Regulations
CMHF REGULATIONS
Revised November 09, 2009
REGULATION 1: MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Each Association shall provide to the President of the CMHF annually, by October 01 of each year:
(a) The name of the President, Central Minor delegate and alternate delegate, of which only one may vote at any meeting of the CMHF. Any alteration of these positions shall require the consent of the Federation for voting privileges.
(b) The name and contact information for the Referee-in-Chief.
(c) The name and contact for team officials.
(d) The number and proposed level of teams being entered to play in the CMHF for the year.
(e) Home and away team colours to be worn.
(f) The day, time, and rink location, at which each team will play its home games.
Failure to provide the above information by the required date could result in a team not being accepted into the league for that year.
REGULATION 2: CATEGORIZATION/CLASSIFICATION
(a) Categorization/classification shall be a four week period beginning the third Sunday in October each year and shall be run by the league executive to ensure fair and balanced placement of teams for the upcoming season.
(b) Any association wishing to request a movement in a division during this period shall request same in writing to the president of CMHF prior to the beginning of the fourth week of play.
(c) CMHF shall make any recommendations regarding team movement at a meeting called for such purpose, and any CMHF member association shall have 4 days to appeal said recommendation and the hearing shall be within 48 hours after such appeal is received in writing by the President.
(d) Any member association in good standing may appeal the CMHF recommended categorization/classification of another member association team as per the time frames in (c) above.
(e) Should the categorization/classification for the CMHF be appealed, then the majority decision of the CMHF Executive will be binding and no higher appeal is allowed.
(f) The above regulations apply to the categorization/classification for CMHF play only. Classification for Provincials follows HNSMC.
(g) All points awarded during categorization will continue into the regular season unless there is a change in the division. The teams in the effected divisions will start regular play at 0 points.
REGULATION 3: RESIDENCE
(a) Residence requirements for play in CMHF will be as per HNSMC.
(b) Any appeal or protest regarding the residence of any player is to be directed to the HNSMC via the appropriate Regional Director.
REGULATION 4: REGISTRATION
(a) Movement of players between teams in member associations shall be done according to HNSMC.
(b) Registration for Provincial play shall be in accordance with HNSMC.
REGULATION 5: RULES OF COMPETITION
5.1 Team Competition
(a) The players listed on the game sheet must be either registered members of the team involved, or approved affiliate players.
(b) A minimum of 9 players in uniform (not necessarily including a goaltender) on each team shall be necessary to start a game.
5.2 Timing Procedure
(a) All games in all divisions (with the exception of Bantam AAA and Midget AAA) shall be 3 x 10-minute stop time periods. Bantam AAA and Midget AAA shall be 3 x 15-minute stop time periods. If after completing 2 periods of play, a game is called for lack of time, it shall constitute a complete game.
5.3 Playing Rules
(a) Rules as adopted by HOCKEY CANADA, HNS, and the HNSMC shall apply except as specified herein, for all games of the CMHF.
5.4 Equipment
(a) The CMHF emphatically endorses Hockey Canada Rule 3.6(b): “While on the ice, all players, including goalkeepers, shall wear a CSA approved hockey helmet, to which a Hockey Canada approved facial protector must be securely attached and not altered in any way. Any alteration to a CSA approved helmet or facial protector automatically destroys the certification. The chinstrap of the helmet shall be properly fastened under the chin. The straps of the facial protector shall also be properly fastened to the hockey helmet.
5.5 Schedules
(a) Every attempt should be made to play games as scheduled. Schedule changes should be done through the association’s CM delegates with confirmation by the CM Divisional Vice President. No team official should be contacting any CMHF Vice president on game changes. Game changes between coaches or other team officials are not permitted.
CMHF recognizes the following reasons for requesting a game be rescheduled:
1. School exams where three (3) or more players have an exam scheduled for the next day.
2. Halloween. Games may be rescheduled for players in the PeeWee age bracket and below.
3. Snow storms. Games may be rescheduled based on storm warnings, heavy snowfall forecasts or requests by police to stay off the roads. In all cases, the safety of the players shall take precedence. Power failures are also common during severe storms.
