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Northeast Pennsylvania Scholastic Hockey League Bylaws, Rules and Regulations. Revision - September 2007

USA Hockey and Other Affiliations
The rule and regulations of USA Hockey and the USA Hockey regional affiliate (Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association-AAHA) shall apply to the League except as specifically amended by the League.
Changes to Rules and Regulations
Additions, deletions or amendments to the rules and regulations may be made only after being proposed at a league meeting and then put on the agenda to be voted on at a subsequent meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of the eligible member organizations in attendance is required to effect changes in the Rules and Regulations.
League Rules and Regulations
All rules and regulations adopted by the League shall have the same force and effect as the USA Hockey and AAHA and shall be enforced by the League and game officials where applicable. The rules are as follows:
1. Eligibility
  1. Determination and Enforcement
    Player eligibility shall be determined and enforced by the Executive Committee according with the eligibility provisions of these Rules and Regulations. The Executive Committee recommends that all member organizations follow the pertinent school academic athletic eligibility recommendations
  2. Pennsylvania Residency
    A player shall be eligible to play in the league if the player is a permanent resident of the state of Pennsylvania or is attending a certified school located in the state of Pennsylvania.
  3. Foreign Exchange Students
    A foreign exchange student who is in the United States on a J-1 visa, or on another classification of visa and who is a participant in a program similar to those whose participants would be eligible for a J-1 visa and who is in full time attendance NEPA-SHL member school.
  4. Maximum Age
    A player shall be ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition upon a attaining the age of nineteen (19) years, with the following exception. If the age is attained on or after the date of July 1, the player shall be eligible, with respect to age, to compete through the school year.
  5. Age Verification
    The date of birth as recorded in a State issued Birth Certificate shall be used to verify the age of a player. A passport of other state or federal government issued identification with date of birth shall be an acceptable alternative document for verification of a player’s age. An alternative document must be reviewed and approved by the Board.
  6. Grade Level Eligibility
    Play Grade Eligibility for teams shall be as follows:
    - Varsity - 8th through 12th grade.
    - Junior Varsity - 7th through 11th grade.
  7. Exceptions to Grade Level Eligibility
    There shall be two exceptions to the above Grade Level Eligibility:
    - Woman Players in 12th grade shall be exempt from the Grade Level Eligibility Rule
    - New Organization without a Varsity team may be allowed to skate twelfth (12th) graders on their Junior Varsity team. However, if issues such as fair competition or serious injuries to the opposing team arise, it will up to the discretion of the Executive Board to review the individual situation and to decide whether or not the player or player can play down
  8. Player Reclassification
    The Executive Board maintains the right to reclassify a player to a different level of play for his/her scholastic team based on his/her skills and size to prevent any undue consequences to players participating in the League.
  9. High School Attendance
    All players that are on a NEPASHL team roster must be attending High School during the entire season. In the event a player drops-out or is expelled from school, that player is immediately ineligible. He or she is removed and barred from further competition in the NEPASHL.
  10. Eligibility/Recruitment of New Players
    - Play for your school if they field a team.
    - Play for your school district if they field a team.
    - Play for your division, North or South.
    - Either division if not wanted by your own division.
    Home school students must play for their school district in which they live.
    
    Recruitment of players of players will be divided by North and South division until school districts boundaries are set. The dividing line will be the Avoca Exit.
    
