HOCKEY RULE BOOK
FOR
2025 SPRING Tournaments
Updated february 1, 2025
All rules published by the WPIHL are in addition to AAU Hockey Rules, and subject to change at the discretion of Disciplinary and Rules Committees. However, when different, WPIHL rules supersede all published rules by AAU Hockey.
Divisional Format
Participating teams will apply for the Tier that their team(s) intend to play. The WPIHL can move a team during this process to better the level of play in a tier or league.
Teams can be moved in the best interest of competition within the divisions.
A 3 Game round robin format will be played to determine Playoff Rankings.
Playoff Tiebreakers: Points, Wins, Head to Head, Goal Differential, Penalty Minutes, and Coin Flip.
The WPIHL has the authority to add or remove levels depending on what the league requires.
8u, 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, 18u
Age is as of January 1, 2025
AA is Competitive Division
A is Recreational / Intermediate Division
Game Format
All teams must be dressed and ready to play 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of their game.
PRIOR TO GAME: Referees will check all players in.
A two (2) minute warm-up clock is used once teams are checked in.
Three (3) ten (10) minute running clock time periods shall be played.
A stop clock shall be used in the final two (2) minutes of the third period with a two (2) goal or less score differential.
Teams must have four (4) skaters and one goalie to start the game.
If the required number of players is not on the floor by the time the three (3) minute warm-up clock expires, the game will be forfeit, and a score of 8-0 will be recorded.
If a goalie is not available, a team CANNOT play with five (5) skaters, the game will be forfeit, and a score of 8-0 will be recorded.
Between periods, 1 minute will be placed on the score clock and run.
Each team is allowed 1 team time out per game. The team time out can carry over to overtime, if not used during regulation.
Mercy Rule: 8 goal differentials after two (2) complete periods have been played. Game will continue without keeping score. Both referees must stay and officiate the game.
If the referee’s feel a game that has reached Mercy rule is, or will be out of hand, the official has the right to call the game.
A minimum of one(1) and a maximum of three(3) coaches are permitted on the bench at any given time.
If a skater shows up late for a game he/she can enter the game and play in the game at the next stoppage in play. Late player’s must check in with the scorekeeper before they are permitted to play.
All puck drops will be at the appropriate dot on the rink.
Overtime Formats
Round robin games that end in a tie will have a 3 player shootout. A player may not shoot a second time until all players on the roster have shot.
For Playoff or championship games a 5 minute sudden death period playing with a 3 on 3 format.
If a penalty occurs during the 3 on 3 overtime period then the team awarded with a man advantage will play with a 4 on 3 format during that penalty time. At the end of the penatly time the player comes out of the box and we play 4 on 4 until a whistle. When play resumes, game play with start agin with 3 on 3.
If Still tied after overtime period Then a three(3) player shootout will occur
A player may not shoot a second time until all players on the roster have shot.
Points
3 Points will be awarded for a win.
2 Points will be awarded for a shootout win.
1 Point will be awarded for a shootout loss.
0 Points will be awarded for a regulation loss.
Playoffs: All teams in each division will be eligible for the playoffs, unless otherwise noted.
All playoff rounds in all tiers are single elimination.
All players must be present at a minimum of 2 round robin games to qualify for the playoffs. If a player is injured, he/she must come to the game with a jersey and line up to receive credit for the game. If he/she is on crutches, he/she may stay on the bench during player check in. Any injured player must have their helmet on while on the bench.
Games missed due to suspension DO NOT count towards playoff eligibility.
If any team is caught with an illegal player or cheating in any manner they will not qualify for playoffs.
Rosters
All players who participate in a game must have their name pre-typed on the score sheet and be properly registered with AAU Hockey.
All team rosters must be registered by the given date by the WPIHL.
A maximum of 12 skaters and 2 goalies may be on the roster per team.
Rosters must include a minimum of 4 skaters and 1 goalie.
Players may only be on one roster per age group
Girl players are allowed to play 2 birth years down. for example a 16u 2007 female can play in the 14u 2008-2009 birthyear age group.
Any team that plays a game with an illegal player automatically forfeits the game and the score is recorded as a 8-0 loss for the offending team.
Players can be called up from just age division below and must be listed on roster as CU or Call Up.
Goalies are free agents for any regular season games. For playoffs the goalies must be from organization
To be eligible for playoffs players must play a minimum of 2 games. Goalie must play a minimum of 1 game.
Equipment
Uniform:
All skaters and goalies within an organization are to wear matching jerseys with numbers on the back.
No two players can have the same number on a team.
All teams are to have a home and away jersey that are contrasting in color. All teams are to have a back up (blood) jersey in case of blood on a player’s jersey to be able to play again during that game.
All players must wear the following: Missing any of the following will result in a two (2) minute penalty for a Delay of Game.
A HECC approved hockey helmet with a full-face mask and chin strap. All straps on the helmet must be fastened at all times while on the rink.
Elbow pads. Jersey sleeves must cover elbow pads.
Gloves designed for hockey or lacrosse
Hockey shin guards. Hockey pants must cover the shin guards.
Internal mouth guard must be in the mouth during play.
If a player is issued a top and bottom orthodontic mouth guard without a strap, he/she must present the mouth guard to the referee prior to the game and notify the scorekeeper. He/she will be permitted to play, but will be given penalty if not in the mouth.
Inline skates. Skates must have a full set of wheels. If a player loses a wheel while on the rink, he/she must leave the rink immediately and is not permitted to return until the wheel is replaced.
