Tony Mariconda asked that the following interpretation from USA Hockey be posted immediately on AAHArefs.

The important new information is shown below in bold print:

The 2009 rule change to Rule 403 & 405 and its interpretation:

For a player that is assessed a non-coincident major penalty and game misconduct (or a non-coincident match penalty in the case of Rule 405), the offending team is not required to immediately place a substitute on the penalty bench and may do so prior to the expiration of the penalty. No player may enter the game except from the penalty bench with a bench minor penalty being assessed for a violation.

... will apply only to situations where players receive a Match penalty or a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct (or are injured). So if a player receives a Major plus Game Misconduct for checking from behind, he is removed from the game and his team may wait to put a substitute player in the penalty box. The substitute may enter the box at any stoppage during the Major penalty.

The substitute player may only enter the box by way of the ice and only during a stoppage. Any substitution made outside these guidelines shall be penalized for Illegal Substitution.

If the team does not place a substitute player in the penalty box by the expiration of the Major penalty they must continue to play short-handed until the next stoppage of play. Once play has been stopped, they may place five players on the ice for the ensuing faceoff (there is NO additional penalty given at this point). If they send a player onto the ice before the next stoppage, they shall be penalized for Illegal Substitution. At this time, the icing rule is in effect even though they are still shorthanded.

This rule does not apply to any goalkeeper penalties, penalty situations that include Minor penalties (2+5+GM), or penalty situations that include Major plus Misconducts (5+10). In these situations, player substitutions must be made immediately.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear USA Hockey Coaches and Officials,

On behalf of USA Hockey, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your involvement with our programs and your dedication to the great game of hockey. We realize the commitment you have made contributes positively to numerous participants and this effort has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We hope that your season, thus far, has been filled with enjoyment for everyone.

As the 2008-09 season approaches the half way point, we thought it would be important to remind you to enforce the Standard of Play Initiative that was instituted by USA Hockey for the 2006-07 season. We recognize that maintaining the Standard of Play Initiative is a tough job and it is easy to relax or stray away and revert back to the way it was . . . that is human nature. It is difficult to stay the course, but we need your help and appreciate your efforts in maintaining the same level of excellence that we have had the past two years.

We would also like to take this opportunity to re-emphasize the commitment USA Hockey has made to create a safe, enjoyable and positive hockey environment for everyone. Your role in this process is vital to our success and we are asking you to review some important points that will help you continue to be successful. As part of this review, please be sure to pay special attention to the Standard of Play materials that can be found on USAHockey.com by clicking here.

For coaches, please take a few minutes to review your role in teaching hockey skills in an enjoyable and positive way. Evaluate the emphasis you have placed on your team and compare that to the USA Hockey ideals presented to you through the various coaching resources you have received. This is also a good time to review expectations as it relates to sportsmanship and fair play with both your players and the parents from your team.

For officials, now is the time to refresh your knowledge of the rules and renew your commitment to the Standard of Enforcement Initiative in doing your job on the ice, which is to simply enforce the rules of the game to the best of your ability. In doing so, pay special attention to the USA Hockey "Points of Emphasis" for the 2007-2009 seasons, which includes intimidation tactics such as the late avoidable check, contact after the whistle, stick work and Standard of Play infractions. USA Hockey's volunteer leadership is still committed to eliminating these tactics from the game and officials are expected to do the same.

Finally, both coaches and officials are asked to renew their commitment to communicating with each other and working together to create a positive hockey environment. We also ask for your diligence in playing the game within the rules established by USA Hockey. As a reminder, it is not acceptable to vary from the established rules because it may be more convenient. We are counting on you to uphold the best interests of the game, whether you personally agree with them, or not.

As always, please use any of the resources available to you to assist you. USAHockey.com is continually updated with new material. Your educational manuals and publications are also up-to-date and share the ideals and goals of USA Hockey while your local volunteer leaders, or national office staff, are only a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can do to assist you.

Once again, thank you for your involvement with our game. Keep up the great work and best wishes for the remainder of the season.

