TCQHA 2024/25 LEAGUE GAME RULES

The first and most important rule of this league is that this is community hockey (aka don’t be a jerk). We do not care how you identify. If you are treating other players like crap, you will be removed from the league.  These are mixed-level games so by becoming a part of TCQHA you are playing in a league that will have less and more skilled players than you playing. Rough and unfriendly play will NOT be tolerated. TCQHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards Homophobia and Transphobia.

• (a) All USA Hockey rules are in effect unless otherwise stated. (https://www.usahockey.com/rulesandresources)
• (b) TCQHA has final authority concerning all rules and regulations including, but not limited to, suspensions, expulsions, and general discretion of conduct.

1. This is a no-checking, non-aggressive behavior league. Being ejected from a game will automatically result in another game suspension. A second ejection will result in an expulsion from the league without a refund.
2. Absolutely NO FIGHTING. This will result in an automatic expulsion from the league without a refund.
3. For the winter season, all players must wear a TCQHA jersey. 
4. Face-offs only at the 9 dots, the nearest spot to the same zone that the puck was last played from.
5. End-zone faceoffs for penalties.
6. All games will be 60 mins and consist of 3 periods. 2 - 17 mins run periods and a 3rd period based on the remaining time.
7. If there are no referees then the game will be played pickup style with each team responsible for keeping their score.
8. If one or both teams do not have a goalie the game will still be played as a regular game. If one goalie is missing that team will either use the place of the goalie board on the net or play with an extra skater. If both goalies are missing teams will use the goalie boards or flip both nets forward from their pegs and have to bounce the puck off the back boards and in to score a goal. Refs will still do the game and everyone will make the best of the situation.
9. All players must agree to the league's terms and waiver. This is part of the online registration process.
10. Subs - Teams can only field players from their roster however a sub-player can be used according to the following:
    1. Subs must be an equal or lower level than the player missing. 
    2. Only request subs if your team has under 12 players and/or has no goalie. All subs must be registered with TCQHA and on the active sub list. 
    3. Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in an ineligible player and the game will be forfeited.
    4. Teams can use as many subs as needed however no more than needed to get to 12 skaters.
    5. Non-active players (not playing in the current season) may NOT be used for any reason except for goalies.
    6. Captains who violate this rule will not be asked to return as captain the next year.
11. Teams, as an absolute last resort for competitive balance, may be subject to roster adjustments at any point in the season.
12. Only registered players on team rosters or on approved sub lists may play.
13. Regular season games do not have overtime or a shootout. If a game is tied at the end of the 3rd period it is recorded as such. If any playoff game should end in a tie a best-of-three shootout will be used to determine the winner. If still tied, a single-player 1v1 sudden-death shootout will be held until a winner is determined.
14. Alcohol Usage - The consumption of alcohol prior to the game at the arena is unacceptable. Players will not be allowed to play should the captain and/or ref feels the player is under the influence of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol post-game is at the discretion of the players. TCQHA in no way encourages or endorses the consumption of alcohol in the locker room, at the arena, or on the arena premises.
15. Only the three captains may approach the refs. 
16. Abuse of refs will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the league. 
17. TCQHA reserves the right to remove a player from a division or league if they do not fit the skill level or play in the spirit of the program. The player will be offered either another division to move to if there are spots available or a pro-rated refund.

Be aware of your ice time - Remember to take quick shifts and keep ice time equal.

These are mixed-level games. Be aware of lower-level players and give them time and space, especially in the corners. Be aware of more skilled players and do not slash or hook them.

1. Any player having been assessed three (3) minor penalties in the same game will be automatically ejected from that game however no further discipline will result.
2. Players ejected because of a major penalty or a 10-minute misconduct will automatically receive another game suspension. A second ejection because of a major penalty or a 10-minute misconduct will result in an expulsion from the league without a refund.
3. If a player is ejected during a second game in the same season this will result in an automatic expulsion from the league without refund.
4. A third ejection resulting from incidences from multiple seasons will result in an automatic expulsion from the league without a refund.
5. Body-checking penalties will be deemed as two (2) offenses. Two (2) body-checking penalties in the same game will result in immediate ejection from the game plus a further game.