    Recruiting of players from other teams will not be allowed.
  11. Ineligible Players
    Playing an ineligible player will result in a forfeit, one game suspension for the player and coach and a two hundred ($200) team fine to the league. Fine payment are due twenty four (24) hours prior to the next game.
2. Condition of Participants
  1. Drugs and Alcohol Use
    Any participant, including players, team officials or League officials, found under the influence of alcohol or any drugs (except prescribed prescription drugs) shall be immediately ejected from the game, practice or other NEPASHL sanctioned event and automatically suspended from the League
3. Coach Eligibility
  1. Background Checks
    All coaches are required to pass a criminal background check in order to be a coach within the league. Background checks from other volunteer organizations within six (6) months are acceptable (to be furnished prior to first game.)
  2. USA Hockey Coach Certification
    Coaches shall be required to abide by the USA Hockey minimum standards for coaching certification as published annually by USA Hockey. Presently the standards that apply are as follows:
    1. All Coaches must be certified at USA Hockey Level 1
    2. All Junior Varsity Head Coaches must be certified at USA Hockey Level 2
    3. All Varsity Head Coaches must be certified at USA Hockey Level 3
  3. Grace Period and Transition Rule
    First year coaches will have the following requirements for a grace period of one year. During the transition season, the following coaching certification requirements shall apply.
    1. All Coaches must be certified at USA Hockey Level 1
    2. All Junior Varsity Head Coaches must be certified at USA Hockey Level 2
    3. All Varsity Head Coaches must be certified at USA Hockey Level 3
4. Team Rosters
  1. USA Hockey Registration
    All rosters must be submitted to the USA Hockey Registrar and be approved by the Registrar prior to the first League or non-league game of the season. The maximum roster size is eighteen (18) skaters and two (2) goaltenders. Organizations must submit a copy of the approved USA Hockey Roster (with Registrar’s signature) to the League.
  2. Roster Changes
    Roster changes may be made up until December 31st of each year.
    
    Only players whose names appear on a League recognized roster may participate in League games. The first violation of this rule shall result in the game being forfeited and a fine of fifty dollars ($50) being assessed to the offending team (organization).
    A second violation of this rule shall result in the immediate suspension of that team from League play for the remainder of the season. All games scheduled with that team, played of not played, and shall be declared forfeits. Other teams in the division will have the option of whether or not to honor any remaining scheduled games with the offending team.
  3. Score Sheets
    All score sheets shall be forwarded to the League Statistician (or designee) within forty eight (48) hours after said game.
  4. Score Sheet Reporting
    1. All score sheets with a suspension-serving penalty shall be faxed or e-mailed to League Statistician (or designee) within 48 hours of said penalty. The score sheet must contain the following information printed clearly and legibly:
      - The name and jersey number of the player to serve the suspension.
      - The nature of the suspension (i.e. one game for fighting, etc.).
    2. Any Match Penalty must be reported to the League Commissioner and to the League Statistician (or designee) within 48 hours of the penalty along with the following information:
      - The name and jersey number of the player to serve the suspension.
      - A copy of the referee’s report.
  5. One Team Roster
    A player may be rostered on only one NEPASHL team.
  6. Substitute Goaltender
    If a team has no rostered substitute goaltender available to play, a rostered goaltender can move up or laterally if noted on the score sheet at the affected game.
5. Equipment
  All players are required to wear all of the protective equipment (including mouth guards, shoulder and shin pads, etc.) as specified by USA Hockey.
  
  All protective equipment required by USA Hockey shall be worn in its approved, unaltered form. Any violation is subject to a misconduct penalty.
6. Playing Rules
  1. Operation of the Scoreboard
    New goals will not be posted to the scoreboard and there will be a running clock in the 3rd period after a lead of six (6) goals has been achieved. The option to play with a running clock prior to the start of the third period with the consent of both Head Coaches.
    
    Normal operation of the scoreboard shall begin again if the lead narrows to two (2) goals and until such time as a lead of six (6) goals is attained once more.
  2. Serving Game Suspensions
    A player will serve the USA Hockey required game suspension(s) for his or her first occurrence receiving a game misconduct(s) within a game. Future game misconduct(s) received in following game(s) will require additional game suspensions as follows:
    1. Game Misconduct in a game following initial serving game suspension will require one (1) additional game.
    2. Game Misconduct in game following serving second game misconduct suspension will require two (2) additional games.
    Any player or team official suspended shall not be permitted to participate in a game at any level (Varsity or Junior Varsity) until the suspension is served at the level it was received. In the event the said penalty occurs in the final game of the season, any and all game suspensions will carry over to the next NEPASHL season.
    
