VICTORIA HOCKEY LEAGUE BY-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-2023/2024

Be it agreed upon by all teams and their members that the Victoria Hockey League (VHL) By-laws and Regulations are hereby outlined and binding upon all parties.

TITLES AND DUTIES

PRESIDENT
1. To act as official VHL representative

2. To establish a yearly budget

3. To procure playing areas for the VHL

4. To establish the VHL schedule

5. To call and chair all VHL meetings

6. To act as final arbitrator in certain dispute.

7. Deal with matters of suspension, enforcing the VHL rules and notification
of team representatives.

8. In the event that the President is unable to fulfill his duties, the Vice president will act on his behalf.

VICE PRESIDENT/HEAD OF OFFICIALS
1. To attend VHL meetings

2. To advise the President and/or the Executive Committee of the rules of the VHL.

3. Deal with matters of suspension, enforcing the VHL rules and notification of team representatives. when the president is not available.

4. To assign referees for all VHL games.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. To represent their teams at all meetings

2. To appoint League officials

3. To be available for committees

4. To enforce League rules and regulations
5. To ensure timely payment of their team's VHL fees
6. To submit team rosters
7. To work for the betterment of the VHL
8. To vote on all pertinent matters SECTION I:

ADMINISTRATIVE BY-LAWS
1. To be eligible to play in the VHL, each team must submit a team roster. The roster must be submitted by the 15th of December. A roster must be a minimum of 15 players and a maximum of 20 players. Non-roster players may be used to supplement a team's playing strength. Any non-roster player involved in a fight will not be allowed back in the League as a non-roster player. That player's team will be assessed a $50.00 fine. Any roster player involved in a fight with a non-roster player, will be assessed a suspension as outlined in this document. Non-roster players will not be eligible to play in the playoffs. Any roster moves must be completed by the resumption of play after the Christmas break.

2. A team may be expelled from, or refused entry into the VHL, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

3. To be eligible to participate in the VHL, each team must pay an annual fee $9000.00, by the dates designated by the Executive Committee. For the 2023-2024 seasons, dates and payments will be as follows: half by Oct 15/23 and the final half by Dec 1/23.

4. Any team that does not pay the stipulated fees by the designated dates may be suspended until all outstanding fees are paid. This will apply in each incident of non-payment.

5. Should a team be suspended or expelled from the VHL, or voluntarily remove itself from the league, during the course of a season, then:
a. all monies paid to the VHL by that team, or its players will be forfeited to the VHL;
b. the status of the individual players will be reviewed on an individual basis. The Executive Committee will determine whether the individual players will be allowed to continue to play in the VHL.

6. The VHL Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President, Head of Officials and one representative per team. Such persons shall be the governing body of the VHL. Furthermore, each representative will have one vote on all Executive Committee matters. In matters of dispute, where teams are specifically involved, the teams involved will not have a vote in the matter. Teams not involved in the dispute will vote in the matter. In the event of a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote.

7. The VHL Executive Committee will meet no later than 45 days before the start of a VHL season. The President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee, at or near mid-season, or at any other time deemed necessary.

8. The President, after review and speaking to the parties concerned, shall have the authority to suspend, discharge, or otherwise discipline any manager, coach, player, or any other persons whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the VHL. Appeals may be made to the Executive Committee. Until the appeal has been heard and acted on, any suspension levied will remain in effect.

9. The VHL Executive Committee will review and amend the VHL By-laws and Regulations as required.

10. Any player that has not met his financial obligation to a team from a previous year’s play will not be permitted to play until he has satisfied those obligations.

11. All players must be 19 years old to play in the VHL.

SECTION II: OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS
1. Only eligible players and eligible teams will be allowed to play in the VHL,

2. CAHA Rules and Regulations will be enforced along with any amendments as specified in Section III.

3. Intentional body contact is not permitted. The degree of allowable contact will be determined by the referees. At the discretion of the referees, a two minute minor penalty or a five minute major penalty may be assessed for intentional contact.

4. All minor penalties will be of two minutes stop time duration

5. Any player or team member ejected from a game shall immediately leave the playing area. Any person that is ejected from a game that returns to further harass players or officials will be reported to the President for subsequent action.

6. All VHL games shall be two twenty minute stop time periods. If a game is going beyond the time limit allotted, the timekeeper will run the clock to end the game at the appropriate time.

7. Each team must fill out a team line up prior to the game.

8. Any team unable to dress a goalie and at least 6 other players will automatically forfeit that game to the opposing team. Any team using a player under suspension will forfeit any games that that player plays in and that player will be suspended for a further two games. For a team’s first forfeited game, $150.00 will be awarded to the non-offending team from the League fees of the offending team. These monies will be applied to the non-offending team’s League fees. Further forfeited games will be dealt with by the League Executive at the beginning of the next hockey season. In the event of a team purposely forfeiting a regular season or playoff game, they will be held responsible for paying set fines as laid in this document and also any costs usually covered by the League for the forfeited game. They do not have to be roster players.

