NCHL Rules

NCHL RULES

CARHA Rule Book

NCHL Rules of Play (enjoy)

The NCHL has a exclusion policy:
All registered members are required to self identify if they have ever played competitive Junior, WHL, CHL, College level hockey or similar competitive leagues and excuse themselves from the NCHL.
All registered members are required to self identify if they are in any other ‘Hockey League’ and are asked to excuse themselves from the League.
All registered members are asked to self identify if they ‘spare’ for the NOHL division known as the ‘Recreational League’ (only) and are asked to excuse themselves from the League.
Any members who, by their play or other actions directly related to the NCHL, do not adhere to the generally accepted definition of good ‘sportsmanship’ may be asked to excuse themselves from the League.
The NCHL Discipline Committee is comprised of the Chair of the Discipline Committee and the twelve Team Representatives.
All members of the League shall abide by the NCHL Rules of Play as set forth:
The following protocol will be used when deciding which rules are applicable.
NCHL Rules of Play – will be applied 1st.
CARHA Rules – will be applied 2nd where no NCHL rule or policy exists.
Canadian Hockey Association Rules – will be applied 3rd where no NCHL or CARHA rule or policy exists.
The Nanaimo Casual Hockey League Rules of Play, suspension guidelines and the use of Certified Referees for NCHL games will help to ensure safe play and sportsmanship.
Players presented a Letter of Discipline, from the Discipline Committee, shall consider themselves under Disciplinary Review. Any subsequent Letters of Discipline presented to the same player, in the same regular league season, carries a one game suspension and that player will be reviewed by the Discipline Committee and may be subject to further disciplinary action.
All Penalties and Suspensions are subject to review by the Discipline Committee and/or NCHL Board of Directors for further disciplinary action.
Official Game Reports may be used by players, on ice Officials and any member, in good standing, of the NCHL to report any dangerous or extreme unsportsmanlike behaviour or similar incident during a League game.
NCHL Penalties
All NCHL members are advised that it is at the On-Ice Officials’ (Referees’) discretion to call a penalty as well as the penalty selected to be called according to the severity of the incident.
All NCHL members are advised that the application of CARHA Rule 70 - Physical Abuse of Officials extends to all areas of the rink including the parking lot before and after the game. Referee's room - Players or coaches that enter the referee's room without permission are subject to an automatic 3 game suspension.
Verbal abuse, verbal threats, bullying and intimidation of On-Ice Officials (Referees) will not be tolerated. Any actions of this type will fall under CARHA Rule 70 and the relevant penalties shall be incurred for such actions. Resultant suspensions may include a lifetime ban.
Fighting & Roughing – CARHA Rule 58
CARHA Rule 58 – Fighting & Roughing will be enforced stringently by the Referees.
Any intimidation, bullying or fighting related to the NCHL, and the offence is committed by the player off the ice, shall be deemed pre-meditated and a life time ban will result.
Any player who threatens or otherwise offers to:
Take it outside;
Finish it later;
Or otherwise offers physical or verbal abuse outside of the ice rink shall result in a 10 game suspension.
Player in the Crease – Minor Penalty
No player shall take position in the crease of the opposing goaltender at any time.
Contact with the Goaltender – Minor Penalty
Any incidental contact with the goalie in his crease, whether accidental or not, shall be assessed a Minor Penalty.
Where incidental contact is a direct result of a goalies action and the contact is outside of the crease no minor penalty shall be called. Goalies are encouraged to avoid situations where contact may result.
Players are permitted to play a loose puck once it has entered the crease area; if the offensive player attempts to play the puck and at the same time the goalie covers the puck no penalty can be called at the discretion of the referee. It must occur simultaneously to be no penalty.
If the offensive player takes more than one (1) simultaneous attempt at the goalies glove under the above situation then a Minor Penalty shall be called.
Players may not spear the goalie’s glove covering the puck regardless of whether or not they were playing the puck – a Minor Penalty shall be called.
Any attempt by the offensive player to dislodge the puck once the goalie has established position will be a Minor Penalty. Where a goalie has the puck partially covered, such as when the puck is covered by a leg pad but a portion of the puck may still be visible, the goalie is deemed to have established position. Players are not to attempt to dislodge or otherwise cause the puck and the goalie to cross the goal line in these instances.
Contact with the Goalie – Major Penalty
Player Driving the Goal – if an Attacking player drives to the net and makes contact with the goalie in the crease it is an automatic Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct shall be called.
Player Driving the Goal - If a Defending player directs an opponent (with his stick or body) into the crease causing contact to the goalie, a major penalty shall be called against the Defensive player. If the Offensive Player did not let up then Coincidental Majors and Coincidental Game Misconducts can be called. This call must be made especially if the goalie is hurt on this type of play.
Driving the Goal - If a Defending player directs an opponent into the crease causing incidental contact with the goalie, a Minor Penalty shall be called against The Defensive player.
Appeal of Suspensions
A player may only appeal a suspension of longer than 6 games as per the suspension Guidelines as set forth by CARHA.
FULFILLING A SUSPENSION
A Member who is suspended shall be deemed to have served a suspension period equal to one game if the Member is properly listed as suspended on the roster of the team with which he is registered on a League game sheet. Suspensions must be served in the League regular season game(s) or playoff game(s) that immediately follow(s) the game in which the Member was suspended.
A Member who is suspended may not play for another team in a League game and will not receive credit toward the serving of a suspension by refraining from playing for another team in a League game.
A Member who is suspended may not play in a non-League game and will not receive credit toward the serving of a suspension by refraining from playing in a non-League game.
A Member who participates in a League game or non-league game prior to fully serving his suspension may be subject to further disciplinary action by the League.
CARHA Rule 27 - Penalties
(Note 1): All penalty times noted in the Rule Book are referred to in stopped time minutes.
(Note 2): To facilitate the use of straight time (or running time), the following rule shall be used to time penalties which run from straight time to stop time which could be used near the end of a period or game. "If the penalty is assessed in straight time, the game clock will be used to determine when the penalized player returns."
Penalties are divided into the following classes
Minor Penalties – 2 minutes stop time - 3 minutes running time.
Bench Minor Penalties – 2 minutes stop time - 3 minutes running time.
Major Penalties – 5 minutes stop time - 7 minutes running time.
Misconduct Penalties – 10 minutes stop time - 12 minutes running time.
Match Penalties – 5 minutes stop time - 7 minutes running time.
Penalties may be assessed at any time before, during or after a game, when an offense is committed, regardless of whether or not play is in progress. Penalties may also be assessed for infractions of the rules committed during the pre-game warm-up, when observed by the Referee. Any player(s) who is/are assessed any penalty (ies) in the pre-game warm up shall automatically have their name(s) placed on the Official Game Report and be counted as one of the eligible players as per Rule 16(a) and (b) - Players in Uniform.
(Note 1): The maximum of 5 players per team being assessed Game Misconduct penalties as per Rule 69(c). NOTE: Leaving the Players' or Penalty Bench also applies to the pre-game warm-up.
