Play is governed by the rules as set forward by Hockey Canada except as modified below or explained for clarification.

**** Team Rosters / Players on Multiple Teams ****

Defined

All players need to be registered with ONLY ONE (1) team by the beginning of the hockey season. (insurance purposes) Once the roster is submitted, this is the team that the player is registered on. However, players can choose to play with AS MANY teams as they wish for ONLY the regular season. During playoffs, players can ONLY play for the team they are registered on at the beginning of the regular season. If a player is found to be playing on his or her non-roster team during the playoffs the team will automatically default and lose any points.

Why?

Over the years, this subject has been brought up numerous times by several different members. The SBMHL promotes healthy lifestyles and teamwork. Saying this, we encourage players to play as much as they can as we all play this sport for the love of the game. However, it will alleviate the "team stacking" within the playoff tree.

If teams wish to utilize players for the regular season to boost their point totals, they must realize that these players will not be able to play during the playoffs and it may leave them in a higher playoff division.

Abuse of Officials

Abuse of any official will not be tolerated. Should a player challenge the rulings of an official or display unsportsmanlike conduct, he may be assessed a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, followed by a misconduct or game misconduct if he persists.

A misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who: uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures to any person or persists in disputing; 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 above shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

A game misconduct penalty assessed incurs an automatic suspension, in which case the penalized player shall be suspended for a minimum of the next regular season or playoff game.

Abuse of official carries a mandatory 1 game suspension and league review. Subsequent infractions will all require league review with a 3 game minimum suspension and maximum lifetime ban. 

3 in the Key

Defined

No players shall, in the offensive end, set-up or remain stationary in the area defined by the outer edges of the crease to the first hash marks of the face-off circle, unless the puck is in the said area. This will result in a whistle to stop play and the face-off moved outside the blue line.

Why is there a 3 in the key rule? I have never heard of it in any other league!!!

This rule was implemented and originally called the 3 second rule to prevent and deter players from parking themselves in front of the net - which usually results in actions from an opposing defencemen or the goalie - which often leads to minor and/or major penalties, fighting or ejections from the game. It has proven to be very successful over the years and most of the players have adapted to it.

Initially it was a matter of timing a player in the area for a count of three. The rule has changed over ten years to basically a "set-up" rule. This is where a lot of players are confused - most obviously new ones - who hear it called 'the three second rule'.

No Slapshot Rule

No player shall shoot, attempt to shoot, or fake a shot where the stick is drawn back to a height above the player's knee. This action will result in a whistle to stop play and the subsequent face-off will occur at the referee's discretion.

Why don't we allow slapshots?

The rule and its enforcement are intended to prevent injuries.

Player Poaching Rule

Defined

Upon entering the Scott Buchanan Memorial Hockey League from recruit training (regular or accelerated) a player is required to play for the District that he or she is assigned to. A player must play for the assigned district team for one complete season before being allowed to play for another team. If the district where the player is assigned already has a full roster or otherwise chooses to waive that players rights, then he or she may play for the team of their choice.

Why?

Over the past few years some have objected to the manner in which recruits have allegedly been approached while still in training and been asked to play for a non-district team.

We hope that players, team captains and managers will remember the spirit of the game when it comes to this rule.

Timing and Final Score

Defined

All games will be three 20 minute straight time periods. There are no timeouts.

Why?

We only have the ice for one hour and fifteen minutes.

Tie Games

Defined

Why?

We only have the ice for one hour and fifteen minutes. However in the playoffs we cannot have a tie yet still need to settle the game quickly.

Last Three Minutes

Defined

a) During the last three minutes if the score is within two goals all changes will be on the fly.

b) Any obvious tactics to delay the game during the last three minutes will result in an immediate penalty shot and clock will be stopped for the penalty shot. Icing the puck is will not be considered delaying the game. Any other actions such as; freezing the puck by the goalie without reason, shooting the puck over the boards, intentional penalties forcing the ref to call a penalty, changing players on a whistle, failure to line up for face offs, etc., at the discretion of the referees.

Why?

This rule is in place to support fairplay and not time wasting by the winning team in order to run down the clock.

Save the Goalie Rule  

Defined

Safety and fairness is paramount in our recreational league. If the goaltenders mask is hit by the puck, play will immediately cease. In the event that the puck enters the net, no goal will be awarded.

High Stick