9. It is the responsibility of the teams to be ready to go on the ice immediately following the preceding game or activity. Immediately the ice becomes available, the timekeeper will sound the horn, put four minutes on the clock and start the clock. At the expiration of the warm up, the teams will be expected to be ready to commence play. The timekeeper will put 21 minutes on the clock and start the clock. Any team that is obviously not making any attempt to commence play will be liable for a delay of game penalty. In the event it is known that there is another ice user behind us, the first 5 minutes of the second period will be straight time.

10. It is the responsibility of the team representatives to ensure that their players are aware of all VHL rules and regulations.

11. The winner of each game will be awarded two points and the loser no points. In the event of a tie game, each team will be awarded one point. At the end of a VHL season, teams that are tied in the standings will break the deadlock in the following manner: Best Win Percentage, The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs, Most Number of Wins, Highest Points For minus Points Against, Lowest Points Against.

12. Any protest of the Rules and Regulations, regarding the game being played, must be directed towards the referees prior to completion of the game. No protests will be entertained after the completion of a game. The referees will note on the score sheet the time, the reason for protest and the protesting team. Should a protest be filed, the decision of the referees will stand until the Secretary has heard and acted upon the protest. The decision regarding the protest will be advised within three days of the game in question. All protests are to be in writing and accompanied by a fifty dollar fee. This fee is returnable only if the protest is upheld. It should be noted that a protest of a referee's interpretation of a rule will not be entertained.

13. Any team, having a player that is responsible for damage to arena or public property, will be liable for any costs incurred by that player. That player will not be permitted to play again until the League and the arena in question have been presented with a letter of apology from that player.

14. There will be no Red Line in the VHL.

SECTION III: PLAYING RULES

1. Any player actively involved in a game and identified as being intoxicated, will be ejected from that game.

2. Players must play a minimum of 5 regular season games to be eligible for the playoffs. These 5 games must be played with the same team.

3. FIGHTING:
Any player receiving a major penalty for fighting will be suspended for the next League or playoff game. He will get 5 mins for fighting and a game misconduct. A player identified as the instigator and/or aggressor in a fight will receive an additional minor penalty. A second offence for fighting will result in a 3 game suspension. A third offence for fighting will result in a 6 game suspension. A fourth offence for fighting will result in a 12 game suspension. Any fighting off the playing surface will be dealt with by the President.

4. HIGH STICKING:
A “high stick” is one which is carried above the height of the opponent’s shoulders. Players and goalkeepers must be in control and responsible for their stick. However, a player or goalkeeper is permitted accidental contact on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal windup or follow through of a shooting motion. A wild swing at a bouncing puck would not be considered a normal windup or follow through and any contact to an opponent above the height of the shoulders shall be penalized accordingly.
A) Minor Penalty - Any contact made by a stick on an opponent above the shoulders is prohibited and a minor penalty shall be imposed.
B)Double-minor Penalty- When a player or goalkeeper carries or holds any part of his stick above the shoulders of the opponent so that injury results, the Referee shall assess a double-minor penalty  for all contact that causes an injury, whether accidental or careless, in the opinion of the Referee.
C)Match Penalty – When, in the opinion of the Referee, a player or goalkeeper attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent while carrying or holding any part of his stick above the shoulders of the opponent, the Referee shall assess a match penalty to the offending player.
D) Goals - An apparent goal scored by an attacking player who strikes the puck with his stick carried above the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall not be allowed. The determining factor is where the puck makes contact with the stick. If the puck makes contact with the stick below the level of the crossbar and enters the goal, this goal shall be allowed.
A goal scored by a defending player who strikes the puck with his stick carried above the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall be allowed.

5. MISCONDUCT:
In the event of misconduct penalties to any players except the goalkeeper, the player will have to sit in the penalty box for a period of ten (10) minutes each. A substitute player is permitted to immediately replace a player serving a misconduct penalty. A player whose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the penalty box until the next stoppage of play.
A) Misconduct Penalty – Goalkeeper - Should a goalkeeper on the ice incur a misconduct penalty, this penalty shall be served by another member of his team who was on the ice when the offense was committed. This player is to be designated by the Manager or Coach of the offending team through the Captain.
B) Short-handed – A player receiving a misconduct penalty does not cause his team to play short-handed unless he also receives a minor , major or match penalty in addition to the misconduct penalty.
C) Any player accumulating three Misconduct penalties will be suspended for his next League or playoff game. For every further Misconduct penalty that he is assessed, that player will be suspended for his next League or playoff game.

