2023-2024 MLAHA Tournament Rules and Procedures 

*All MLAHA Tournaments are Minnesota Sanctioned Tournaments*

Statements required by Minnesota Hockey:

All games will be played under and in accordance with the rules of USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey unless otherwise specified. Minnesota Hockey age guidelines will be used.

All officials will be USA Hockey registered.

Medical personnel as recognized by USA Hockey will be present at each game.

Canadian teams must wear protective equipment, as designated by CAHA.

The Moose Lake Area Hockey Association will assume no liability for personal injury to any participants during the tournament.

Each team MUST check in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their first game of the tournament and supply the following items at check-in, as required by Minnesota Hockey and Moose Lake Area Hockey Association:

• USA Hockey Registration.

• Proof of Coaching Certification for each coach that will be on the bench.

• Canadian teams must provide team travel vouchers, rosters, & birth certificates.

Times:

Warm up: 5 minutes, starting 5 minutes before the posted game time.

Length of periods: 12 running time for Mini Mites, Mites. 12 minutes stop time for Squirts, Girls U10, allowing 1 hour per game. 15 minute stop time for Pee Wees, Girls U12 and Bantams.

Running Time: The clock shall not be stopped during the 3rd period of a game if one team has a 6 goal lead, except in the case of injury to a player, to allow referees to report penalties or scoring, or when determined necessary by the officials.

Rest between periods: 2 minutes or time necessary to resurface.

Timeouts: One timeout of 1 minute shall be allowed to each team per game. It may be used during either regulation or overtime play.

Tiebreakers: Tied games during single elimination tournaments.

There will be no resurfacing of the ice surface during overtime play. Winners of tie games will be determined based upon the following procedures in the following order:

• “Sudden Death” overtime for 5 minutes after a 2 minute rest period.

• A 5 minute “Sudden Death” overtime period with 4 players per side after a 2 minute rest period.

• Shoot Out – 3 distinct players

• Shoot Out – single elimination until a winner is determined.  A player can not repeat in the shoot out until every player, excluding the goalie, attempts a shot.

Tiebreakers: Tied games during Round Robin tournaments.

• “Sudden Death” overtime for 5 minutes after a 2 minute rest period.

• If neither team scores, the game ends in a tie.

Tied points at the end of Round Robin Play:

• Wins

• “Head to Head” competition

• Goals Against

• Fewest Penalty Minutes

• Goal Difference

• Coin Toss

Points:  

Teams will earn points per game:

• Win - 2 points

• Tie - 1 point

• Loss - 0 point

Authority:

Referees will have the final decision regarding all decisions made “on the ice” and/or directly related to the play of the game.

The Tournament Director has the final say regarding all other decisions.

Conduct:

We exepct all players, coaches, and spectators display good sportsmanship at all times. We encourage spectators to cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play. We ask that all players and spectators support the referees and coaches by trusting their judgment and integrity. Everyone attending our tournament will respect the property by not pounding on the glass, distributing trash to the appropriate receptacles, notifying arena staff of any spills that may need to be cleaned up, and keeping the locker rooms clean.  

The Moose Lake Area Hockey Association has adopted the following Zero Tolerance Policy recommendations per USA Hockey Rulebook 2021-2025:

This Zero Tolerance Policy summarizes required actions to be taken when violations occur. All players, coaches, officials, team officials, administrators, and parents/spectators must maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all USA Hockey participants and spectators. 

Players: A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player: 

1) Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official. 

2) Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person. 

3) Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision. 

Any time that 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 action. 

Coaches: A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach: 

1) Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official. 

2) Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time. 

3) Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators. 

Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, he/she shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty. In addition, any player/coach who uses language that is offensive, hateful, or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game shall be penalized under Rule 601(e.3) resulting in a Match Penalty. 

Such behavior is reprehensible and has absolutely no place in our game. The offender shall be immediately suspended until a hearing is conducted by the governing USA Hockey Affiliate or Junior League. 

Officials:   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. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited. Officials are strongly encouraged to introduce themselves to the coaches prior to a game, to establish a basis of mutual respect and to facilitate/define in-game communication. Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind. 

Parents/Spectators Parents are expected to be a positive role model by treating all players, coaches, officials and fellow spectators with respect and support. The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/ spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/ spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body.* 

This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include: 

1) Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time. 

2) Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence. 

3) Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard. 

USA Hockey strongly recommends that each local youth hockey registered team designate a volunteer to serve as a parent/spectator monitor during all team games. This monitor will, ideally, address inappropriate spectator behavior prior to the situation escalating to the point it has an impact on the game. This designated monitor shall have the full support of the youth hockey association and the arena management to remove any spectator in violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy.**

*District 11 mandates a three game suspension for violation of the zero tolerance policy.   

**Team Managers are required to be the designated volunteers to serve as parent and spectator monitors during games at Moose Lake Area Hockey Association Tournaments

Penalties:

If a player receives 4 penalties during any one game of the tournament, the player will no longer be eligible for play during the remainder of that game or the following game. The player must leave the ice immediately.

Fighting is not tolerated during the games. Players who fight during tournament play will automatically be banned from participation for the remainder of the tournament and must leave the ice immediately.

Penalty Minutes will be served as follows:

The length of minor penalties shall be pro-rated for the following period lengths:

     • 12 minutes or less – 1:00 minor penalty

     • More than 12 but less than 17 minutes – 1:30 minor penalty

     • 17-20 minutes – 2:00 minor penalty

There is no exception provided for PeeWees (12U).  With periods greater than 12 minutes and less that 17 minutes a minor should be 1:30 minutes

All referee decisions are final.

Re-surfacing:

Mini Mites and Mites: When the Tournament Director and/or Arena Staff determine that it is necessary.

Squirts, Girls U10: Ice will be resurfaced prior to every game.

PeeWees, Girls U12, Bantams: Ice will be resurfaced prior to every game and attempted to be resurfaced in between the 2nd and 3rd period, time permitting.

Miscellaneous: 

Home Team: Is that listed in the top of the bracket or the first team listed during round-robin play.  They should wear light- colored jerseys. The home team will allow the visiting team to leave the ice first.

Additional Scores: Will not be posted on the scoreboard if the goal differential between a team is greater than 9.

Bench: Only players and coaches listed on the roster are allowed on the bench. Any person who is not 18 years of age or older is required to wear a helmet at all times when they are in the bench area. Coaches not on USA Hockey Rosters will not be allowed in the players box during the game.

Goal Judges: No goal judges will be used. On ice officials will determine whether or not a goal is scored.

Game Roster: Must be furnished at least thirty minutes before the start of each game.

Protest: Any protest of an individual player must take place before the start of the game and be presented to the tournament committee for ruling. The tournament committee has the final word in all disputes.

Locker Rooms: Locker room assignments will be posted. Locker room keys will be given to the coach at least 45 minutes prior to the 1st game (a valid driver’s license will be needed as a deposit for the key) Coaches may obtain their key from the arena staff or tournament director. Locker rooms must be left cleaned and undamaged. All locker room keys should be returned ASAP after the game. It is recommended that all valuables be removed during the games, as MLAHA is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. A coach  or locker room monitor must be present while players are in the locker room. Cell phones and any other devices with a camera are not allowed in any locker room.

Score sheets: Whenever feasible, the GameSheet App will be used.  If available, a copy of the score sheet for each game shall be provided to each team.

Admission Charge: No admission charge. A donation box may be available for those who wish to contribute.