4. No ice. Minor Hockey can be bounced for tournaments or other reasons in some rinks.
5. Recognized HNS sanctioned tournaments. Every effort must be made to reschedule games in a timely manner around tournaments. While CMHF encourages tournament play, the completion of the CMHF schedule is paramount. Notice of teams being away for tournaments must be given to the relevant CMHF rep and the CMHF VP with a proposed make up date (home team) or request for an alternate date (away team).
6. Christmas concerts. For PeeWee and below a game may be cancelled if three (3) or more players on the team cannot make it, however, it should be limited to one date per team.
5.6 Other Scheduling Issues
(a) Exhibition games do not take precedence over regular scheduled games. However, if an exhibition game has been set, then an opposing team proposes a CMHF game for the same day, the previously scheduled exhibition game does not have to be cancelled. However, if the CMHF game is set first, it cannot be cancelled for an exhibition game.
(b) Make up Week. The period referred to as make - up - week is for Central Minor make up games and exhibition games should not be scheduled if a team has outstanding League games. Central Minor games are top priority during this time.
(c) Practice ice times. Practices do not take precedence over CMHF games. Practice ice times may be used for make up games.
(d) Short benches. Requests for reschedules for suspensions, illness, etc. will not be entertained for consideration unless it can be shown that every reasonable effort has been made to obtain affiliated players. Final decision shall be at the discretion of the CMHF Divisional VP or CMHF President.
5.7 Ice Times
(a) Unless agreed to by both teams and indicated on the game sheet, on weekdays, games cannot start before 6:30PM. Also, unless agreed to by both teams and indicated on the game sheet, games cannot be scheduled after 10:00PM and cannot start after 10:30PM.
5.8 Awarded Games
(a) After a minimum of three (3) alternate dates for a reschedule, the non-offending team may be awarded the game by the CMHF President in consultation with the CMHF Divisional VP.
REGULATION 6: TEAM STANDINGS/AWARDS
(a) Game scores shall be called into the CMHF website reporting line at 446-4625. Original game sheets shall be passed in to the appropriate CMHF VP at the regular monthly meeting. The CMHF VP shall use original sheets to verify scores and shall be the final authority for determining standings.
(b) Standing will be determined using 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. A forfeited or awarded game is considered to be a 5-0 score with 2 points awarded to the non-offending team.
(c) If two or more teams are tied in total points at the end of regular season play they shall have their standings determined as follows:
1. The record of the teams in games against each other (total points).
2. If still tied the higher standing will be determined based on the ratio of goals for divided by goals against to three decimal places. In calculating this ratio only the records of the tied teams against each other shall be considered. The higher ratio will be given the higher standing.
3. If still tied, the goal spread in games between the tied teams only (goals for minus goals against).
4. If still tied, the team scoring the most goals in games against each other shall finish higher.
5. If still tied, repeat steps 2 to 4 but include the record of all teams in the division.
6. If still tied, a single game will be played to determine the regular season champion. The game will be at a site to be determined by CMHF with each team equally sharing the cost.
(d) League and playoff winners will be presented with banners and/or other awards as determined by the membership.
REGULATION 7: OFFICIALS
(a) On ice officials must be registered with Hockey Nova Scotia and assigned in accordance with HNSMC regulations.
(b) The home team shall provide on-ice officials for each game. A three-man system (referee and two linesmen) shall be scheduled for all CMHF games. If only two officals are available the game will proceed, with no protest allowed on account of the number or qualifications of the officals. If less than two officials are available five minutes after the scheduled start of the game the game will be postponed and rescheduled. If during a game being officated by two officials, one of those officals is injured and unable to continue, the game will be immediately stopped and deemed complete if two full periods have been completed. If two full periods have not been completed the game shall be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety.
