2007-2008 ICE HOCKEY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Regular Season Guide
Tournament Season Guide
Forms

Following, you will find the basic rules, regulations and recommendations as set up by the the VPA Hockey Committee. Please read them and please direct your athletic staff to read them so there will be no misunderstandings.
We are very concerned at the league hockey games that there are still occasions when there isn't even a well-supplied first aid kit available, including appropriate communicable disease preventative materials. With the rinks being located where they are, it is recommended that the rink manager should have some knowledge of where medical help might be obtained in the event it is needed, or have medical personnel available.

2007-2008 NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS
The following rules are Points of Emphasis. Please review the full rule change description in the 2007-2008 Ice Hockey Rule Book.
1. Goalie Equipment.
2. Obstruction-Standards of Play.
3. Sportsmanship
4. Hits to the Head
5. Checking From Behind
6. Dental Guards
7. Girls Hockey: Body contact vs. Body Checking

These situations are addressed in the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book (pages 4-5). Coaches are responsible for reviewing this information and for reviewing 2007-2008 Ice Hockey Rules Changes listed on page 2 of the NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book.

The V.P.A. Ice Hockey Committee, in conjunction with the Vermont Hockey League, has been charged with the responsibility of supervising boys and girls interscholastic ice hockey in Vermont, and establishing guidelines for regular season and post-season competition.

1. The boys and girls ice hockey season will begin on Monday, November 12, 2007 and conclude with the last state tournament game on February 25, 2008.

2. A school may schedule no more than twenty interscholastic ice hockey games in a season, exclusive of the V.P.A. state tournament.

3. The first 3 games of a regularly scheduled series with any one opponent are all that will be counted, unless principals of the competing schools have agreed upon which three games shall be counted for the purpose of seeding, and should so inform the Associate Executive Director.

4. Rescheduling and adding games to the schedule in order to qualify for a tournament will not be allowed. Such actions will result in the removal from seedings.

5. All Vermont interscholastic hockey teams, boys and girls, will play by the National Federation Ice Hockey Rules, and the Vermont Hockey League rules modifications, including:
a. Rule 5-2-2-Warm-Up
b. Fifteen minute periods will be used.
c. Vermont Hockey League and VPA requires that all players must wear commercially manufactured throat protectors, which meet the manufacturer's original specifications. Goalkeepers must also wear a goalie throat guard attached to the front of the face mask.
d. A game (disqualification) results in suspension from the game, plus the next two games. A second game (disqualification) offense results in suspension of that player for the season. (VPA Rule) All VHL schools must file a report with the Vermont Principals' Association office and the VHL commissioner for any game disqualification within 2 days (prefer 24 hours if possible) of the infraction (both in and out of state).
e. A player will incur a game (misconduct) penalty upon accumulating a combination of four penalties in a game. Players ejected from the game shall not return to the ice or bench area but are eligible for the next game. (NFHS RULE)
f. A game disqualification in the final game of the season will result in a two game suspension to start the next season in which the disqualified player participates. Please note that if a team receives more than two player or coach disqualifications during the season or tournament, the school will be required to meet with the Activities Standards Committee before being allowed to continue in the tournament. (VPA Rule)
g. Final decisions of the VHL Grievance Committee may be appealed through the VPA Ice Hockey Committee.
h. Rule 4-11: Removal from the game. (NFHS Rule)
When a player, manager or other team personnel is removed from the game, that person is to leave the playing area immediately. If the removed person is a student or school-age person, the removal will take place only if there are authorized school personnel available for supervision. The individual will not return to the playing area at any time.
If there is no one available for supervision, the individual must remain on the bench. At that point, the coach shall be notified that any further disruption by that individual shall result in termination of the contest. PENALTY - FORFEITURE, and the score shall be 1-0.
i. Rule 6-1-9: No player shall use obscene language, obscene gestures
or racial/ethnic slurs to officials or others during the warm-up, during the progress of the game, during an intermission, or after the game.(NFHS Rule)
Rule 6-1-10: No coach or other bench personnel shall use any obscene language, obscene gestures, or any racial/ethnic slurs to officials or others during the warm-up, during the progress of the game, or during an intermission or after the game. (NFHS Rule)
Article IVB. (VPA Bylaws)
A coach who intentionally strikes, shoves, kicks, or makes other aggressive physical contact with another coach before, during, or after an interscholastic contest, shall be disqualified immediately and his/her coach’s eligibility may be suspended for up to one full calendar year. A coach who is disqualified under this provision shall not coach in any contest, pending a hearing before the Activities Standards Committee. The Activities Standards Committee shall determine the length of the suspension, giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including the seriousness of the offense. At the end of any suspension the coach may request the reinstatement of his/her eligibility. At this time, the Activities Standards Committee will place the request on their next meeting agenda, at which meeting the coach and principal are required to attend. The Activities Standards Committee will make the determination whether or not to reinstate the coach’s eligibility.

