(download the League Rules here—-> League Rules)

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About The League

League Info

SHL is a competitive non-contact league with most of the best players in the country. This is a not-for-profit amateur sports league that is run by volunteers and passionate ice hockey fans. Please visit our webpage and social media for more information about us.

Expected Behaviour

We are all competitors and want to win, however the reason for the establishment of this league is to have fun, stay in shape and enjoy the great game of ice hockey in Thailand.

Ten rules for all players and league members to live by

1. Be grateful for the opportunity to play ice hockey in Thailand.
2. Play clean; everyone generally has to work the next day.
3. Remain unselfish; change to keep the lines together, play fair.
4. Buy your own tape and beer, always share generously.
5. Respect the referees, without them there will be no game.
6. Stay mature and professional; online, on and off the ice.
7. Always support our sponsors, they help pay for your hobby.
8. Be on time and notify well in advance in case of absence.
9. Appreciate the work put in by the League management.
10. Have fun, but always drink responsibly and post-game.

League Management

Please refer to the League Constitution for more detailed descriptions of Roles and Responsibilities.

Trophies & Awards

Trophies and awards are a symbol of accomplishment and for many players a source of great pride; it is also forming an important part of SHL’s heritage. Rewards are therefore an important part of the Siam Hockey League; especially since we aim for competitive games, while at the same time encourage good sportsmanship and promote fair play.

The SHL feature several different trophies of diverse categories, the majority are passed on from year-to-year, with the players individual name placed on the trophy. Please see our webpage for more info.

Season Format & Teams

Dates & Locations

The exact schedule is still pending, but the league runs from November 2017 until end of April 2018. Games are played mostly on Sunday evenings at “The Rink”, 7th floor of the shopping centre Central Grand Plaza Rama IX.

Season

The League consists of 16-18 regular season games; semi and final are both a best of 3 game series.

Ties In Standings

Final standings will be decided by the following tiebreakers:

1. Highest Points
2. Most wins
3. Head to Head record between teams tied in Points
4. Formula = (GF) / (GF + GA)
5. Lowest Goals Against
6. Lowest PIMS

Teams

Four teams will be selected to be as competitive as possible by the Board of Directors and Team Managers. There is no upper limit on teams, and the league might incorporate additional teams before the start of the season if sufficient interest is there.

Consideration will be given to keep friends together based upon requests made during league registration, however it cannot be guaranteed.

It is not the intent of the League management to interfere with teams during the ongoing season, however the League reserves the right to make alignments to balance weak/strong teams, as they see fit and for the benefit of the League.

Playing On Multiple Teams

No player shall be eligible to play on more than one team at any time during the season, unless specifically asked by the League committee.

Administrations

Notices

All players should check the League website and social media for any postings concerning rule amendments, standings and League news. Additionally, team Managers and players are subscribed to an email list used to share important information from the League.

Team Managers are encouraged to regularly check in with the League Committee and communicate any concerns to the League President.

League Fees

The league fee includes ice time, referees, uniform, score keeper, admin, music, water, photographer, trophies, awards, season-ending party and advertising of the league. The fee for the 2016-2017 season (16 regular season games + playoffs) was 10,000THB. We have no intention to raise the fee per game, but the league fee will be defined as soon as number of teams and games are confirmed. Each player must pay the League fee before the season starts. Exceptions can be made if a player desires to make two installments (half before the first game and the other half by the middle of the season).

Failure to meet the League payment schedule without contact to the Treasurer will result in immediate suspension, including possible additional implications for the team until such time that the account is brought into good standing. Payment options include cash and bank transfer. Substitute playing fee is 500THB per game.

Uniforms

Our ambition is to have a competitive league and showcase a respectable on-ice product. Attracting sponsors and being role models for younger generations includes a professional appearance by all players. All teams must therefore wear matching jerseys and socks and all players must be numbered differently and consistent with the game sheet. We also request that players wear black pants and gloves, helmets should be of black or white color only.