(c) Each home association shall provide a timekeeper/scorekeeper in accordance with CMHF policies. This person shall ensure copies of the game sheet are provided to both teams.
REGULATION 8: CODE OF DISCIPLINE
(a) CMHF code of discipline will be based on the HNSMC code of discipline.
(b) Central Minor Hockey federation fully endorses the Hockey Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors motion on dealing with Abusive Parents, which reads: "Any parent who fails to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the local Association, and exhibits behaviour that is deemed inappropriate is subject to disciplinary action by the Officers of the local Association. The officers of the Association are empowered to suspend the parents from all activities of the association, following a Disciplinary hearing of the local association. Hockey Nova Scotia recommends that the local Association adopt the following disciplinary process: Initially a letter of warning; secondly, short term suspension; thirdly, long term suspension, this is subject to approval of the President of Hockey Nova Scotia. A parent, who fails to comply with the terms of reference for the suspension that is determined by the local Association, may be required to withdraw his/her membership within the local Association. This action may include the cancellation of the membership of all registered players of the parent."
REGULATION 9: PERMITS
(a) Each season the CMHF shall apply to Hockey Nova Scotia for a travel permit to allow for league play between the Dartmouth and Halifax Region teams.
(b) Travel permits are obtained from Hockey Nova Scotia as per their regulations.
REGULATION 10: PLAYOFFS
(a) In addition to any HNSMC rules, no player may play on a Central Minor registered team, unless registered with that team by December 31 of the year, without the expressed written consent of the CMHF Divisional VP.
(b) The CMHF play offs will be a single round robin, home ice format. At the discretion of the CMHF Divisional VP, levels having 4 or 5 teams only may play a double round robin, if scheduling time permits.
The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals.
Once the top four teams have been determined at the conclusion of the playoffs seeding will be based on the regular season standings.
Team 1 plays team 4 and team 2 plays team 3. The winners will advance to the Tournament of Champions, date and location to be determined annually by the CMHF Senior VP.
(c) All playoff semi-final (crossover) games are to be played in their entirety to constitute an official game.
(d) The number 1 and 2 seeds will be the home teams and have the option to host the semi-final game within a suitable time frame as established by the CMHF Divisional VP. If the home team is unable to find ice time within a suitable time frame the visiting team will be given the option to host the game.
(e) Playoff standing will be determined using 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. A forfeited or awarded game is considered to be a 5-0 score with 2 points awarded to the non-offending team.
(f) If two or more teams are tied in total points at the end of the playoffs they shall have their standings determined as follows:
1. The record of the teams in games against each other (total points).
2. If still tied the higher standing will be determined based on the ratio of goals for divided by goals against to three decimal places. In calculating this ratio only the records of the tied teams against each other shall be considered. The higher ratio will be given the higher standing.
3. If still tied, the goal spread in games between the tied teams only (goals for minus goals against).
4. If still tied, the team scoring the most goals in games against each other shall finish higher.
5. If still tied, repeat steps 2 to 4 but include the record of all teams in the division.
6. If still tied, the regular season standings, i.e. as determined by REGULATION 6(c).
(g) No protests originating from any Tournament of Champions game will be considered.
REGULATION 11: PROVINCIAL PLAYOFFS
(a) Games leading to and including Provincials come under the jurisdiction of Hockey Nova Scotia Minor Council.
(b) All regional, inter-regional and provincial games take precedence over CMHF games. Association CMHF Delegates must inform the relevant CMHF Divisional VP when there are games that conflict.
(c) AAA teams will participate in provincial qualifying games as determined and hosted by CMHF.
REGULATION 12: AMENDMENTS
(a) The regulations of the CMHF may be amended at any meeting of the CMHF, provided that notice of the intended amendment is circulated to all members 15 days prior to the meeting. A majority vote is required to amend a Regulation. If there is a tie vote the motion is considered to be defeated.
