All players are required to have the proper protective equipment that is designed for ice hockey, fits properly, and maintains the manufacture’s intended integrity. To clarify, the following equipment is required for participation:

• Helmet that is HECC-approved and has throat straps securely fastened (no more than two fingers of room between the throat strap and the chin). Goalies must have a proper face cage/shield.
• Gloves
• Shin pads (skaters) or leg pads (goalies)
• Elbow pads
• Padded pants or girdle
• Chest protector (goalies)
• Protective cup (men) or pelvic protector (women)
• Skates

The following are optional (except for goalies and at the skater’s own risk). They are, however, strongly encouraged for your safety.

• Shoulder pads
• Face shield/cage (skaters)
• Mouth guard

Locker Rooms

Players must use only the locker rooms assigned to their hour by the rink. Players may enter the locker room 20 minutes prior to game time and must vacate the locker room no more than 20 minutes after game time.

All locker rooms are coed and are to be used solely for changing in and out of hockey equipment. We ask that players please exercise discretion when in the presence of others. In particular, the changing of undergarments should take place in the bathroom or other areas that provide privacy.

No one on the ice during resurfacing

All rinks have safety rules in place to protect players and staff from injury while the ice is being resurfaced. Players must not take to the ice surface for any reason until the ice has been resurfaced and the ice resurfaced door has been completely closed. The rinks’s resurfacing operator may, in their sole discretion, exit the ice without finishing resurfacing if there is anyone on the ice. Also in their discretion, the rink may not premit players who violate this rule or create any other safety concern to return to their facility.

All players are subject to the player conduct policy, as interpreted by StinkySocks Hockey. Players are accountable for their own actions regardless of the actions of another individual.  Players are expected to conduct themselves with good sportsmanship. Chippy play, disrespectful verbal engagement, or contributing to the escalation of an incident, intentional physical contact with another player and any other disrespectful conduct is strictly prohibited by the “No Jerks” policy.

StinkySocks promotes a clean game, a enjoyable playing environment and any actions that are contrary to that are considered a violation of the “No Jerk” policy.  Any conduct that is considered to be unbecoming of a StinkySocks Hockey player, in violation of the terms and conditions of purchase, and/or contrary to the league’s mission will subject the offending player to disciplinary action, as deemed necessary by the league. Upon any 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 permanent ineligibility to participate in any StinkySocks Hockey games, leagues and tournaments. Subsequent offenses will result in more stringent disciplinary action varying from suspension of play, up to and including permanent ineligibility to participate in any StinkySocks Hockey games, leagues and tournaments.

Zero-tolerance on fighting: any involvement in a fight on or off the ice will result in disqualification from any and all StinkySocks Hockey games and events.

Third man in rule: Any player who becomes physically involved with a player of the other team during an altercation that did not initially involve them is considered to be a “third man in” and is subject to an automatic two-game suspension. In the event of an incident, players are required to clear out of the area in order to not further escalate the situation and to put the game staff in a position to handle the incident. This rule also applies to anyone who leaves the bench area during an incident, regardless of whether or not they end up becoming physically involved. Players should understand that even if their own intentions are good, becoming involved in an incident does NOT deescalate the situation. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that any incident comes to a quick close and does not further escalate.

Players who are ineligible to participate in a scheduled 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.

If you’ve identified an issue is any game that you’ve played in, we ask that you communicate your concern to the league office.  Player conduct reporting helps us to maintain the quality of our games.

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 are under the required age are encouraged to call the league office to inquire about their eligibility.

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 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.

Players are required to fully identify themselves to any representative of StinkySocks Hockey when asked. Providing any false or misleading information will result in permanent ineligibility to participate in any StinkySocks Hockey games, leagues, and tournaments.

Any individual suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance, or who actively consumes any of these during a game (e.g. having beers on the bench) will be immediately disqualified from participation in that game or event to ensure the safety of all participants. In the case of a team (BYOT or Draft League), the game will end and be considered a forfeit for the offending team.

Most facilities prohibit the consumption of alcohol on their premise and some, such as high schools (e.g. Phillips Academy) go a step further to prohibit the possession of drugs/alcohol/tobacco anywhere on their premise (including the parking lot). For facility-specific policies regarding alcohol, please visit the facility’s location page. Locations that explicitly prohibit the possession and/or consumption of alcohol may, in their sole discretion, prohibit the offending individual and/or team (BYOT or Draft League) from returning which as a result will also result in the forfeiture of games that you or your team are scheduled for or would otherwise be scheduled for at that location.