(Note 2): Any unnecessary contact between opposing players after the whistle shall result in penalties being assessed as prescribed by the rules.
If an offense occurs after the conclusion of a game on the ice or off the ice before entering the dressing room, a penalty shall be assessed. Such a penalty shall be reported to the Chairman by the Referee on the Official Game Report.
Where the rules state that the Manager or Coach shall designate a player to serve a penalty and the Manager or Coach refuses to name a player, the Referee shall name any player of the offending team to serve the penalty.
CARHA Rule 28 - Minor Penalties
NCHL – Where a player is ejected from a game under CARHA Rule 28(f) the Referee may at his discretion, depending on the severity of the penalties incurred, assess on behalf of the NCHL Discipline Committee a Letter of Discipline and an additional one game suspension.
Where a player has been ejected from a regular League game three times in one season, due to CARHA Rule 28 (f), that player shall be subject to a Letter of Discipline and one game suspension. Subsequent contraventions of CARHA Rule 28(f) shall come under Disciplinary Committee review.
For a "Minor" penalty, any player, except a goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the ice for two minutes actual playing time, during which time no substitution shall be permitted.
If, while a team is short-handed because of one or more Minor or Bench Minor penalties, the opposing team scores a goal, the first of such penalties shall automatically terminate.
(Note): Coincident Minor penalties do not cause either team to be short-handed
When a goal is scored on a Penalty Shot against a team that is short-handed by reason of a Minor or Bench Minor penalty, no player of the short-handed team shall return to the ice with the scoring of the goal.
When a player is assessed both a Minor penalty and a Major penalty at the same time, the Major penalty shall be served first. The same principle will apply when a player is assessed a Minor penalty and a Match penalty at the same time. The five-minute time penalty which accompanies the Match penalty is to be served first.
If a goal is scored against a team that is short-handed because of one or more Minor penalties, the player serving the first Minor penalty shall return to the ice. In the case of a player who has received a Double Minor penalty, his first Minor penalty shall terminate.
When coincident Minor or coincident Minors of equal duration are imposed against players on each team during the same stoppage of play, immediate substitution shall be made for those penalties, and such penalties shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the delayed penalty. Any differences in time or total penalty time shall be served by one or more players on the ice at the time of the infraction.
Unless they have been ejected from the game, such penalized players shall take their place on the penalty bench and remain there until the first stoppage of play following the expiry of their respective penalties.
Where at least one Major and/or Match penalty is assessed to each team during the same stoppage of play, the coincident Major/Match penalty shall take precedent over the coincident Minor penalty rule.
Any player who is assessed THREE PENALTIES in one game shall be ruled off the ice for the remainder of the game (Game Ejection). It shall be necessary to place a substitute on the penalty bench immediately to serve the third penalty.
(Note 1): Any combination of minor, bench minor or major penalties shall apply to the personal total of any individual in the game.
CARHA Rule 29 - Bench Minor Penalties
NCHL – Where a Bench Minor penalty is assessed, the Captain of the offending shall serve the penalty. On the second occasion of a Bench Minor, assessed in the same the game, the penalty shall be served by a Captain’s Alternate of the offending team. On third occasion of a Bench Minor, assessed in the same the game, the penalty shall be served by the other Captain’s Alternate of the offending team. In the instance where a fourth Bench Minor is assessed to the same team in the same game the game shall be called as complete. The offending team must retire to the change rooms immediately and an Incident Report shall be forwarded by the Referees to the NCHL Discipline Committee as soon as possible.
A "Bench Minor" penalty requires the team against which the penalty is assessed to play a man short for a period of two minutes of actual playing time.
Whenever a bench penalty is to be assessed according to the rules, if the player guilty of the actual infraction is identified by the Referee, that player shall serve the penalty, except when such player is already on the penalty bench serving a penalty. However, if the player is not identified, the Manager or Coach of the penalized team through the playing Captain shall designate any player of his team on the ice at the time of the infraction to serve the penalty.
(Note): In the case where the Referee is unable to identify the actual offender, the Bench Minor shall not count in the Three Penalty Rule against the player who is designated to serve the Bench Minor penalty.
CARHA Rule 30 - Major Penalties
A player, including a goalkeeper, assessed a Major penalty shall be ruled off the ice for the remainder of the game (Major penalty plus Game Misconduct). The penalized team shall place a substitute player on the Penalty Bench to serve five minutes actual playing time, during which time no on ice substitutions shall be permitted.
(Note): The only exception to this rule is when a Major penalty has been assessed for an ACCIDENTAL high stick, in which case the Game Misconduct shall not apply.
When coincident Major and/or Match penalties or coincident penalties of equal duration including a Major or a Match penalty are imposed against players on each team during the same stoppage of play, immediate substitutions shall be made for those penalties, and such penalties shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the delayed penalty. In the case where the penalized players remain in the game, they shall take their place on the penalty bench and shall not leave until the first stoppage of play following the expiry of their respective penalties.
When the coincident Major/Match penalty rule is applied and there is a differential in the total time penalties, those penalties causing the differential shall be served first in the normal manner and shall be taken into account for the purpose of applying Rule 28(b) - Minor Penalties and Rule 38 - Delayed Penalties. Any time difference or differential in the total time, penalties must be served by a player (or players) on the ice at the time of the infraction.
CARHA Rule 31 - Misconduct Penalties
NCHL – A player who is ejected from a regular season league game due to CARHA Rule 31(c) shall also be subject to a Letter of Discipline and one game suspension to be served at the next regularly scheduled league game for that player’s team.
A player, except a goalkeeper, incurring a "Misconduct" penalty shall be ruled off the ice for a period of ten minutes actual playing time. A substitute for the penalized player shall be permitted immediately. A player serving a Misconduct penalty shall remain on the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiry of their penalty.
When a player is assessed a Minor and a Misconduct penalty or a Major and a Misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall immediately place a substitute player on the penalty bench to serve the Minor or Major penalty. The Misconduct penalty will commence on the termination of the Minor or Major penalty.
The Referee shall report to the Chairman and/or Tournament Chairman any player who is assessed a Misconduct penalty within ten minutes of the conclusion of the game.
Any player who is assessed a second Misconduct penalty in the same game shall automatically be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty.
CARHA Rule 32 - Game Ejection/Game Misconduct Penalties
NCHL – A player who is ejected for a third time, in one regular league season, shall be subject to an additional 2 game suspension to be served at the next two regularly scheduled league game for that player’s team.
A player incurring a "Game Ejection" penalty in accordance with Rule 28(1) - Minor Penalties shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game.
A player or team official incurring a "Game Misconduct" penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game and he shall be reported to the Chairman for further action.
A substitute player shall be permitted immediately.
A Game Misconduct penalty assessed under Rule 46 - Abuse of Officials, Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Misconduct, does not incur automatic suspension, unless it occurs in the last 10 minutes of the game (regular playing time including overtime), in which case the penalized player shall be suspended for a minimum of the next regular league, play-off, or tournament game. A total of 10 minutes shall be charged in the records against the penalized player for a Game Misconduct penalty.
