​The following is a summary of game rules and league regulations for admittance and participation into the Steve Woodard Memorial Hockey League.  All players must adhere to these rules and regulations in their entirety. 

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League foundation Principles:

The Steve Woodard Memorial Hockey League was formed to provide a forum for hockey players to play in a more structured environment strictly for the enjoyment of the game. It is named for Steve Woodard, a beloved hockey member of the Waterbury, VT area and hockey community. We strive to honor Steve’s memory by creating a league where friendly competition, sportsmanship and pure love of hockey are the main goals. Although we keep score of the games and have formal schedules and rosters, it is not intended to be a place where overzealous or overly competitive players should participate. The ultimate goal is to play hard, have fun and show respect for the fellow hockey players. But mostly, it’s to enjoy the game and have fun.

Under these guiding principles, the following are some basic guidelines for participation.

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Registration and League Fees and Waiver:

• All players must complete and sign a registration form to participate in the league along with paying league fees established by the league coordinators.
• All money obtained from the players goes to the rink to pay for ice time and any other league related fees. It is important to note that the league coordinators and other administrators are volunteers who perform tasks at no cost to the players and make no profit from their organizational activities. The league coordinators, through agreement with the rink management, may establish a standard payment plan to assist players with league cost.
• All registration information, including cost and terms will be communicated to all league participants prior to the start of the season.
• A waiver form must be signed each year by each player waiving all responsibility of the Ice Center and anyone playing in the league as well as other organizers. Please read it carefully before signing.

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Teams:

• There will be 5 teams in the league this year. The schedule will consist of 20 league games in addition to playoff games for each team.
• Each team will have a captain who helps with league administration activities
• Teams will consist of 10 skaters and a goalie.
• Teams will be selected based on a draft by the captains and player ranking system. The captains will work to ensure all teams are as balanced competitively as possible. In the event there appears to be a large discrepancy in competitive balance, the league reserves the right to make roster changes. Changes will only happen with the approval of all captains.
• There will be a list of substitute players. Teams may use a substitute during the regular season to replace a player who is missing a game. Substitutes must match the skill level of the player they are replacing.
• Subbing in Playoffs: if a team has fewer than 8 skaters, the captain of this team may ask the two captains of the teams they are not playing to select a sub(s) to be the 8th player(s). Subs need to be familiar with the friendly spirit of the league.
• If a player is injured and will not be able to play for the remainder of the season that team can propose a player to replace them. The proposed player needs to be approved by all captains before becoming a part of the team. Substitute player needs to play a min of 2 games before playoffs to qualify to play in the playoffs.

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Game Rules:

• Games will be 90 minutes in length including warm-up time.
• Warm-up should be 10 minutes max.
• At the end of the 90 minute time period the team with the most goals will be declared the winner.
• If the score is tied, a 10 minute sudden death 3-vs-3 overtime will be played (if the rink allows).
• If the score is tied after the 10 minute overtime,  a shootout shall determine the winner.

Face-off:

• Start of game home team will drop puck for face-off at center ice.
• After each goal team who scores the goal will drop puck for the face-off at center ice
• If goalie freezes puck the defense team will drop the puck at the face-off circle in their zone.
• Sportsmanship is #1 priority. There are no referees so we will be policing ourselves. Captains are to resolve all issues.
• No checking allowed.
• Players are to call their own infractions. If you hook, trip, check, etc. a player, then own up to it. When an infraction is noted the play will stop and the puck will be turned over to the other team.
• No fighting will be allowed. Any player(s) involved in a fight will be tossed from the current game and possibly the league for the year. Captains will review the situation and make a decision if the player(s) will be allowed back or not.

Icing:

• Race to the dot. The goalie has the final say. A Left or Right dot faceoff is decided by the winner.

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Tiebreaking Procedures:

1. Goal Differential
2. Goals For

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