November 28, 2011
New LSHL rules now in effect.
new Lakeshore Hockey League rules now in effect.
**** It's now mandatory to have one off-ice official from each league team in the scorekeeper's box. So now home teams are required to supply someone to run the clock as well as someone for our penalty box. The visiting team is required to find someone to handle the score sheet as well as their penalty box.
**** Referees are supposed to start checking and enforcing the proper use of equipment, specifically regarding chinstraps. The rule is the width of one finger between the strap and chin. Anything beyond that is illegal.
Proper Use of Protective Equipment
The subject of the proper use of protective equipment – specifically the use of the helmet – has come up recently in various League discussions. The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the requirements surrounding the proper wearing and use of the helmet and make all member clubs and players aware of the requirements and that there are penalties provided under the USA Hockey Playing Rules for violations of those standards.
Primarily, the emphasis on having the helmet worn properly and secured appropriately is one of player safety. Serious head injuries or even death can result from an improperly worn and secured helmet. USA Hockey has created rules surrounding protective equipment with player safety in mind, and the Lakeshore Hockey League fully supports those efforts.
One of the most frequently noticed instances of improper use is a chin strap that is too loose. As per manufacturer design and the USA Hockey Playing Rules, the chin strap (aka helmet strap) is to be worn with one finger width between the strap and the chin. Simply having the strap fastened but looser than this standard is a violation of USA Hockey Rule 304, and is addressed by Situation 15 from the USA Hockey Casebook:
Rule 304 – Protective Equipment - Situation 15
Shall the Referee assess a misconduct penalty to a player who participates in play with his helmet strap fastened, but loose enough as to be deemed not in the manner in which it was intended?
The Referee would direct the player off the ice and warn the team. Rule Reference 304(c) and 304(g).
The helmet strap is intended to be worn with one finger width between the strap and the chin. If worn improperly, the player must be ruled off the ice until corrected and the team is issued their warning. For a subsequent violation by any layer on the same team, a misconduct penalty is assessed.
The chin strap must also be one issued by the manufacturer or an equivalent replacement – the use of hockey tape, skate laces, strings, or anything else that is not a chin strap that would have come with the helmet or an equivalent replacement. This was addressed in USA Hockey’s “Ask the Official” feature on October 19, 2009 (http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=OF_07&id=272368) :
Q. I can’t find anything specifically in the rules that prevents this: If a player breaks his chin strap, can he makes temporary repairs using a skate lace or something else? I’ve seen players make use of this temporary repair for years.
A. Rule 304(b) in the USA Hockey Rulebook states:
“It is compulsory for all players in all classifications to wear a hockey helmet, with helmet strap properly fastened. (See Rule 304(d) Note.) It is mandatory that all players wear a HECC approved helmet (including ear protection) with the following exception: Players in the Adult age classification must wear a hockey helmet (HECC approved or not) with helmet strap properly fastened. All players on the players’ and the penalty bench must wear the protective helmet/facemask while in the bench area. For a violation of this rule, after a warning by the Referee, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to the offending player.”
All USA Hockey players (all ages) must wear a hockey helmet during the game. Non-Adult players must wear a HECC certified helmet that meets certain safety specifications. In both cases, once a player’s helmet has been altered from its original manufacturing it becomes illegal.
If a chin strap breaks, it must be replaced with a chin strap to keep up with its manufacturing specifications. A skate lace is not a suitable replacement.
A. Rule 304(b) in the USA Hockey Rulebook states:
“It is compulsory for all players in all classifications to wear a hockey helmet, with helmet strap properly fastened. (See Rule 304(d) Note.) It is mandatory that all players wear a HECC approved helmet (including ear protection) with the following exception: Players in the Adult age classification must wear a hockey helmet (HECC approved or not) with helmet strap properly fastened. All players on the players’ and the penalty bench must wear the protective helmet/facemask while in the bench area. For a violation of this rule, after a warning by the Referee, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to the offending player.”