A Game Misconduct assessed to a player for receiving a Major penalty as a result of a Rule infraction, other than the Accidental High Stick Rule, shall automatically incur a one (1) game suspension. Depending on the severity of the infraction, the offender may be subject to further discipline action.
CARHA Rule 33 - Gross Misconduct Penalties
NCHL – A player who is assessed a Gross Misconduct Penalty for the second time, in one regular league season, shall be subject to an additional 2 game suspension to be served at the next three regularly scheduled league games for that player’s team. This suspension is subject to Discipline Committee review and further suspension may result depending on the severity of the penalty.
Any player or team official incurring a "Gross Misconduct" penalty shall be ejected from the game. A substitute for the penalized player shall be permitted immediately.
Gross Misconduct penalties shall be assessed where a person conducts himself in such a manner as to make a travesty of the game.
A total of ten minutes shall be charged in the records against a penalized player for a Gross Misconduct penalty.
Any player or team official who is assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty shall automatically be suspended for a minimum of the next regular league, play-off, or tournament game.
CARHA Rule 34 - Match Penalties
NCHL – A player who is assessed a Match penalty is subject to a minimum suspension of 3 games and the severity of the penalty is subject to review by the Disciplinary Committee and further disciplinary action.
Any player or team official incurring a "Match" penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately for the balance of the game and will not be permitted to take part in any further games until his case has been dealt with by the Chairman.
In every instance where a Match penalty is assessed, the offending player's team shall be required to send a player to the penalty bench for five minutes. The player who serves the five minutes shall be one of the players on the ice at the time of the infraction. Where an offending player has been assessed penalties in addition to the Match penalty, those penalties will be served by the same player who serves the five minute time penalty.
(Note 1): The Referees shall be responsible to assure that a written report of the Match penalty is delivered to the Tournament Chairman or their delegate at the tournament headquarters.
(Note 2): Referees are required to forward a written report to the CARHA HOCKEY office on all Match penalties that are assessed during regional tournaments, league, and exhibition games.
(Note 3): Any player (s) who is/are assessed a Match penalty in tournament play shall be suspended for the balance of said tournament. The tournament committee or the CARHA Hockey Chairman may convene a meeting to review such incidents and to adjudicate appropriate discipline action in regards to such incidents.
CARHA HOCKEY is dedicated to assuring that Recreational Hockey is played safely and fairly within the Rules.
Therefore, all CARHA HOCKEY Referees must strictly adhere to the following procedures when assessing Match penalties.
Immediately following the game, check the front of the Official Game Report to confirm that the Match Penalty is properly reported in the Penalty Section.
Complete a written report on the back of the Game Report describing all events leading up to and following the assessment of the Match Penalty.
Have your co-referee witness your statement or enter his version of the incident on the back of the Game Report.
Present the Official Game Report to the Tournament Chairman/League Convener in person.
Notify the Tournament/League Referee-in-Chief or Assignor of the Match Penalty call and the actions you have taken.
Prepare a full statement and forward it to CARHA HOCKEY as soon as possible.
In affiliated CARHA HOCKEY leagues the referees will notify the league president/convener of the Match Penalty assessment. The referees will also forward a written report to CARHA HOCKEY.
NOTE: CARHA HOCKEY deals severely with players who have been assessed a Match Penalty. When you see a Match Penalty infraction, it is your responsibility to make the call, but do not guess.
CARHA Rule 35 - Penalty Shot
Any infraction of the rules which calls for a "Penalty Shot" shall result in the following:
The referee shall cause to be announced over the public address system the name of the player designated by him or selected by the team entitled to take the Penalty Shot (as appropriate) and shall then place the puck on the centre face-off spot. The player taking the Penalty Shot will, on the instruction of the Referee, play the puck from there and shall attempt to score on the goalkeeper. The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponents' goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind. Any time the puck crosses the goal line, the Penalty Shot shall be considered complete.
The goaltender must remain in his/her goal crease until the designated player touches the puck at centre ice. In the event of a violation of this rule, the player designated or selected to take the Penalty Shot shall be entitled to take the Penalty Shot over again. The goalkeeper may attempt to stop the Penalty Shot in any manner except by throwing his stick or any other object, or deliberately dislodging the goal, in which case a Goal shall be awarded.
(Note 1): No player other than a goalkeeper is permitted to tend goal during a Penalty Shot.
In cases where a Penalty Shot has been awarded under Rule 54(d) - for delaying the game, Rule 82(a) - for throwing a stick, Rule 85(c) - for fouling from behind, and Rule 69(e) - for interference from players' or penalty bench, the Referee shall designate the player who has been fouled as the player who shall take the Penalty Shot. If, by reason of injury, the player designated by the Referee to take the Penalty Shot is unable to do so, or if the player fouled is not readily identifiable, the Penalty Shot shall then be taken by a player who was on the ice at the time of the infraction, and is selected by the Captain of the non-offending team and his selection reported to the Referee.
In cases where a Penalty Shot has been awarded under Rule 54(e) - for delaying the game, Rule 57(c) - for falling on the puck in the crease area, and Rule 60(c) - for picking up the puck from the crease, the Penalty Shot may be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team and his selection reported to the Referee. This player must be on the ice at the time of the infraction.
Should the player in respect to whom a Penalty Shot has been awarded, himself commit a foul in connection with the same play or circumstances after the Penalty Shot has been awarded, he shall first be permitted to take the Penalty Shot before being sent to the penalty bench to serve the penalty, provided the penalty assessed was not a Game Misconduct, a Gross Misconduct, a Match penalty, or the third penalty in the same game.
If at the time a penalty is awarded, the goalkeeper of the penalized team has been removed from the ice to substitute another player, the goalkeeper shall be permitted to return to the ice before the Penalty Shot is taken.
The goalkeeper on the ice may be replaced by the substitute goalkeeper for the purpose of defending against the Penalty Shot. The replacement goalkeeper shall not be allowed a warm-up.
While the Penalty Shot is being taken, players of both teams shall withdraw to the sides of the rink and beyond the centre red line.
If, while the Penalty Shot is being taken, any player of the opposing team shall have by some action interfered with or distracted the player taking the Penalty Shot, and because of such action, the Penalty Shot should have failed, a second attempt shall be permitted and the Referee shall assess a Misconduct penalty to the player. If the interference is from a team official, a Game Misconduct shall be assessed.
If a goal is scored from the Penalty Shot, the puck shall be faced-off at centre ice in the usual way. If a goal is not scored, the puck shall be faced-off at either of the end face-off spots in the zone in which the Penalty Shot was attempted.
Should a goal be scored from a Penalty Shot, a further penalty to the offending player shall not be applied unless the offense for which the Penalty Shot was awarded was such as to incur a Major or Match penalty, in which case the penalty prescribed for the particular offense shall be assessed.
If the offense for which the Penalty Shot was awarded was such as would normally incur a Minor penalty, then regardless of whether the Penalty Shot results in a goal or not, no further penalty shall be served.
