Western Ontario Girls Hockey League Regulations
As amended May 2012
Article 1 Name
The Organization shall be known as Western Ontario Girls Hockey League,
Herein referred to as "WOGHL"
Article 2 Objective
To provide recreational hockey instruction and competition for females of all ages. To instill in the players a love for the game of hockey and a respect for the ideals of sportsmanship.
Article 3 Affiliation
The WOGHL shall be affiliated with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA).
All games shall be played by WOGHL, Hockey Canada and OWHA rules.
Article 4 Membership
1. Each Player
2. Each team official, coach, assistant coach, trainer, manager
3. Each executive member
4. Certain other officials appointed from time to time by the Executive
5. Any new Association applying to play in the WOGHL, must be accepted by a vote at a General Meeting.
6. Every player and every team official must be registered with OWHA for the current playing season.
7. Each team/association must use the appropriate "Intent to Register" form. Forms must be handed in with the applicable payment at the Fall Scheduling meeting before team is eligible for scheduling games.
8. Each team is required to pay the annual membership fee of $90.00.
Article 5 Executive
a) The Executive shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and or other voting Executive members from time to time as deemed necessary by the WOGHL Board. There will also be a group of Directors consisting of Division Convenors and Statisticians.
b) The members of the executive shall be elected to a two year term at the annual general meeting.
c) The Directors shall be elected by ballot at the AGM and serve a term of two years. The minimum number of directors shall not be less than 6. Where there is a shortage of directors, appointments will be made by the executive.
d) The Executive shall carry out the objective of WOGHL according to the Regulations. The executive shall be responsible for the planning, organization and administration of WOGHL.
e) The official signing officers of the WOGHL shall be the Treasurer and either the President or the Vice President.
f) The Executive shall appoint a League Privacy Officer for the current season and associations will be notified of this person.
Article 6 Duties of the Executive Members
a) The President shall preside over all WOGHL meetings.
b) The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President and assist the President whenever required.
c) The Secretary shall keep proper minutes of all Executive meetings and send copies to all voting members. The Secretary shall handle all correspondence on behalf of WOGHL.
d) The Treasurer shall have charge of the books pertaining to other business of the WOGHL. The Treasurer shall collect funds and deposit funds in a bank account in the name WOGHL. The Treasurer shall sign all cheques pertaining to WOGHL monies under the direction of the Executive. The Treasurer shall be responsible to administer the Performance Bonds as set out in the by-laws.
e) Chain of Communication. Coaches, Managers and Parents must communicate to their Division convenor or WOGHL rep. Division convenors will determine the course of action and if unable to resolve will involve WOGHL executive or Discipline Chair as required
Article 7 Meetings
a) The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held prior to the end of May of the playing year for the purpose of reading the annual report and electing officers. All members shall be notified thirty (30) days prior to the date of the AGM.
b) General meetings of the WOGHL may be held periodically prior to and throughout the season. All members shall be notified 14 days prior to any general meeting.
c) Division Convenors may hold meetings at any time throughout the season. Date, time and location to be agreed upon by all members involved.
Article 8 Voting Powers at General Meetings
a) The elected and appointed officers of the Executive are entitled to one (1) vote at all General Meetings and at the AGM. Proxy votes are permitted.
b) One member from each participating centre is entitled to one (1) vote.
c) All votes for election purposes are to be by secret ballot.
Article 9 Nominations
a) Each voting member shall have the privilege of nomination of a candidate for an elected office of WOGHL
b) A member may be nominated for more than one office, but may not hold more than one office in any given year.
Article 10 Amendments
An amendment to the constitution of WOGHL may be made at the AGM. A proposed amendment must be submitted to the Secretary 30 days prior to the AGM and copies sent to each association or posted on the WOGHL website prior to the AGM. A simple majority of all votes cast is required for an amendment to be adopted.