Goalies must wear in addition to the above
Upper body equipment
Leg pads (in place of shin guards)
Catching and blocking gloves designed for hockey
Goalie Mask must be HECC Certified or a player helmet with a throat guard.
No equipment meant for street hockey is permitted (Mylec and some Franklin).
Players are not permitted to wear loose fitting jewelry.
Approved inline hockey puck is to be used for all league games. Teams are required to provide a puck to the official prior to the start of the game.
Banned substances
All Chewing tobacco, tobacco products, alcohol, and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited at league events.
AAU Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy
This policy will be enforced in all WPIHL league games.
There could be a hearing for any Major Penalties. Fighting is not tolerated under any circumstance!
WPIHL/AAU Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy
Players
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision.
Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.
Coaches
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty resulting in a suspension. If this behavior happens again, the WPIHL Board will decide if the coach should be permitted on the bench again.
If a coach wishes to question an official’s call, he may only do so when it is related to a rules interpretation, not a judgment call. The coach should send his captain or assistant captain to ask the official the pertinent question.
Officials
Home team will provide a scorekeeper. Paper score sheets must be signed by each team coach after the game and take a picture and email to wpainlinehockey@gmail.com directly after the game is over.
Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as “Baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited.
Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
If an Official does not follow conduct themselves this way, please notify WPIHL Commissioner. The Official’s conduct will be reviewed by the league.
Parents/Spectators
Game officials will stop the game if parents/spectators are displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior, or interfere with other spectators of the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. The coach will be asked to remove said parent/spectator, if removed play will resume with no penalty. If not removed, one referee will contact the rink manager to have police called. Lost time will not be replaced. For disruption, the offending team’s parent/spectator will cause a five (5) minute major to be assessed to their team. Violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body or the WPIHL . This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include and not limited to:
1. Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
2. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, physical violence or threat of physical violence.
3. Throwing of any object in the spectators’ viewing area, players’ bench, penalty box or on the playing surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.
Penalties
Minor penalties are assessed two (2) minutes, major penalties are assessed five (5) minutes and misconduct penalties are assessed ten (10) minutes.
Trapping the puck between the floor and the stick is an automatic stoppage in play. Resulting in a two minute delay of game penalty and puck drop will be in the offending team’s defensive zone.
All major penalties carry an automatic game misconduct penalty and an automatic one (1) game suspension.
Any player, who is assessed Three (3) penalties in one game, is to be immediately removed from that game only.
Any time a team is assessed ten (10) penalties in a game; the game is immediately stopped. If the offending team is losing, the current score is recorded. If the game is tied or the offending team is winning, the score is recorded as a 5-0 loss for the offending team.All penalties, minors, majors, misconducts and game misconducts count towards the ten penalty rule.
Fighting/Altercations
All fighting majors carry an automatic 2 game suspension.
If an instigator can be determined in any fight/altercation, the instigator can be assessed an additional game.
Any player involved in a second fight/altercation is expelled from the league for the rest of the season, with a hearing on potential ban from playing in the league in the future.
Any 3rd man who enters a fight/altercation is assessed a 2 game suspension.
Any player who leaves his/her bench during a fight/altercation will be assessed a 2 game suspension.
Any player who leaves his/her bench for a second fight/altercation in another game is expelled from the league for the rest of the season, with a hearing on potential ban from playing in the league in the future.
Any team, which has a player leave its bench during a fight/altercation, is put on probation and the head coach is suspended for 2 games.
Any team, which has a second player leave its bench for a second altercation, is expelled from the league for the rest of the season with all fees forfeited, as well as coaching staff banned for life from coaching in WPIHL.
Any use of a weapon such as a stick, or other actions with the intent to injure will result in a 5 game suspension.
Any match penalty incurred in the last 2 minutes of the game, whether in regulation time, overtime, or the end of a game ended by the mercy rule, will result in the offending player being suspended for the remainder of the season.
In addition to the automatic suspensions imposed under these rules, the league may, at their discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and may assess additional suspensions for any offense committed during the course of a game or any aftermath thereof by a player, goalkeeper, Trainer, Manager, Coach or non-playing Club official, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee.
Suspensions
All Suspensions will be determined by Tournament Director
All suspensions will be posted on website and emailed to all organization Presidents
All misconducts fighting or Match penalties could be subject to a hearing if needed
These are the automatic suspensions for the following penalties using this matrix: Only Match penalties and Season Ending Suspensions may be appealed.
Penalty Number of Games
Game Misconduct 1 Game
Fight Instigator 1 Game.
Abuse of Official 1 Games
Fighting Major 2 Games
Match Penalty 4 Games
Intent to Injure 5 Games
Coaches
All coaches on the bench must complete a criminal background check, as well as child abuse clearances.
All certified coaches and/or adults on the bench must have Non-Athlete AAU Insurance
A team is to have no more than 3 coaches on the bench.
Coaches on the bench must be at least 18 years of age.
Referees
All referees on the rink are to attend the AAU or USA Hockey Officials Seminar
All referees on the rink must the Non-Athlete AAU Insurance, if over 18. If the referee is still under the age of 18, Athlete AAU Insurance is required.
All referees will be wearing WPIHL approved Referee Uniforms.
Any Referee accepting a gift of any kind from a player, coach, spectator, rink employee will be removed from refereeing in the WPIHL permanently, as well as report this violation to AAU for their records and investigation.