League management will be strict on this rule to force compliance for the long term benefits of the league. Players with uniform not consistent with his/her team will simply not be allowed to play. Jerseys and socks are included in the league fee and will be given to the Team Manager for distribution to individual team members and the occasional substitutes. Players are responsible for maintaining their appearance and keeping track of their uniforms at all times.

Waivers

Team Managers are responsible to have regular players sign the second portion of the Waiver handout. Game time subs must sign the single waiver handout that timekeepers will have on hand. A player without a signed waiver will not play.

Statistics

Statistics are checked and score sheets signed by the Team Managers immediately after the game; all points and stats are thereafter considered final.

Complaints

Any complaints from players or Team Managers must be filed through established channels; forms are made available at the rink and on our online communication platforms.

We expect that everyone adopts a professional and constructive approach to establishing the league and respect the work of those trying to manage it and give opportunities to play.

Player of the Game

One player from each team will be given “Player of the Game” awards; as voted by the referees and team managers, tie-break vote by the Score keeper.

Rosters

Roster

This is a draft league and players will be assigned to a team consisting of 13 skaters and 1 goalie. Teams may be comprised of male or female hockey players over the age of 16.

Substitutions (Subs)

Each team must roster a minimum of 10 and maximum of 13 skaters. A team may only use a maximum of 4 subs in one game. Team Managers are responsible for communicating with their players, confirming attendance and reporting status to the Vice President by Friday at noon. Failure of a player to confirm participation by Friday at noon will result in being counted as absent and not allowed to play, as well as possibly substituted if it puts the roster below 10 skaters. No-shows will not be tolerated and might lead to suspensions.

The Vice President will arrange and notify the Team Manager of their assigned subs by Sunday afternoon. A google spreadsheet will contain a sign up function for available subs. Team managers might be consulted on the process of assigning subs, but will have no final say in determining their assigned players. The Vice President enjoys full rights to assign subs and shall do so at his utmost effort to create balanced teams, supported by the league committee.

Playoff substitution rules remain the same as for the regular season, the Vice President, Team Managers and the League committee will do its utmost to get teams to stick to their original roster as much as possible not to have playoff series decided by subs.

Teams With Not Enough Skaters

Teams are required to confirm and dress the minimum requirement of 10 skaters at the start of the game.  While this is the goal for all league games, the SHL reserves the right to allow for a waiver of the 10 skater minimum.  The procedure for this waiver will entail the captain of the team requesting the waiver to contact one of the following league executives:  SHL President, SHL Vice President, or SHL Secretary.  Working with one, or all three, of these league executives, the waiver will be agreed to by the opposing team captain prior to the opening face-off.  If these steps are not followed, or any one of the approving parties is opposed to the waiver, the waiver will be denied and the game will be forfeited and recorded as a 1-0 win for the team with sufficient skaters. See Defaulted Games under the Rules of Play section for more details.

Substitute Goaltenders

Substitute goaltenders of appropriate skill level may be requested to play in the regular season. Should a goalie sustain an injury during the course of playing time and be unable to continue playing, the team with the injured goalie may dress a player and give that player goalie “rights”. Should a goalie from the next or the previous game present himself/herself to play, they might be asked to fill in for the remainder of the game.

Game Sheets

Game sheet for each game must be registered between the timekeeper and Team Manager at least 5 minutes prior to warm-up. Please ensure accurate and honest line-ups. Referees and timekeepers will check numbers on the game sheet to ensure each team matches the score sheet line-up.

