Rules of StinkySocks Hockey
NCAA ice hockey rules will be enforced, with the following modifications, unless otherwise noted for a particular game, league, or tournament.
General Modifications
- No checking
- One strike rule on fighting: any involvement in a fight on or off the ice will result in a permanent lifetime ban from any and all StinkySocks hockey games, tournaments, leagues, etc.
- Blue line icing will be enforced.
Roster Allowance Modification
- Teams for all StinkySocks Hockey games, except tournaments, are limited to (10) players plus (1) goalie to ensure that you’re spending more time on the ice and less time on the bench.
- In general, tournament teams are limited to (13) players plus (2) goalies. Please refer to the specific tournament rules to confirm this.
Time Modification
To maximize playing time, StinkySocks Hockey games will be played in (2) halves, with a 5 minute warm-up and a short break in between halves. Actual time to be maximized by judgment of the StinkySocks Hockey official.
Modification for Novice (D) level games only
- No slapshots
Playoff Games
Playoffs are typically offered for leagues where there are 4 or more teams competing. All playoffs are single elimination. Teams that are eliminated are still scheduled to play in a weekly game that has no bearing on the playoffs. Any playoff game that results in a tie after regulation time will result in a shootout, using USA Hockey rules.
Player Conduct (a.k.a. “No Jerk”) Policy
All players are subject to the player conduct policy, as interpreted by StinkSocks Hockey. Players are accountable for their own actions, regardless of the actions of another individual. Any conduct that is considered to be unbecoming of a StinkySocks Hockey player, is in violation of the terms and conditions of purchase, and/or is contrary to the league’s mission, will subject the offending player to disciplinary action, as deemed necessary by the league. Upon the first offense, StinkySocks Hockey may, at its discretion, take disciplinary action against the offending player in the form of a warning or other penalty up to and including suspension from play. Subsequent offenses may result in disciplinary action varying from suspension of play, up to and including permanent ineligibility to participate in any StinkySocks Hockey games, leagues and tournaments.
One strike rule on fighting: any involvement in a fight on or off the ice, challenge to a fight, or the threat of physical harm, will result in a permanent lifetime ban from any and all StinkySocks Hockey games and events.
Players who are ineligible to participate in a schedule game or event due to disciplinary action taken by the league will not be entitled to any refunds. All decisions made by StinkySocks Hockey are final.
Equitable Ice Time Policy
As a general rule, players should take shifts of approximately two minutes. Any player who is found to be deliberately taking lengthy shifts will be subject the the player conduct policy.
Appropriate Level Policy
Players are asked to select games and leagues that are appropriate for their ability level. Any player who accidentally finds themselves at a game that is clearly below their ability level has the option to leave the game right away and receive a credit for another game that is of their ability level. If they choose to stay and play, they are asked to bring their play down to the average player in that game and not be a game changing factor. As a part of that, they are asked to not shoot the puck. Players who do not self-identify their level discrepancy may be asked by the official or a member of the StinkySocks Hockey staff to play according to the guidelines above. Any player who does not come into compliance with this policy may be asked to leave the game without the option of a refund. They may also be subject to the player conduct policy.
Skater No Show Policy
If you cannot make a scheduled game, we ask that you contact the StinkySocks Hockey league office by phone, email, or a submission on our website to let us know. We guarantee not to exceed 10 players per team per game and, at the same time, we try hard to get as close to that number as possible to ensure a competitive hockey game. Doing so requires your participation. Any full time StinkySocks Hockey league player who misses a scheduled game without notifying the league office will be subject to a warning upon their first and second offense. They must also reconfirm their spot for the next game after the missed game in order to return. Players who fail to reconfirm will have their spot released 24 hours before the next scheduled hockey game for each game, until they reconfirm their return date. Upon the third offense their spot will be permanently released and they will receive a conduct warning. Players may not, under any circumstances, send another player to a game in their place.