Respectfully,

Mark Tabrum and Matt Leaf
Directors, Coaching and Officiating Education Programs

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tom Koester, The President of the Atlantic District of USA Hockey, sent us the following memorandum regarding use of blue pucks in mite hockey games:

Recently it has been brought to our attention that several Mite teams have been practicing and playing games with black pucks instead of the mandated blue pucks.

Please note that using black pucks in a Mite game is a violation of USA Hockey Rule 306 paragraph (b) which states "For the 8-or-under (Youth) and for 8-or-under (Girls) and below age classifications, it is required that the puck weigh between four ounces and four and a half ounces and be blue in color.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda made the following important announcement regarding the recording and reporting of Match Penalties:

Note that a Match Penalty is a stand-alone penalty. It must be recorded in the Penalty Record column on the left side of the standard scoresheet the same as any other penalty. It is recorded simply as a "Match Penalty."

Do not add any other penalty to this call - some officials have been adding "major" and/or "game misconduct" and that is not correct.

Example: If you issue a Match Penalty for Kicking, you do not also record a Major & Game Misconduct – it is either a Match OR a Major + Game, not both.

A Match Penalty must also be recorded in the Penalty Summary section on the right side of a standard scoresheet under "Match Penalties."

If a Match Penalty occurs during the game (not at the end of the game), you must put a player from the offending team into the penalty box to serve a 5 minute penalty. That player remains in the box no matter how many goals are scored (same as with a Major Penalty).

You must fill out an Atlantic District Incident Report Form and send it to the proper authorities within 48 hours of the game (or sooner) and call the District RIC.

Do not discuss the possible consequences (suspensions, etc.) with anyone at the game.

A Match Penalty can be called for:

• Injuring or attempting to injure a Game Official – Rule 601, g 1 & Rule 601 j 1.
• Detrimental behavior – Rule 601, g 3 & Rule 601, j 3.
• Attempt to injure opponent – Rule 610, a (not "intent" to injure an opponent).
• Deliberate injury to an opponent – Rule 603, a.
• Deliberately injuring an opposing Team Official or attempting to do so by a player – Rule 601 g, 2
• Deliberately injuring a player or Team Official in any manner or attempting to do so by a Team Official – Rule 601, j 2
• Attempt to injure spectator - Rule 603, b (not “intent” to injure spectator).
• Deliberate injury to spectator – Rule 603, b.
• Taped hand, cutting opponent – Rule 603, c.
• Kicking or attempting to kick a player – Rule 623, b.
• Suspended game, refusal to start play – Rule 632, b.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ryan Honig, Atlantic Youth Hockey League Referee-in-Chief, asked us to pass the following message along to all member of the Atlantic District Officiating Program:

The Atlantic Youth Hockey League has decided to implement an Overtime Procedure for all Tier I Midget AAA 18U & 16U games only effective immediately.

The following rule was issued by the League:

Midget Divisions: In all Midget AYHL League Games that end in a tie after regulation time ends, the teams shall play a four (4) on four (4) Sudden-Death Five (5) Minute Overtime Period. There must be at least 10 minutes remaining in the ice slot. Both teams will be credited with 1 point each for the tie. The team scoring in Overtime will be credited with a “Bonus Point."

Notes:

• Overtime occurs with time permitting in the ice slot. There must be at least 10 minutes left in the ice slot.
• Teams do not change ends.
• No ice cut.
• Timeout permitted during overtime period provided it was not used in regulation time.
• If the Sudden Death Overtime period does not produce a winner the game remains tied.
• If a team receives a penalty in Overtime, the teams will play 4 on 3. If the same team is assessed a second penalty before the first one expires, then the penalties will “stack".

This is not a discretionary rule. If the game is tied and at least 10 minutes remain in the ice slot, then the Overtime must be played.

Please make note of this addition. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at ayhlric [at] yahoo.com.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USA Hockey has published the following interpretations of the new Standards of Play and Rule Emphasis in order to address some of the most frequent questions about the changes to our game:

• Battling in Front of Goal

With the standard of play initiative, players are still legally able to battle for position in front of the goal and in the corners. This may include considerable body contact. A player using their size, strength and balance to establish a favorable body position is an effective play and rewards players who use this skill to gain a competitive advantage. The use of the stick in this process to steer the opponent is also allowed as long as it remains close to the body and the arms are not extended in a manner that cross-checks the opponent. An example of an illegal tactic would include the extension or use of the arm(s) to push off in an effort to create distance between the player and the opponent or prevent them from legally playing the puck.

