New Recreational Rules for 08-09

House League Steering Committee Meeting 15 Sept 2008

Whalers Room, Bowles Arena

 

 

Then the following items were tabled to be ratified by DWMHA and ESMHA for our joint Recreational Hockey League for the 2008/2009 season:

 

 1.  Defining “in attendance” for our Recreational  League Games: This is taken to mean that as long as a player in on the game sheet, and his coach is informed the player is enroute to the game that the player would be permitted to participate in a game.

 

 

Motion Carried Unanimously

 

2. The Committee requested that the automatic 3 game suspension awarded to players for fighting, in addition to any suspension awarded by Hockey Nova Scotia, be continued for this season.

Motioned Carried Unanimously

 

3.  After much discussion during the off season with other members in both associations, it was agreed that the Body Checking issue in Midget and Bantam must be dealt with. The committee has discussed the idea of awarding a 10 min misconduct in addition to a Body Checking minor penalty. While many feel that more deliberate Body Checking Majors should be called in our Recreational League,  it  was agreed that a 2 min minor is not a very good deterrent to the Bantam and Midget age group. There were 110 Body checking minors called last year in Midget C, and only 1 Body checking Major. In Bantam there were 60 minor penalties called for Body Checking and no Major penalties. It was motioned that on a trial basis for the Midget and Bantam Divisions that a . It was also agreed that this rule be reviewed in late December and report back to the Executive of the DWMHA and ESMHA to see if the rule10 min misconduct be added to any Body Checking minor Penalty is having the desired results.

 

 

Motion Carried Unanimously

 

  4. Addition of an automatic game ejection upon receiving a 3 minor penalty in a game. It was discussed that while we do not see this rule having an impact in ATOM and PEEWEE, and having only a minor impact in BANTAM, it was felt that it would definitely be a benefit in MIDGET. This topic was discussed with many other coaches at the Coaching Sessions, and is a rule that is used in Gentlemen’s Hockey. All that have been asked about instituting this rule, thought it was definitely an excellent idea. It was also asked that the wording of this rule be sent to HNS so it could be sent to other Associations to look at as well. Some thoughts on this suggestion was that it would have the same effect as the automatic 3 game suspension for fighting and it would not take long for the players to realize this and it would act as an excellent deterrent for those small number of players who would fall into the category.

SSMHA will also be adding this rule to their Christmas and March Break Recreational tournaments. This idea was originally brought forward by Sandy Morrison who is a Midget Coach, and he said it works well in Gentlemen’s Hockey.

The wording would be as follows: An automatic game ejection would be awarded to any player who receives 3 minor penalties in a game. A double Minor would be counted as 2 minor penalties for the purpose of this rule.

Motioned carried unanimously

5. The issue of Midget players receiving large numbers of penalties, especially those taking large numbers of aggressive type penalties such as Roughing, Slashing, Spearing, Kneeing, Unsportsmanlike, etc be dealt with. Last year there was 141 Roughing penalties called and the players who exceeded 100 mins in penalties last year, had very few penalties such as Tripping, Holding and Interference penalties but had mostly aggressive type penalties. It was proposed that any player receiving. It is felt that this rule will only impact on a small number of players, who continuously demonstrate a lack of respect for other 5 aggressive type penalties over a 5 game period would be awarded an automatic 1 game suspension, a second offence would result in a discipline committee meeting players..

 

 

Motioned Carried Unanimously

 

 6.  It was asked that both ESMHA and DWMHA trial a 2 Referee and 1 Linesman for select games throughout the year at all levels. While it is realized that this will not be possible for all games this year, it is hoped that enough games can be officiated in this manner to determine if it beneficial to address the concerns that were brought forth at the Coaches and Managers meetings at the end of last year. It was felt that far too many calls are being missed at all levels.    

  None of the above motions detract from existing rules and penalties. All have been discussed with a wide range of membership from both associations and are concerns that, and while there were a small number who did not agree, the majority felt we should at least try the rules to gauge  the results.

 Herman