A measurement of the stick of the player designated to take the Penalty Shot must be requested before the Penalty Shot is taken, as if it were a normal play. Should the stick prove illegal, the offending team shall be denied the Penalty Shot and no further penalty shall be imposed. Should the measurement prove the stick to be legal, the Penalty Shot shall be taken in the normal manner and the penalty for an "unsustained request for a measurement" shall be assessed whether the Penalty Shot is successful or not.
If the foul upon which the Penalty Shot is based occurs during actual playing time, the Penalty Shot shall be awarded and taken immediately in the usual manner notwithstanding any delay occasioned by a slow whistle by the Referee to permit the play to be completed, which delay results in the expiry of the regular playing time in any period. The time required for the taking of a Penalty Shot shall not be included in the regular playing time or any overtime.
(Note): Also refer to:
Rule 24(1) - Protective Equipment
Rule 60(c) - Handling the Puck
Rule 54(d) - Delay of Game
Rule 69(e) - Leaving the Players' or Penalty Bench Rule 54(e) - Delay of Game
Rule 82(a) - Throwing Stick
Rule 57(c) - Falling on the Puck
Rule 85(c) - Tripping
CARHA Rule 36 – Awarded Goals
A "Goal" will be awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team has taken their goalkeeper off the ice, and an attacking player has possession and control of the puck on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone and:
He is interfered with by an opposing player who has illegally entered the game; and/or
A stick or any other object is thrown by a player on the defending team; and/or
The puck carrier is fouled from behind and prevented from having a clear shot on the open goal; and/or
Any member of the defending team, including the Manager, Coach, or Trainer whether on the players’ bench or penalty bench, interferes by means of his body, stick, or any other object with the puck or the puck carrier.
A Goal will be awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team has taken their goalkeeper off the ice, and when a shot has been taken (control no longer applies) and a defending player picks up the puck with his hand from the goal crease, or falls on, or covers the puck in the crease with his hand, thereby preventing an obvious and imminent goal.
A Goal will also be awarded when the goalkeeper is removed from the ice and he, or any teammate, has deliberately piled snow or any other obstacle at or near his net, has deliberately dislodged the net from its moorings, or when any such action has prevented a goal from being scored.
CARHA Rule 37 - Goalkeeper Penalties
No goalkeeper shall be sent to the penalty bench for an infraction which incurs a Minor, Major, or Misconduct penalty. Instead, such a penalty shall be served by any player of the team who was on the ice when the infraction occurred. Such player shall be designated by the Manager or Coach of the penalized team, through the Captain.
An alternate goalkeeper may replace a regular goalkeeper who has been ejected from the game, or has been assessed a Game Misconduct or a Match penalty. In the event that there is no alternate goalkeeper recorded on the playing line-up, the regular goalkeeper's place may be taken by any player on the Game Report designated by the Manager or Coach of the penalized team through the Captain. Such substitute will be allowed fifteen minutes to put on the full goalkeeper's equipment.
When a goalkeeper leaves the goal crease during a fight, he shall be assessed a Minor penalty plus any other penalties he might receive.
When a goalkeeper leaves their goal crease to join in a fight, act as a peacemaker, or take part in another fight during the same stoppage of play, they shall receive a Game Misconduct penalty plus any other penalties they incur.
If a goalkeeper intentionally participates in the play in any manner when he is beyond the centre red line, he shall be assessed a Minor penalty.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed a goalkeeper who, after catching the puck, drop kicks the puck. If injury results, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed.
CARHA Rule 38 - Delayed Penalties
If a third player of any team shall be penalized while two players of the same team are serving penalties, the penalty time of the third player shall not commence until the penalty time of one of the two players already penalized has elapsed. Nevertheless, the third player penalized must at once proceed to the penalty bench, but shall be replaced on the ice by a substitute until such time as the penalty time of the penalized player shall commence.
When a team has three players serving penalties at the same time and while due to the delayed penalty rule a substitute for the third penalized player is on the ice, none of the three penalized players on the penalty bench may return to the ice until play has stopped. When the play has been stopped, the player whose full penalty has expired may return to the play.
When the penalties to the player or players has expired and the penalized team is entitled to more than four players on the ice, the Penalty Timekeeper shall permit the penalized players to return to the ice in the order of expiry of their penalties.
In cases where Minor penalties are assessed at the same time to more than one player from the same team, those penalties should be served in order of occurrence without consulting with the Captain. Rule 38(d) does not apply when the coincident Minor penalty rule is applied.
When a Major and a Minor penalty are assessed at the same time against two different players of the same team, the Penalty Timekeeper shall record the Minor as being the first penalty assessed.
CARHA Rule 39 - Calling Penalties
If a player on the team in possession of the puck commits an infraction of the rules which would call for a Match, Major, Misconduct, Bench Minor, or a Minor penalty, the Referee shall blow his whistle immediately and give the penalty (ies) to the deserving player(s). The resulting face-off shall be where the play was stopped, unless the stoppage occurred in the offending player's attacking zone, in which case the face-off is brought to the neutral zone.
If a player on the team not in possession of the puck commits an infraction of a rule which would call for a Match, Major, Misconduct, Bench Minor, or Minor penalty, the Referee shall signal the penalty by extending his arm straight up. The Referee shall blow his whistle and stop play immediately when the offending team gains possession and control of the puck.
(Note): The play is not considered complete until the offending team gains possession and control of the puck.
The resulting face-off shall be where the play was stopped, unless during the period of the delayed penalty call against the side not in possession, the side in possession ices the puck, shoots the puck from its own zone so that it goes out of bounds or is unplayable, or commits an off-side pass over the centre red line, then the face-off following the stoppage of play shall take place at the face-off spot in the neutral zone nearest the defending blue line of the team shooting the puck.
If the penalty to be assessed is a Minor penalty and a goal is scored on the play by the non-offending side, the Minor penalty shall not be assessed. But, other Minor, Bench Minor, Major, Match, and Misconduct penalties shall be assessed in the normal manner, regardless of a goal being scored.
(Note 1): When the scoring of a goal results in a Minor penalty not being assessed, the Referee shall inform the Official Scorer the number of the player committing the rule infraction. The offending player's number and the type of infraction shall be noted on the Official Score Sheet. Although the penalty time is not served, the infraction shall be taken into account for the purpose of applying the Three Penalty Rule. The offending player and his team shall be notified through the team's Captain of the action taken by the Referee.
(Note 2): If after the Referee has signaled a penalty, but before the whistle has been blown, a member of the non-offending team shall put the puck in his own net in any manner through no contact by the offending team, the goal shall be allowed and the penalty signaled shall be assessed in the normal manner.
If the Referee signals a Minor or Bench Minor penalty(ies) against a team that is short-handed by reason of one or more Minor or Bench Minor penalties, and a goal is scored by the non-offending team before the whistle is blown, the goal shall be allowed and the player who is serving the first Minor or Bench Minor penalty will return to the ice, while the signaled penalty(ies) shall be assessed and served in the normal manner.
If further rule infractions are committed by the same offending player, either before or after the Referee blows his whistle, that player shall serve the penalties consecutively.