Goalie Cancellations and “No Show” Policy
Goalies are an essential part of the quality game that StinkySocks Hockey delivers to its players. Once you sign up for a goalie spot you are committing to be there. If you need to cancel for any reason then we ask you to do so as far in advance as possible. With the right amount of notice we can almost always fill your spot.
A “no show” is defined as not providing notice of a cancellation at least 3 hours prior to your scheduled game. With the help of our goalies, we have developed a no show policy that we think is fair and still helps us maintain our quality objectives. Goalies who are a no show for a game are given a one time warning and are also required to put down a $100 refundable deposit to continue to play. Upon a second no show, goalies are issued a one year ban and forfeit their deposit. They are required to once again put a $100 deposit down if they wish to continue to play after their 1 year ban.
Full time league goalies who call out for more than 20% of their scheduled games in a given season will lose their right to secure their spot in future seasons.
Theft of Service Policy
Intentionally participating in any game or event without registering and paying is considered theft of service. Any player who is found to have participated in a game without having paid or having been authorized by an employee or representative of StinkySocks Hockey, is in violation of this policy. Players found to be in violation of this policy will be required to pay a $100 fee in addition to the fees for the game or event in which they have participated, and will be issued a conduct warning.
Jersey Policy
All full time league players are required to purchase a StinkySocks Hockey Reversible Jersey to be eligible to play in their league. Full time league players must wear their StinkySocks Hockey jersey in all league games. Any violation of this policy will result in a warning upon the first offense. If a full time player has any subsequent violation of this policy then they will not be allowed to participate in that game. Please note that this policy does not apply to players participating in a game through the No Commitment Hockey program. NCH players are encouraged to purchase and wear a StinkySocks Hockey jersey but are not required to do so at this time. Any NCH player who does not own a StinkySocks Hockey jersey is required to have a dark and white jersey available for their game. Please note that grey jerseys may not be used due to their indistinguishably and red jerseys may not be used due to their conflict with StinkySocks Hockey jerseys.
StinkySocks Hockey jerseys are each uniquely numbered. All information about you as a player is reported using that number. Thus, players may not share or loan their jersey. Doing so is considered a violation of the conduct policy and, furthermore, any conduct violation committed by another player while they are in possession of your jersey will be considered a violation committed by you.
Player Identification
Players are required to fully identify themselves to any representative of StinkySocks Hockey when asked to do so. Providing any false or misleading information will result in permanent ineligibility to participate in any StinkySocks Hockey games, leagues and tournaments.
Age Eligibility
Players must be at least 21 years of age to participate in any StinkySocks Hockey event, unless otherwise noted. Certain exceptions may apply. Players who have are under the required age may still be eligible and are encouraged to call the league office to inquire about their eligibility.
Waiver of Liability Requirement
All players must read and sign a waiver of liability prior to participating in any game or related event offered through StinkySocks Hockey. Individuals may not participate in any hockey league game, tournament or skills without having signed a waiver. Waivers are only available in electronic form and, thus, are not available at games. Any player without a waiver e-signed prior to arriving at a scheduled game will not be allowed to participate.
Game Standby Policy
In order to standby for a game, players are required to wear a StinkySocks Hockey jersey. Skaters may stand by at the rink for any game that is “sold out”. If there is a skater “no show” that results in either team having less than 10 skaters, the standby player may participate in the game. If a scheduled player arrives late and there are more than 10 skaters on the team then the standby player must exit the game and will not be charged. Upon entry in a game as a standby player, the player must report their participation within 18 hours to the StinkySocks Hockey league office by phone or electronic means to avoid being subjected to the Theft of Service Policy.
Privacy Policy
StinkySocks Hockey is committed to keeping your information private and makes every reasonable attempt to do so. We will never share or sell your information. Furthermore, we will not release your information to anyone without your consent. However, any player who is found to be in violation of our rules and polices waives their right to privacy.