Bylaws and Rules
Article 1: Name and Purpose
1.1 Name
The organization shall be known as Northern Rhode Island Amateur Hockey League, hereinafter referred to as NRIAHL.
1.2 Purpose
The primary purpose of NRIAHL is to provide a fun, competitive, and organized environment for adult ice hockey players. The League aims to:
● Promote the sport of ice hockey at a recreational and competitive level.
● Encourage sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect among all participants.
● Ensure fair play and maintain a safe playing environment.
● Provide a platform where players can develop their skills and enjoy the game.
Article 2: Membership and Eligibility
2.1 Age Requirement
All players must be 25 years of age or older as of the start of the season.
Exceptions:
● Players aged 18-24 may be granted participation based on skill level, prior league experience, and overall contribution to the League.
● Such exceptions will be subject to unanimous approval by the Board.
2.2 Player Registration
Players must complete all required registration forms and submit a deposit payment of league fees prior to participating in any league-sanctioned event.
Each player must sign a waiver of liability acknowledging the inherent risks associated with ice hockey.
Rosters must be finalized before the commencement of the regular season, with any changes requiring Board approval.
While payment plans are offered for league fees, all balances must be paid in full before playoffs and as laid out by the league. Players with an open balance will not be allowed to participate in playoffs.
2.3 Team Composition and Rosters
Each team must have a minimum of 10 skaters and 1 goaltender.
Substitute players may be added in cases of injury or absence, subject to Board approval.
Article 3: Governance and League Structure
3.1 Board of Directors
The League shall be governed by three (3) active Board Members, collectively referred to as the Board.
3.2 Board Member Structure and Roles
All Board Members hold equal authority with no formal titles (e.g., President, Treasurer, Secretary).
Decisions shall be made democratically, with a majority vote required for routine matters and a unanimous vote required for significant decisions, including:
● Changes to league rules.
● Approval of new players under the minimum age.
● Disciplinary actions beyond one-game suspensions.
3.3 Board Member Responsibilities
Rule Enforcement: Enforce and interpret league rules and bylaws.
Scheduling: Manage the scheduling of games, playoffs, and special events.
Financial Oversight: Ensure league funds are allocated appropriately and transparently.
Player Discipline: Handle players conduct violations and enforce penalties.
Conflict Resolution: Mediate disputes and ensure fair treatment of all participants.
3.4 Board Member Tenure
As a general rule, Board members may serve indefinitely. However, if the league members feel that leadership is acting detrimental to the league for any reason, a majority of the Active Members of the league can vote to call for a special/recall election, according to the following rules/process:
● A majority of the Active Members of the league must vote “yes” to authorize the election.
● Special/recall elections can only be called once per year, in August, to replace a Board Member.
● An Active Member of the league is defined as any player who skated as a full time member in either the current and/or previous season (i.e. the most recent summer and/or winter leagues).
In order to promote consistency and transfer institutional knowledge in an organized fashion, only one Board member can be replaced per year/election.
3.5 Filling a Vacancy
If an existing Board Member is removed from the Board for any reason, including but not limited to resignation or physical incapacitation, a vote shall be immediately held to select a replacement Board Member to fill the vacancy, following the same procedures as section 3.4 above.
3.5 Captains
Number: Each team shall have exactly one captain.
Duties: The Captains are primarily responsible for: (i) arranging for substitute players for their respective team each week; (ii) organizing their team’s lines each week (ie. who is playing where and with whom); and (iii) voting with other Captains on replacement players as outlined below, and (iv) ensuring every player gets equal ice time. Additionally, Captains will execute any other unforeseen, miscellaneous requests by the Board that may arise from time to time.
Captains should educate their teams that it’s the Captain’s duty to call subs to ensure a balanced team and appropriate ratings parity - players never line up their own subs.
Captain’s need to make sure sub fees are paid by subs each week.