    Coaches must note all suspensions being served on all score sheets.
    Coaches and teams not enforcing suspensions will incur the following:
    - Coach suspended for two (2) games
    - The team will be fined one hundred dollars ($100)
    - An additional one (1) game suspension for the player will be served
  3. Senior Plyoff Misconducts
    All 12th grade players (Seniors) will be required to pay a one hundred dollar ($100) security deposit prior to the start of the playoffs. Seniors who incur a game misconduct in the last game will forfeit the deposit. If they do not receive a game misconduct in their last game, the money will be returned
  4. Swing Players
    A maximum or five (5) Junior Varsity rostered players will be allowed to ‘swing’ to a Varsity game (not including goalies). All swing players must be clearly noted on the score sheet prior to each game. Schools with more than 30 players rostered with the Varsity and JV teams will only be allowed a player to “swing” up to 5 games. Seniors receiving an exemption to play Junior Varsity are not eligible to be a swing player.
  5. Game Rescheduling Request
    Teams requesting a game to be rescheduled after the final schedule is published will be fined one hundred dollars ($100) payable to the Ice Box
7. Standings
  1. Final Standings
    At season end, final standings shall be determined by team with the highest points (receiving the highest ranking.) In the case of two or more teams obtaining the same amount of points, the final ranking will be determined as follows:
    1. Most wins – league play
    2. Most wins – head to head
    3. Least goals against – league play
    4. Least goals against – head to head
    5. Team with least penalty minutes
  2. Score Sheet Submission Responsibility
    The home team shall be responsible for submitting the score sheet to the league within forty eight (48) hours after the game
8. Player Movement
  1. Player Financial Obligations
    Any player who has not met financial or equipment obligations to an organization cannot move to another organization without approval by written release from the first organization.
  2. Movement of Players
    A player can only move if he/she has problem/situation with the current team they are participating on (including coaches, parents, players and organization members) except if his/her own school fields a team
    
    No player movements are allowed after rosters are due to for league submittal.
    
    All player movement shall proceed through the Executive Board.
    1. Procedure for movement is as follows:
      - The player must notify the Executive Board and team by either phone, E-mail or letter.
      - The player and his/her parents will then meet with the Executive Board to define the problem area and reason for request.
      - The Executive Board will then meet with coaches or involved team(s) and other board members to hear their views.
      - If the Executive Board allows a player to move to another team, that player is not allowed to pick his/her team. The player will participate in a lottery in which the Executive Board will place him/her on a team. The new team placement will consist on a team in your current division (North or South) you play then open to all teams excluding the team from which he/she is requesting to be moved. The lottery shall include only teams at the level (Varsity or Junior Varsity) in which the player participates.
      - If the player does not want to play with the selected team, then his season will be forfeited.
      - If the Executive Board does not allow a player to move to another team, the player will stay with the current team they are on or forfeits the rest of the season.
      - All decisions of the Executive Board are final.
    2. Teams with Too Many Players
      Teams that have ‘cut’ players or released players because the team will have more than twenty (20) players per team will be eligible to participate in a lottery in which the Executive Board will place the player on a team. It will consist in the division you play first (North or South) then open to all teams excluding the team which in which has released the player.
9. General Conduct
  1. General Conduct
    Players, coaches, managers and other team officials are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the Northeast Pennsylvania Scholastic Hockey League. Misconduct by such individuals before, after or during a game will not be tolerated. Any such conduct should be brought to the attention of the team officials or an officer of the League. The affiliated League Vice-President shall immediately investigate the incident if the incident involves an on-ice (i.e. rink, player, bench, and penalty bench areas) player, coach, or bench official. It is the responsibility of the League Vice-President to gather all relevant facts concerning the on-ice incident including, but not limited to, interviews, compiling of information, and drafting of a formal report. If the incident involved a spectator, off-ice (any location other than the on-ice area) team official, or other individual, the President will investigate the incident. It is the responsibility of the League President to gather all relevant facts concerning the off-ice incident including, but not limited to interviews, compiling information, and drafting of a formal report. In both cases, a report shall be prepared, including recommended action, if any, for the Board of Directors review and action. Disciplinary action, if appropriate, will be determined by a simple majority vote of the full membership of Board of Directors. Actions taken by the League for on-ice incidents shall be limited to penalties, suspensions, and supplementary discipline of individuals as provided for under the latest edition of the USA Hockey Official Rules of Ice Hockey. Actions taken by the League for off-ice incidents shall be in accordance with specific rules for specified off-ice areas, if applicable, and shall allow for wider discretion on penalties, suspension, and supplementary discipline
  2. Responsibility for Locker Room Care
    Each team is responsible for their conduct in the locker room facilities in which they occupy or enter before, during and after each game. If any damage is inflicted to the property, the team will be responsible and will be required to make full restitution for damages before they can participate in their next game.
  3. Additional Rink Security
    The ice rink owner may request from the Executive Committee permission to hire additional security for a team or a particular game. The request must explain in as much detail the reason for the additional security. If the request is granted, the team or teams who were the cause for the additional security will be required to pay for the additional cost associated with the additional security.
  4. Leaving After a Game
    At the end of the game, teams will exit the ice surface one team at a time with the visiting team leaving first.
  5. Inappropriate or Abusive Language
    The League will not tolerate “trash talk” or ethnic/sexual verbal abuse. Any player, coach or team official receiving misconduct penalty form an official for such behavior will be automatically suspended from all practices and games until reviewed by the Executive Board. The minimum suspension for this type of behavior will be five (5) games. The League recognizes that most of this type of “talk” is not heard by the officials, but will act with an Executive Committee Review Hearing on a verified accusation brought by any organization against a team official, player or coach.
  6. Fighting
    A game misconduct penalty shall also be imposed on any player who enters a fight whether or not the player was trying to act as a peace maker.
    