The Referee has the right to stop play immediately in the case of a Match penalty. The resulting face-off will be where the play was stopped, unless the stoppage occurred in the offending player's attacking zone, in which case the face-off is brought out to the neutral zone.
CARHA Rule 46 - Abuse of Officials, Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Misconduct
NCHL – A player who is assessed 3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties, in one regular league season, will be subject to a Letter of Discipline and a minimum suspension of 3 games and the severity of the penalty is subject to review by the Disciplinary Committee and further disciplinary action.
Team Officials shall be responsible for their conduct and that of their players at all times. They must endeavor to prevent disorderly conduct before, during, or after the game, on or off the ice, and any place in the rink. The Referee may assess penalties to any of the above officials for failure to do so and shall report full details of the incident to the Chairman.
Should a player or team official challenge the rulings of an official or display unsportsmanlike conduct, he must be assessed a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, followed by a misconduct or game misconduct if he persists.
(Note): A Referee is required to assess a Minor penalty under this rule before assessing the Misconduct or Game Misconduct, but may assess either of these penalties initially.
A Misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who:
Uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures to any person;
Persists in disputing or shows disrespect for the ruling of any official;
Intentionally knocks or shoots the puck out of the reach of an official who is retrieving it.
A player who, after receiving a Misconduct penalty, persists in any of the actions of (b) above shall be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty.
(Note): In the case of a team official, a Bench Minor penalty shall be assessed instead of a Misconduct penalty. A team official, after receiving a Bench Minor penalty, would receive a Game Misconduct penalty if the actions continue. A Referee is not required to assess a Bench Minor penalty under this rule before assessing a Game Misconduct penalty.
Where a team official has been assessed a Game Misconduct penalty under this rule, the Referee shall report the individual in full details to the Chairman who may assess further penalties.
If the Referee is unable to identify the person responsible for use of obscene, profane, or abusive language, a Bench Minor penalty shall be assessed to the offending team.
A Misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who does not proceed immediately and directly to the penalty bench when he has been penalized. Where the penalized player causes any delay by returning for their equipment (gloves, sticks, etc.), the Misconduct penalty shall apply. The equipment shall be delivered to them on the penalty bench by a teammate on the ice at the time of the infraction.
(Note): It shall be necessary to place a substitute on the penalty bench. Such substitute may return to the ice as soon as the Misconduct penalty to the offending player commences.
A Misconduct penalty shall be assessed any player who, after one warning by the Referee, persists in any course of conduct (including threatening, abusive language or gestures, or similar actions) designated to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.
Any player or team official who engages in verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language) shall be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty.
Notwithstanding the above, at the discretion of the Referee, a Gross Misconduct penalty may be assessed for any Infraction to any player or team official.
(Note): Officials must complete a Game Report to explain these Infractions to the League/Tournament Executive and the CARHA Hockey Office.
A Misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or players who, except for taking their positions on the penalty bench, enter or remain in the Referee's crease while the Referee is reporting to or consulting with any game official, including Timekeeper, Penalty Timekeeper, Official Scorer, or Announcer.
A Bench Minor penalty shall be assessed to a team when any player or team official on the bench bangs the bench or ice surface with a stick or any other object in protest of an official's ruling.
(Note): When the penalty is assessed against a player on the penalty bench, another player from the ice must serve the Bench Minor penalty.
When the player on the ice commits the infraction described in (h), the Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty shall be assessed.
CARHA Rule 47 - Adjustment of Equipment
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who delays the game for adjustment of any equipment.
The onus of maintaining equipment in proper condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player must leave the ice and play shall continue uninterrupted, using a substitute.
A goalkeeper may not delay the game unnecessarily to adjust his equipment during a stoppage of play, unless he has received permission from the Referee and he remains in the goal area. If a goalkeeper goes to the players' bench to adjust any equipment, he shall retire from the ice and his place shall be taken by the alternate goalkeeper and no warm-up will be permitted. However, this would only apply where an alternate goalkeeper is dressed. The alternate goalkeeper must remain in the game until play resumes. For a violation of this rule, a Delay of Game penalty shall be assessed.
(Note): A goalkeeper may not go to the players' bench at any time during a stoppage of play unless he is being replaced by a substitute.
CARHA Rule 48 - Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who deliberately attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent, an Official. Team Official, or spectator in any manner.
Players who engage in head-butting shall be assessed a Match penalty.
A player who attempts to kick or deliberately kicks an opposing player shall be assessed a Match penalty.
A player who grabs an opponent's hair, facial protector, helmet, or chin strap and uses this as a advantage or to inflict punishment or injury shall be assessed a Match penalty.
A player who grabs an opponent's hair, facial protector, helmet, or chin strap, but does not use it as an advantage to inflict punishment or injury shall be assessed a double Minor penalty.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who uses his facial protector as a weapon.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who deliberately butt-ends or deliberately attempts to butt-end an opponent by jabbing him forcefully with the butt-end of the stick, or who injures an opponent by any butt-ending action. A Double Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who uses the shaft of the stick above the upper hand, to hold or hook an opponent, or who attempts to butt-end an opponent.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who deliberately spears or deliberately attempts to spear an opponent by jabbing him forcefully with the toe of the blade of the stick, or who injures an opponent by any spearing action.
A Double Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who pokes, jabs, or attempts to poke or jab an opposing player with the toe of the blade of the stick.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent with a slash, high stick, or cross-check.
(Note): In CARHA HOCKEY hockey, a Double Minor penalty assessed under this rule shall count as two (2) penalties in the application of the Three Penalty Rule (Rule 28(f).
CARHA RULE 49 - Boarding and Body Contact
NCHL – Referees are required to enforce this rule stringently.
A Minor or Major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, based upon the intent and the violence of the impact with the opposing player, shall be assessed to any player who intentionally bodies, pushes, shoves, stands in front of an opponent for the purpose of making contact, and/or does not avert body contact with an opponent. When injury results from intentional body contact a Major penalty shall be assessed.
In the event that a player, by committing an infraction of the rules, causes an opponent to collide with the boards, the Minor penalty normally assessed under the rules will be waived and a Double Minor penalty shall be assessed. The Major and/or Match penalty applicable to the rule will be assessed in the normal manner.
(Note): The Double Minor penalty assessed under this rule shall count as two (2) penalties in the application of the Three Penalty Rule (Rule 28 (f).
Where, in the opinion of the Referee, accidental contact has taken place, no penalty shall be assessed.
CARHA Rule 50 - Broken Sticks
A player or goalkeeper without a stick may participate in the game. A player or goalkeeper whose stick has broken must drop the broken portions to the ice immediately. A Minor penalty shall be assessed for an infraction of this rule.
(Note): When a player discards the broken portions) of a stick by tossing it (them) to the side of the rink (not over the boards) in such a way that it (they) does (do) not interfere with play or opposing players, no penalty shall be assessed.
A player who has lost or broken his stick may only receive another stick at his own players' bench or be handed one from a teammate on the ice. He may not receive a stick thrown on the ice from any part of the rink. A Minor penalty shall be assessed for an infraction of this rule.