Captains should be calling subs and ensuring they have 10 skaters plus a goalie each week. We understand “things happen” and players no-show, but that should be an exception to the rule. If a team is constantly short-benched every week, that Captain may be removed.
Appointment: Captains are appointed by the Board and may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the Board, for any or no reason.
Article 4: Game Rules and Regulations
4.1 Governing Rules
NRIAHL shall adhere to USA Hockey rules as the foundation for game play, with modifications specified by the League as needed, including but not limited to those explicitly noted below.
No Slapshots. The draw limit for any shot is level with the hip. A minor penalty will be assessed for a slapshot.
No Checking. A minor penalty will be assessed if the referee deems a move to be a check.
Automatic icing. “No touch” icing will be called if the shot/pass originates behind the defensive blue line.
Timeouts. During regular season and playoff games, each team is allowed one single 30 second timeout.
All games will consist of:
● Three (3) periods of 12-minute stop-time unless otherwise adjusted due to scheduling constraints.
● Playoffs only: A 5-minute sudden-death overtime period if a game is tied at the end of regulation.
● Playoffs only: A shootout if the game remains tied after overtime, for playoffs only. In the event of a shoot-out, the Captain solely determines the order of shooters. Each team will present 5 shooters, all of which will shoot to determine most goals scored during the shootout. If the game is still tied after the first shootout phase, the shootout progresses to sudden death. Each team will present one shooter at a time per round until a team wins the round (both teams will get to shoot each round). A shooter may not go again until every player on the team has had an even number of shooting opportunities. (In other words, if a player on the team has not taken a shot yet in the shootout, a better skilled player can’t go twice.) Once the order of shooting is established it remains in place until the shootout is concluded. Goalies do not participate in shootouts.
4.2 Roster and Lineup Requirements
Teams must have a minimum of 6 players to begin a game, otherwise the game must be forfeit.
If a team falls below 6 players at any point, the game will be declared a forfeit.
The goal is to always have 10 skaters plus a goalie. If a player calls out, the team’s Captain should find a suitable sub. We understand this is not a hard and fast rule because sometimes players just don’t show up. But if a team habitually has a short bench, that’s grounds for the Captain to be replaced by the Board.
All league members as well as substitute players have a rating of their skill level, from 1 through 11. The initial list of ratings will be agreed upon between the Board and the captains prior to the draft.
Ratings for full time players cannot be changed once the season starts. Ratings for full time players can only be changed after the end of the season, prior to the beginning of the following season.
Ratings on subs can be changed at any time during the season by a majority vote of the team Captains.
Each team will draft exactly one player of each rating level. (ie one #1, one #2, etc.)
4.3 Substitute Players
Substitute players must be registered, approved and rated by the Board.
Subs must be made available to all team captains via the official league sub list found on the official league website. (Captains cannot keep a private sub list of players to call only for their team that are not shared with the rest of the league.)
Substitutes for an individual regular-season game do not require prior approval. However, if a player is out 4 weeks or more, approval of the majority of the team Captains is required for a longer term sub.
If a longer term sub/replacement is used, the Board will coordinate appropriate fees in its sole discretion, taking several variables into account for overall fairness to the original player, the sub, and the league. In other words, if it’s a short term substitution and the original player has paid in full, normal sub fees may apply. If the original player is going to be out for several months then they may get a credit back for the unplayed games and the substitute player may be required to pick up that cost. This is because single game sub fees are often less than what the full time players actually pay to play in the league. The Board will use its judgment to be as fair as possible to all parties.
Substitutes may only be used in cases of injury or absence - players can never be told to sit out.
Playoff game subs cannot be used without prior vote of all Captains. For the first round, players can be selected from the sub list. For subsequent rounds and finals, subs should be drawn from eliminated teams.
Substitute players must be of the same or lower rating as the player they are replacing. eg If your #4 is out you can sub with another skater rated a 4. If no 4’s are available you move to a 5 and so on.
