SUMMARY OF NCRRL
RULES & PROCEDURES


The following are some of the rules of the NCRRL which all coaches should be familiar with. If a coach has a concern, they must contact their Association Representative who will then contact the appropriate League Representative. Please note, the first two articles, 3.07 and 2.09, come from the NCRRL Regulations. All the remaining articles come from the NCRRL Playing Rules.

 
 
Complaints

3.07 Teams must address all complaints, except those regarding on-ice officials (see 2.09), through their appropriate Association League Representative. Their representative will then contact the League Convenor. No parents or coaches are allowed to call any member of the NCRRL Executive. All complaints etc. must go through their Association Representative first.

Complaints Regarding On-ice Officials

2.09 The Officiating Committee shall consider all matters relating to discipline of referees. Complaints regarding officiating in a particular association must be filed with the team's local association first, then submitted by the Association's NCRRL representative to the NCRRL Referee Committee and/or the NCRRL President, which will investigate or monitor the situation with the local Referee-in-Chief.

 
Player Eligibility & Call Up Rules   (FOR REGULAR SEASON ONLY
-  see following section on call up rules for Play Offs)


1.03 To be eligible to play, a player must register in her home Association and must be registered with the O.R.A. or F.S.R.Q. A player may only register on one team. The NCRRL does not recognize ORA Two Team Contracts. If there is a request for a player to be registered on two teams, this must be addressed in writing to the NCRRL Executive and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
 
1.04 A team may call up a player within the same Association as a substitute for a missing player, but may only call up the same player a maximum of three (3) times during the season. Players may be called up as follows: :
 
a) from a lower age and/or skill level (i.e. from a lower skill level at the same age, or from the same or lower skill level at a lower age); or
 
b) from a lower age but higher skill level only in cases where the Association has only one team at the next lower age levell.
 

For example, Belle A can call up a player from Belle B, Junior A or Junior B. Junior B can call up a player from Tween B or Tween C. Junior B can call up a player from Tween A only if their association's only Tween team is the Tween A team.

Please refer to the Player Call Up Chart on the NCRRL website for specific guidance.   Note that these rules apply to league games only. See the ORA Manual for call up rules for tournaments.

No lateral pick-ups will be allowed at any level except Novice C and Novice Rec.

1.06

A team may call up enough players to bring its roster up to eleven (11) maximum, but not to exceed its number of registered players.

A revision to this rule was approved at the September, 2009 seeding meeting, whereby, in the interest of developing 'B' players, Petite Provincial, Tween A, Junior A and Belle A teams may call up enough players from the 'B' team at the same age level to bring their roster up to the number of registered players.
 

The use of an ineligible player will result in the game being defaulted.
 

Exceptions to Call Up Rules for Goalies

Goalies are exempt from the 3 time limitation. As well, a team that has no goalie on its roster may call up a goalie in accordance with the call up rules with the addition that in this case the roster may exceed its number of registered players by one. In every game involving a call up of a goalie using this exemption, an email must be submitted to the League Age Group Convenor specifying the team, the name of the call up and what team she is registered with, along with the game number, date, time and division of the game. Complete details of the call up MUST be written on the comments of the Game Sheet before the game commences. Details must include all of the information above.

Call Up Rules for Playoffs

ALL call ups and player substitutions, including goalies, for play off games must be approved by the League Age Group Convenor. Convenors are only authorized to approve call ups that follow the league call up rules and comply with the Player Call Up Chart on the NCRRL website. Requests for call ups outside of these parameters must be sent in writing to the Convenor and the Convenor must consult the League Executive for approval. Requests must be made a minimum of 24 hours before the game - last minute requests for exemptions to the call up rules will not be approved.

Designation of Call Up Players on Game Sheet
 

1.07

Call up players shall be designated as such on the game sheet, including age and skill level. The rules for call up players shall apply equally to skaters and goalies, except for the two exceptions noted above.
 
 

Team Rules
 
1.08 There shall be no more than five (5) persons i.e. coaches, managers, trainers, and assistants allowed on the bench at any one time. The officials shall call a delay of game penalty for violation of this rule..
 
1.09 One coaching staff member on the bench must be female, 18 years of age or older, who is not a player on the team. Violation of this rule shall result in the game's being declared a default by the referee..
 
1.10 A game may be played with a minimum of six (6) players (including goalie) where others are detained by weather or other unforeseen circumstances; such additional players may join the game when they arrive. The minimum allowed number of players must have participated before the game finishes or else the game will be defaulted. It should be noted that this is not a recommended number of players for a team. .
 
1.14 The away team shall change sweaters in the event of a sweater colour conflict, as determined by the referee. This is in accordance with the ORA rule.
 
1.15 The home team shall supply the game sheet. It is also the home team's responsibility to provide a scorekeeper, timekeeper and shot clock operator, if applicable, even to a neutral site.
 