Rules and Regulations
1. Age
Teams playing in the WOGHL shall be divided based on age of players as set down by the OWHA. Team age to be categorized the same as the OWHA
2. Player Eligibility
a) All players must be properly registered on their teams OWHA team registration form as per OWHA rules. Any player added to a team roster after January 1st must be approved by the WOGHL executive.
b) To be eligible for WOGHL playoffs, all players must have played a minimum of five (5) WOGHL games with their OWHA registered team prior to January 15th. Exemptions may be granted at the discretion of the WOGHL Executive. Teams unable to meet these criteria must apply in writing to the WOGHL Executive for exemption.
c) For League games, a team may use from their own association, a maximum of three (3) pick up players from a lower category to bring the total team strength to fifteen (15) but not to exceed the number of registered players on the team. The Executive may authorize the lateral movement of a goaltender for emergency purposes only. No call ups for playoff games without the permission of the League Convenor and League President
3. Team Roster
a) Each team may register a maximum of seventeen (17) skaters and a maximum of two (2) goaltenders. b) Your OWHA Team Roster to be submitted to your Convenor by date set out at the Scheduling Meeting.
4. Equipment
As required by Hockey Canada and OWHA. Mouth guards are recommended by the WOGHL.
5. Fair Play
a) All teams are reminded to follow and respect the Fair Play Codes set out by Hockey Canada in the "Safety Requires Teamwork" Booklet.
b) All teams are expected to adhere to the guidelines of Hockey Canada/OWHA "Speak out" Program for Harassment and Abuse.
c)"Good Sportsman Rule" – All WOGHL games will end with the players of the two teams and coaches shaking hands.
6. Scheduling
All teams in the WOGHL will here forth participate in a split season.
1. Teams will play a 1st half season consisting of 5 home and 5 away games or what is set out by WOGHL executive, to be scheduled at the 1st scheduling meeting of the season.
2. All teams will then be regrouped based on win % to play where they are most competitive for the 2nd half of the season which will be booked at the 2nd scheduling meeting of the season.
3. Teams may request via email to the President to play up or down for the 2nd half of the season and this will be considered and accepted or declined by WOGHL executive when groupings are formed. The request must be made no less than 48 hours prior to the 2nd scheduling meeting.
The Division Convenors and WOGHL executive shall be responsible to finalize the format of the League Schedule. The play-off format will be decided by the WOGHL Executive and introduced at the scheduling meeting. The WOGHL supplies Awards for the Regular Season Champion, the Play-off winner and the Play-off Finalist.
A Play-off consolation award will be supplied as per Rule 15.
It is the responsibility of all teams to have a balanced schedule. Any team or association failing to attend the scheduling meeting shall not be eligible for league play. The scheduling meeting will be held late September of each calendar year. All associations will be notified at least 14 days prior.
7. Team Responsibility
Each team is required to have one member of the coaching staff attend the schedule meeting to be eligible to play in this league. Teams will not be allowed to schedule games prior to full payment of fees.
a) Each team shall supply to the Executive or their respective Convenor with:
1. A map to their arena location, sufficient in number for each team in their division
2. A list of phone numbers for that team’s contact person, both day and evening, preferably with a fax number
3. A cheque or money order payable to the WOGHL to cover the entry fees for each team and each center to provide one cheque to cover the performance bond.
b) Each team must advise the Executive or the Division Convenor in writing of their respective team uniform colours for the season.
Uniform colour conflicts - as per OWHA
c) Each team must advise the Executive or the Division Convenor in writing of their home ice dates and times, which shall be sufficient in number to provide home games against all other teams in their division. If there are teams that must travel over two hours to a game, arrangements may be made to play two games on the same day, or a mutually agreed upon arrangement.
d) Each team must undertake to have sufficient ice time to meet play-off requirements
e) The home team is responsible for mailing all game sheets to the division Convenor or statistician weekly or a $25.00 fee will be assessed. If two or more game sheets are outstanding, the delinquent team will be ineligible for league play-offs. The Association Travel Representative of the delinquent team will be notified of the fine by the statistician. This fine will be deducted from the Associations Bond account immediately. The Association will have 14 days from initial notification to remit funds to replenish the bond. Failure to replenish the bond will result in ALL the teams in this association being deemed ineligible for further play and all existing points will be removed from the standings.