(Note): A player tendered a stick from the bench (players' or penalty) thrown on the ice, who does not pick up the stick, will not receive a penalty. The person responsible for throwing the stick will receive a penalty as covered in Rule 65(d) and 65(e) - Interference.
A goalkeeper who breaks or loses his stick may use a stick of a player (handed to them by a player) until the next stoppage of play. The player's stick, in this case, will not be considered an illegal stick. A goalkeeper may not continue to play with a broken stick of any kind.
A goalkeeper may receive a stick from a teammate without proceeding to the players' bench, provided the stick is handed to them. A goalkeeper receiving a stick illegally shall be assessed a Minor penalty.
A goalkeeper may not go to the players' bench during a stoppage of play for the replacement of a stick, but must receive the stick from a teammate. For a violation of this section, a Delay of Game penalty shall be assessed to the goalkeeper.
CARHA Rule 51 – Charging
A Minor penalty or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty shall be assessed to any player who runs or jumps into, or charges an opponent. If injury results, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed.
(Note): If more than two steps or strides are taken, it shall be considered a charge.
A Major penalty shall be assessed to any player who charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within the goal crease or who injures an opponent as a result of a charge.
(Note): A goalkeeper is NOT "fair game" just because they are outside the goal crease area. A penalty for interference or charging (Minor or Major) shall be called where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goaltenders for tripping, slashing, or spearing in the vicinity of the goal.
A Minor or Major penalty shall be assessed to any player who makes deliberate physical contact with an opponent after the whistle.
CARHA Rule 52 - Checking from Behind
A Minor penalty plus a Game Misconduct or a Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct at the discretion of the Referee, based on the degree of violence of the impact, shall be assessed to any player who intentionally pushes, body checks, or hits an opposing player from behind, anywhere on the ice.
Where a player is high sticked, cross-checked, body-checked, pushed, hit or propelled in any manner from behind into the boards or goal net, in such a way that the player is unable to protect or defend himself, a Match penalty shall be assessed.
(Note): Referees are instructed not to substitute other penalties when a player is checked from behind in any manner. This rule must be strictly enforced.
CARHA Rule 53 - Cross-Checking
A Minor penalty or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty shall be assessed any player who cross checks an opponent.
Any player who strikes an opponent above the normal height of his shoulders with a cross-check shall incur a Major penalty, whether or not injury results.
A Major penalty shall be assessed to any player who cross-checks a goalkeeper while he is in his crease, or who injures an opponent as a result of a cross-check.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent with a cross-check.
CARHA Rule 54 - Delay of Game
NCHL – Referees are required to enforce CARHA Rule 54(a) and (e) stringently. Any Delay of Game penalty called in the last two minutes of a regular season league game shall result in a penalty shot being awarded.
A Bench Minor penalty shall be assessed to a team which, in the opinion of the Referee, is deliberately delaying the game in any manner.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to any goaltender who shoots or bats the puck out of the playing surface area with his stick.
(Note 1): When the goaltender shoots the puck directly out of the playing surface where there is no glass (such as at the players' bench or penalty bench, or if the puck touches the glass or deflects off a player or official), no penalty shall be assessed.
(Note 2): This penalty will also be assessed to any player or goaltender who shoots the puck out of the playing surface with his stick during a stoppage of play.
(Note 3): Referees must be strict in enforcing the rules where a team is deliberately stalling, freezing the puck, shooting the puck out of playing surface, the goalkeeper holding the puck or throwing it out of the playing surface, or the team committing a SERIES OF ICINGS, thereby forcing a face-off.
Any player who leaves his players' bench to deliver instructions to his teammates and does not remain on the ice as a substitute, shall be assessed a Minor penalty.
Any deliberate action by a defending player, including a goalkeeper in their defending zone, which results in the goal net being knocked from its position, shall constitute an act of deliberate delay of game.
If this action occurs in the last two minutes of regular playing time, or any time in overtime, a Penalty Shot shall be awarded against the offending team and the Minor penalty shall not be served.
A Penalty Shot shall be awarded should the goalkeeper by deliberate action, dislodge the goal net from its position when a player is on a breakaway in the neutral zone or attacking zone.
If, in the last two minutes of regular playing time or at anytime in overtime, a team is penalized for any of the following infractions, a Penalty Shot shall be awarded against the offending team: deliberate illegal substitution - 19 (f), Protective Equipment - 24 (c), deliberately knocking the goal net from its position - 54 (c), refusing to start play - 77 (a).
(Note): In overtime, a Penalty Shot shall be assessed under this rule, except in the case of Rule 77 (a) – Refusing to Start Play, in which case a Penalty Shot and a Major penalty shall be assessed.
A Bench Minor penalty shall be imposed upon any team which, after a warning by a Referee, fails to place the correct number of players on the ice and commence play.
CARHA Rule 55 - Elbowing and Kneeing
A Minor penalty or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed any player who fouls an opponent in any manner with his elbow or knees.
A Major penalty shall be assessed to any player who injures an opponent by elbowing or kneeing.
CARHA Rule 56 - Face-offs
A face-off shall take place when the Referee drops the puck on the ice between the sticks of the players facing-off.
The players taking the face-off shall stand squarely facing their opponent's end of the rink, approximately one stick length apart, with the full blade of their sticks flat on the ice. All other players on both teams must be at least 15 feet (4.57 m) from the players taking the face-off and they must be on-side.
When the face-off takes place at any of the face-off spots in the end zones or neutral zone, the players taking part in the face-off shall take their positions so that they will stand squarely facing their opponents' end of the rink. The sticks of both players facing-off shall have the toe of the blade touching within the designated white area. All other players on the ice must position themselves and their sticks on side. If a player, other than the player taking the face-off, moves off-side, makes physical contact with an opponent, or encroaches on the face-off circle prior to the dropping of the puck, then the offending team's player taking the face-off shall be ejected from the face-off.
In the conduct of a face-off anywhere on the playing surface, no player facing-off shall make any physical contact with the opponent's body by means of their own body or by their stick, except in the course of playing the puck, after the face-off has been completed.
For violation of this rule, the Referee shall assess a Minor penalty on the player(s) whose action(s) caused the physical contact.
(Note): "Conduct of a Face-off" commences when the Referee designates the place of the face-off and takes up position to drop the puck.
If a player facing-off fails to take the proper position immediately when directed by the Referee, the official may order them replaced at that face-off by any player on the ice.
No substitution of players shall be permitted until the face-off has been completed and play has been resumed, except when a penalty is imposed which will make a team short-handed.
A team committing a second violation of any of the provisions of Section (a) during the same face-off may be assessed a Minor penalty for "face-off violation" by the Referee.
When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage of play has been caused by an attacking player in the attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be in the neutral zone at the nearest face-off spot.
(Note): This includes a stoppage of play caused by a player of the attacking side shooting the puck on the back of the defending team's net without any intervening action by the defending team.
When an infringement of any rule has been committed by players of both teams, the ensuing face-off shall be at the place where stoppage of play occurred, unless otherwise stated in the rules.