 

Novice Division - Special Rules for Novice C and Novice Rec

In the Novice Division, there are some special rules for Novice C and Novice Rec. Along with the lateral call up rule noted in section 1.04 above, those rules are as follows
 

1.17 In the Novice C Division, one member of the coaching staff shall be permitted on the ice during play for instructional purposes until Christmas. At Novice Recreational, the coach shall be permitted on the ice during play for instructional purposes for the entire season as required. A delay of game penalty shall apply where the coach interferes with or becomes too involved with the play.
 
1.18

Novice Rec teams will use the 2-minute stop time buzzer until Christmas. This will allow teams to change up players more frequently and ensure equal ice time.

.In the Novice C and Novice Rec divisions, penalties assessed shall be served in the following manner :
 

a) Prior to Christmas, possession of the ring shall be awarded to the non-penalized team in the normal fashion; however, the penalty time shall be waived..
 
b) After Christmas, for Novice C, penalties shall be assessed in the normal fashion; however, the penalty time to be served shall be one (1) minute.
 
After Christmas, for Novice Rec, penalties will not be served, however, the player will be asked to go to the bench and a new player sent on the ice.
 
c) Novice C - During playoffs, penalties shall be assessed and served in the normal fashion in accordance with the Official Rules or as otherwise stated..
 

At Novice Rec, no scores will be posted on the score board throughout the entire season, however; game sheets will be kept.

Special Rules re: Goal Spread at Novice Rec and Novice C Games.

In the Novice C and Novice Rec Divisions a 7 goal spread ends the official score recording (on the Game Sheet, and the Scoreboard in the case of Novice C) until the team behind in the score scores to close the gap. When there is a 7 goal spread the referee will not go to the Timekeeper's Bench to record any more goals for the leading team. Play will start as normal with a free pass at Centre Ice. If the team behind in the score does score to close the gap, ONLY goals scored AFTER THAT by the leading team will be recorded, again until a 7 goal spread is reached (and the above rule starts over). Note that there will be no attempt to remember or record goals that were not recorded after a 7 goal spread had previously been reached. The referee will note in the comments on the Game Sheet that the Mercy Rule was applied at SOME point in the game. On submission of the Game Score Report it will be noted that the Mercy Rule was applied at SOME point in the game and a check box will be filled in on the Online Game Report
 

 
Length of Halves
1.19 Each period will consist of fifteen (15) minutes stop time. The game shall end upon expiry of the time on the game clock or on termination of the ice hour, as deemed by the referee, whichever occurs first. The second period may be set longer than fifteen (15) minutes with the consent of both coaches, where it appears at the end of the first period that time may be available, as decided by the referee, except during playoffs.
 
 

Game cancellation and rescheduling

3.10

No game will be cancelled or rescheduled except due to:

-  loss of ice (such as power failure at the arena, ice double booked);
-  inclement weather;
-  tournament participation (with proper notice); or
-  a league problem (such as no refs show up for a game).

Lack of a coach, goalie, or skater(s) are not valid reasons to cancel or reschedule a game. Games cancelled for any reason other than loss of ice, inclement weather or tournament participation will result in an automatic default by the cancelling team. Further, the cancelling team (and its parent association) will be held responsible for the cost of the game ice and any fees payable to officials not given proper notice of the cancellation.

If a team believes that they have an exceptional reason to cancel a game, they must have their association president or designated representative submit a request for special consideration to the league. The NCRRL will not consider requests made directly by teams.
 

3.11

Proper notice

A team cancelling a game due to a tournament must notify the other team:
 

 

1.

A minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled game for games before Christmas.
 
  2.

Immediately after the league schedule for the second half of the season is published on the web site, but no later than January 10th.
 

  3. Teams wanting to cancel or reschedule a game due to last-minute entry into a tournament must make the request through their association president or designated representative
 
 

It is the responsibility of the cancelling team to file an online Cancelled Game Report through the NCRRL website. If you are cancelling a game less than 48 hours in advance, you must also contact the Regional Referee Assignors and the NCRRL Referee-In-Chief.

Once a rescheduled game date has been determined you must also file an online Rescheduled Game Report through the NCRRL website. If the rescheduled game date is known at the same time that the game is being cancelled, then only the Rescheduled Game Report needs to be submitted.
   

3.12

Protocol for cancellation and rescheduling

In the case of loss of ice or inclement weather, the cancelling team must contact the Regional Referee Assignors, the NCRRL Referee-In-Chief and the other team as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary travel and expense. The cancelling team shall be responsible for the cost of the game ice (if applicable) and any fees payable to officials not given proper notice of the cancellation.

The away team is the cancelling team by default in situations of inclement weather unless both teams are travelling, in which case either team may cancel.

