Rules 

ROSTERS:

Teams will be able to roster as many players as they can for the season. Players for a team’s roster must either live in the geographical region they come from or shall request in writing to play for a different team with good reason.

For each competition weekend, a team is allowed to select up to 15 players and coaches from their season roster to compete that weekend. This weekend roster must be submitted to the league two weeks prior to the competition.

If a team is short players they may recruit players from the other team’s rosters that were not specifically assigned to that specific weekend’s roster. These recruitments must be presented to the players committee and approved ahead of time.

All players must also be registered with USA Hockey and have signed the commitment letter for the WSHL.

Players can only be listed on 1 team roster, and can only play for that team during the tournament. (Any exceptions must be agreed upon by WSHL Board)

All Player must compete in 4 games before finals to qualify to play in Championship weekend finals. (Any exceptions must be agreed upon by WSHL Board)

Able Bodied Players – currently there will be no limit as to the number of “Able Bodied” Players allowed on a team or on the ice at one time, or the position they play. This applies to both adult and junior teams


Tournament Rules:

All rules approved by USA Hockey that govern Able Bodied Hockey will apply, unless otherwise stipulated in these Rules.

All rules approved by USA Hockey that govern Sled Hockey will apply, unless otherwise stipulated in these Rules.

AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S. SLED HOCKEY ASSOCIATION RULES!

Protective Equipment:
All Players will be required to wear a Neck Guard or other form of neck protection.

Ready to Play:
Players need to be on the ice by the opening drop of the puck. Any player late for the drop of the puck must wait until the start of the next period to join game in progress. Only Exception is Equipment delay and Referees & Opposing Coach must be made aware of Players Equipment delay immediately prior to drop of puck.
(If player comes after 2nd period start, player must wait until start of next (3rd) period)

Penalty Rule:
Players committing any (4) penalties in one game shall receive a game misconduct and removed from the game and is automatically suspended for the next game. The second occurrence of 4 penalties in one game during the same season will result in a two game suspension. The third time a player is assessed 4 penalties in one game during the same season they will be suspended indefinitely pending a review of the WSHL committee.

Game Misconduct Penalty:
In accordance with USA Hockey, any player receiving a game misconduct is ejected from the current game and must also miss the next scheduled league game. The WSHL Commissioner will
automatically review the penalty and determine if it warrants a Disciplinary Committee meeting where in the committee has the ability to impose further game suspensions and or other disciplinary action

Fighting:
In an effort to protect our players, the WSHL has adopted a strict fighting policy. The WSHL Committee will support the on-ice decisions of the Ice Hockey Referee Association. THEREFORE, ANY PLAYER ASSESSED A FIGHTING PENALTY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING: w/ gloves on: 2-game minimum suspension (non-reviewable)
W/ gloves off: 4 Game minimum suspension (non-reviewable). The WSHL Committee will also review all fighting incidents and will determine if further game suspensions and or other
Disciplinary action including league expulsion is warranted.
Spearing or Picking:
Spearing is defined by USA Hockey as the act of poking an opponent with the tip of the blade or Pick of the stick while holding it with one or both hands. The WSHL considers this to be a very serious offense and any player who is assessed a spearing penalty will be suspended for a 4 games, pending a review by the WSHL disciplinary committee.

Game format:
5 min. warm-up three 15 min. stop time periods with two 2 min breaks between
Periods and one 30 second time out. The team with the most goals wins.

The two teams with the best records will qualify for the championship game.

Tiebreakers are as follows:
1. Total of wins
2. Head to Head
3. Most goals
4. Fewest penalty minutes
5. Coin Flip

Championship Game:
1. If tied after 3 periods there will be a 5 minute overtime
2. If still tied, there will be a 3 player alternate shoot-out
3. If still tied there will be a sudden death shoot-out until there is a champion

Consolation Game:
1. If tied there will be a 3 player alternate shot shoot-out
2. If still tied, there will be a sudden death shoot-out until there is a winner

Delayed Off Side:
A. No ‘Off Side’ whistle will be blown if all opposing players exit zone without touching the puck
B. Players may re-enter zone once it has been cleared

Pusher:
Will be allowed a player may only be pushed as fast as the opposing player they are skating against


Code of Conduct

Due to the increase of violence at sporting events over the past several years, the WSHL is asking that all players sign the Commitment letter. The Team Representatives should make this available to all persons.

SPORTSMANSHIP: All players, coaches, support staff, and fans are expected to conduct themselves in a Sportsman like manner. We are all here to have fun in a competitive and positive environment. We encourage people to support and cheer for their team and/or teammates with enthusiasm. Vulgar, rude, or inappropriate comments or gestures will not be tolerated.

VIOLENCE: Violence will not be TOLERATED. There is a policy governing fighting for players in the rules. Coaches, support staff, and or fans that commit an Act of Violence or in the opinion of the Referees are unruly, will be asked to leave the premises and banned from attending any of the remaining games in the tournament.

REFEREES: The Referees are in ‘Charge’ of calling the game. Coaches and only coaches may appeal a referee’s decision to the referee(s). If the referee(s) refuse to reverse their decision, then there is no further avenue of Appeal.

FANS: If a referee feels a FAN is being vulgar, inappropriate or unruly, the referee will ask the coach of the team the fan is rooting for to speak to the fan. If necessary the fan may be asked to leave the Arena and could be banned from the rest of the tournament.

We should all strive to make the tournament(s) a fun and positive event.