8. Pick up Players
a) PICK-UP PLAYERS: A Pick-Up Player is defined as EITHER from:
i) a lower age level and the same classification or lower
ii) the same age level and lower classification
E.g.: 1 Bantam A team can call from Peewee A team
E.g.: 2 Bantam A team can call from Peewee BB team
E.g.: 3 Bantam A team can call from Bantam BB team
E.g.: 4 Bantam A team can NOT call from Peewee AA team
b) Every Pick-Up player or goalie must be designated on the game sheet with the symbol "PU" beside her name. Exceptions can be made ONLY with approval of both the convenor and WOGHL president or his/her designate.
c) NO pickup players from within the same division and/or Tier Group.
d) NO pickup players in the playoffs without the prior consent of the division convenor and the league president.
9. Suspensions
a) If a player is serving a suspension, the coach or manager must write SUSPENSION and the suspension game number beside her name on the game sheet. (i.e. SUSPENSION 2 OF 4)
b)Any and all game sheets that show either the initiation or serving of a suspension must be faxed to the appropriate WOGHL Director/Convenor within 24 hours of the game being played, even if they are issued/served as tournament or exhibition games.
c)These actions are in addition to those required by the OWHA.
10. Discipline
a) WOGHL Executive is responsible for dealing with suspensions; it may add more games to the OWHA Minimum Suspension.
b) If a team receives more than 25 penalty minutes in a game, excluding a player’s 10 minutes per game misconduct, the coach is suspended for the next league game. Second time, the coach receives two games. Third time, the coach is indefinitely suspended and must appear before the WOGHL Executive.
11. Forfeits
a) The convenor and statistician together will decide if any team should forfeit a game. If they can not decide, it will be determined by a committee formed by the President.
b) Any team forfeiting a game will receive a $100.00 fine payable to WOGHL.
c) Any team not finishing all playoff games will receive a $100.00 fine payable to WOGHL. If payment is not received this team will not be in good standing and therefore not eligible for participation in next season’s play.
12. Fines
Any Association or team who is levied a fine by WOGHL will adhere to the following procedure:
a) The Association Travel Representative of the delinquent team will be notified of the fine by the WOGHL. This fine will be deducted from the Associations Bond account immediately.
b) The Association will have 14 days from initial notification to remit funds to replenish the bond.
c) Failure to replenish the bond will result in ALL the teams in this association being deemed ineligible for further play and all existing points will be removed from the standings.
12.1 FINES DETAIL
a) $25.00 per league game not completed by the end of the season
b) $10.00 for game scores not called in within 72 hours to division contact.
c) $100.00 per team for Team Roster Sheets not being handed in on time.
d) $100.00 for not having a representative at a General Meeting.
e) $100.00 for game cancellation with less than 72 hours notice.
13. Referees
a) All Referees in WOGHL Bantam and higher games must be minimum CHOP Level II or USA Hockey equivalent.
b) In Midget & higher it is recommended to use a three (3) referee system.
c) If an Approved Referees do not officiate a regularly scheduled game, then the Home team will forfeit this game. The Visiting team may apply through the Discipline Committee to receive a refund up to $200.00 from the Home team due to travel to this game.
d) A MINIMUM of two (2) Approved Referees must be present before the start of ANY WOGHL game unless agreed upon by BOTH Head Coaches of the teams BEFORE the game is started. The game sheet MUST be initialled by BOTH Head Coaches prior to game commencement and approved by the two (2) Approved Officials.
e) There is a Fifteen (15) minute grace period allowed for any Officials late for any WOGHL game and/or as such time that the Home Centre is able to replace any Officials that are not present at the start of game commencement.
14. Cancellation Rules
a) Cancellation of a game by a team can be done without penalty or further responsibility up to two weeks (14 days) prior to the day a game is scheduled. This game must be rescheduled as provided below.
b) Ice costs for a game cancelled less than two weeks before the game day becomes the responsibility of the team which gives notice of cancellation unless the ice is used by the non-canceling team, or some other team. The cancelling team will be assessed a $100.00 disciplinary fine payable to the League.
i) A rescheduled game is not considered to be locked into the schedule until the Convenor for that division has been notified.
ii) Games cancelled must be rescheduled within Fourteen (14) days of game cancellation. Any team that does not reschedule within the Fourteen (14) day period will be assessed a $50.00 disciplinary fine payable to the League.
1. Three (3) reasonable ( Reasonable to be set as policy by WOGHL members) ice times must be offered to or by the home team.
