Rules

1. The rules of play for WHMHA shall be in accordance with the official rules for the CAHA and GTHL as amended and modified annually with the exception of the following local rules.
2. Games may start up to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game start time.
3. Players will be allowed on the ice any time prior to the start of the 3rd period but must be on the game sheet prior to the start of the game.
4. Coaching Staff shall not go on the ice to assist an injured player unless called for by the Referee.  Failure to comply will result in a game misconduct penalty to the offending person. Coaches cannot argue Referees call while attending injured player while on the ice, if he does it will result in a game misconduct penalty.
5. When players require a coach to attend to them on the ice due to an injury, that player must return to the bench and sit the next 5 minutes of game time. Timekeepers are to note the time of the injury. Any player returning to play prior to their 5 minute medical assessment will receive a 2 minute minor penalty.
6. Should all of the coaching staff be ejected from a game, a League appointed representative will finish the game. Disciplinary action will be taken against the offending staff.
7. Coaching Staff are not permitted in the Timekeeper and/or Penalty box during the course of a game.
8. Referees are in charge of the game. Persistent questioning of calls, or harassment during the game will not be tolerated, and result in a game misconduct penalty. Complaints by Coaches must be made in writing to the Referee-in-Chief.
9. Uniforms consist of Team Sweater/socks, which must be worn as a complete uniform in House League play, unless approved by the League. If not, a 2 minute bench penalty will be assessed at the start of the game.
10. No player participating in House League games or practices shall wear Select or Major Series sweaters and/or socks. Players MUST wear uniforms provided by WHMHA. This rule may be waived by House League Committee due to accommodate Tournament Schedules or picture day. If waived, the player(s) will be allowed to wear their Select team socks plus the House League team jersey.
11. Goalies cannot wear the sweater colour of the opposing team.
12. Teams must have a fully equipped goalie. If your regular goalie is absent or injured the following rules apply:
    a) The coach may play any goalie from a team in his series or lower series who is available in the arena.
    b) If two or more goalies are available from the same series, the opposition has the choice which goalie is used.
    c) The opposition coach must be informed prior to the start of the game, should a substitute goalie be used.
13. Major penalties that require player ejection, a player on the ice must serve the penalty. The team will play shorthanded.
14. ALL Major penalties are game misconducts. Major suspensions may be appealed to the House League Discipline Committee in writing.
15. Coaches will not receive formal notification of automatic suspensions. If a team is found guilty of willful use of an ineligible player, the game will be considered a loss for each game such player/s participate in. The opposing team shall be declared winner of such games, the score will be 1-0.
16. Players that require disciplinary action during a game because of misconduct on the bench must be brought to the attention of the referee. Removal from the game is at the Referee’s discretion.
17. In the Novice Gold to Juvenile series there is no buzzer system.  As far as possible, each player must be given equal ice time regardless of ability. Failure of a Coach to comply may result in possible actions by the League against the coach
18. Any Coach having problems with player’s parents must consult the House League Committee for action (e.g. missing 3 consecutive games or practices).
19. A Coach can eject a player from the ice during a practice for non cooperation or unsportsmanlike conduct.
20. Hand shakes will be allowed only at the start of game.
21. Divisions may limit the number of goals scored by an individual to 3 maximum. The exact divisions will be established after balancing.

 Game Lengths

All divisions are based on 1 twelve minute running time and 2 twelve minute stop time periods. Only the convener has the ability to call for running time in the 3^rd period.

Goaltender Safety
In the event that a Goaltender is struck in the mask or helmet with a shot, the referee shall stop play. The resulting face-off shall take place at the nearest end-zone face-off spot to where the shot was taken. NOTE: If a shot hits the goaltenders mask/helmet and deflects into the goal (directly or otherwise) prior to the official stopping play, the goal shall count.

Default of Games

There are no defaulted games. In the event a team has fewer than 10 skaters, they use a farm system and call up a player from the division below. All player’s names must be shown on the game sheet, and be marked as AP (alternate player).

Serving Penalties

1. In all series, any player receiving 4 minor penalties, or 3 stick infraction penalties in any game shall, upon receiving the maximum infractions be ejected from the game. A player from their team on the ice must serve any timed penalty.
2. A player receiving a Match Penalty is suspended indefinitely pending a meeting with the discipline committee.
3. When a short handed team receives minor or bench penalty and a goal is scored by the non-offending side before the whistle is blown, the goal shall be allowed. The player serving the first minor or bench penalty will return to the ice, while the signaled penalty ((i.e.)) shall be assessed and served in the normal manner.
4. Players and coaching staff who receive a Game Misconduct in the first or second period of a game will be removed immediately. If it happens in the 3rd period, 1 additional game suspension will be assessed.
5. Players or Coaching staff who receive a Gross Misconduct are ordered to the dressing room and is suspended indefinitely pending a meeting with the Discipline Committee.
6. Players assessed a Match penalty shall be removed from the game. As well they receive automatic suspensions until the case is reviewed by the Discipline Committee. 
   
   Referee’s must note on the game sheet if any of the infractions were intentional and ensure that all comments are written on the game sheet before copies are distributed to the coaches.
   
   Note: Coaches are responsible for obtaining their copy of the game sheet before leaving the arena.
7. Goalies that are assessed a major or misconduct penalty will not be allowed to complete the game being played and will serve any suspensions assessed. Due to the time constraints no time is allowed to dress a replacement goalie. However a 6th player takes to the ice but does not have goaltending privileges. The team can send another player to the dressing room to change into the goalkeepers’ equipment, and upon his return take up the position of Goalie at the next stoppage of play.
8. A Player with a Gross Misconduct or Match suspension is required to serve the suspension in full in House League before they can return to play for the Select team. Any suspensions in Exhibition or Tournament games shall be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee and further action will be considered. It is the responsibility of the player’s Coach to inform the General Manager of Select & General Manager of House League  of such suspensions. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of the coach.
9. Select or GTHL games will count in suspended games served if the Discipline Committee is notified of the scheduled games.
10. Players not wearing full equipment including an approved BNQ neck protector will be assessed a minor penalty. The player shall not be allowed to participate until they are wearing the approved equipment.
11. Players ejected from a game shall proceed immediately to the dressing room. Any equipment on the ice or bench must be left there. It is the responsibility of his team mates to take such equipment to the dressing room at the end of the game.
12. Suspensions that cannot be served in its entirety in one season will be carried over to the next season.

 
Protests and Complaints
The General Manager of House League, and one other member of the Board of Directors, and one other member of the House League Committee make up the Protest and Disciplinary Committee. This committee will review all protests and complaints and their decision is final.
Any protest must be submitted in writing to the General Manager of House League within 48 hours of the protested game. The protesting Coach must advise the Referee and the opposing Coach at the point in time during the game of his intentions to protest and the reason for the protest. The time of the protest and reason must be written on all copies of the game sheet at this time. Failure to comply will result in the protest not being heard.
The opposing Coach may submit a defense in writing within 48 hours of being notified of the protest. All protests are to be accompanied by $50.00 which will be returned if a decision is in favour of the protesting team.
Protests questioning the Referee’s call will not be accepted. Only improper rule applications may be protested.

Determination of Series Winners

Regular Season and Playoffs

Series winner will be decided on:

1. Total Points
2. Head to Head Results
3. Team Goal Differentials
   1. Calculated GF / (GF+GA)
4. Fewest Goals Against
5. Most Goals For
6. Fewest Team Penalty Minutes

Practice Ice

Ice will be scheduled to give all teams in a series equal time. Anyone wishing to change their time must contact the General Manager of House League.
Flood schedule is posted with the City staff and changes will not be allowed without League approval.