• Free Hand Used By Offensive Player



A player who is in possession and control of the puck and has established body position may use their free hand to maintain that body position. In this situation, both players are skating shoulder-to-shoulder, or the defensive player is slightly behind, and the attacking player uses the free arm to fend off the defensive player and simply maintain their already established body position, as long as they do not grab the stick, sweater or arm of the opponent.

However, a player who uses a free arm to push off of an opponent and create space, or uses the free arm to originally establish body position by impeding the progress of the opponent, will be penalized for holding or interference.

• Lifting an Opponent's Stick and Stick Presses



The use of the stick to lift an opponent’s stick and gain possession of the puck, or prevent them from gaining possession of the puck, is considered a good defensive play that should not be penalized. Lifting a non-puck carrier’s stick in a manner that does not impede their progress is also allowable under the rules. In addition, the use of the stick to check an opponent’s stick, or press the opponent’s stick to the ice or boards, is a good defensive play as long as it is
done on the lower portion of the stick shaft and the intended purpose is to dislodge the puck or prevent the opponent from playing the puck.

Turning the stick blade over on top of the stick of an opponent for the purpose of pressing the stick and preventing the opponent from playing the puck is also allowable. If done, it must be on the lower portion of the stick and for the sole purpose of preventing the opponent from playing the puck. However, if done in a manner that impedes the progress of an opponent, or contact is made higher up on the stick, a penalty for hooking should be assessed.

• Diving



One area that has gotten more attention as a result of the Standard of Play is diving. Although there is no indication this is a significant problem at the youth level, the action does exist and everyone will need to be on the same page in handling those rare situations.
First off, it is important to recognize that under the new standard, there is no inherent advantage to embellishing an action by the opponent. A player no longer has to fall down to have a penalty called, so the end result is a player will essentially be taking himself or herself completely out of the play by doing so. It is also important to establish that even the most obvious dive does not excuse the illegal action of the opponent.

Since USA Hockey’s current rules do not specifically identify diving as an infraction, we are somewhat limited in how officials can react to this type of action. When an obvious dive occurs, the recommendation is to have the official skate over and request to speak to the coach of the offending team. In doing so, they are acknowledging the fact a dive occurred and are asking the coach to address this action with their team. A friendly reminder that a diving action will have no effect on a penalty being called or not would also be warranted.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USA Hockey has published several videos about the new Standards of Play and Rule Emphasis on the Standards of Play and Rule Emphasis Home Page. This page includes:

• Standards of Play and Rule Emphasis Video in Windows Media, QuickTime, and iPod Video formats.
• Additional video commentary from USA Hockey elite players and coaches: Katey Stone, Nate Gerbe, Craig Conroy, and Taylor Chorney.

The Standards of Play and Rule Emphasis Home Page also includes an Online Media Kit which contains a number of printable documents for distribution to players, coaches, officials, and parents.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Atlantic District Referee-in-Chief Tony Mariconda reports that USA Hockey has adopted new standards of play and rules emphases for the 2006-07 season. Here are the new standards:

USA Hockey 2006-07 New Standards of Play and Rules Emphasis

Through the new standard of rules enforcement, our game will continue to allow the opportunity for improved skill development and a more positive hockey environment for all participants. The mission of USA Hockey is clear; through this new initiative a greater emphasis will be placed on skating, puck possession and the proper use of the body to establish position and a competitive advantage.

The goal of the enforcement standard is to reduce restraining infractions in the game and not to remove legal body checking or body contact. A hard body check or using body contact/position (non-checking classifications) to gain a competitive advantage over the opponent should not be penalized as long as it is performed within the rules.

The principles of this new enforcement standard include the following:

• The use of the stick will be limited to only playing the puck.


• The stick will not be allowed to in any way impede a player’s progress.


• The use of a free hand/arm will not be allowed to grab or impede a player’s progress.


• Players who use their physical skills and/or anticipation and have a positional advantage shall not lose that advantage as a result of illegal acts by the opponent.


• Players will be held accountable for acts of an intimidating or dangerous nature.