6. Uniforms - abide by Rule 2, Sec. 1.2, of the 2007-08 National Federation rule book regarding color of visiting team uniform. Qualify: Except as mutually agreed upon by both teams with approval of the tournament director within 24 hours prior to the game.

7. The host school shall also provide minor officials, including timers and goal judges, who must be adults. Minor officials shall be under the jurisdiction of the game officials.

8. It is recommended that police and a school administrator be present at all contests and remain until all game participants have left the arena.

9. Host schools must arrange for medical personnel and/or ambulance stand-by at all games.

10. REMINDERS FOR PLAYERS ON NON-SCHOOL TEAMS (I.E. YOUTH HOCKEY, MIDGETS) WISHING TO PLAY ON SCHOOL TEAMS:
A player may not concurrently play on non-school teams once the winter season has begun. Also, if player leaves school team and returns to non-school teams, he/she is no longer eligible that season to play for the school team.

11a. During regular season games (i.e. all non-VPA sanctioned post season games), no tie-breaker overtime periods except the single overtime period provided in National Federation Rules shall be played. This single overtime period shall be a maximum of 5 minutes in length.
b. To break regular season tournament ties after final overtime period, the following will be used:
1. Each team will select five different players.
2. Each player will take a penalty shot, with the referees alternating shots from team to team (visitors go first).
3. At the end of all 10 shots, the team with the highest number of goals advances (wins).
4. If the score remains tied after this round, the same five players will take alternating sets of single penalty shots (visitors first) until one player fails to score when the opponent shooter scores.
5. Regular season tournaments that remain tied after overtime are officially considered a tie for the purpose of their regular season record.

12. On Ice officials will meet with coaches and team captains at the end of the 15 minute warm-up period.

13. Note-effective, the 2007-2008 season, players must be on a schools hockey roster for 60% of the schools regular season games in order for the player to participate in the tournament.

14. During the regular season, no more than 29 individuals shall be on the team bench, consisting of 24 players and 5 non-playing personnel.

SCRIMMAGES
A scrimmage is defined as and intended to be a learning situation, not a competitive event. Further it is defined as a practice session involving students from more than one school, organization or group.
*While the public need not be denied admittance to a scrimmage, it shall not be played as a regular game, and no admission shall be charged.
*Scrimmages shall not be publicized.
*Awards cannot be given.
* If a timing device is used, normal game time shall be altered to ensure that instruction is the primary reason for the scrimmage.
*No official score shall be kept.
*Neither team may count the scrimmage as a game.

VPA BOYS AND GIRLS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
1. All VPA teams are eligible to apply for the 2007-2008 tournament. The top 16 teams in each division are accepted. In order to qualify for VPA Tournament play, a VPA member school must have played at least 40% of its regular season games with Vermont schools in their respective Division. Example-a Metro Division school must have played at least 40% of its regular season games (8 out of 20 games) with Vermont Metro Division schools.

2. Seedings into the tournament will be based on the school's entire played schedule.

3. The entire season schedule, record and League win/loss points must be listed on the application.

4. A completed application must be electronically filed to the VPA office no later than10:00 A.M. on Monday, February 11, 2008.

5. The following dates for the 2007-2008 boys and girls hockey tournaments will be used:
Completed application deadline: February 11, 2008, 10:00 A.M.
Last game to count: February 9, 2008
Pairings: Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 10:00 A.M.
Play downs, if necessary: February 13 or 14, 2008 at home ice of higher seeded
team
Quarter-finals: February 15 or 16, 2008 at home ice of higher seeded team
Semi-Finals and Finals:
Monday, February 18, 2008 Girls Lake Semi-Finals 7:00 P.M.& 9:00 P.M. *Times may be earlier, if possible.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Girls Metro Semi-Final 7:00 P.M. & 9:00 P.M.
Saturday, February 23, 2008 Girls Championships:
Lake Division-6:30 P.M. Metro Division 8:30 P.M.