All face-offs in the neutral zone shall be conducted at the designated face-offs spots as dictated by reason for the stoppage of play, or on a line parallel to the side boards from one end zone face-off spot to the other end zone spot.
When a stoppage of play occurs between the end zone face-off spots and the nearest end of rink, the face-off shall be at the nearest end zone face-off spot, unless otherwise stated in the rules.
When any stoppage of play in the end zone is caused by the goaltender, the ensuing face-off shall take place at either end zone face-off spot, regardless of the location of the puck when play was stopped
When a goal is illegally scored as a result of the puck being deflected off the Referee DIRECTLY into the net, the face-off shall take place at the nearest end-zone face-off spot.
When one or both defensemen, point players, or any player coming from the players' or penalty bench of the attacking team, enters deeply into the attacking zone (the top of the circle being the limit) when a gathering is taking place following a stoppage of play, the ensuing face-off shall take place at the nearest face-off spot in the neutral zone, near the blue line of the defending team.
CARHA Rule 57 - Falling on the Puck
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player except a goalkeeper, who deliberately falls on or gathers the puck into his body by any means, while standing or lying on the ice.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to any goalkeeper who deliberately falls on the puck, gathers the puck into his body, or holds or places the puck against any part of the goal or boards when the puck is behind the goal line and the goalkeeper's body is entirely outside the boundaries of his own goal crease area.
A Penalty Shot shall be awarded against the offending team when a defending player (except the goalkeeper) deliberately falls on the puck, holds or gathers the puck into his body in any manner, or picks up the puck with his hand, while the puck is within his goal crease. No other penalty shall be assessed.
(Note 1): If the goalkeeper has been removed from the ice, then a goal is awarded. See Rule 36(b) Awarded Goals.
(Note 2): This rule shall be interpreted so that a Penalty Shot will be awarded only when the puck is in the crease at the instant the offense occurs. However, in cases where the puck is outside the crease, Rule 57(a) may still apply and a Minor penalty may be imposed even though no Penalty Shot is awarded.
CARHA Rule 58 – Fighting & Roughing
NCHL – Any player assessed a penalty for Fighting or Roughing that results in a Match Penalty that player shall also be assessed a 1 calendar year suspension; regardless of whether the player is the aggressor or defending themselves.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who is identified by the referee as the instigator or aggressor in a fight. The opposing player may then be assessed a Match penalty if he fights back or continues the altercation, a Minor penalty for roughing, or no penalty at all, depending on the circumstances.
(Note 1): If two players throw the first punch simultaneously, then both players will receive Match penalties.
(Note 2): Any player wearing ring(s), tape, or any other material on his hands and who becomes involved in a fight or altercation and who uses such to gain an advantage to inflict punishment and/or injury, shall be assessed a Match penalty in addition to any other penalty he may incur.
(Note 3): When a fight occurs, all other players, except the goalkeeper, shall immediately retire to the front of their respective benches or to a neutral zone designated by the referee and remain there until the referee calls them back to resume play. The goalkeepers must stay in their goal creases or proceed to a neutral zone designated by the referee. Any player(s) refusing to do so after being instructed by the referee shall be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty. All other penalties incurred by the player(s) would apply.
Any player joining in a fight, acting as a peacemaker or taking part in another fight during the same stoppage of play will be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty plus any other penalty the offender incurs under the rules.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed any player(s) who, in the referee's judgment, is (are) guilty of unnecessary rough play.
Any players who are assessed fighting penalties in a CARHA HOCKEY affiliated league or in CARHA HOCKEY sanctioned tournaments shall be automatically suspended until dealt with by the Chairman.
(Note 1): The tournament committee or the CARHA Hockey Chairman may convene to review Match penalty assessments under this rule and to adjudicate appropriate discipline action in regards to such incidents.
(Note 2): The forgoing section shall also apply to goalkeepers.
CARHA Rule 61 - High Sticks
NCHL - The high stick rule has been amended, where a high stick makes contact with the puck above the cross bar, play shall be called immediately and a face-off in the offending team’s defensive zone.
Players are to mean all positions including goalies.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who checks an opponent or intimidates an opponent while carrying their stick above the waist height of their opponent.
A player who accidentally or intentionally contacts an opponent above the normal height of his shoulders with a high stick shall be assessed a Major penalty, whether or not injury results.
(Note): A player who is assessed a Major penalty for intentionally contacting an opponent with a High Stick shall also incur a Game Misconduct under Rule 30. The Game Misconduct penalty shall not apply to players assessed with a Major penalty for an accidental High Stick, except when injury results, then the Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to injure or deliberately injures an opponent with a high stick.
Contacting the puck with the stick above the normal height of the shoulders is prohibited. When it occurs, play shall be stopped immediately and a Minor penalty shall be assessed to the offending player.
CARHA Rule 62 - Holding
A Minor penalty or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty shall be assessed any player who holds an opponent with the hands, stick or in any other manner. If the penalty assessed is for holding the stick, a minor penalty for "holding the stick" shall be recorded and announced.
A Major penalty shall be assessed to any player who injures an opponent by “hooking”.
CARHA Rule 65 - Interference/Protection of the Goaltender
A Minor penalty for interference or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed any players who:
Interferes or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck;
Deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent’s hand;
Prevents an opponent who has lost or dropped his stick from regaining possession of it.
(Note 1): The last player to touch the puck, other than a goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession.
(Note 2): Often the action and movement of the attacking player causes the interference, since the defending players are entitled to "stand their ground" or "shadow" the attacking players. Players of the side in possession of the puck shall not be allowed to "run" deliberate interference for the puck carrier.
A Minor penalty for interference with the goaltender shall be imposed on a player who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with or impedes the movement of the goaltender, by actual physical contact. The penalty should be announced as "interference with the goaltender".
(Note): A goaltender is not "fair game" just because he is outside the goal crease area. A penalty for interference or charging (Minor or Major) shall be called where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with the goaltender. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goaltenders for tripping, slashing, or spearing in the vicinity of the goal.
Unless the puck is in the goal crease area, a player of the attacking side may not stand in the goal crease. If the puck should enter the net while such conditions prevail, the goal shall not be allowed. If the attacking player has physically interfered with the goaltender, prior to or during the scoring of the goal, the goal will be disallowed and a penalty for "interference with the goaltender" will be assessed and announced. The ensuing face-off shall be taken in the neutral zone, at the face-off spot nearest the attacking zone of the offending team. If a player of the attacking team has been physically interfered with by the actions of any defending player so as to cause him to be in the goal crease, and the puck should enter the net while the player so interfered with is still in the goal crease, the goal shall be allowed.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to an attacking player, who while his team is in possession of the puck, is interfered with by a defending player, but fails to attempt to avoid making contact with the goaltender. In addition, if a goal is scored it shall be disallowed.
A Minor penalty shall be imposed on an attacking player, not in possession of the puck, who is tripped or caused to fall and fails to attempt to avoid contact with the goaltender, whether he is in or out of his crease.
