C Level Rules

The following outlines the enforcement of customized rules for the RECREATIONAL division within PCMHA. These rules, which have been developed over the past 10 years, have been created to address behaviours of both participants and spectators and to also create a safer environment for the players.

These rules apply to every participant in the league, regardless of which organization the person is registered with. If you have any question regarding these rules, please do not hesitate to contact your division coordinator and they can answer or find one for you.

Fighting

ANY fighting major will cost the player an automatic FIVE game suspension (the suspension includes the two game suspension as per Hockey Nova Scotia and an additional three game suspension by PCMHA 

This rule has proved very effective in almost eliminating fighting. The coach may also insist that a player be in attendance in order for that game to count as his suspension.

Body Checking

A 10-minute misconduct will be added to any Body Checking minor penalty if the official feels it was “intentional contact”.This change was introduced because Body Checking had become a serious issue at both the Midget and Bantam levels. Body checking in a non-contact league is more dangerous as players are not prepared for the contact and injuries are more common from these hits than in contact leagues. 

Any player who gets TWO intentional body checking penalties will be required to meet with the PCMHA (with their coach and a parent also present). If after this, if a player gets a third intentional body contact penalty, they will be suspended one game by PCMHA. If the player has subsequent intentional body checking penalties, the player will be required to meet with the Executive for further discipline. 

Head Contact

(a) In minor hockey and female hockey, a minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who accidentally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with his stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment.

(b) In minor hockey and female hockey, a double minor penalty or a major and a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee and based on the degree of violence of impact shall be assessed to any player who intentionally contacts an opponent in the head, face or neck with her stick or any part of the player’s body or equipment.

Similar to the body checking issue, any player who gets TWO DOUBLE MINOR penalties under this rule (for INTENTIONAL contact with the head) will be required to meet with PCMHA (with their coach and a parent present). If after this, a player gets a third body contact penalty, they will be suspended one game by the PCMHA.

If the player has subsequent INTENTIONAL Head contact penalties, the player will be required to meet with PCMHA for further discipline. Players who get a minor penalty for unintentional contact would not fall under this disciplinary guideline.

Number of Penalties per Game

An automatic game ejection will be assessed to any player who receives 3 minor penalties in a game. A double minor penalty counts as 2 minor penalties for the purpose of this rule. A player ejected for a game under this rule will not be subject to further discipline. The ejection is for only the current game. As with the other rule changes, this has drastically dropped the number of penalties. 

Accumulated Aggressive Penalties

Any player receiving 5 aggressive type penalties defined as: Roughing, Slashing, Spearing, Cross Checking, High Sticking, Kneeing, Body Checking and Head Contact (intentional), over a 5 game period will be awarded an automatic one game suspension. A second offence (5 aggressive penalties in 5 games) will result in a discipline committee meeting.  

This will be the responsibility of team coaches and management so please keep track of all stats especially penalties and we recommend reminders should go out to the players when needed. 
Please follow this coaches and management as it will add a noticeable benefit quickly.

Player Discipline for Behaviour Issues

Within the league, ANY player can be suspended by the head coach, with PCMHA approval for one game for any reason. This suspension option is there to allow the coach or the league officials to punish behaviour that is deemed grossly un-sportsmanlike, dangerous or offensive. 

An example of this behaviour would be the use of foul language in and around the dressing room that can be easily heard, the throwing of sticks, damage to rink property or behaviour such as “helmets and gloves”. Often, the coach does not initiate this type of suspension, as often this occurs when a player is leaving the ice after being ejected and a member of the PCMHA Executive witnesses these behaviours. 

This tool may be used ONCE and if a coach suspends a player, the PCMHA is to be notified. If further discipline is required (outside of the noted on-ice suspensions), the coach will need to meet with the PCMHA to review the issue(s).

Again, this is here for a deterrent. Make sure your players know that they are being watched at all times while they are in the rink and that actions both on and off the ice can lead to suspension.
 

Supplementary Discipline - PCMHA (Excluding Atom) 

On occasion, the participants competing within the league will earn a suspension based on their conduct on the ice or immediately following a game or practice. To serve as a deterrent to these actions (Fighting, Match, Major or Gross Misconduct penalties) the league Executive will review each incident on a case by case basis and increase the length of this suspension. Player safety is the #1 mandate of our league. Examples include increasing a HNS fighting suspension from 2 to 5 games. A 3 game match penalty may be doubled to 6 games. Repeated 5 Aggressive penalties in a 5 game span, may result in lengthier suspension time for specific individuals if they cannot control their aggressive behaviour. These are examples but the overal message is that our league will not tolerate chronic reckless behaviour.

Dressing Room Allocation and Supervision

Players are to be supervised by an adult while in the dressing room. This has been an issue in the past and usually it happens prior to games. As you can appreciate, there will be times when a coach is not at the rink prior to a player or players arriving. There are two points that must be followed. 

First, the visitors are to go to the proper dressing room. In each rink, the dressing rooms are labelled, so this should not be an issue. Please ensure you use the proper room. 

Secondly, NO PLAYER is allowed to be in the room prior to a game unsupervised. NO PLAYER is to enter a room until a member of the coaching staff arrives at the rink. If players arrive at the rink and a coach has not yet arrived, they are to remain outside the room. If players are caught breaking this rule, they will be warned. If they break this rule again, they will be suspended for one game. Please understand that this rule is there to ensure player safety and that the coaches are responsible for the player safety.

Late Arrival

Players who arrive late for a game will be permitted to play provided the coach is aware they are en route to the game and their name appears on the game sheet.

Spectator Behaviour

All parents and other spectators are to abide by the Fair Play guidelines outlined on the PCMHA website. If parents are not following these guidelines, they may be asked to leave the rink and may be subject to further punishment. Please remember that as adults, we are to set the example, not become one