Only in the case that there are absolutely no players of the same or lower rating available may a Captain move upwards to the next higher rank. Except for #11 ratings, this should realistically never happen.
Not calling a sub because you don’t know them is not an excuse. Captains must exhaust the sub list.
Any cases where a player of a higher rating is brought in as a sub will be automatically subject to Board review. Captains taking liberty with these rules will be subject to removal at the Board’s sole discretion.
Goalies must be replaced with a similar or lower rated substitute goalie. For clarification, if a #9 goalie is out along with a #1 skater, a team can not use a #1 goalie and a #9 skater. Absenteeism is not an opportunity to upgrade one’s team.
Sub Fees. Single game “Sub Fee” for a registered league player is $10; single game sub fee for subs off the sublist (i.e. not actively a member of a team that particular season) is $20. All sub fees are subject to change, so check with your team Captain or a Board member if unsure.
Sub goalies will need to pay the per game sub fee starting at the 4th game during a regular goalie’s absence, whether the games played by the sub are consecutive or not.
Keeping more skaters “in our orbit” and involved in the league is good for the life-blood of the league. Please call subs before using players from other games. Captains who habitually just use players from other games instead of calling subs will be talked to.
Subs are given opportunities on a “first come, first served” basis with teams. Subs cannot pick and choose who they will skate for. Any sub who declines to skate for a team and then suits up for a different team that same week will be removed from the sub list. Captains should be in the habit of making sure that the player has not already been asked to skate. Obviously Captains and the Board will be reasonable and flexible in clearly-communicated situations where a sub might not be able to make the early game because of work schedule, but can do the latter games, etc. The Captains need to be aware and make sure that subs are not picking and choosing who they skate for or what timeslots they’re skating, when it’s arbitrary.
A sub cannot skate for the same player more than 3 weeks without Board approval.
4.4 Player Equipment
Helmets are required.
Face masks or cages of some type are strongly recommended. Please remember that this league is open to skaters of all skill levels. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re a superstar - the other guy on the ice may be a beginner with less control of his/her stick.
4.4 Ice Time
All players shall have equal amounts of ice time. Captains should not be favoring better skilled players over lesser skilled players. This is a rec league - everybody pays the same, everybody skates the same.
Captains are never allowed to ask a player to sit, period.
Any complaints about ice time will be taken SERIOUSLY. If an issue is found to exist, a Captain can be replaced immediately by the Board at its sole discretion.
This includes the power play, penalty kills, closing minutes of a period, or closing minutes of the game.
If a player believes they are deserving of more ice time, then they are invited to seek out that extra ice time at another league, somewhere else.
It cannot be stressed enough that this is a recreational league.
Article 5: Penalties and Discipline
5.1 Minor Penalties
1:30-minute minor penalties shall be assessed for infractions such as:
● Tripping
● Hooking
● Slashing
● Interference
● Double-Minor penalties shall be 3:00-minutes.
5.2 Major Penalties
5-minute major penalties may be assessed for dangerous or egregious infractions, including but not limited to:
● Boarding
● Intent to injure
● Throwing punches
5.3 Game Misconduct and Suspensions
A game misconduct will result in immediate ejection and a minimum one-game suspension. This is subject to Board discretion.
Players receiving a second game misconduct during a season will be subject to Board review and potential suspension for the remainder of the season.
3 penalties in the same game will result in immediate ejection from the game. This is subject to Board discretion.
A second game with 3 penalties, that is determined to warrant suspension, will result in a 2 game suspension. This is subject to Board discretion.
A third suspension (for 3 penalties or any other reason) will warrant a 3 game suspension. This is subject to Board discretion.
A fourth offense will result in no less than a 4 game suspension and a review by the Board for possible expulsion. This is subject to Board discretion.
Unruly or otherwise unsportsmanlike-like behavior will result in a review by the Board for possible suspension or expulsion.