A Minor penalty shall be imposed on any attacking player, who makes deliberate contact with a goaltender whether in or out of the goal crease. At the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty may be imposed.
In the event that the goaltender has been pushed into the net with the puck after making a stop, the goal will be disallowed. If applicable, the appropriate penalties will be assessed.
Where a stick or any object is thrown on the ice from the players' or penalty bench, or where a player on the ice is interfered with by an opposing player or team official on the players' or penalty bench, whether or not play is in progress, a Bench Minor penalty shall be assessed to that team if the Referee is unable to identify the person responsible except as covered by Rules 36(a)(4) - Awarded Goals and B5(c) Tripping. If a goal is scored, no Bench Minor penalty would be assessed.
Where a stick or any object is thrown on the ice from the players' or penalty bench, or where a player on the ice is interfered with by an opposing player or team official on the players' or penalty bench, whether or not play is in progress, a nd the Referee is able to identify the person responsible, that person shall be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty. When Rules 36(a)(4) • Awarded Goals, or Rule B5(c) - Tripping, are applied, the Bench Minor penalty would not apply, but the Game Misconduct penalty would still apply.
A Major penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by interference.
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to a goaltender who deliberately piles up snow or other obstacles at or near his net which, in the Referee's opinion, would tend to prevent a goal from being scored.
CARHA Rule 66 - Interference by Spectators
The Referee shall stop play if a player is being held or interfered with by a spectator, unless that player's team is in possession of the puck and in a scoring position at the time. In this case, play shall be allowed to be completed before the stoppage. In either case, the face-off shall be where the
The Referee shall stop play if any objects are thrown on the ice which interferes with the progress of the play. When play resumes, the face-off shall be where the stoppage took place, unless otherwise stated in the rules
CARHA Rule 67 - Kick Shot
A Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player, except a goalkeeper, who uses a kick shot during the game.
CARHA Rule 69 - Leaving the Players' or Penalty Bench
No player may leave the players' bench or penalty bench at any time during a fight on the ice or for the purpose of starting a fight. Substitutions made prior to the fight shall be permitted, provided the players so substituting do not enter the fight.
For a violation of Rule 69(a), a Double Minor penalty shall be imposed on the player of the team who was the first to leave the players' or penalty bench during a fight. If players of both teams leave their respective benches at the same time, the first identifiable player of each team to do so, shall incur a Double Minor penalty. A Game Misconduct penalty shall also be imposed on any player penalized under this section, plus any other penalties he may incur.
Any player (other than those dealt with under Section (b» who leaves his players' or penalty bench during a fight and is assessed a Minor, Major, or Misconduct penalty for his actions, shall also incur an automatic Game Misconduct penalty, in addition to any other penalties he may incur. This includes a player leaving the penalty bench, for which he is to be assessed a Minor penalty in addition to the Game Misconduct penalty, such player would not have to be the first to leave a bench.
(Note 1): A maximum of five (5) players per team may be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty for violations of Sections (b) and (c) of this rule during a stoppage of play. The maximum of five (5) players shall include any players under Rule 5B - Fighting and Roughing.
(Note 2): Where one team has been clearly identified as the first to leave the bench and the referee has assessed the 5 player maximum Game Misconduct penalties, then in this situation a sixth player on one team may be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty under this section. This sixth player must be the player who left the bench first.
(Note 3): Referees must record in detail on the Official Game Report or separate Penalty Report Form, any bench clearing incidents.
A penalized player may not leave the penalty bench (whether or not play is in progress) except at the end of the period or on the expiration of this penalty. A Minor penalty shall be assessed for a violation of this rule, including the situations dealt with under Sections (b) and (c) of this rule. However, in the case of a player returning to the ice before his time has expired through an error of the Penalty Timekeeper, he is to serve only his unexpired time.
When a player on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone is interfered with by a player of the opposing team who shall have illegally entered the game, or by a player or team official on the players' or penalty bench, the Referee shall award a Penalty Shot to the non-offending team.
Any team official who gets on the ice after the start of the game, without the permission of the Referee, shall be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty and ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game. The Referee shall submit a report in full detail to the Chairman, who may assess further penalties.
If a penalized player returns to the ice from the penalty bench before his penalty has expired, either by his own error or the error 01 the Penalty Timekeeper, any goal scored by his own team, while he is illegally on the ice, shall not be allowed. All penalties assessed to either team shall be served as regular penalties.
If a player shall illegally enter the game from his own players' bench, any goal scored by his own team, while he is illegally on the ice, shall not be allowed. All penalties assessed to either team shall be served as regular penalties.
CARHA Rule 70 - Physical Abuse of Officials
NCHL – Contravention of CARHA Rule 70 (a), (b), or (c) will result in a one calendar year suspension and is subject to Discipline Committee review for further disciplinary action. Further disciplinary action may include a lifetime suspension from the NCHL.
Any player or team official who intentionally touches, holds, or pushes a Referee or Off-ice Official before, during, or after a game shall be assessed a Match penalty and shall be reported to the Chairman by the Referee.
Any player or team official who deliberately strikes, trips, or body checks a Referee or Off-ice Official before, during, or after a game shall be assessed a Match penalty and shall be reported to the Chairman by the Referee. Such player, Coach, Manager, Trainer, or Stick Boy may be suspended for one year or more.
Any player or team official who threatens or attempts to strike a Referee or any off-ice Official before, during, or after a game shall be assessed a Match penalty and shall be reported to the Chairman by the Referee.
CARHA Rule 78 - Slap Shot
Any player who uses a "slap shot" during the game shall be assessed a Minor penalty. If an injury to an opponent results, a Major penalty shall be assessed.
(Note): The use of a "snap shot" has been authorized by the CARHA HOCKEY Rules Committee. The "snap shot" is to bring the stick back behind the puck a maximum of fifteen inches either on or off the ice and to shoot the puck in wrist shot fashion.
A player who uses the action of a Fake Slap Shot for the purpose or intimidating an opposing player and/or opposing goalkeeper shall be assessed a Minor penalty.
CARHA Rule 79 – Slashing
NCHL – Referees are required to enforce CARHA Rule 79 stringently. Application of the term ‘seeking to impede by ‘slashing’ with a stick’ and assessment of a ‘Slashing’ penalty shall be at the Referees’ discretion.
A Minor or Major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be assessed to any player who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by "slashing" with his stick.
Injury to an opponent by ‘slashing’ shall incur a Major Penalty.
A "slashing" penalty shall be assessed to any player who swings his stick at an opponent (whether in or out of range) without actually striking him or when on the pretext of playing the puck, makes a wild swing at the puck with the object of intimidating his opponent.
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately attempts to, or deliberately injures an opponent with a slash.
CARHA Rule 80 - Spitting
A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who deliberately spits on or at an opponent, official, Team Official, or spectator. The Referee shall report full details of the incident to the Chairman of CARHA HOCKEY.

Hub City Casual Hockey League Association aka Nanaimo Casual Hockey League
– Rules of Play -

Nanaimo Casual Hockey League

Nanaimos Only Adult Hockey Developement League