All USA Hockey players (all ages) must wear a hockey helmet during the game. Non-Adult players must wear a HECC certified helmet that meets certain safety specifications. In both cases, once a player’s helmet has been altered from its original manufacturing it becomes illegal.
If a chin strap breaks, it must be replaced with a chin strap to keep up with its manufacturing specifications. A skate lace is not a suitable replacement.
In all levels of play within the Lakeshore Hockey League, players are also required to use an HECC certified facemask, which includes chin protection, also known as a “chin cup”. Removal of the chin cup is not permitted, as noted by USA Hockey Rule 304 (d):
(d) All players, including goalkeepers, in all age classifications below Adults, are required to wear a facemask certified by HECC, plus any chin protection that accompanies the facemask.
(Note) Any helmet or facemask that is altered except as permitted in Rule 304(c) shall be deemed to be illegal equipment and shall not be allowed to be used in a game. (This shall include helmets from which a part has been cut or removed, facemasks from which the chin-cup has been removed or any other such alterations from the original manufacturing specifications.)
The requirement for having both the chin cup and straps to secure the facemask to the helmet are also noted under Situation 7 (Rule 304) from the USA Hockey Casebook:
Rule 304 – Protective Equipment - Situation 7
A player goes onto the ice, ready for play, with the proper helmet and facemask. The facemask chin cup straps are properly fastened, but the helmet strap has been removed. Is the player allowed to participate without a helmet chin strap?
No. Rule Reference 304(c).
The helmet chin strap is a required part of the helmet and must be properly worn at all times. The facemask chin cup and straps are also required components of the facemask.
As well, the facemask must be properly anchored to the helmet by being fully inserted into the “J-clips” on the sides of the helmet and the side straps securing the facemask to the helmet must be worn tightly enough to keep the facemask full inserted into the “J-clips”. Use of the helmet and facemask with the straps loose or without the presences of the “J-clips” is a violation of the USA Hockey Playing Rules, and was addressed in USA Hockey’s “Ask the Official” feature on October 16, 2010 (http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=OF_07&id=293948):
Q:Recently my midget team was at a tournament. Before the start of the first game, the officials inspected our players' helmets, and issued a team warning for missing “J” clips on 5 of our players and told us the players could not play until the “J” clips were in position. After a scramble to the pro-shop we were able to outfit everyone with “J” clips and play the game. Are “J” clips covered under Section 3 - Rule 304 (or anywhere else in the Rule book) making them a required piece of equipment?
A: Rule 304(b) in the USA Hockey Rulebook states,
“It is compulsory for all players in all classifications to wear a hockey helmet, with helmet strap properly fastened. (See Rule 304(d) Note.)
It is mandatory that all players wear a HECC approved helmet (including ear protection) with the following exception: Players in the Adult age classification must wear a hockey helmet (HECC approved or not) with helmet strap properly fastened.
All players on the players’ and the penalty bench must wear the protective helmet/facemask while in the bench area. For a violation of this rule, after a warning by the Referee, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to the offending player.”
Furthermore, Rule 304(d) states,
“All players, including goalkeepers, in all age classifications below Adults, are required to wear a facemask certified by HECC, plus any chin protection that accompanies the facemask.”
Additionally, Rule 304(3) states,
“All players must wear the required, or recommended, protective equipment in the manner for which it is designed. For violation of this rule, following a team warning, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be imposed.”
All USA Hockey players must wear proper head protection. A player who buys a helmet and facemask together should already have the “J Clips” installed, and a player who buys a helmet and facemask separately will find the “J Clips” packaged with the facemask that they must install themselves to meet HECC approval specifications. If the player does not install the “J Clips”, their helmet does not meet HECC approval and they are in violation of the abovementioned rules.
A: Rule 304(b) in the USA Hockey Rulebook states,
“It is compulsory for all players in all classifications to wear a hockey helmet, with helmet strap properly fastened. (See Rule 304(d) Note.)
