Chelsea Adult Hockey League

Code of Conduct

This is community hockey. Many of us live in Chelsea, and the point of the league is to enjoy a night out, play hard, and keep building a good group around the rink. That matters more than winning.

Because of that, the CAHL expects a higher standard of behaviour than most leagues. Players who forget those values when they get on the ice should not expect a warm reception.

• Respect your opponents, your teammates, and the referee.
• Do not escalate incidents on the ice, or after the game.
• If something dirty, dangerous, or inappropriate happens, tell your captain after the game.
• The captains’ committee handles discipline issues, whether or not a penalty was called during play.

Discipline and Referee Respect

Discipline is handled by the captains’ committee. In general, the progression is a warning for a first offence, a probable suspension for a second offence, and a probable expulsion for a third offence.

The captains may skip a warning, or a suspension, if they believe the situation warrants it. Warnings from previous seasons also carry over into the new season.

• There is zero tolerance for any bullshit, including mutual roughing, stick taps after the whistle, or similar nonsense.
• Any verbal abuse toward the referee will not be tolerated.
• Because there is only one referee, the honour system applies when an obvious call goes in your team’s favour, especially on goals.

Game Format and Timing

• Games are played as one period.
• The referee sets the clock for 50 minutes.
• The whistle blows at 46:30 to end warm-up.
• The whistle blows at 45:30 to give a 30-second warning before puck drop.
• The puck drops at 45:00.

If one team is lined up and the other is not ready for the opening faceoff, the unprepared team receives its first and only warning related to fast faceoffs.

Fast Faceoffs, Icing, and Late-Game Situations

• Line changes are allowed at any time, but the fast-faceoff rule is strictly enforced.
• Once play is settled and the referee is ready, the referee whistles, counts to five out loud, and drops the puck whether or not both teams are ready.
• If a team is offside when the puck is dropped, a warning is issued. If it happens again, a penalty is assessed.
• If the same situation happens in the final two minutes of play, a penalty shot is assessed against the offending team.
• Blue-line icing is in effect.
• Intentional icing is allowed, but not to run down the clock. A third intentional icing by the same team results in a delay-of-game penalty.
• Any penalty in the final two minutes of play results in a penalty shot after the final buzzer.
• Any icing in the final minute of play results in a penalty shot, taken after the buzzer, against the offending team.

Safety and Penalties

• All dangerous, reckless, or careless plays will be penalized, even if they might technically be allowed under Hockey Canada rules.
• A visor or cage is mandatory.
• Minor penalties are two minutes.
• Major penalties are seven minutes, plus game ejection.

Spares and Playoffs

• Captains are responsible for choosing spares in a way that keeps teams as evenly balanced as possible.
• During the regular season, captains may bring in spares, as needed, from the same or lower cohort as the absent player.
• During the playoffs, captains may bring in spares from the same skill box or lower to replace missing players and fill the roster up to nine players.
• Before playoff games, captains must inform the other team captains so that spare players can be validated.
• Any playoff spare dispute is settled by the league President before the game.