Rules Of Play

Ice Gameplay Rules

The governing rule book, for items not specifically mentioned by the League, is the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation). Icing will be called if the offending team shoot the puck from behind the far blue line, non-touch icing will be called as soon as the puck crosses the goal line. If a player’s skate(s) enters the goalie’s crease voluntarily in any manner which impedes the goalie from playing the position safely and effectively, the referee has the discretion to blow down the play and a face-off will take place at the nearest spot in the neutral zone. Contacting the puck with the stick above the normal height of the shoulders is not permitted should the team committing the infraction gain control of the puck. When this play is committed, the referees will wait until the offending team has gained possession of the puck to blow the whistle. If the offending team does not gain possession of the puck immediately after the infraction, there is no stoppage of play. Play will be stopped if the goalie’s mask is broken, has fallen off, or if the goalie appears injured. A 2 min delay of game penalty will be called if the defending team sends the puck directly above the glass in their defensive zone. 

Timing Of Game

Teams will be given a 2-minute warmup prior to the start of each game. Each game shall consist of three 17-minute straight time periods. In the event a game is within 2 goals in the final two minutes of play, the clock will run on stop time. Should the spread in goals be 3 or more in the final two minutes of play, the clock will run on straight time. Each team is permitted one time-out per game.

Changing Players

Players will be allowed to change normally throughout the game when playing at even strength, shorthanded, and on the power play. The exception is for an icing call, when the defending team has to remain on the ice and not allowed to change. All changes on stoppages of play must be completed as quickly as possible as referees have been instructed to use a “hurry-up” face-off procedure. Deliberate delay will be warned before penalized for delay of game.

Games Tied At The End of Regulation

Following a tie after regulation, we play 4 minutes of sudden-death 3-on-3 overtime (switching sides if necessary to create “long-changes”). If still tied after OT, we commence immediately with a shootout. The shootout will begin in a sudden death format from the start. Every dressed player will be required to shoot before one player can attempt his second shot. The winning team will receive 2 Standings points, while the losing team will receive 1 Standings point.

Defaulted Games

Teams are expected to be ready to play at the scheduled start time. A minimum of 10 skaters and 1 goaltender are required to start a game. If the team fails to have 10 skaters and 1 goalie by the scheduled opening faceoff, the game will be forfeited. The team with the required number of players will receive points for a 1 – 0 win. The game will still be played, but a 1-0 win is recorded. Forfeited games will not be re-scheduled.

Rescheduling Games

The committee requires a minimum of 1 month notice before the scheduled game in question in order to try to reschedule. An effort will be made to adhere to scheduling preferences at the start of the season but there is no guarantee the preferences will be perfectly reflected in each team’s respective schedule.

Penalties

Although not outlined below, elbowing, hooking, tripping, interference, holding, kneeing, unsportsmanlike conduct, and too many men penalties will be monitored based on standard hockey referee practices. Calls can only be discussed between referees and the Team Managers. Any questionable situation will be evaluated by the Referee in Chief and could lead to suspensions and further disciplinary measures.

Penalty Substitutions

No player may serve another team member’s penalty except in the following situations:

• Penalty assessed to the goalie.
• A major or match penalty that results in the removal of the original offending player.
• A penalty to a player having been ejected from the game for 3 penalties.
• A penalty assessed to a player that had to leave the ice due to injury.

In all situations, the player serving must be on the ice at the time of the infraction.

Length of Penalties

Minor – 2.5 minutes.
Major – 6 minutes.
Match & Misconduct – 10 minutes in time penalties.
Game Misconduct – 10 minutes in time penalties & ejection.
Game Ejection – ejection.
Gross Misconduct – 10 minutes in time penalties & ejection.

Game Ejection & Misconducts

• Any player who receives 3 game misconducts for any reason in a single season will be given a one game suspension.
• Any additional game misconduct after their first 3 game misconducts will result in an additional one game suspension.
• Any player receiving three (3) penalties in one game, (not including delay of game, bench minor, too many men) will receive a game ejection.
• A game ejection for any 3 penalties in a game will not be considered a game misconduct or count towards the season total.
• Any player who receives a game misconduct solely due to abuse of official (IIHF rule 116) or unsportsmanlike conduct (IIHF rule 168) will receive an automatic one-game suspension and the game misconduct will count towards the 3 game misconduct total on the season.
• If a goaltender receives a game ejection for penalties, he/she will be allowed to remain in the game but will be suspended for his/her next scheduled game. The goaltender may not participate on any team in the League until the suspension for his/her team’s next game has been served.

