A)       CLUB ELIGIBILITY

 

A NEFHA club will be permitted to field a team in any NEFHA organized or sanctioned game if it is good financial standing with both NEFHA and FHAA.

 

B)        PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

 

Every player must be a member (in good financial standing) with both NEFHA and FHAA.

 

C)       OFFICIAL GAMES

 

NEFHA rents fields for the league games. A maximum number of games is scheduled per day. It is only possible to play all games scheduled if games start on time. If the first game starts late, also the last game will start late. Often the field is rented by other clubs (soccer, football) who will take possession of the field at their scheduled time. Therefore, often the teams playing the last game or the day are penalized by the first teams not showing up on time.

 

For these reasons, the following rules will apply:

 

a.      Every team should be present at the field half an hour prior to their scheduled time. This will allow them to warm up, to prepare the game form, as well as assist with the setting up of the field. If necessary, each team will assemble one goal and prepare the necessary markings on the field on one half.

 

b.      An official game will begin when each team has a minimum of seven eligible players on the field, ready to play, at the scheduled time. A non complying team will forfeit the game to the opponent with a score of 03. A reasonable delay may be permitted by the umpires but no longer than seven and a half minutes. If both teams are in noncompliance, the game may be played in the remaining scheduled time but the score will not be used when compiling team standings.

 

c.      If a game cannot start on time because of field or goal unavailability, the game will begin either as indicated by the appointed league official or by the game umpire, preferably within five (5) minutes of the time of field availability.

 

d.      A team that forfeits a game, will be charged for the cost of the field rental for that game, end will pay these charges upon demand by NEFHA.

 

e.      If a club forfeits three or more matches in one half of a season all matches for that half season will be considered a 3-0 loss

 

f.       If a club fails to enter a team in to the second half of a season all matches in the second half of the season will be considered a 3-0 loss. Results from games played in the first half will not be affected.

 

D)       RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHES AND CAPTAINS

 

In addition to their responsibilities described in the USFHA rules, they must:

 

a.      Ensure their players know and understand the rules.

 

b.      Maintain order and discipline in their team and assist the NEFHA officials/umpires in any way possible.

 

c.      Provide 3 game balls if not supplied by NEFHA.

 

d.      Provide umpires (see section e)

 

e.      Ensure that their team helps with setting up end taking down of goals and general field preparations

 

f.       Submit a completed game form before the game

 

E)        UMPIRES

 

Umpires will be assigned by NEFHA. If there are no umpires at starting time, captains of the two playing teams will appoint umpires:

 

a.      If there are no umpires at all, each team will provide one umpire.

 

b.      If there is only one NEFHA umpire, each team provide one umpire for one half of the game.

 

c.      If there is a dispute, the team first mentioned on the schedule will provide the umpire for the first half, the other team for the second half of the game.

 

F)        GAME FORMS

 

Game forms are supplied by the NEFHA TD to team captains before each game.

 

a.      Before the start of the game, each captain is responsible for accurately and legibly completing their section of the game form.

 

b.      After the game, the umpire will write down the score and ensure that green, red, and yellow cards are marked and both captains or managers sign the game form. The umpire is responsible for returning the game form to the NEFHA TD secretary.

 

c.      It is the responsibility of the TD to update the web site in an accurate and timely manner.

 

G)       UNIFORMS

 

Teams shall play in numbered uniforms registered with NEFHA. If two teams have similar uniforms, the team mentioned first on the league schedule will wear a contrasting color.

 

H)       PLAYER CONDUCT

 

Players are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules and in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play.

 

Umpires will be strict in enforcing the rules, and NEFHA will monitor players' conduct by tracking green, yellow and red cards issued or, in their absence, verbal penalties.

 

a.      A player receiving a yellow card in two consecutive games shall be automatically suspended for the next game.

 

b.      A player receiving three or more yellow cards in one season shall be automatically suspended for two games following the third yellow card.

 

c.      A player receiving a red card will be automatically suspended for the next game. Two or more red cards in a season will result in suspension for at least three games.

 

If there are not enough games left in that season, the suspension will be carried over into the next season.

 

Not withstanding the above, NEFHA can assess other penalties and/or restrictions to players and/or teams for their misconduct.

 

I)         CHANGES IN SCHEDULE

 

The NEFHA secretary is responsible for scheduling any changes in dates, venues, and times of games. Cancellations will be issued by the secretary only. Teams should communicate on this subject directly with the secretary. In the event a team must forfeit they must provide notice to the secretary at least 72 hours prior to the game. In the event that a secretary has not been elected they must inform a member of the executive committee.

 

J)         LEAGUE AND PLAYOFFS

 

a.      According to its constitution, NEFHA will organize a series of games The League which will determine a NEFHA League champion. The league winner may represent NEFHA in the National Club championship.

 

b.      NEFHA may also organize a tournament The Playoffs to close the end of the league year.

 

                                                              i.      To participate in The Playoffs each Player must have played a minimum of four (4) games in either half of the season. A combined number of games in both halves does not make a player eligible.

 

                                                             ii.      Should the National Club Championship allow more than one entry from NEFHA, the team winning the "playoffs" will be the second team to represent NEFHA.

 

K)        PROTESTS

 

NEFHA is an organization consisting of clubs and individual members whose objective is to enjoy and further the game of hockey. Individuals are asked to perform official functions and give their time and effort freely to further the cause of hockey in the U.S.A. Therefore protests against decisions of such individuals are strongly discouraged.

 

However, it is recognized that there should be a formal way to launch and handle a protest.

a.      Protests can only be made by Clubs in good financial standing.

 

b.      Protests should be made in writing to the Sectary of NEFHA within 48 hours of the time that the protested event occurred.

 

The President of NEFHA or through appointing an individual or committee, will address the protest and investigate the issue at hand.

 

The committee or individual charged with the investigation will submit a conclusion and recommendation to the Executive Committee of NEFHA which will decide on the protest. The decision of the Executive Committee is binding to all parties involved.

 

L)        CLUB AFFILIATION

 

No player can play for more than one club in NEFHA league games within the same calendar year. An exception of an extreme nature will be considered by the NEFHA Executive Committee.

 

Any player wishing to switch clubs must first submit a written request to the NEFHA Secretary. He should name the two clubs involved and give a brief statement explaining the reason for the switch. The Secretary will immediately inform the club which the player intends to leave of the intended change. This is to ensure that all financial obligations have been fulfilled. The league will not permit the change if the financial obligations are not fulfilled. Lack of an answer from the "former" club within a reasonable period of time will be considered as approval of the players intentions.

 

M)      MULTIPLE TEAMS

 

Clubs may field multiple teams, each of which will be afforded the equal league rights provided the following rules are satisfied.

 

a.      A minimum of ten (10) different players must be registered for each team

 

b.      Seven (7) players must be designated as fixed within each team and may not play for other teams within the club. Players who cannot play one third (1/3) of the scheduled games of that half of the season, cannot be one of the designated seven players.

 

c.      Registered team players that play four (4) consecutive first team games will automatically be registered as a first team player.

 

d.      Clubs wishing to change any of their designated players must notify the league at least a week in advance of the Clubs next scheduled game.

 

N)       SCORING POINTS

When a game is completed according the rules specified above, the following points will be awarded:

Winning team 3 points
Losing team 0 points
Tied game 1 point each.

O)       LEAGUE TABLE

At the end of the season, teams will be ordered by the number of points they have won.

In the event of two or more teams having the same number of points, the following rules will be applied sequentially until an order is possible: