The SMHL is sanctioned by Hockey Canada with the Adult Safe Hockey League as the governing body for all rules and policies.

​

Our goal is to have the league well organized and well managed so all players can benefit and enjoy playing the sport of Hockey. We believe the league should be structured and managed with the prime focus of benefiting all who play and work in this league.

​

Governing Policies

​

1. Sportsmanship

   • All players are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner. This includes, but is not limited to, respect for the officials, the scorekeepers, your teammates, your opponents, the patrons and the facility.

   • The SMHL, District of Squamish and the Brennan Park Recreation Centre reserve the right and the authority to disqualify, suspend, or remove any team manager, coach, player, spectator, or team which behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner before, during or after a game. Suspensions are at the discretion of rink management.

   • The District of Squamish Policy states that possession of alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at all Brennan Park Recreational Facilities, including the Brennan Park Arena. Any team caught with any of these products where there is evidence of such behaviors such as; spilled alcohol on the floors, alcohol cans in recycling or garbage containers, cans left anywhere in the facilities, where the dressing rooms and facilities are not left to the highest standards of cleanliness, the team will forfeit there next 3 games on the first offense. If any team is caught where there is evidence of such behaviors a second time, the team will be suspended from the league indefinitely.

2. League Administration

   • League Name: The program will be known as the Squamish Men's Hockey League or SMHL.

   • Establishment of Teams: Team establishments are approved by the SMHL League Manager. However, team mangers are responsible for submitting rosters, obtaining players, and making sure that team fees and dues are paid. The Team Manager is also responsible for other duties as outlined below.

   • Game Location: Games will be played at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre 1009 Centennial Way, Squamish, BC V8B 0E2

   • Schedule: The SMHL Manager will establish the season schedule. Teams must play at the time, place and date specified.

   • The SMHL Administration reserves the right to adjust the SMHL Governing Policies at any time and for any reason. It also reserves the right to judge in instances of discipline and other matters. It is customary for the SMHL Administration to review Match Penalty infractions and other major/misconduct penalties.

3. Payment and League Fees 

   • Team registration fees are $9750.00 per team for the 2019 – 2020 Regular Season.

   • All fees must be paid in full by October 31st, 2019.

   • Payments not received by the scheduled due date by the team or it’s players will temporarily disqualify the corresponding team and its players from participation until the payment issues have been reconciled and the appropriate balance due is paid in full.

   • The Team Manager is responsible for making team payments to the SMHL. Checks are made payable to Squamish Men’s Hockey League. The SMHL will not refund any individual team member. Resolution in regards to reimbursements or refunds for players who have signed under a team manager must be made with that team manager.

   • Refund Policy: As per SMHL policies, the SMHL may withhold 25% of the program (program registration fee) for administrative costs. All refunds must be requested in person by the team manager and must be accompanied with a written refund request. No refunds shall be given after the first day of the season.

     • Any team whose payment is in default due to a non-sufficient funds check or declined credit card is ineligible to play until the team account is current. The Non-Sufficient Funds fee is $25.00.

   • For Individual League Fees, see Individual section (E) listed below.

4. Individuals

   • Individual players on teams comprised of players who registered individually must adhere to all the rules that apply to established teams under team managers.

   • If the number of individual registrations does not meet the outlined number of players required to form a team, a full refund will be issued to the individual registrant.

   • Individuals will be placed on a team designated by the league manager.There are 6 teams in the league. Space is limited so once the team rosters are full, no individual sign-ups will be allowed.A waiting list may be provided by the League Manager in the event that an individual player defaults in payment or a situation necessitates having more players.Additional players added to the individual team during the season will be at the discretion of the League Manager.

   • Individual registration league Fees for the 2019 – 2020 Regular Season are managed by each team rep and fees are submitted as a team. If a participant registers for the league as an individual goalie, he/she must play that position for the duration of the season. No Exceptions for individual registrations.

     • Any individual player whose payment is in default due to a non-sufficient funds check or declined credit card is ineligible to play until the account is current. The non-sufficient funds fee is $25.

   • If a participant is already registered on a team, that participant may play as a spare on another team. For the purpose of fairness that participant's stats while sparing on the second team will not be counted towards any year end awards or used to qualify for the All-Star event. If a participant would like to play as a spare on a second team, that participant will have to pay additional drop-in fees to the second team. No participant shall be allowed to play full-time for 2 teams.

   • A team manager may be appointed for any team comprised of players that registered individually. However, if one is not appointed, then all correspondence of any changes pertaining to the team will be made from the League Manager to the players via e-mail. It is the responsibility of the individual at sign ups to provide a current and valid email address.

5. Uniforms

   • During any league game, the teams must have closely match uniforms. Any player without a uniform matching the rest of their team will not be able to play until he has a matching uniform.

   • A player that is out of uniform, including the required equipment as outlined below in Section G, Equipment, will be assessed a minor penalty as soon as that player steps on the ice for actual game play.

   • If at any time a jersey is being worn while playing that is not listed on the roster, that player must report to the scorekeeper his identity at the first available break in play.If the player is not on the roster or does not have approval from the ASHL sanctioning, that player will be removed from the ice, and a minor penalty will be assessed to the team with the ineligible player.

6. Equipment

   • All players are required to wear a CSA approved helmet. Helmets must be worn at all times; otherwise a bench minor penalty may be assessed to the team.This includes while on the bench and during warm-up. During game play in the league, all helmets must be properly fastened.

   • As per ASHL, all helmets must have a minimum of a CSA approved half visor for face protection.

   • Goaltenders must where CSA approved helmets and face protection. If a goaltender’s helmet is to fall off during a game, the play is immediately stop until goaltender has the helmet secured.

   • All players are required to wear a helmet, elbow pads, shin guards, and athletic supporter, hockey gloves, hockey pants and a matching team jersey.Shoulder pads are not required; however, they are highly recommended. All equipment must be in acceptable condition to prevent injuries.

7. Player Eligibility & Roster

   • Each team roster is required to have at least 11 players; this includes a goalie and a maximum of 21 players to be acknowledged as a team.

   • There are no additional substitute players over and above the roster of 21, excluding the designated coach. All substitutions must be taken from this roster of 21.If a team has 21 players on its roster and wants to add an additional player, another player who is currently on the roster must be dropped in order to keep the roster at the maximum of 21 players.

   • Teams comprised of players who registered individually cannot add or remove players from its roster. The League Manager reserves the right to add a player(s) to the roster of the teams comprised of players who registered individually up to a maximum of 21 players. For teams comprised of players who registered individually, it is the responsibility of the League Manager to meet the minimum and the maximum requirements for rosters.

   • It is the responsibility of the team and the team manager to meet the minimum and the maximum requirements for rosters.

   • All players must be registered with ASHL.

   • No player will be allowed on the ice without his ASHL registration.It is the Team Manager’s responsibility to make sure that players are registered with ASHL.This includes all substitute players.For players that have registered individually, the league manager will make sure the player is registered with ASHL.

   • Rosters are open for adding/deleting players throughout the regular season until the frozen deadline. Rosters are frozen on February 1st, 2020, including teams comprised of players who registered for the league individually, at which point no players will be added or deleted to a team’s roster.When adding or deleting players from a roster, including substitutions, it is the responsibility of the team manager to contact the League Manager 48 hours prior to game time in order for their player(s) to be eligible to play in the next game.

   • It is the responsibility of the team manager to keep his team roster current. Any changes must be transacted only between the team manager and the League Manager.

   • Prior to the start of each game, each player must check in with the scorekeeper, providing their name and number.This ensures that the player is on the roster and roster for that particular game and eligible to play.The use of players not on the team’s roster, including unapproved substitutes, will result in a forfeit loss for the team with the ineligible player, removal of the ineligible player and the suspension of the team manager for one game. If such an infraction occurs, the team manager and the illegal player will both become ineligible for the remainder of the season.

   • Suspended players, or players that are removed from a game, are not allowed on either team’s bench, in either team’s penalty box, or in the scorekeeper’s box.

   • Number of players required for a game is sic (6).

   • If a team cannot provide six (6) players on the ice prior to the official start of game play, a forfeit loss will be awarded to that team.In the event that a game is declared forfeiture, both teams may use the allotted ice time for the game to conduct a practice. The SMHL Officials and Scorekeepers will leave the ice upon a forfeiture.

   • Goaltenders may be freely substituted from team to team only in the event the team’s regular goalie cannot play in a regular season game. For the playoffs, team managers must declare and roster a back-up goalie by March 1st, 2018 to be used in the event that their starter cannot play.

8. Playoffs Requirements

   • For a Player to be eligible for playoff competition, he must meet or exceed a minimum of 33% of regular season games played for that team. Players that also play as Goaltenders for a Team (as required) must exceed a minimum combined total of 33% of regular season games to be eligible for playoffs. EXAMPLE: Player participates in 10 of 30 regular season games = 33% and is therefore eligible for playoff participation.

9. SMHL Zero Tolerance Policy

   • In an effort to make ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, the SMHL have to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship.This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and spectators to maintain a sportsmanlike and positive atmosphere before, during and after all SMHL sanctioned games.Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all On-Ice Referees and Linesmen:

     • 1. A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed whenever a player:

          • Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official

          • Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if not directed at a particular person.

          • Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision.Any time a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty.A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such actions.

       2. Any player who engages in verbal or non-verbal taunts either sexual or abusive, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language) shall be assessed a Gross Misconduct and be suspended for the remainder of the season.

     • Coaches/Managers

       1. A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed whenever a coach/manager:

          • Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official

          • Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if not directed at a particular person.

          • Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision.Any time a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty.A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such actions.

       2. Any coach or team manager who engages in verbal or non-verbal taunts either sexual or abusive, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language) shall be assessed a Gross Misconduct and be suspended for the remainder of the season.

10. Playoffs

    • During playoffs and the championship game, only players on the team roster are eligible to play.NO substitutions will be allowed during the playoffs or championship game.The League Manager may approve extenuating circumstances; however, it is the responsibility of the team manager to address these circumstances with the League Manager 48 hours prior to a playoff or championship game.

    • During playoffs and the championship game, if the game is tied after regulation play, overtime will be permitted. Continuous sudden death 3 on 3, 5-minute period are permitted for the playoff games.

    • All teams are eligible for the elimination playoffs. 3rd through 6th seeded teams will play a single knock out game. 3rd will play 6th and 4th will play 5th in a single game knock out. The 4 final teams will be seeded in the playoffs by the place they finish during the regular season.The 4 final teams will play a best of 3 series, first team with 2 wins, wins the series. If a tiebreaker is needed to seed teams, the format for determining team seeds will go in this order:1. Most wins; 2. Superior points head to head; 3. Superior goal differential head to head; 4. Team with fewest penalty minutes; 5. Team with least forfeits.

    • If a game is tied at the end of regulation play during a playoff game, sudden death overtime will be one (1) - 3 on 3, 5-minute period. Mandatory line changes during play to shorten game time usage. In the event that, after overtime, the playoff game is still tied, a 3-man shootout will follow. Following these two events, if a winner still has not been decided, a sudden death shootout will determine a winner.

11. The Howe Sound Cup - SMHL Championship Trophy Policy:

    • Any team who wins the SMHL Championship may hold on to the Howe Sound Cup our Championship Trophy until August 31st of the current year. The Cup will then need to be returned for clean up and maintenance if required. After which the Howe Sound Cup will be displayed at local businesses in our community who have sponsored the SMHL. The Howe Sound Cup Tour is to display the cup in local businesses throughout Squamish promoting our league.

    • If any team damages the Howe Sound Cup, the team responsible will need to reimburse the SMHL for all of the costs to repair the Cup. The SMHL will provided receipts and a statement of the repairs to the team.

12. Locker Rooms

    • Locker room vandalism or destruction will not be tolerated.This also includes the locker restrooms and shower stalls.Should vandalism or destruction of the locker room occur, the team and its players will be subject to suspension from the league without the possibility of a refund.The League Manager and the facilities director will determine the punishment.

    • Teams are issued a locker room prior to their games.It is the team’s responsibility to lock their locker room during their ice time.If the locker room is not locked during the team’s ice time, and vandalism, theft, or destruction of property occurs during that time by other individuals, the team is responsible for all damages of that locker room or missing items.

    • Please maintain the cleanliness of the facility and its locker rooms.The locker rooms are a privilege, and, in respect to the employees and the other patrons, please clean up after your team and put all trash in the proper receptacle.If a team leaves their assigned locker room and/or the assigned player’s bench in a condition that is considered unsanitary, at $50 cleaning fee will be assessed to that team, and that team may not be assigned a locker room for the remainder of the season and asked to change before arriving to play their game.

    • Please conduct yourselves as gentlemen.This means do not wander the hallways or outside the locker rooms without being fully clothed or dressed in your hockey equipment and full uniform.The ice arena is a public facility, and in so being, many patrons are invited to use the facility.Please be conscious of others who use the facility.

    • The District of Squamish Policy states that possession of alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at all Brennan Park Recreational Facilities, including the Brennan Park Arena. Any team caught with any of these products where there is evidence of such behaviors such as; spilled alcohol on the floors, alcohol cans in recycling or garbage containers, cans left anywhere in the facilities, where the dressing rooms and facilities are not left to the highest standards of cleanliness, the team will forfeit there next 3 games on the first offense. If any team is caught where there is evidence of such behaviors a second the team will be suspended from the league indefinitely.

13. Injuries

    • All major injuries must be reported immediately to the League Manager within 48 hours.All major injuries that require hospitalization or ambulatory services need to be reported to the League Manager as soon as possible.All claims with ASHL for injuries incurred during league play need to be signed off by the League Manager.

14. Officials

    • A two-man system is employed during game play, where both officials have equal authority. For playoffs SMHL has a four-man system with 2 Officials and 2 Linesman.

    • The scorekeeper is an authorized, off-ice official. As such, the scorekeeper is authorized to recommend disciplinary procedures, to report procedural irregularities, and to maintain administrative control of games according to these guidelines.

    • The League Manager holds the right and authority to extend disciplinary actions as necessary.

    • Referees may apply a TGO (this game only) to remove a player they feel needs to be removed from a game for their conduct, either physical or verbal. TGO penalties will add 5 minutes to the player’s accumulated penalty total for the season.

    • Officials will make calls in accordance with the events on the ice and off the ice during game play.The officials will maintain control of the game and discipline players and fans accordingly.

    • The SMHL will strictly enforce a ZERO TOLERANCE guideline regarding abuse of an official; this includes employees, scorekeepers, referees, other patrons and all off ice infractions that may occur.

    • Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times.The actions of an official must be above reproach. Action such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches is strictly prohibited. On-ice officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.

    • Officials must keep control of themselves while officiating. Any official who loses composure and behaves in an unacceptable manner violating the Zero Tolerance with the code of conduct policy will lose their pay for the game and be fined $100.00. If the fine is not paid, the Official will lose the privilege of officiating any future games until the fine is paid.

    • All teams must have assigned Captains and Assistant Captains for the purpose of communications with Officials. Any players trying to communicate with Officials that does not have an assigned letter may be given a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

15. Ice Time Management Policy

    • Each game has a (3) three minute warm-up for players to prepare for the game.

    • To finish the game within the scheduled ice-time, when the time remaining on the 3rd period score board equals and matches the time remaining in the scheduled ice-time, the score keeping will change to nonstop time for the remainder of the game. Teams will be notified by the officials when this occurs and it is up to the teams to manage themselves accordingly to maximize the rest of the game. Teams may change on the fly during play and/or hurry up when lining up for face offs.

16. Responsibilities of the Team Managers

    • The Team Manager is responsible for making team payments to the SMHL.

    • Establish and maintain a full roster based on the requirements stipulated in the leagues rules and regulations.

    • Establish a reliable and effective communication with the League Manager.

    • Check with the scorekeeper before each game to coordinate any messages from the league manager or to address any suspensions assessed to his players.Also, to coordinate a check-in of players on the roster, as the score sheet is an official document of the league.

    • Ensure that all players have completed their registration with ASHL.

    • Ensure that payment of team fees are timely and are made to the SMHL on the dates designated.

    • Upon request from the team manager, a copy of the score sheet will be provided to him/her.

    • Ensure that a goalie is available to play at all games.Coordinate available goalies from the goalie list to substitute in the event of the absence of the goalie on the team roster.Then inform the League Coordinator of the goalie substitution, so that it can be annotated on the score sheet.

    • Ensure that every team member understands the SMHL Governing Policies and that if there are any discrepancies or concerns to solely address them with the league manager.

    • The Team Manager is also responsible to pass all information to players of his or her team.This includes disciplinary actions, suspensions, reinstatement fees and to assist in upholding of the policies and procedures listed in this document.

 

Participation in the SMHL indicates that you have read the Governing Policies set forth by the league and the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.  It also indicates that you understand these governing polices and agree to abide by them in full compliance.

​

The SMHL reserves the right to indefinitely suspend players for not complying to the SMHL & ASHL Rules & Policies when the player's lack of compliance threatens the positive playing experience of the league.

​

SMHL will strictly observe any and all other rules pertaining to the sport of ice hockey.  These rules can be found on ASHL website. Rulebook