping
c. Penalty box coordination
3. One lead off-ice official will be designated and responsible for coordinating off-ice officials for all games. Lead off-ice official answers directly to the League Director.
4. Game stats and score will be kept on official USA Hockey Score sheets.
Thank you and please enjoy the 2009 – 2010 Houston Hockey Series!
Overview
This league will provide a complete professional hockey experience for all players. It will serve to promote the Aeros involvement and dedication to the growth of the game at a grassroots level. The city-wide scope of this program will also help to open the lines of communication between various organizations and maintain sustained growth in the number of registered USA Hockey members in the area. We intend this league to be something that players get involved with in addition to their current organizations. To further enhance that mindset, players must have a current league affiliation to be eligible to play in the Houston Hockey Series. This requirement will help to strengthen the relationship between the Houston Aeros and local hockey organizations.
Our goal is to provide one of the most unique experiences in all of recreational sports at an unbeatable value. The Houston Aeros want to give players in this league the chance to have unprecedented involvement with the organization and get the true feeling of what it is to Play like a Pro!
Thank You!
Josh Young
Youth And Amateur Hockey Coordinator
Houston Aeros
1221 Lamar Street
Houston, TX. 77010
713-361-7937
jyoung@aeros.com
Andrew Farlow
Youth and Amateur Hockey Assistant
Houston Aeros
1221 Lamar Street
Houston, TX. 77010
713-361-7945
afarlow@aeros.com