 

Teams and players that are repeat offenders of these situations may face supplementary discipline from the league.

 

Trash Talking. Unprofessional, Racial or Ethnic Comments

Referees can assess a minor, major, match, misconduct, game misconduct, game ejection, or gross misconduct penalty based on the severity of the verbal comments. Abuse towards referees, other players, timekeepers, League Management or arena staff will not be tolerated. This also applies to email and text conversations before and after games, supplementary discipline and suspensions will be handed out for these kinds of behaviors.

Head Contact

Any player who directs a check or blow, with any part of body or equipment to head or neck area of opposing player, or forces head to the protective glass will be asserted at least minor plus misconduct (2’+10’). If such action caused injury – match penalty will be given.

High Sticking

High stick in goal scoring is measured from below crossbar of goal post. A player who contacts an opponent above the normal height of his shoulders with a high stick shall be assessed a minor, double-minor, major, or match penalty at the discretion of the referee. If an injury results, blood has been drawn, or the referee deems it necessary based on severity, a major penalty or match penalty will be assessed.

Body Contact, Boarding & Charging

No player is entitled to use his body to intentionally body-check or bump an opponent. A minor, Major and Game Misconduct or Match penalty at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who body checks, boards or charges an opponent.

Butt-Ending

A double-minor, or Match penalty will be assessed to any player who butt-ends, or attempts to butt-end an opponent. Hooking a player with the butt-end of the stick will normally be assessed as a double minor. Intent will be the determining factor for the length of penalty. The call will be made at the discretion of the referee.

Roughing

A minor, double-minor or Major penalty and Game Misconduct shall be assessed to any player who, in the referee’s judgment, is guilty of unnecessary rough play. The League committee may, at their own discretion, choose to monitor and review any player whose rough play is deemed to be potentially detrimental to the League. Blows to the head after the play has been blown dead are not tolerated; referees are requested to enforce such actions diligently.

Spearing

A double-minor, or Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who pokes or jabs or attempts to jab an opposing player with the toe of the blade of his stick. A match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately spears or deliberately attempts to spear by jabbing forcefully with the toe of the blade of his stick or who injures an opponent by any spearing.

Slashing

A slashing penalty shall be assessed to any player who swings his stick at an opponent (whether out of range or not) without actually striking him, or who, on the pretext of playing the puck, makes a wild swing at the puck with the object of intimidating his opponent. A minor, Major and Game Misconduct or Match penalty, at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by slashing with a stick.

Cross-Checking

A minor, Major and Game Misconduct or Match penalty at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who cross-checks an opponent. A minimum of a major penalty and game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who injures an opponent as a result of a cross-check.

Slew-Footing or Checking From Behind

There will be an automatic game misconduct for any player penalized with a slough-footing or checking from behind penalty during a game. A double-minor, Major and Game Misconduct penalty or Match penalty at the discretion of the referee shall be assessed to any player who injures an opponent. Any player assessed a Checking from Behind minor or double minor shall immediately be assessed a Game Misconduct. Any player that persists in committing these infractions may face further discipline from the League.

Attempt To Injure

An attempt to injure, in the opinion of the referee, is an automatic match penalty regardless of whether it causes injury or not, and will be reviewed by the League committee. The pending results of the injury will be considered by the League President, when determining if additional discipline is necessary.

Suspensions

All infractions occurring before, during, and after any scheduled league game are subject to review by the League committee. The League may assess suspensions at any time during the exhibition season, regular season, and playoffs.

Appeals

No appeal may be made on 1-game suspensions. Team Managers are the only individuals who may appeal a suspension. Suspended players may not appeal their own suspension. Any appeal must be received in writing (written or email). Appeals must be completed the day after the game.

