League Rules

OSHL league rules are designed to ensure safety of players and enjoyment of the game. Without getting too technical, here is an overview of OSHL's rules and procedures (if you need clarification, please email oshl@live.ca). All normal in-game penalties (ie. hooking, tripping, high-sticking, slashing, etc.) are enforced but not listed here.

 

OFFICIATING

 

***Aggressive play is STRICTLY prohibited (ie. contact, especially along the boards). Pinning and using your body to gain position is allowed as it is part of the game, but throwing your weight, clutching and hooking aka "tugging" is not. 

***Majors : fighting and attempts to injure, including bodychecking will result in a game misconduct AND a min 3 game suspension (depending on the severity). Two majors in a season constitutes banishment from the league without refund . OSHL has built a "clean" reputation and plans to maintain it. Players pay to have fun and not to get injured.

 

*** NEW - a high-sticking penalty that results in blood drawn is an automatic major (7 min) with a game ejection. The League will review the game report and hand out a suspension, if necessary. 

***Unsportsmanlike conduct : trashing talking or taunting opponents, arguing with refs, or any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a minor (3 min), a misconduct (10 min), and/or a game ejection. 

*** 3 penalties in a game = game ejection, and possibly further discipline. 

 

MAJOR INFRACTIONS 

 

Any of the following action(s) will constitute instant lifetime banishment from the league without refund: 
a) 2 majors/suspensions in a season 
b) Phyiscal abuse or serious verbal threat of a ref(s) or player(s) on or off the ice; 
c) Third man in or jumping off the bench during an altercation; 
d) Property damage of the rink facilities, OSHL property or other players' belongings; 

e) Theft of any property of the rink or players'

f) Suspended player playing or player that is not on the team's roster. 
* These rules are for the safety of the players.

 

SUSPENSIONS

  • Any player to receive a 10 minute Misconduct penalty in the last 10 minutes of the game will serve an automatic 1 game suspension.
  • During a game, if a referee calls a game misconduct, gross misconduct, match penalty or fighting penalty, the referee(s) will write up the incident with as much detail as possible and forward this to the League Coordinator.  The referee is only responsible for calling the penalties.  Referees do not hand out suspensions. The player in question will be suspended from league play until further notice.
  • The league will discuss incident in question with the General Managers of both teams before recommending that the normal course of suspension should follow OR explain if there are other circumstances that need to be taken into consideration that would warrant a suspension outside the realm of the "norm".
  • The league will issue the suspension, contact the General Manager(s) and the suspended player.
  • *** If elected league representatives are present at games, they can also write up a game report for major penalties that the referees may have missed, and players can be suspended for actions not caught or seen by referees, even if said player is able to finish the game.

APPEALS TO SUSPENSIONS  

 

If a player or team wishes to appeal a suspension, the following procedures should be followed:

  • The team General Manager will send the appeal in writing to the league.  Included should be the details of the game, (i.e. date, time, reason for the appeal).  It is imperative that as many details as possible are included, but that the details are specific, factual and to the point.
  • The league will review all information provided and will contact the referees in attendance where necessary. 
  • The league will make its final decision based on the details provided.  Once a decision has been made, the league will notify the Genaral Manager(s) and player involved.  

 TEAM ROSTERS 

 

- SUBS can only be registered OSHL players from other teams, except for goalies (depending on circumstances) with a signed waiver and an OK from the League  
- Having a player that is an illegal sub will result in a forfeit of the game and 6 pts in the regular season standing or forfeit of the playoff series.

 

 GAME FORMAT 

 

***3 minute warmup
***2 X 17 mins stop time periods 
***Games can end in a tie

 

GAME RULES 

 

***Offsides in effect
***Blue-line icing 
***Quick faceoffs (make your line changes between whistles quick), refs will drop the puck regardless if the centreman is ready. 
***Timeouts: one 30 sec timeout once per game. Timeouts stop the time
***Crease rule. The refs will stop the play if a player enters the crease.  This is to provide additional protection to our goalies.
***Slapshots: back swing has to be below knee. "Fake" slapshots above the waist will also be blown down. Infraction will result in a faceoff in offending team's zone.

 

EQUIPMENT

 

OSHL requires a minimum half shield with mouthguard or cage w/o mouthguard . Again, safety is our #1 concern. Teeth can be replaced but eyes can't! Players WILL NOT be allowed to play if he/she does not comply.

 

DISCLAIMER

 
Not all OSHL officials are certified. The majority of the games will have 2 refs each game. Our officials are competent and have good judgment, so please refrain from questioning their calls as it may result in a penalty or possible ejection from the game.

PRINT