All participants on the ice must wear helmets. There is no limit to the number of players a team has on its roster for a game. Roaming players at the "B" and "C" levels can, but are not required to utilize �pushers� for balance.
The referee will visit the benches during the warm-up period with all coaches present to discuss the rules, buzzer, no buzzer, length of the game, no periods, goalies encouraged to keep the puck in play, no slap shots, no off sides, no icing, try to control cherry pickers, penalty shots for penalties, players stay out of box unless requested by their coach or referee.
Will control the scoreboard and make sure no game is out of hand. A maximum goal differential should be kept to 4 on the scoreboard, with the actual score kept on paper. Additional goals are added on when needed. They will control the scoreboard clock and blow buzzer when needed (line changes, goals, beginning and end of warm-ups and games).
All games are one 45 minute running time period. After the Zamboni is off the ice, the clock is set for a 3 minute warm-up. Coaches should have their first line at the faceoff circle ready to go by the end of the warm-up period. Change on the fly or at the stoppage of play (whistle) at the discretion of the referee and coaches.
Stoppage of play will be controlled by the score keeper and will use a 2.5 minute time period between buzzers. The quicker the players are ready to go, the more of the 2.5 time period can be used for hockey.
If something happens outside the control of the two teams, then the clock should be stopped to give each team a chance to play as close as possible to a 45 minute game. This would be in the case of a long period of stoppage of time for an injury or some other unavoidable event.
The referee will control this with the score keeper. Coaches shouldn't be telling the score keeper to stop the clock.
There are no icings or off sides. Slap shots are not allowed. A whistle is blown and a face-off occurs as hockey rules dictate. Play is non-checking and only incidental contact is allowed. Goalies are encouraged to keep the puck in play. And cherry pickers or non-mobile players will be encouraged to join the play.
Penalties are issued for tripping, hooking, roughing and un-sportsmanlike behavior.
Penalties will result in a penalty shot and possible trip to the penalty box. Coaches are to make every effort to "calm players down" after aggressive penalties.
All mentors must wear a helmet on the ice. At no time will the mentors be allowed to interfere with the flow of play (except possibly at the "C" level with coaches' consent).
Standard ice hockey gear should be worn at all times. Mouth guards, neck guards and face masks on helmets are recommended.
Coaches should communicate before each game at all levels to discuss the best way to approach the game. The coaches should look to make it a good experience for both teams. Each coach should attempt to match lines with similarly skilled players from the other team if possible.
At the lower levels (B and C), if a team has an odd number of players and requests to skate 6 players on a line instead of 5, they must ask permission from the opposing coach and inform the referee before the start of the game.
The games get more competitive as the levels increase, but please keep in mind the emphasis should be on fun and sportsmanship, not winning and losing.