6. GAME MISCONDUCT:
A) A game misconduct penalty involves the player or goalkeeper to be escorted off the ice for the balance of the game but a substitute is permitted to replace immediately the player or goalkeeper so removed.
B) A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed to any player who challenges or disputes the rulings of any Official during a game. If the player persists in such challenge or dispute, he shall be assessed a misconduct penalty and any further dispute will result in a game misconduct penalty being assessed to the offending player.
C) Any player accumulating three Misconduct penalties will be suspended for his next League or playoff game. For every further Misconduct penalty that he is assessed, that player will be suspended for his next League or playoff game.

7. GROSS MISCONDUCT:
A) A gross misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player or non-playing club personnel who directs obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures to any person or uses the name of any Official coupled with any vociferous remarks, after the expiration of the game. This action may occur on or off the ice.
B) This shall also apply to anyone who throws or shoots any equipment or other object in the general direction of an Official but does not come close to making any kind of contact. This action may occur on or off the ice.
C) Any player assessed a Gross Misconduct penalty will be ejected from the game and will be suspended for a minimum of 2 games.

8. MATCH:
A) A match penalty involves the suspension of a player or goalkeeper for the balance of the game and the offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately.
B) A match penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who deliberately attempts to injure an opponent in any manner.
C) Any player assessed a Match penalty for reasons other than abuse of officials, will be suspended for a minimum of 2 games. Any player who receives a Match penalty for abuse of officials shall be suspended for a minimum of ten games. Any player that deliberately strikes or attempts to strike an official will be suspended indefinitely from the VHL. All such cases will be reviewed by the President.

9. Any combination of any four penalties will result in ejection from the game. If a player receives two penalties in the same stoppage of play, that will count as two penalties.

10. Helmets must be CSA approved and must have a proper chin strap. Any player that has his helmet knocked off during play must either go directly to his bench or retrieve his helmet and replace it on his head, securing the chin strap, prior to resuming play. Any player without a helmet, that involves himself in the play in any manner, will be assessed a minor penalty for illegal equipment. All players must have a proper chin strap. Tape or lace will not be allowed. Goalies must wear a mask but it does not have to be CSA approved. Goalies are not required to wear helmets. Any time that the goalie’s mask becomes dislodged, play will be stopped immediately.

11. Delayed offside rule to be incorporated. All players must put themselves onside before any player can proceed again into the offensive zone.

12. The automatic icing rule to apply.

13. Time outs are not allowed.

14. If a team does not have the required number of players or they do not show up for a scheduled game, that team will forfeit this scheduled game. The other team will be deemed to be the winner and the only statistics applied will be two points for the team that was there in full. Prior to the declaration of a forfeited game, non roster players from the team that has a full complement should be used to supplement the team that is short players. Roster players may not be used in this regard. In the event this is unsuccessful, a forfeited game will be declared. If desired by the players that are there, teams will be chosen and a pick up game will be played. League rules and regulations will still be in effect. Officials will be required to stay. Any repeat events of forfeitures will be dealt with at a League meeting. A minimum of 72 hours will be required to cancel a scheduled game and extenuating circumstances must exist. Previously discussed penalties will apply to all forfeited games.

15. In an effort to use the ice time in the most expedient manner, delay of game penalties will be assessed to teams that are judged to be delaying the game beyond a reasonable degree.

16. A “Goal” will be awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team has taken their goaltender off the ice and an attacking player has possession and control of the puck on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone without a defending player between himself and the opposing goal and: he is interfered with by an opposing player who has illegally entered the game or, a stick or any other object is thrown by a player on the defending team or ,the puck carrier is fouled from behind and prevented from having a clear shot on the open goal or, any member of the defending team including the team officials, whether on the players’ bench or penalty bench, interferes by means of his body, stick or any other object with the puck or the puck carrier.

17. In the event of a shootout in the playoffs all players are eligible to participate in the shootout unless they are serving ten minute misconduct or have been assessed a game misconduct, gross misconduct or match penalty.

18. If a goaltender is hit in the head with shot from an opposing player the play is immediately stopped by the official. Moreover, if the goaltender's mask is dislodged during play the same call will result.

19. Face-off Locations
A)All face-offs must be conducted on one of the nine (9) face-off spots located on the rink.
B) When a stoppage of play has been caused by any player of the attacking side in the attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be made in the neutral zone on the nearest face-off spot. If two rule violations are the reason for the stoppage of play (ie. high-sticking the puck and intentional off-side), the ensuing face-off location shall be determined as the spot that provides the least amount of territorial advantage to the offending team.
C) When the play is stopped for any reason not specifically attributable to either team while the puck is in the neutral zone, the ensuing face-off shall be conducted at the nearest face-off spot outside the blue line whenever possible. 

20. Face-off Locations due to Penalties
A) When a player is penalized on one team, the ensuing face-off shall be conducted at the one of the two face-off spots in the offending teams zone
B) When a penalty has been committed by 2 different players on either team at the same time, the ensuing face-off will be made at the nearest face-off spot in that zone.