Continue reading "USA Hockey Issues New Standards of Play and Rules Emphasis for 2006-07 Season" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is a reminder of the special rules to be used in all New Jersey Youth Hockey League games at the Mite level:

• A lightweight blue puck must be used, not a regulation black puck!
• 12-minute periods
• 1-minute minor penalties

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda provided the following rule interpretation issued by Bob Hayden (USA Hockey Referee-in-Chief) regarding the portion of USA Hockey Rule 304(c) that's new for 2005-07:

New Rule 304(c) - Mouthpiece Rule Clarification

The new rule requiring Girls 8 & Under through 19 & Under to wear mouthpieces applies to girls playing on a Girls-registered team only.

RULING - Thus, if an 8 year-old girl is playing on a Girls 8 & Under team, she must wear a mouthpiece as per the new rule. If that same 8 year-old girl is playing on a Youth (boys) Mite team, she does not have to wear the mouthpiece since it is not required at that level.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 4:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda provided the following rule interpretation issued by Bob Hayden (USA Hockey Referee-in-Chief) regarding the portion of USA Hockey Rule 502(a) that's new for 2005-07:

New Rule 502(a) - "Change in Scoresheet" Ruling

We've been asked to consider whether or not the score sheet can be edited after a game for the following scenario:

Player is assessed a major plus game misconduct penalty. It was for an automatic penalty (check from behind, fighting, spearing, etc.), where there is no option other than a game misconduct accompanying the major penalty. The player is ejected from the game. The scorekeeper fails to enter the game misconduct penalty on the score sheet.

RULING - The Referee is not changing a decision by entering the missing game misconduct on the score sheet. The penalty was properly assessed, including ejection of the player. Adding the game misconduct is a technical correction and not a de

Posted by Dave Aiello at 4:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda provided the following clarifications of potential Match Penalty situations. These situations were discussed during a question and answer session at a recent Northeast Ice Hockey Officials Association meeting:

Match Penalty to a Coach or Other Team Official

If a Coach or other Team Official receives a Match Penalty during the game, that team must immediately place a player who was on the ice at the time of the infraction in the Penalty Box to serve 5 full minutes. No substitution of this player is permitted, even if the non-offending team scores a goal(s) during the penalty.

Match Penalty Situations for Attempt to Injure

There seems to be some confusion about penalties to be assessed for what could be a Major + Game Misconduct but instead is going to be correctly called an Attempt to Injure. This could include Butt-Ending (Rule 608), Head Contact (Rule 616), Kicking (Rule 623), Spearing (Rule 634).

There are two separate options for these infractions:

1. Major + Game Misconduct
2. Match

Some officials have been recording Major + Match, and that is not a possible penalty assessment for a single infraction.

If Attempt to Injure is the penalty to be assessed, then a Match Penalty is the correct call. The offending team must immediately place a player (not the substitute goalie) in the Penalty Box for the full 5 minutes. No substitution of this player is permitted, even if the non-offending team scores a goal(s) during the penalty.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda passed along this interpretation of the fast face-off procedure, provided by USA Hockey:

Situation: In the second period, Team A is set for a face-off in their defending zone. The line change procedure has been completed when Team A realizes that they only have 4 players on the ice when they should have 5 players. If Team A is now allowed to correct this situation they would be delaying the face-off, since a player would have to come from their bench at the far end of the ice. What is the correct ruling?

Ruling: The officials cannot allow a team to run a "sleeper" play by placing too few players on the ice deliberately and then adding a player after the face-off. However, they cannot allow a team to circumvent the new face-off rule by deliberately delaying their substitutions either.

In this case, if the officials feel that Team A made an honest mistake, they should warn Team A, allow the fifth player to come on to the ice before the face-off, and remove Team A's center from that face-off. Any subsequent violations would then result in a Delay of Game penalty.

If the officials feel that this violation was a deliberate attempt to the delay the game, then the Delay of Game penalty must be assessed immediately.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USA Hockey has announced that the deadline for submitting rule change proposals is now February 1, 2003 for the 2003-2005 seasons. Please contact Atlantic District Referee-in-Chief Tony Mariconda at tonyrefx3@aol.com if you need a rule change proposal form.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)