Violations may result in further disciplinary action under our conduct policy, including but not limited to suspension or disqualification from eligibility.

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 policies waives their right to privacy.

Players can only register online on the BYOT Player Registration page. To register, players need to obtain and enter their team’s unique code for the season that is provided to their captain.

Choosing a Player Classification

At the time of registration, players choose to be a paying player, committing to sharing the team’s cost for the season, or a non-paying player, who does not. If your team’s registration page indicates that your season is paid for by your captain then no payment is necessary but you are still classified as a paying player.

Registration and Season Roster Eligibility Deadlines

Please note that skaters must register before noon on the business day prior to the game that they want to be eligible for to be added to the season roster in time. To be clear, skaters cannot be added on the same day as the game in which they wish to start.

There is no limit on the number of players each team can roster for the season, unless otherwise noted. Game to game, captains can choose a maximum of 15 skaters and 2 goalies to play and certify on the game day roster. To be eligible to play in any of their team’s scheduled games players must meet the following criteria:

Teams are not permitted to allow a player to play who does not fully meet the criteria above, under any circumstance. A team who found to have allowed a player to participate who was not on their eligible player roster, or misrepresents a player being a player who they are not, will have the game it occurs in considered a forfeit. Regular forfeit rules for losing a future game to the other team will apply.

Playoff Eligibility

In addition to the player eligibility requirements above, skaters must have played in at least 50% of their team’s regular season games. Goalies must have appeared in at least one of the team’s regular season games.

All players on a team must individually qualify for the level at which their team has entered. The league does not screen players in advance, as there’s an expectation that captains build their teams in a manner that’s fair and consistent with leveling guidelines.

As a system of checks and balances, captains from opposing teams may challenge the level eligibility of any opposing team during the regular season. To initiate a formal level challenge, a captain should submit a written request at any time during the regular season. Based on staff observations, available game footage, the feedback of other captains, and any other available information, the league will then determine whether or not the player should be disqualified. If the league is informed of a player’s documented organized playing history that is above the stated level at any time then that player is subject to automatic disqualification.

In the case of a player being disqualified due to level eligibility, all goals and assists attributed to that player will be removed, possibly changing the results of those games.

Each team must have one set of uniforms with a matching primary color. All jerseys must be uniquely numbered with a permanently affixed number. In the event of a jersey color conflict, the team who registered later must yield to the other team. We recommend that teams have at least 2 sets to prevent a situation where they cannot play due to not having a matching set that’s individually numbered.

As one of the BYOT benefits, teams get a discount on custom jerseys from Mando Hockey. Contact the league office for us to get your order started.

Please note that skaters must register before noon on the business day prior to the game that they want to be eligible for to be added to the season roster in time. To be clear, skaters cannot be added on the same day as the game in which they wish to start.

When a team cannot field enough players for a game, forfeits fall into two categories:

FORFEIT

A team is considered to have forfeited a game in these cases:

• They are unable to produce at least five skaters by the end of the first period of a game, regardless of whether or not advance warning has been given.
• They have been found to have allowed a player to participate in a game who was not on their eligible player roster, or misrepresents a player being a player who they are not.

Automatic Transfer of Next Game

In the event of a forfeit in the regular season, the game will be considered unplayed and the forfeiting team will automatically have their next scheduled regular season game transferred to the team that was forfeited against as a makeup. If the team that was forfeited against has a qualified schedule conflict for the makeup game then the forfeiting team’s next scheduled game that is not conflicting will be used. A qualified schedule conflict is a game scheduled on the same day at another location, the same teams scheduled to play each other, or the makeup game data being a guaranteed off day for the forfeiting team. If no regular season games remain then there is no makeup game and a 1-0 loss will be recorded instead.

The team that was forfeited against has 24hrs to opt out of the makeup game, in which case the scheduling change is reversed and the team forfeited against has the forfeited game recorded as a 1-0 win. After 24 hours the makeup game is a a permanent schedule change.

Notes on This Policy

• • In the case that both teams forfeit, the game will be recorded as unplayed.
  • A team may play shorthanded until the end of the first period if they are awaiting more players or they may accept the forfeit prior to the start of the game. After a forfeit is entered, all players present will be evenly distributed in a pickup game format in order to get the best possible experience out of the time left.