    Players penalized for Fighting will be subject to the follow discipline;
    - First Offense will serve a two (2) game suspension
    - Second Offense will serve a five (5) game suspension and a one hundred ($100) fine.
    - Third Offense will be suspended for the remainder of the season and a one hundred ($100) fine.
    All fines are payable to the League (NEPA Scholastic Hockey League).
  7. Player(s) removed from ice during playing of game
    Any player that is ruled off the ice by a game official shall immediately go to their respective locker room. No player removed from the ice shall enter the rink, spectator or lobby area while wearing the team uniform and/or hockey equipment. Violation of this rule will be subject to review and discipline under Section 9.1 General Conduct.
10. Goalkeepers
  Whenever a team has only one available goalkeeper in uniform at any time during the game, he may request time for equipment repair or adjustment through the Referee, with the liability for a delay of game minor penalty if the request is allowed.
11. Protest of Game
  A protest for reason other than player’s suspension must be made within forty eight (48) hours or the particular game’s starting time, by phone to League President. This action must be followed by the submission of a letter to the President within one week. The written protest must be accompanied by a fifty dollar ($50) check, payable to the League (NEPA Scholastic Hockey League). If the protest is upheld, the check will be refunded to the team. If the protest is denied, the check is forfeited to the League.
  
  All game protest will be decided by the Executive Committee
12. Game Cancellations or Delays
  The League President, on his own initiative or at the request of a duly authorized team representative, shall have the authority to cancel a game or games in the event of adverse weather of failure of the rink to provide adequate ice or service
13. League Awards Policy
  The League will present an award to the first place regular season team in each division.
14. Rule Changes
  These Rules and Regulations herein (ARTICLE IX) are subject to change at any time with a two-third (2/3) majority vote of the membership.
15. Scorekeeper and Timekeepers
  Each team must supply a person sixteen years of age or older to complete the scoresheet and operate the game clock.
Special Games and Tournaments
Any special games or tournaments associated with the NEPASHL must have a set of rules that comply with USA Hockey and reviewed by the Executive Committee. The league shall consider and stipulate penalty reciprocation between normal league games and tournament/special games. In addition, the league must agree to the liability and powers with the host of such games and tournaments.