It is mandatory that all players wear a HECC approved helmet (including ear protection) with the following exception: Players in the Adult age classification must wear a hockey helmet (HECC approved or not) with helmet strap properly fastened.
All players on the players’ and the penalty bench must wear the protective helmet/facemask while in the bench area. For a violation of this rule, after a warning by the Referee, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be assessed to the offending player.”
Furthermore, Rule 304(d) states,
“All players, including goalkeepers, in all age classifications below Adults, are required to wear a facemask certified by HECC, plus any chin protection that accompanies the facemask.”
Additionally, Rule 304(3) states,
“All players must wear the required, or recommended, protective equipment in the manner for which it is designed. For violation of this rule, following a team warning, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be imposed.”
All USA Hockey players must wear proper head protection. A player who buys a helmet and facemask together should already have the “J Clips” installed, and a player who buys a helmet and facemask separately will find the “J Clips” packaged with the facemask that they must install themselves to meet HECC approval specifications. If the player does not install the “J Clips”, their helmet does not meet HECC approval and they are in violation of the abovementioned rules.
The USA Hockey Playing Rules also provides additional penalties to players whose helmets come off during an altercation as a result of being worn improperly. The following are taken from the USA Hockey Casebook and a memo issued to all USA Hockey Officials from Dave LaBuda, USA Hockey National Referee-in-Chief on September 30, 2011:
Rule 615 – Fighting - Situation 12
Opposing players are involved in an altercation and their helmet(s) come off during the altercation. It cannot be determined how the player’s helmets came off. Does this constitute a rule violation?
Yes. Rule Reference 615(c).
All players are responsible for properly wearing their helmet and facemask at all times. If a players participates in an altercation without their helmet properly worn then they should be assessed a game misconduct penalty along with any other penalties they may have incurred as a result of the altercation.
The official interpretation of Rule 615(c) is as follows,
Paragraph 1: “A game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player whose
helmet/facemask comes off their head during an altercation.” – This means that a player is
responsible for wearing his helmet properly during a game. If his helmet is removed during an
altercation (whether deliberate or not) and the officials deem that the helmet was not worn
properly by the player (straps too loose, unfastened, or missing, etc.) then that player shall
receive a Game Misconduct in addition to all other penalties he incurs during the altercation.
In summary, all players are expected to abide by the following guidelines at all times during the game:
- Chin strap fastened with no more than one finger width between the strap and chin;
- Manufacturer provided chin strap (or equivalent replacement) – tape and laces are not legal replacements;
- Chin cups properly attached and in place;
- Facemask fully inserted into the “J-clips” on the side of the helmet;
- Facemask straps worn tightly enough to keep the facemask fully inserted into the “J-clips”.
The referee is directed to look for and penalize any violations of these standards per the USA Hockey Playing Rules.
Dave Hinz
President – Lakeshore Hockey League
IMPACT TESTING:
A baseline impact test, (scheduling and payment to be parents responsibility) will be required for all players. A list of acceptable testing sites will be provided to parents. No on-line testing will be accepted.
INJURIES
All head injuries will require written release by the player’s family doctor prior to resuming on or off ice participation. All other injuries will be managed by and at the discretion of the coaching staff.
GOALIE REIMBURSEMENT
Season fees for Goal Keepers will automatically be reduced to half price to offset goalie equipment expenses.
REFUND POLICY
Fairview Hockey Club has a “No Refund Policy."
PARENT REPRESENTATION AT BOARD MEETINGS
Board meetings will be open to all parents for the first half hour to address questions and accept suggestions. Team managers are encouraged to attend board meetings as the primary liaison with FHC families
DISCIPLINARY ISSUES
All disciplinary issues will first be handled at the Coach/Player Level. Parents may contact the coach by phone or email if the issue is still unresolved but only after a “24 hour cooling off period” after the coach/player meeting. Issues still unresolved will be brought before the Disciplinary Board consisting of Members of the Board of Directors. The decision of the Disciplinary Board is final.