AUTOMATIC LOSS

A team will automatically have a 1-0 loss in these cases:

• There are five or more skaters but no goalie by the end of the first period
• If an opposing team is given advance notice and agrees to give the forfeiting team players in order to have the forfeiting team reach the minimum skater threshold for a game to be played.

A team that is expecting their goalie to show up may play the first period without a goalie, whereas those not expecting a goalie may accept a forfeit prior to the start of the game. They may not play an additional skater, may not have a skater play in the crease, and may not have any of the skaters play with goalie privileges. After a 1-0 loss is entered, a game will continue in a pickup format, with skaters being asked to change sides approximately every 10 minutes so that both teams have the opportunity to shoot on the goalie.

AUTOMATIC TIE

Team will automatically have a 0-0 tie in these cases:

• When both teams appear with enough skaters but both fail to produce a goalie.
• When both teams appear with a goalie but not enough skaters.
• If both teams either don’t have a goalie appear or don’t have enough skaters.

SITUATIONAL SUMMARY

Both teams have goalies and 5+ skaters = game played as planned

Team x has a goalie AND/OR 5+ skaters = game played as planned

Team x allows a player to play who is not rostered and eligible = forfeit for team x

Team x has a goalie AND 5+ skaters but more than 3 of those players were placed for the game by StinkySocks Hockey = automatic loss for team x, a scrimmage game is played

Team x does not have a goalie but has 5+ skaters = automatic loss for team x, a scrimmage game is played with team x getting the other goalie and shooting at posts

Team x has a goalie but under 5 skaters = automatic loss for team x, a scrimmage game is played splitting all players amongst the two teams

Team x does not have a goalie AND has under 5 skaters = forfeit for team x, a scrimmage game is played by splitting all players amongst the two teams

Team y is notified in advance of an automatic loss for team x and they agree to give up enough players to help reach the minimum skater threshold = automatic loss for team x, a scrimmage game is played

Team x fails to appear = forfeit for team x, team y splits up players for a scrimmage

Both teams appear but both do not have goalies =  game played as planned, the game is recorded as a tie

Neither team appears = unplayed game

Team x forfeits in advance = forfeit for team x and team y can use the ice as practice ice

Team x has an automatic loss scenario and team y decides not to play = forfeit for team y

NCAA ice hockey rules will be enforced, with the following modifications.

GENERAL MODIFICATIONS

• Absolutely no checking or intentional physical contact
• StinkySocks Hockye conduct expectations – refer to our conduct policy in the general rules
• Red line automatic icing
• Time Management: Ice blocks of 50 minutes will have a 3-minute warmup, (3) 15-minute running time periods, and one minute between periods. Ice blocks of 60 minutes will have a 5-minute warmup, (3) 17-minute running time periods, one minute between periods. All time is running time except the last minute of the period, if the score is within one goal.
• There are no timeouts allowed
• Two on-ice officials and one scorekeeper (staffing constraints may affect this)

PLAYOFFS

Single-elimination playoffs are scheduled at the end of each season. However, we guarantee you to schedule the full amount of games stated at registration so any team who either does not qualify for the playoffs or is eliminated will still go on to have their remaining games scheduled during the playoff weeks.

The size of the division determines how many teams make the playoffs and how many weeks are reserved for them:

• 7 or less teams: top 4 teams qualify, last 2 weeks reserved
• 8 or more teams: top 8 teams qualify, last 3 weeks reserved

Points percentage (points per games played) for the regular season will be used to determine playoff-qualifying teams. Tie-breakers in order are:

• Lowest penalty minutes
• Most goals for
• Fewest goals against

Additional modifications for playoff games:

• Time – The last two minutes of the third period are stopped time, regardless of the score.
• Overtime – A tie after regulation will result in a 5-minute (running time) 3v3 overtime. If the game is not decided in overtime, there will be a shootout. If necessary, the shootout begins with a round of three shots per team, each from a different player. If the score remains tied thereafter, there will be rounds of a single shot per team until the game is decided. A player may not be chosen to shoot again until everyone all other players on their team have shot.

Regular season points will be calculated on the following:

• Win – 2 points
• Tie – 1 point
• Loss – 0 points

Playoffs are determined by the highest win percentage, which is the same comparison as points per game played. Tie breakers for playoff determination are:

1. Least amount of penalty minutes
2. Most goals for
3. Least goals against

Please note that any team who has forfeited more than 2 games in the regular season is not playoff-eligible.