5.4 Fighting and Zero-Tolerance Policy
Fighting will result in automatic ejection from the game, a minimum one-game suspension, and a mandatory review by the Board. Upon review, the Board may, in its sole discretion, additionally suspend the player for the remainder of the season or expel the player from the league entirely, depending upon the circumstances and severity of the infraction.
An “intent to injure” penalty will result in an indefinite suspension, pending review of the Board.
Any player involved in multiple altercations may be permanently expelled from the League.
Throwing punches FOR ANY REASON during the commission of a minor penalty, regardless of the referees’ call and whether or not committed during an actual fight, will result in a disciplinary review by the Board to determine if suspension is warranted and to what degree. Past offenses and player history will be taken into consideration.
5.5 Appeals Process
Players have the right to appeal any suspension or disciplinary action.
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Board within 48 hours of the disciplinary notice.
The Board’s decision on appeals will be final.
Article 6: Code of Conduct
6.1 Player Responsibilities
All players are expected to:
● Respect referees, opponents, and teammates.
● Refrain from abusive language, harassment, or discriminatory behavior.
● Accept decisions made by the referees and Board without dissent.
● Line up for a post-game handshake, win or lose. Skipping the handshake line (with obvious exception of departing the game early due to player injury/illness) is considered unsportsmanlike conduct. This will be reviewed by the board.
6.2 Player Absences
This is a rec league and absences happen, whether for travel/vacation, sickness, injuries, or other scheduling conflicts. It is the player’s responsibility to alert their Captain that they are going to be out, with enough notice that the captain has time to secure a sub. It is not the player’s responsibility to get the sub - they should just merely notify their Captain.
Article 7: Scheduling and Playoffs
7.1 Season Format
The regular season shall consist of 12-30 games, depending on the number of participating teams and the season.
Playoff format will be determined by the Board and may include a Single-elimination tournament, but typical setup is as noted below:
● Typically in a 7-team season, the first place team gets a bye for the first round of the playoffs, single elimination.
● In a 6-team seasons, the first two teams should get the opening round bye with teams 3 through 6 playing the first round.
7.2 Tie-Breaking Procedures
If teams are tied in the standings at the end of the regular season, seeding will be determined based on the following criteria, in this order:
Total Points
Wins
Head-to-head record
Goal differential
Goals against
Goals for
Fewest penalty minutes
Coin toss
Note: the website currently filters based on the top three criteria above. At the end of the season if there are still ties, criteria four through nine can be applied manually to determine seeding.
Article 8: Financials and Fees
8.1 Player Dues and Fees
All players are responsible for paying league dues when they are due. If there is a hardship a payment plan can be discussed with the board
Fees cover ice rental, referees, scorekeeper, insurance, championship winning team apparel, draft dinner, livebarn, and administrative costs.
8.2 Refund Policy
Refunds will only be issued under extenuating circumstances, such as injury or relocation.
Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Board.
There will be no refunds for suspensions or expulsions due to violation of the rules.
Article 9: Amendments and Modifications
9.1 Proposing Amendments
Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any Board Member or a petition signed by 25% of Active Players (as defined in Section 3.4).
Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing for Board consideration.
9.2 Approval Process
Amendments require a unanimous vote of the Board to be adopted.
Changes will be communicated to all participants prior to the next season.
Article 10: Dispute Resolution
10.1 Grievance Process
Players may file grievances related to rule enforcement, discipline, or other league matters.
Grievances must be submitted in writing to the Board within 48 hours of the incident.
10.2 Mediation and Resolution
The Board will review grievances and provide a decision within 7 days.
The Board’s decision shall be final and binding unless an appeal is submitted as specified in Article 5.5.
Article 11: Dissolution
11.1 Dissolution Process
In the event that NRIAHL is dissolved, any remaining funds will be donated to a local youth hockey program or a charitable organization aligned with the League’s mission.
If you have questions about the league rules, please contact you’re a league official or your captain. Issues regarding ice time or other locker room issues will be kept in confidence.