Adopted December 2002 and revised October 2007
The Juneau Adult Hockey Association (JAHA) follows the rules and regulations set forth by the latest edition of USA Hockey's Official Rules of Ice Hockey for adult recreation play. All players must be familiar with these rules. The following are additional rules or clarifications to the USA Hockey rules adopted by JAHA.
1. Eligibility to play
JAHA leagues are open on a first come, first served basis to all adults 18 years of age or older only.
2. Shots
All JAHA tiers allow waist height shots only, with the exception of Co-Ed Tier A which allows full slap shots. No sticks are allowed above the waist on the wind up, or follow-through of any shot in all tiers except the aforementioned tiers where a full slapshot is allowed in accordance with USA hockey rules. The JAHA reserves the right to change this rule for more advanced tiers as deemed necessary.
3. Penalties
All Tiers
Any player receiving five penalties of any type in one game, shall receive a game misconduct, and is ejected from that game with no further suspension assesed. This is in accordance with USA hockey rule 404(d).
4. Checking
All JAHA games are non-checking. Referees may issue game misconduct penalties for intentional body checks. If the referee believes you were trying to injure a player you shall be penalized for such and penalized per USA Hockey rules.
5. Fighting
Fighting is not allowed in our league and will not be tolerated. What constitutes a fight is solely up to the referee's discretion. One punch, with or without gloves, may be penalized as a fight. The first offense for fighting is a 5 game suspension. The second offense is a one calendar year suspension. Prior to returning to the league any player so suspended must appear before the Board and be voted back into the league by a majority vote of Board members. The Board may place any number of conditions for return that it feels necessary. All suspensions carry over to other seasons and to any USA Hockey affiliated league or function.
6. Equipment
All JAHA players shall use all equipment required by USA Hockey rules. All players should have a half-shield minimum. This shield is required to fully protect the eyes and must be installed as it was designed and be properly worn. It shall cover to the tip of the player's nose. Tipping a helmet back during play is not allowed and shall constitute an equipment violation. All players must wear a HECC approved helmet. In addition JAHA strongly recommends the following equipment: shin pads, elbow pads, ice hockey pants, and shoulder pads. Ear flaps are recommended but are not required. Mouth pieces are not required, but are recommended. Goalies may use a non-certified cage as long as it is designed for ice hockey goalie use and properly fitted to the helmet. Goalies with non-HECC certified cages shall have a waiver on file with the league. Chinstraps are required and must be snapped. The ultra-lightweight Jofa helmets are not allowed. If a Referee or Board member sees an equipment violation, they shall give one verbal warning to the player. That player must immediately leave the ice and must fix or acquire the correct equipment prior to returning to the ice. Any player who returns to the ice or fails to leave the ice shall be issued a game misconduct penalty. A second infraction by the same player within one calendar year shall result in a 5 game suspension. The Board shall deal with further infractions. Designated Team Representatives who see an equipment violation shall report it to a Board member or on-ice referee. Team reps are responsible for policing their teams.
7. Red Line
In JAHA league play the center ice red line is used for icing calls only, not for two line passes.
8. Substitute Goal Tenders
If a team requires a substitute goalie they may use any goaltender they choose provided they are an eligible JAHA player. Preference is given to goalies in the same tier or lower and higher tier goalies should only be used if no others are available. Substitute goalies from outside our organization are not allowed. Teams are welcome to substitute their goalie with one of their own skaters or to allow their goalie to skate out provided that the Opposing Team Representative approves as per Rule 16. The Board reserves the right to rule some players ineligible to change position on a case by case basis. Any team violating the Substitute Goal tender section shall be subject to forfeiture and suspension under the ineligible player rules.
9. Ineligible Players
Any player who is not on your team's official roster submitted to the Alaska State Hockey Association may not play any game or any part of a game, excluding substitutes and emergency player additions which are covered in their own sections. Players may only be added to a roster by use of a signed drop/add form. The Vice President shall sign this form. If the Vice President plays on the team involved, the Association President shall sign the form. If both play on the same team, the addition must be voted on by the Board and signed by the Association Secretary. Added players shall keep their copy of the form in their possession and shall show it to the scorekeeper before each game to be an eligible player. Players added at league meetings are exempt, but the form must still be signed and filed with the Secretary. Any score keeper who notices an ineligible player shall circle that players name on the score sheet, note this across the top of the score sheet and notify the on ice officials. Any violations of this section will be dealt with under the Ineligible Player penalties section.
10. Ineligible Player Penalties
Any team who uses an ineligible player shall forfeit that game. In addition the entire team will be suspended for one game. The Association Scheduler shall remove one game from their schedule at a future date. The scheduler shall attempt to give the suspended game to the team that was forfeited to. If the schedule will not allow, the scheduler shall pick a team other then the offending team to receive a bonus game. First priority should be given to last place teams. Additional penalties for repeat offenses shall be handed out by the board. Sponsors or Team Representatives who repeatedly violate this section shall not be allowed to continue to Sponsor or Team Rep.
11. Team Roster Freeze Date
All league team rosters are frozen by the fourth week of league play. Any player changes after this point must be done at a Board or League meeting and a player must be removed from a roster to add another player. Players will be replaced with players of similar playing ability. Team ranking in the top three spots may be required to take a player of lesser skill if they replace a player.
