Rule

Sub

Rule

1-1

A

The league will supply a commissioner, who will act as a timekeeper and scorekeeper

1-1

B

Commissioners mat suggest to referees additional penalties to players or coaches relating to unacceptable conduct

1-2

All payments will be made to the League Treasurer prior to the agreed upon dates

1-3

A

The regular season team standings will be computed by points for wins losses and ties
Wins = 2 points, Ties = 1 point, Losses = 0 points

1-3

B

In cases of a tie in the standings at the end of league play, the ties teams will be regular season co-champions

1-3

C

At the end of the regular season, playoffs will take place in the Mite through full-season Bantam A level. Playoff rules and requirements will be forwarded to the programs during the regular season.

1-4

All rosters must be on an official USA Hockey form and the form must be stamped by the appropriate District Registrar. If there are any complications regarding player eligibility, the League Commissioner will have the power to declare a forfeit.

1-5

All teams will submit to the League Commissioner a copy of their USA Hockey roster by December 1, 2000. Any team which does not submit a player roster by December 1, 2000 will be ineligible for League Playoffs.

1-6

All teams will be checked to see that they have registered will Massachusetts Hockey, and USA Hockey by December 31, 2000

1-7

Programs are directed to instruct spectators to keep off the ice. For violations of this mandate see Rule 6-3

1-8

A

The season will be approximately 30 weeks long. Approximately 10 weeks for alignment. Approximately 20 weeks for record.

1-8

B

All leagues will be set up in final divisions after teams play for approximately 10 weeks. The last part of the season will be played on a level of competition basis. The team with the most points after approximately the last 20 weeks is the winner.

1-9

A

All protests must be made to the League Commissioner within 24 hours of game completion, by phone and 48 hours in writing, or before the next game, whichever comes first. All protests must be approved by your programs Board of Directors. No protests will be accepted via e-mail.
ANY COACH WHO WRITES A PROTEST OR REMARK ON A GAME SHEET WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR A MINIMUM OF ONE (1) GAME.

1-9

B

Judgement calls by officials are not grounds for protests. Questions concerning officials may be directed to the following Referee Supervisors:
Brian Ferraro (978) 667-3535
Bill Byers (978) 851-6476
Kevin Conway (978) 663-0196 (Timekeeper Supervisor)
Joe Ferraro (978) 667-1465 (League Commissioner)

1-10

A

All complaints, written or otherwise, by directors, coaches, or parents will not be accepted unless they have been approved by the board of directors of the responsible program.

1-10

B

Any coach who forgets he is coaching young boys and loses his control during or after a game, will receive a suspension from the league

1-10

C

Any parent, or spectator, who, after being warned by a league or game official, persists in conduct which is detrimental to play of the game will be ejected from the rink. If the individual(s) refuses to leave the area the game will be suspended. Coach(es) failing to identify the offending parent, or spectator, will be suspended indefinitely at that point and the offending team will then forfeit the game

1-10

D

As a game official, the commissioner (timekeeper) on duty has the authority to suspend players, coaches, and spectators who are guilty of inappropriate conduct.
Coaches, and parents, should realize that the control of the players is their responsibility. When they act up, so will the players.

1-10

E

Suspended coaches, or players, will not be allowed to participate in league competition for a period of time so determined by the League Commissioner.

1-11

A

All teams should have sufficient insurance coverage. The league will not be responsible for any injury to players, coaches, officials, or spectators.

1-11

B

Hockeytown U.S.A. has made the Dual State League responsible for informing all persons that are associated with the league during these rental sessions, whether they be spectators or participants, that they must absolve Hockeytown U.S.A., Inc. from any and all liabilities for any injuries sustained by them on the premises.

1-12

The league will not be responsible for any damages incurred by teams at any of the rinks. Individual programs are responsible for payment of damages caused by their players.

1-13

All league business will be conducted through the League Office, preferably by telephone. No league business will be conducted via e-mail.

Rule

Sub

Rule

2-1

All teams must be registered with Massachusetts Hockey and USA Hockey. Official rosters and copies of birth certificates for each player must be available upon request, to the League.

2-2

A roster will consist of a maximum of 20 players – 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders

2-3

Any team that does not dress the minimum number of skaters for a game will automatically forfeit that game (Reference: USA Hockey Rules 201 and 203C).

2-4

Player eligibility dates for team rosters will be in accordance with USA Hockey.

2-5

A

No player may appear on more than one roster within the league.