Girls Division I (Metro) and Division II (Lake) semi-finals and finals will be at Kreitzberg-Norwich.

Boys Division 1 (Metro) and Division 2(Lake) semi-finals and finals will be at UVM (Gutterson).
Monday, February 18, 2008 Boys Metro Semi-Finals 6PM & 8PM.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Boys Lake Semi-Finals 6PM & 8PM.
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Boys Metro Championship 7:30 P.M.
Monday, February 25, 2008 Boys Lake Championship 7:30P.M. *Pending final UVM schedule.
All hockey school administrators - please notify rink managers of dates for playoffs and quarter-finals.

6. ADEQUATE police (security) will be provided at each tournament contest. A school administrator from each school shall be present and remain until all participants have left the arena.

7. A signed official roster shall be presented to the official scorer prior to warm-up.

8. For overtimes during tournament play, the rule book will be followed. A three minute rest period between the regular period and the overtime period will be allowed. If  additional overtime periods are necessary, a three minute rest period between each will be observed. Teams are to remain on the ice. Teams do not change ends for the overtime periods. For 2007-2008 tournament season, the overtime period will be a maximum of eight(8) minutes in length. At end of the first overtime, there will be a 3 minute intermission followed by 15 minute periods until a winner is determined.

9. New ice will be made at the end of each period at all levels of state tournament play. There will be no ice made between regulation play and overtime play, unless the tournament director and working officials so determine. In the semi-finals and finals, after one overtime period, new ice may be made.

10. The higher seeded team will be designated as the home team at all games with the lower seeded team being designated as the visiting team. The Hockey Committee will make the seedings, based on all games played, using the following point system teams keep original seed throughout the tournament:
Only games at the varsity level with members of our Association or games with out-of-state schools that are members of their comparable state athletic association, will count in determining the point index. Different point indices as listed below are based on which division the school is to be placed for the state tournament. The tournament divisional alignments are listed in the division alignments section of the winter guide.
Games listed and no disposition noted in the VPA office will be considered a loss. IN PREPARING THE APPLICATION, THE ENTIRE SEASON’S VARSITY SCHEDULE MUST BE LISTED. Do not include club competition or jayvee contests.
The point Index can be found as follows:

The points will be totaled and the total divided by the number of games played
to find the point index.
All teams will be paired in the order of their index.

11. People wishing to videotape must make arrangements with host site director.

12. Note – any team in a regular season away tournament (In/Out of State) will receive away points for seeding purposes.

VPA SANCTIONED POST-SEASON TOURNAMENTS:
1. There will be a 15-minute warm-up period prior to each game.

2. Medical coverage will be provided at all the tournaments and playoff games at V.P.A. expense.

3. Ticket information:
a. Each school participating in a tournament game will be given ¬30 ID's which are to be issued to players, manager, coaches, and team driver .
b. Once eliminated during tournament play, team members are ineligible for free admission to the next scheduled tournament event. However, schools may request to purchase tickets for the players.

4. Champions will be awarded a trophy, and runners-up in each division will be awarded a plaque. Individual awards will be presented to team members of champion and finalist teams, plus coach, assistant coach, and manager.

5. The traditional handshake practice by mutual consent of the coaches is recommended after the game. Players/Coaches ejected from the game shall not return to the ice or bench area for any reason.

6. Sportsmanship Awards are available for presentation for each division.

7. No more than 29 persons shall be on the team bench, consisting of 24 players and 5 non-player team personnel.

COACHES CODE OF ETHICS
NATIONAL FEDERATION COACHES ASSOCIATION
The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. An interscholastic program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Each student-athlete should be treated as though he or she were the coaches' own, and his or her welfare should be uppermost at all times. Accordingly, the following guidelines for coaches have been adopted by the NFCA Board of Directors.

The coach shall be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the student athlete and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.

The coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with student-athletes, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.

The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.

The coach shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players.

The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or her program in harmony with the total school program.

The coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members. The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.

The coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, both directly and by working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs, and administrators.

The coach shall respect and support contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of officials or players in unethical.

Before and after contests, coaches for the competing teams should meet and exchange cordial greetings to set the correct tone for the event.

A coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student-athletes special consideration.

A coach shall not scout opponents by any means other than those adopted by the league and/or state high school athletic association.

2007-08 NEW STANDARD OF PLAY AND RULES EMPHASIS

The following provides more detail and specifics related to the Points of Emphasis section in the National Federation Ice Hockey Rules Book under the Obstruction heading.

Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game will continue to allow the opportunity for improved skill development and a more positive hockey environment for all participants. Through this new initiative a greater emphasis will be placed on skating, puck possession and the proper use of the body to establish position and a competitive advantage.

The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body checking or body contact. A hard body check or using body contact/position to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules. Body Checking is prohibited in Girls Ice Hockey.

The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:

• The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.

• The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player’s progress.

• The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player’s progress.

• Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.

• Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

Enforcement Standard – These penalties are to be called with very strict enforcement

HOOKING

• A player cannot use his/her stick against an opponent’s body (puck carrier or non-puck carrier) to gain a positional advantage. Examples include:
- tugs or pulls on the body, arms or hands of the opponent which allows for the space between the players to diminish
- placing the stick in front of the opponent’s body and locking on – impeding the opponent’s progress or causing a loss of balance.
- stick on the hand/arm that takes away the ability for the opponent to pass or shoot the puck with a normal amount of force

TRIPPING

• A player cannot use his/her stick on the legs or feet of an opponent in a manner that would cause a loss of balance or for them to trip or fall. Examples include:
- placing the stick in front of the opponents legs for the purpose of impeding progress, even if on the ice, with no effort to legally play the puck
- placing the stick between the legs of the opponent (can opener/corkscrew) that causes a loss of balance or impedes the progress of the opponent.

HOLDING

• A player cannot wrap his/her arms around an opponent or use a free hand to clutch, grab or hold the stick, jersey or body on the opponent in a manner that impedes their progress. Examples include:
- wrapping one or both arms around the opponent along the boards in a manner that pins them against the boards and prevents them from playing the puck or skating
- grabbing the opponent’s body, stick or sweater with one or both hands
- using a free arm/hand to restrain or impede the opponent’s progress

INTERFERENCE

• The use of the body (“pick” or “block”) to impede the progress of an opponent with no effort to play the puck, maintain normal foot speed or established skating lane. Examples include:
- intentionally playing the body of an opponent who does not have possession or possession and control of the puck.
- using the body to establish a ”pick” or “block” that prevents an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier
- reducing foot speed or changing an established skating lane for the purpose of impeding an opponent from being able to chase a puck carrier

• Allowed Actions
- a player is entitled to the ice he/she occupies as long as they are able to maintain their own foot speed and body position between opponent and puck
- players are allowed to compete for body position using their strength and balance in front of the goal or along the boards.

SLASHING

• The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck. Any stick contact, as a result of a slashing motion, to the hands/ arms or body of the opponent will be strictly penalized. In addition, hard slashes to the upper portion of the stick (just below the hands) of an opponent, with no attempt to legally play the puck, shall also be penalized.

OTHER INFRACTIONS

• In addition to the above mentioned enforcement standards, all other infractions, including contact to the head, checking from behind, cross checking, high sticking and roughing (including late avoidable check) shall be penalized to a strict enforcement standard.

CONCLUSION

All members of Vermont High School Hockey share an equal responsibility to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld. The onus to incorporate change is not only on the officials, but also the administrators, coaches, parents and player, as well.

Administrators are expected to hold players, coaches, officials and parents accountable for their actions in an effort to promote a safe and positive environment for all participants.
Coaches are expected to teach proper skills and hold their players accountable for illegal and dangerous actions, regardless as to whether they are properly penalized, or not.
Parents are expected to support the decisions of the officials and support the coaches in teaching the proper skills in a safe and positive environment.
Officials shall enforce a strict penalty standard according to the guidelines that have been established.
Players are expected to compete within the playing rules.

All Vermont High School Hockey members must demonstrate awareness and support for the application, spirit and the respect of the rules in order for continued improvement in the game of hockey.