Eligibility
All players in the league must be 18 years of age or older by the first game they play. All players must provide a copy of their I.D. and USA Hockey Registration before their first game for insurance and eligibility purposes. All players are also required to sign the insurance waiver. Every player MUST sign the score sheet before the game. Games played will be tracked by sign in. If a number is on the score sheet for scoring a goal and that person is not signed in they will not be credited on their statistics, however the goal will count. If this frequently occurs the team will be given a forfeit.

League Dues
Players joining after the start of the season are eligible to play but must be pre-approved and placed by the Hockey Director. NO REFUNDS. Any payment which defaults (check, credit card declination, etc.) will not be eligible to play in the league until his account returns to good standing. A $35.00 fee will be issued for any returned check. At all times, it is the responsibility of the player and team captain to ensure that whatever League dues owed are paid promptly before the start of the game. As it is not the scorekeeper’s responsibility to chase down players who owe dues, all payments must be brought to the front desk. Prior to the start of the game, team captains should immediately review the score sheet for any relevant team personnel information. Should a team owe any money; the locker room will be locked and the game will not begin until payment is made.

Rosters
All teams are allowed to roster 20 skaters and 2 goalies. (22 total) A preliminary roster must be turned in by the first game. Only players on the roster are eligible to play in games. If at any time a player not listed on the roster plays in a game, it automatically becomes a forfeit. A player may be challenged for eligibility at any time before or after a game. C level teams with B players on their roster must have the roster approved by the commissioner. To add a player you must inform the commissioner 48 hours prior to the player’s first game. The player may not play unless their name is on the roster.

Captains
Every team must designate a captain. Team captains are responsible for having the correct team roster information on the score sheet. This includes each player’s name, number, and signature. Every captain is required to sign the score sheet after the game under their team’s roster. Failure to do so waives all rights to protest.

Goalies
Every team may roster two goalies. If a team needs to use an emergency goaltender they must notify the commissioner before the game. (Email, voicemail, face-to-face) A substitute goalie should be appropriate to the division. This includes both levels B and C. (Ex. A “C” team may not use a goalie from the “B” league. A “B” team may not use a goalie from the “C” league.) A team may use an approved goalie from the emergency goalie list on the website. Goalies must wear a matching colored jersey of their team. Any substitute goalie used in the playoffs must be approved by the commissioner 48 hours prior to the game. If you do not have an eligible goaltender on your roster for the playoffs you MUST use a goalie from the approved emergency goalie list.

Equipment
Full Hockey equipment with a helmet is required.

Jerseys
All teams must have uniquely numbered jerseys. If any player does not have a matching jersey they will serve a 2 minute penalty at the start of the game. This rule is waived when a team must wear pinnies because they are the same color as the opposing team.

Penalties
Any player receiving 5 penalties in a game will receive a game ejection. If the same player receives 5 penalties in a single game again further action may be taken. There are no 10 minute misconduct penalties. All misconducts are either an ejection or a game misconduct. A game misconduct constitutes a game suspension. Any team receiving 15 penalties in a game will result in the team forfeiting that game. In addition, the team captain will be suspended for the following game. Any player that receives an intent to injure will be suspended for the rest of the season and possibly life. All other rules will follow USA Hockey standards. Checking is NOT permitted in any of our divisions. MODIFICATIONS TO USA HOCKEY RULES. . MINOR PENALTIES All minor penalties are two minutes during stop time and three minutes during run time. MAJOR PENALTIES All major penalties are five minutes during run time and seven minutes during run time.

Fighting
Fighting will not be tolerated. Any player receiving a fighting penalty will receive the following: 1st fight- 3 game suspension, 2nd fight- 5 game suspension, 3rd fight- suspension for the rest of the season, including playoffs. Any player receiving an instigator penalty for a fight will receive an additional game suspension. Any player removing their own helmet in a fight will automatically receive a 5 game suspension. Fighting suspensions may be adjusted in playoffs. Any player dropping their gloves with the intent to fight will receive the same penalty for fighting. Fighting penalties in a season of less than 15 games will have 1st fight- 2 games, 2nd fight- 5 games, 3rd fight- suspension for the rest of the season.

Suspensions
The league Commissioner will handle suspensions. All protest must be made in writing, to the league commissioner within 48 hours of the incident under protest. For all protest, the league commissioner’s decision is final. Murphy’s Hockey League is committed to providing a safe adult league. As a result, we reserve the right to suspend, expel, or otherwise prevent any player from playing that we determine, in its sole discretion, is detrimental to the safe operation of the league. We also reserve the right to refuse or deny the application of any prospective player that we determine, in its sole discretion, to be detrimental to the safe operation of the league. Officials or rink employees may ask any player to leave the ice that they believe is a danger themselves or other players. Murphy’s Hockey League reserves the right to change its rules or guidelines at any time. Teams and players are encouraged to check the league website for updates.

Ice Time
The game slot starts at the scheduled ice time. When the Zamboni door closes the game time will start. There will be a 3 minute warm-up. After warm-up you will have 60 seconds to meet with your team. After the 60 seconds the ref will drop the puck. If a team does not have 6 skaters on the ice at this time they forfeit the game. The ice then belongs to the team that did not forfeit. If neither team has 6 skaters on the ice at the scheduled game time both teams forfeit the gam. Zero points are rewarded for the game. There will be no make-ups for forfeits. The game will consist of three 15 minute, stop time periods, with the exception being the 6 goal running clock in the third period. After 2 periods, or at any point in the 3rd period, if a team is trailing by 6 or more goals, a running clock rule will be in effect. The clock will run until the differential is less than 6 goals. Forfeit (no show or not enough players): 1st Forfeit: Lose the game and one point deducted from standings. 2nd Forfeit: Lose the game and 2 points deducted from team standings. 3rd Forfeit: Lose the game and 4 points deducted from team standings.

Overtime
In the event of a tie during regular season games, a 3 man shootout will occur. If after the shootout, a tie remains, each team will receive 1 point. If there is a declared winner after the shoot out the winning team will receive 2 points and the losing team will receive 1 point.

Regular Season Tie Breakers
1. Head to head between teams that are tied. (does not apply if three or more teams are tied)
2. Goals Against.
3. Goal Differential Quotient of all games played
4. Least amount of penalty minutes in all games played
5. If still tied(2 teams only)- coin toss.
6. If still tied (3 or more teams)- Goals for of games between tied teams

Playoffs
Play-off games will utilize the same three period formats as in the regular season. Should a play-off game be tied at the end of regulation time, a five minute (running time – last minute stop), 4 on 4, sudden death overtime period will be in effect. Should the game still be tied at the end of the overtime period, a five player “shoot-out” will be implemented to break the tie. If the game is still tied, a one-by-one shoot-out will take place until a winner is determined. Five different players must compete in the shootout, then after the first five players may repeat. One timeout will be permitted during playoff games.

Spring 2010 Playoffs will have seed 1 vs. seed 2 in a 1 game elimination.
Fall 2010 Playoffs will be 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 with a Best of 3 Final.
With 5 teams seed 5 will be out
With 6 teams Seed 1 &2 will get a bye
With 7 teams Seed 1 & 2 will get a bye Seed 7 will be out