2-5

B

A player from a team below may be carried as an alternate. Each alternate may play only five (5) games for the team above. If an alternate participates in a sixth (6^th) game he will not be allowed to return to his original team.

2-5

C

Each time an alternate player participates he must sign the score sheet at the start of the game. Any coach who does not notify the commissioner (timekeeper) of an alternate player will be subject to being suspended by the League Commissioner

2-6

In addition to the players, only three (3) coaches and a trainer will be allowed on the bench.

Rule

Sub

Rule

3-1

In case of inclement weather or ice breakdowns, teams will be notified of cancellations by the League Commissioner or his representative.

3-2

A

Teams requesting postponement of scheduled games must make arrangements with the opposing team seven (7) days prior to the date of the game. DIRECTORS OF BOTH TEAMS INVOLVED IN A POSTPONEMENT MUST CALL THE LEAGUE COMMISSIONER TO INFORM HIM OF WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE ON THE SCHEDULED GAME ICE. No postponement or cancellations will be accepted via e-mail.

3-2

B

The team requesting the postponement must make arrangements for ice and officials and make-up the game so that the game sheet can be turned into the League Commissioner no later than three (3) weeks after the original scheduled league game. All games cancelled between March 15 and the end of the season must:
1.) Be made up prior to April 1
2.) Have make-up game sheets turned into the league by April 1 with the following
information included on it:
a.) Date, time and location of originally scheduled game,
b.) Name and phone numbers of both teams’ coaches
Any make-up game sheets not submitted by April 1 or without the above information will not be accepted.
NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE WILL BE MADE.

3-2

C

Failure to make-up the game will result in a forfeit for the team requesting the postponement. If the team requesting the postponement has offered a minimum of two (2) reasonable hours of ice for the purpose of game make-up which have been declined by the opposing team, contact the League Commissioner for further action.

3-2

D

REMEMBER: The team requesting the postponement will be responsible for the entire payment of League game costs if team officials do not give the opponent the proper seven (7) day notification. (This means the fee of both teams for that game)

3-3

Teams receiving proper notification from opponents to postpone a game should realize that the ice, officials, and timekeeper are available. If you (coach) invite another team to play a non-league game you are responsible for their actions. Teams invited to play non-league games do not have to be a member of our league but must be USA Hockey registered. Club teams must show proof of registration before officials will proceed with the game. When, for whatever reason, you decide not to use the ice for a game or practice, it is your responsibility to call the League Commissioner. REMEMBER: When the above is complied with both teams are still responsible for their games costs.

3-4

Teams requesting postponement with other teams due to inclement weather are responsible for the payment of ice, officials, and timekeeper. Unless the games have been cancelled by the Dual State League, no coach should assume the games have been cancelled.

Rule

Sub

Rule

4-1

The playing rules of the league will be guided by the current USA Hockey Rule Book with the exception of the fighting, high stick, and maximum penalty rules.

4-2

A

All teams will play twelve (12) minute stop time periods. Mites will have ice made after every second (2^nd) game.

4-2

B

MIDGETS ONLY: The first two (2) periods will be twelve (12) minute stop time, the third (3^rd) period will be running time for the remainder of the hour.

4-2

C

MIDGETS ONLY: The final two (2) minutes of the game will be stop time if the difference in scores is two (2) goals or less

4-3

A puck, which strikes the wall, below the height of the glass, in the rinks at Hockeytown, Saugus and Skate 3, Tyngsboro (WHITE RINK ONLY) shall be considered in play.

4-4

Players, including alternates, will wear the same number all season.

4-5

Teams should be ready to play five (5) minutes prior to scheduled game time and will take the ice immediately at the request of the game officials. Failure to respond will result in a delay of game penalty. Any coach who takes exception to this rule will be reported to the League Commissioner and be subjected to league suspension.

4-6

A warm-up period of no more than three (3) minutes shall be allowed at the start of each game. Teams not prepared to start will be given a delay of game penalty. An additional delay of game will be added if the offending team or teams are not ready to play thirty (30) seconds after the first delay of game penalty. Any further delay will cause the offending team to forfeit the game. If both teams are at fault for the delay, no contest will be declared. In case of no contest, teams may use the ice under the supervision of their coaches for the remaining time allotted for the game only.

4-7

A

Any game that has an eight (8) goal spread will result in running time for the remainder of the game. Once a game goes on running time it will remain that way until its conclusion.

4-7

B

Any game that requires the referees to continually position the players on the ice will result in running time.

4-8

All Dual State games are curfew games. Therefore, under USA Hockey Rule 637e, there will be NO TIME-OUTS PERMITTED.

4-9

Net anchors are prohibited at Mite and Squirt levels, but may be used for all other levels at the discretion of the Dual State League.

Rule

Sub

Rule

5-1

No coach, or spectator, will be allowed on the ice to aid an injured player until the referees request assistance. (Reference: USA Hockey Rule 625m).

5-2

A

If a player is injured and cannot be moved off the ice until medical help arrives, the clock will keep running until the player is removed by the proper authorities.

5-2

B

In cases where this may run into the next game, the timekeeper will keep the clock running into the time of the next game.

5-2

C

When the player is removed, the timekeeper will stop the clock and allow for ice making (unless both coaches agree to play without new ice). The timekeeper will then inform both coaches of how much times is left for the game and what the adjusted periods will be.

Rule

Sub

Rule

6-1

Any coach who takes his team off the ice before the conclusion of a game will not be permitted to return to the bench for a period of one (1) year unless reinstated by the League Commissioner.

6-2

THE SHAKING OF HANDS AMONG PLAYERS AT THE CONCLUSION OF A GAME IS NOT PERMITTED. The visiting team will leave the ice first. The home team will remain on the bench until the players from the visiting team are off the ice. Any home team coach whose team leaves the bench too soon thereby causing an altercation, will not be permitted to return to the bench as a coach until he has a hearing with the League Commissioner.

6-3

Any parent or spectator found to be a travesty of the game by the on of off ice league officials will be banned from all league activity for a period to be determined by the League Commissioner. For failure to adhere to this rule player(s) connected to the offender could also face disciplinary action by the league.
In accordance with USA Hockey Rule 410a, the league reserves the right at its discretion to investigate any incident that occurs in connection with a Dual State League game, during the course of a game or in its aftermath, and assess any suspensions and/or banning as the League Commissioner deems fit. This includes the actions of parents and/or spectators.

Rule

Sub

Rule

7-1

Trophies will be awarded to the regular season first (1^st) and second (2^nd) place teams in each division of all leagues. In case of a tie, trophies will be awarded to each team tied.

7-2

USA Hockey Patches: After each game, every team receives a copy of the official score sheet, signed by the referees. It is each coach’s responsibility to use this copy to obtain patches from USA Hockey for his players. It is suggested that you send a copy of the score sheet to USA Hockey. You may need the original for tournaments later in the year.

Rule

Sub

Rule

8-1

Match penalty and Gross Misconduct. Refer to the USA Hockey Rule Book and Massachusetts Hockey Official Guide

8-2

A

Fighting of Attempt to Injure
Mites through Bantams:
Automatice thirty (30) day suspension from Dual State League Play.
Second offense: Expulsion from the Dual State League.
MIDGETS ONLY:
Automatice expulsion from the Dual State League for the first offense

8-2

B

Any coach who allows a suspended player to participate in Dual State League play will be suspended for a period of no less than one (1) year and reported to the proper Massachusetts Hockey and USA Hockey authorities.

8-3

All levels: Combined fifteen (15) penalties in a game will result in running time for the remainder of the game. The final two (2) minutes of play will be stop time only if the difference in scores is two (2) goals or less.

8-4

A

An immediate bench minor penalty will be assessed to any coach who argues a judgement call pertaining to the Massachusetts Hockey and USA Hockey high stick and no check rules.

8-4

B

If a coach persists in arguing after a bench minor penalty has been assessed, he will be ejected from the game.

8-5

Any coach, manager, or trainer ejected from a game will automatically receive a one (1) game suspension to be served in the next Dual State League game.
Repeat offenders will be subject to further league action.

8-6

Duration of penalties:
Level Minor Major Misconduct
Midgets / Bantams 1 Minute 30 seconds 4 minutes 8 minutes
All other categories 1 Minute 3 minutes 6 minutes

8-7

Any player, from mites to midget, who receives more than three (3) penalties in a game, will be suspended for the balance of that game and the next scheduled league game, which includes playoffs.

8-8

Any team found guilty of causing a major altercation will be subject to forfeiting the game. Decision will be made by the League Commissioner only.

8-9

MIDGETS ONLY: Any player who receives a high stick minor or major penalty will receive and automatic game misconduct. That means that the player is suspended from the remainder of the game that the penalty was incurred in and the next scheduled league game.

8-10

Any player or coach who is suspended for a second time during the season could face additional disciplinary action from the League Commissioner.

8-11

Any suspension of a coach, player, or spectator by the Dual State League for the remainder of the season will be extended throughout the league playoffs.