Fighting

This is a recreational league; intimidation and revenge on the ice will not be tolerated. Fighting has no place in adult amateur hockey and may RESULT IN A SEASON-ENDING SUSPENSION. Fighting is called when a player drops the gloves and delivers a blow, multiple punches (with or without gloves), using hands and fists with intent to hurt and injure.
This rule does not target players who engage in single blows to the head, which would be penalized at the referee’s discretion and subject to further discipline by the League. See the IIHF rulebook for more details on fighting.

Hallway Altercations

Any altercation in the hallway, or in dressing rooms between opposing teams or between players will be serious investigated and result in a game suspensions.

Engaging Referees

Only Team Captains, wearing identification arm bands on the ice, may communicate with refs regarding gameplay issues and calls. Any player engaging the referees in any manner during the game, after the conclusion of the game in the hallway, in their dressing room, or outside the arena may be suspended for the duration of the season. This interaction could include – but is not limited to – threatening language, verbal accosting, slander, insult and defamation in writing, as well as physical altercation.

Off-Ice Conduct

A player ejected from a game for any reason whatsoever must immediately make his/her way to the dressing room and may not enter the bench at any point. After changing into street clothes the player is to leave the building. If the individual fails to follow this rule or causes any disturbance whatsoever – through verbal abuse or otherwise – and prevents the game from continuing its regular flow, he/she will be subjected to a season-ending suspension.

Bonding Rule

This rule is in place to guarantee a safe playing environment and create a transparent and professional dialogue between players and League Management. Any player amassing certain penalty minute totals over the fall & winter season will be subject to a deeper investigation by the League committee.
40 PIM – First review and initial investigation, possible 1 game suspension.
50 PIM – Second review and deeper investigation, possible further suspensions.
70 PIM – Investigation and possible season-ending suspension.

Property & Safety

Alcohol & Smoking

For the safety of all participants, no player is allowed to play under the influence. Players and teams failing to adhere to the rules of The Rink will face disciplinary action, including possible team representative suspension.

Only designated staff of The Rink have license to sell beer in the arena. This license covers purchased alcohol, and does not allow teams to bring in their own alcohol for consumption. All players are encouraged to enjoy the pre-game beverages in the league sponsored bars and in the traditional “hockey players watering hole” outside the shopping centre.

Property Damages

Any damage to the arena or its property must be paid for by the player responsible, prior to participation in any further League games. Non-compliance will constitute in automatic suspension from the League and further action as necessary. All players are expected to observe and follow the rules and guidelines of The Rink.

Note: Pre-game, all players (and pucks) must remain off the ice until such time that staff have fully completed their ice clean and the Zamboni doors have been shut. Post-game, all players are expected to leave the ice immediately without any delay for stretching, skating, speaking to officials, etc.

Personal Property

The League accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen personal property, neither does The Rink. We strongly recommend that no valuables be brought into the arena and bring your keys, phone etcetera to the bench during the game. Lockers can be rented, long term and short term, at The Rink to keep your equipment and clothes.

Substandard Equipment

Any player not wearing proper equipment or protection will be asked to leave the ice surface until rectified. Failure to do so will result in a minor penalty for illegal equipment as well as a note to the president.

Accidents & Injuries

No insurance provided; players are encouraged to purchase proper coverage and fully understand that games are played at own risk. All accidents that affect a player’s ability to play in a League game, regardless of how the accident occurred, must be reported by the Team Manager to the President immediately after the occurrence.

First Aid & Blood Drawn

All participants should also be aware of the procedures at The Rink in case of emergency and bring a cell phone to the bench. Where possible, timekeepers and referees will attempt to assist in the event of an emergency. If a player is cut during a game and blood is drawn, the player must leave the ice to clean and bandage the wound prior to being allowed to continue playing in the game.

(download the league rules here—–> League Rules)