2. Visiting team must accept one (1) of the three (3) offered ice times or Division convenor and or WOGHL Executive will decide the outcome of the game
c) The Executive may, in its discretion and upon identifying special circumstances, waive or reduce any fines levied for game cancellation infractions.
d) The Executive reserves the right after an investigation, to issue an additional $200.00 fine, payable to the League, to any team who either fails to show for a scheduled league game without just cause; cancels a scheduled league game within 24 hours of its playing time without just cause; or refuses to reschedule a cancelled game.
e) Cancellation due to weather conditions must be made before three (3) hours of the scheduled start time.
1. The team cancelling the game MUST DIRECTLY CONTACT BY PHONE AND SPEAK to a designated team representative before this game is officially considered cancelled.
* Note: E-mail and voice messages will NOT be considered as proper notification.
2. It will be the responsibility of the home team to then notify the convenor of this change.
3. The cancelled game is to be rescheduled within seven (7) days. 4. Any team violating this rule will forfeit the game. i) Teams receiving fines in accordance with any of the forgoing provisions shall be notified by the League that an infraction occurred, a fine is being levied and the amount of the fine; the fine shall be paid within fourteen (14) days of notification. Should a team fail to pay a fine as provided above, then the Executive may, in its sole discretion, through the Convenor, advise the defaulting team that, as a result of its failure to abide by the rules, it is deemed to have withdrawn from the League, and from all League games scheduled by it, and that the team is no longer a League member, with the result that:
1. All points awarded to the defaulting team will be taken away
2. All points awarded to other teams in games played against the defaulting team shall be taken away
3. The defaulting team shall not be eligible for playoffs, and
4. All reference to the defaulting team shall be deleted from the league's web-site.
j) To be eligible for the playoffs and any league awards, teams must play all their regular season games. The only exception will be if a game is forfeited. If a team has more than two forfeits, they will be ineligible for the playoffs and any league awards.
15. Awards
All divisions must follow the following format:
Regular Season Champions
Playoff Champions
Playoff Finalist
Playoff Consolation – Champions & Finalists - This must be determined at the scheduling meeting if this will be awarded, otherwise they will not be available.
16. Playoffs
1. Playoffs
In the interest of competitive hockey, it is the intent of the WOGHL to provide a playoff format that will keep as many players/teams active in a season, playing in loops that are competitive.
a) Playoff Format
All teams will qualify for a playoff series, subject to any other WOGHL rules.
I. Round Robin
WOGHL Executive will split teams into playoff groupings based on final season standings. The teams in each grouping will play each other a predetermined number of times.
The number of games to be played will be determined prior to the playoff scheduling meeting by the WOGHL Executive and will be based on the round robin group size.
II. Finals
Top Two (2) teams in a grouping at the end of the round robin will compete in a final series of either three (3) or Five (5) games which will be determined by the WOGHL Executive.
All Playoff format changes must be established at the playoff scheduling meeting prior to the 1st game of the series and approved by WOGHL Executive.
The tiebreaker rules must be consistent with the established playoff format.
b) Home Ice Advantage ( Finals )
The "higher placed" team after the 1st round robin will have home ice advantage for the final series.
c) Deadlines
Each series will have a deadline date. The convenor and the President of WOGHL or his/her designate must approve exceptions made to any teams not finished by the deadline. The team or teams responsible for the delay may forfeit the series.
d) In the 2nd and or 3rd rounds each team in the series will hand in their 3 ice times( 3 or more available ice times) to the division convenor or designate and they will schedule the series. The format of these series will be decided by the Division convenor and or WOGHL Executive in conjunction with teams involved. If teams do not have sufficient ice times, home ice advantage may be forfeited to the team with avaolable ice times.
e) Curfews
No Curfews will be allowed in any Playoff games.
f) Timeouts
One (1), Thirty (30) second time-out per team per game will be allowed during all playoff games. The time-out is to be recorded on the gamesheet.
g) Playoff Tie Breaking Format
i. Total wins in all playoff games:
ii. The head to head winner between the teams tied. ( applies to two (2) teams only);
iii. Fewest losses in all playoff games;
iv. Highest ratio of TOTAL GOALS FOR divided by ( GOALS FOR + GOALS AGAINST);
v. Least penalty minutes in all playoff games;
vi. Earliest goal in any of the playoff games;
vii. Flip of a coin.