In all cases of cancellations and regardless of the circumstances, the home team will be given the first opportunity to provide two possible dates for rescheduling the game. However, the home team is not obligated to do so unless they are also the cancelling team, in which case they must be the first to provide the alternate dates. The dates and times provided must not conflict with either team's league or tournament schedule and must be appropriate for the division and level of the teams involved. If the dates offered meet these conditions, the visiting team must accept one of the two dates or forfeit the game

If the home team is unable to propose two acceptable dates, the visiting team will provide two possible dates and times. If the dates and times offered meet the conditions noted above, the home team must accept one of the proposed dates or forfeit the game.

The date for the rescheduled game must be determined, in cases of participation in a tournament, within two weeks of the date that notice of the tournament was provided by the cancelling team, and in all other cases, within two weeks of the originally scheduled game. The details of the rescheduled game must be reported by the cancelling team through the NCRRL website. This does not mean that the game has to be played within two weeks, only that the date of the game must be decided within two weeks. The game must, however, be played before the end of the current half of the season and before the start of play offs.

Should the date of the rescheduled game not be decided within two weeks of the originally scheduled game, the League Executive will review the dates offered by both teams. Should it be found that one of the teams did not fully co-operate and accept a reasonable offered date, that team will forfeit the game.
 

League Officials (Statistician and Age Group Convenor), your Association Referee-in-Chief (if it is your home game), and your Association Statistician must be notified of the rescheduled game date, time and arena. The filing of an online Cancelled Game Report or Rescheduled Game Report is designed to automatically notify these people.
 
Defaults
 
3.13 Defaults will occur:
 
a) when one team fails to show or ice a team to start a game, allowing less than forty (40) minutes running time in which to play the game;;
 
b) when a team uses an ineligible player;
c) when a team has failed to provide the required ice time for a rescheduled game;
 
d) when a team fails to have a female on the bench; or
 
e) when a team fails to have the required number of players by the end of the game.
 
3.14 In defaulted games, the score shall be recorded as 7-0 with the non-offending team awarded two (2) points in the standings.
 
3.15 The coaches of both teams must notify the League Age Group Convenor within twenty-four (24) hours. Defaulting team(s) shall be subject to a League Judicial Hearing. Recurrence of the same team more than twice will result in suspension from the League Playoffs.
 
3.16 A team which commits a "No Show" may be held responsible for the financial costs (i.e. referee cost, ice cost, etc.) for that particular game, pending review by the League. Failure to abide with any ruling may result in further disciplinary action by the League.
 
 
Discipline -  Misconduct and Match Penalties
 
2.03 Misconduct Penalties
 
Next game suspension regardless of when the player or coaching staff received it, and is subject to review by the Home Association of the offending player(s) and/or coaching staff. Recurrence in the same season by the same player or same coaching staff shall result in an automatic two (2) game suspension and be subject to a League Judicial Hearing.
 
2.04 Match Penalties
a) Automatic three (3) game suspension if received during the game.  
b) Automatic five (5) game suspension if received after the game or after the player in question has been asked to leave the ice and return to the dressing room.
 

The occurrence of a match penalty will automatically be subject to a League Judicial Hearing.

Reoccurrence by the same player or same coaching staff of (a) results in automatic five (5) game suspension and of (b) results in automatic ten (10) game suspension, and also is subject to a League Judicial Hearing.

All hearings are to be convened within seven (7) days of the penalty being assessed.

All game suspensions are to be served in the next one (1), two (2), three (3), or more consecutive number of games (not including any Exhibition Games) depending upon the number of suspended games. Please note that if there is a Tournament that the player's team is registered in, which occurs during the period of her suspension, the player will have to serve her suspension during the Tournament until whatever the length of games her suspension is for is complete . This is monitored between the League and ERRA.
 

Any game suspension information must also be forwarded to ERRA G&T attention: Grace Kelly.
 
2.05

When a misconduct or match penalty has been assessed, the coaches of both teams must phone the League Age Group Convenor within twenty-four (24) hours and the Home Association of the offending player(s) and/or coaching staff must report back to the League Executive before the next scheduled game.

If coaches do not comply with the above rule, they will be suspended, with the suspension being the same as the player(s) or coaching staff involved.

If any Association does not report or comply with the above, it will be subject to suspension by the League for the rest of the season.
 

2.06 Altercations occurring off-ice e.g. on the way to the dressing room, shall be subject to review by a NCRRL Judicial Committee. These altercations occurring off-ice must be reported to the game referee immediately.
 
 

GAME SHEETS and REPORTING GAME SCORES

Teams must report all games within 48 hours by submitting the Online Report Form found on the NCRRL Website.
They must then submit the Original (White) copy of the Game Sheet to their Community Statitician in accordance with their community procedure. The Community Statistician will mail the Scoresheets to the League Statistician at "NCRRL Statistician, 1293 Lotus St, Gloucester, ON, K1J-8A9," noting any changes or errors that may have been made in the electronic reporting.

Reporting game scores and submission of game sheets must be done in a timely fashion or teams will be fined

If you have any questions please send an e-mail to: ncrrl_statistician@erra.ncrrl.on.ca