12. Drafts
Unless determined first by the Board, the team Representatives may determine draft rules. The Board reserves the right to alter or change any draft rules. At no time may any player be bought or sold for any type of compensation. All drafts shall be conducted in a fair and impartial way with the intent of fostering parity and good competition in the league. Any Team Rep who conducts him/herself in an inappropriate manner during a draft will not be allowed to draft any further teams. Attendance at drafts is restricted to Board members and a single designated Team Representative per team only. No other players or sponsors may be present.
13. Team Representatives
Each team shall have a designated Team Representative. This person shall be chosen by either the team or the Board. The Board reserves the right to veto any person it feels would be inappropriate to represent a team in our Association. This person is responsible for coordinating attendance of his/her team and making sure that all league rules are followed by his/her team. This person shall have one vote to represent his/her team at tier meetings. No proxies are allowed. If they cannot attend a league meeting they may send another player in their place. A board member must be notified of this prior to the meeting make sure that there is proper representation of all teams.
14. Facility Rules
Any player or team who violates facility rules shall be subject to discipline as determined by the Board. A team or player that causes the Association to lose valuable ice time may be banned or removed from the league.
15. Player Fees
All player fees are due at time of registration. The board may grant a slightly limited extension in hardship cases, this will be determined on a case by case situation. Any player owing outstanding player fees is automatically ineligible. No player owing player fees may compete in a league tournament for any reason.
16. Emergency Player Additions
From time to time it may be necessary to add a few players during a regular season game to avoid a forfeit. If a team wishes, it may add up to four players to their roster for a specific game to bring the team up to 9 skaters plus a goalie. It must be done at the rink during designated warm up time and must be agree to by the opposing Team Representative. The Opposing Team Representative must sign the score next to the added player's name to make the player eligible to play. If the Opposing Team Representative will not agree to allow the addition of players or a specific player, the game falls under the forfeit policy. No players may be added for any reason during tournament play. All added players must be registered eligible JAHA players, not under suspension, and can come from any team and can even voluntarily come from the opposing team. All statistics for non forfeited games played in such cases will count towards league play. Scheduled Goal Tender absences are not covered by this rule, Goalie no-shows are covered under Rule 8.
17. Forfeit Policy
All teams must meet USA Hockey rules to start play (USA Hockey requires 6 players on the ice to start). If at the designated start time of a game, one team has less than ten players (9 skaters + goalie or 10 skaters) they may add up to four players under the Emergency Player Additions section provided the opposing team representative agrees. If the opposing team representative does not agree to the Emergency Player Addition the game results in a forfeit. If players cannot be added under that section for one reason or another, the score keeper shall start the game clock. If after 10 minutes have elapsed and the team is still short on players, the game is declared a forfeit and the referees and score keeper may leave. Forfeited games end in a 1-0 score with the win going to the team that did not forfeit the game. No player stats are calculated from the game beyond the win/loss stat. The remaining players may use the ice to scrimmage. If a scrimmage game takes place due to a forfeited game, all players must be JAHA registered and play under USA Hockey/JAHA rules. Any misconduct or disciplinary penalties handed out during the scrimmage game are 'official' penalties or disciplinary actions. Only eligible JAHA members may be on the ice during scrimmage time. No score sheet is generated from a scrimmage game unless disciplinary action is required due to an incident during the game. The score sheets must be clearly marked as a scrimmage game and signed by the officials. Referees failing to follow this policy will not be paid and a grievance sent to the Hockey Officials Association.
20. Alcohol and Tobacco Policy
At no time are alcohol or tobacco products to be present on the bench or on the ice during any association game. Violations will be dealt with by the Board.
21. Language and Sportsmanship
It is the intention of this association to promote good, clean, and fun competition in a family environment. Use of foul and vulgar language during a game, in the locker room, in the stands, or elsewhere on facility grounds is unacceptable. Players are responsible for their family and guests at a rink and may be disciplined or penalized for their actions or words. Inappropriate language or conduct towards a referee, off ice official, or Board member shall result in suspension of the player involved. If you have a problem with someone and can't be civil, please address the problem to the Board in writing. All players are encouraged to participate in the hand shake line after each game.
22. Contact
JAHA is a recreation league with no or limited contact allowed, depending on the tier. Any contact made above the shoulder using the forearm, fist, shoulder or stick will be penalized in all tiers. Co-Ed Tier A and B allows riding a player off the puck, but charging the individual into the boards or open ice hits will result in a penalty. Tiers C and the Women's tiers do not allow riding a player off the puck and will result in a penalty.
23. Disciplinary Action
In accordance with the League Bylaws, a Disciplinary Board has been formed to determine any additional disciplinary action required beyond those outlined in USA Hockey Rules. The three rule violations listed below will automatically result in additional action being taken by the Disciplinary Board.
- Fighting
- Third man into an altercation between two other players
- Intentionally trying to injure another player or official
League action may also be taken in accordance with USA Hockey Rule 410 (a) which states "In addition to the suspensions imposed under these rules, the proper disciplinary authority may, at the conclusion of the game, at their discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and may assess additional suspensions for any offense committed before the game, during the course of a game or any aftermath thereof by a player or Team Official, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee".