Finals
If the series is tied at the end of the final game then:
i. A five (5) minute sudden death overtime will be played, with the teams playing four on four and a goalie.
ii. If still tied at the end of the Overtime then proceed to a shoot-out. The home team shall have the choice of shooting 1st or 2nd. A 3-player alternating shoot-out will occur. If the score remains tied, the shoot-out will proceed to a "sudden death" format. No player may shoot twice until everyone who is eligible has shot.
All players are eligible to participate in the shoot-out unless they are serving a penalty of any type or have been assessed a game misconduct or match penalty.
Regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot-out portion of overtime, the final score recorded for the game will give the winning team one (1) more goal than it's apponent, based on the score at the end of overtime.
In the event that two (2) teams can not agree, the convenor or WOGHL Executive will decide.
17. Tie Breaking Format
a) Regular Season
If teams are tied at the end of the Regular Season the following criteria will be followed: (same as OWHA Playdowns)
i) Number of wins
ii) Record against other tied teams
iii) Goals scored minus goals against iv) Fewest goals allowed v) Fewest penalty minutes vi) First goal scored vii) Most goals scored viii) Flip of coin.
b) Playoffs
As per Rule 16 e)
18. Game protests
a)To protest a team must:
1.i)With respect to protest relating to interpretation of a rule, the team must notify the referee verbally of a protest before, during or at the end of the game, before they leave the ice and forward your protest to your Convenor, in writing within forty-eight (48) hours of the starting time of the game.
ii) With respect to an improperly registered, unregistered, ineligible, or suspended player or team official, notify the Convenor, in writing within forty-eight (48) hours of the starting time of the game.
2. Prepare the protest in writing
3. File the protest with the WOGHL President within forty-eight (48) hours of the starting time of the game or in his/her absence with the WOGHL Secretary.
4. Send a copy of the written protest to the protested team within forty-eight (48) hours of the starting time of the game.
b) Within 5 days of a protest being filed, the WOGHL President shall set a date for hearing the protest. The hearing date will be no more than 10 days after the filing date.
c) To defend against a protest a team must:
1. Prepare a rebuttal in writing 2. File the rebuttal in writing with the WOGHL President within 48 hours of receiving the protest or in his/her absence with the WOGHL Secretary.
19. Game Times
a) When a team has one hour (50 minutes) of ice available for a game, the recommended game time will be 12,12,12 and the curfew must be marked on the game sheet and initialed by both teams prior to the commencement of the game. A three (3) minute warm up will start each game.
b) If a team has 1.25 hours (65 minutes)of ice time available for a game the recommended game time will be 12,12,15 and the curfew time must be marked on the game sheet and initialed by both teams prior to the commencement of the game. A three (3) minute warm up will start each game.
c) If a team has 1.5 hours (85 minutes)of ice time available for a game the clock will be set to 15-15-15 minute periods and the curfew time must be marked on the game sheet and initialed by both teams prior to the commencement of the game. A three (3) minute warm up will start each game.
d) PeeWee division and up are encouraged to request 1.25 hours of ice time.
e) Midget division and up are encouraged to request 1.5 hours of ice time.
f) Time outs: No time outs allowed in Regular season games.
20. Appeals
Matters that may be appealed include:
a) A decision by a WOGHL Convenor, the WOGHL President or any WOGHL Committee. b) To appeal, an individual, team, or Association must submit written documentation stating the reasons for the appeal and facts supporting the appeal to the WOGHL President.
c) All appeals must be filed within 7 days of the decision you are appealing.
d) A $200 Appeal fee must accompany the appeal. The $200 Appeal fee may be refundable at the discretion of the Appeal Committee. e) Within 7 days of the appeal being filed the WOGHL President shall set a date for the appeal. The hearing date will be no more then 15 days from the filing date. f) The WOGHL President shall notify all parties to the appeal as soon as the date is set. g) The Appeal Tribunal has the authority to uphold, increase, or decrease a suspension.
h) The Appeal Tribunal shall render its decision not more than 5 days after the hearing.
21. All Star Games
All-star Day is a showcase of talent being played in the Western Ontario Girls Hockey LEague and all teams will have players invited to participate. Teams will be formed by the WOGHL Executive. Player selection will be completed by coaches inviting their own players. Goalie selection will be made by WOGHL Executive.