If a coach is dismissed from a game for abuse of officials, District 16 will implement an automatic 3 game suspension.  Should there be a second offense the automatic suspension will be 6 games and if there is a third occurrence the coach will be suspended for the remainder of the season (if suspension happens in the final week of a given season, the suspension will carry over to the first 30 days of the following season).

When the goal differential is six goals or more in the third period running time is used at the discretion of the traveling team head coach.

At the time a six goal lead is reached the on-ice officials will ask the visiting team coach if they would like to use running time.  The on-ice officials should then advise the off-ice officials.  Stop time should not be used other than for injury time-outs.  It is acceptable for  the traveling team coach to chose use running time after deciding to use stop time.  Once running time is chosen the clock will continue to run and that choice is final.

Due to some uncertainty and needed clarification, the info below has been sent out to the associations and should be practiced for all district games pertaining to the each groups below.

Bantams and Pee Wee's :
Periods should be 17 minutes with 2 minute minor penalties.

Girls:
Periods should be 15 minutes with 2 minute minor penalties.

Squirts:
Periods should be 15 minutes with 2 minute minor penalties unless coaches agree prior to the game and advise officials and time keepers that the game will be 17 minutes.

All ages:
Majors or misconduct penalties are not influenced by period lengths.  Remains the same across all age groups.
Sudden death overtime period in regular season is one 8 minute period.  If no change in score, game ends as tie. 

 To All in District 16:

Please advise all your off-ice officials (scorekeepers) of the following procedures..  Perhaps post something on the scorer’s table.  If you have an off-ice official manual, a copy of such should be at the table also.

1.   Please record goals scored and penalties taken based on the amount of time remaining in the period on the clock.  Do not convert the times to the amount of time gone by in the period.
2.   Check from behind requires two players – the offender and the server.  The servers number and the word server should be recorded in the offense column – the NO. (players number should not be entered in that column.
3.   Check from behind – the offender’s ten minute misconduct will begin upon completion of the two minute minor penalty.  If the opposing team scores this will be in advance of the 2 minutes.
4.   Please complete the minutes, time in and time out sections of the scoresheet in accordance with 1. Above.
5.   If you as scorekeeper have a question please consult the on-ice official at the next stoppage of play. 

Mark Elliott
District Director

Rule 608 | Checking from Behind
(Note) Checking from Behind occurs when a check is delivered to a player directly from behind, or diagonally from behind. The onus is on the player delivering the check to not hit from behind. This includes body checking or pushing an opponent from behind in open ice or directly into the boards or goal frame.
(a) A minor plus a misconduct penalty, or a major plus a game misconduct penalty, shall be assessed for checking from behind.
(b) A major penalty plus game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who injures an opponent, or causes them to go head first into the boards or goal frame, as a result of checking from behind.
(c) A match penalty shall be assessed for checking from behind in all instances when a player clearly checks an opponent from behind with excessive force while the opponent is in a vulnerable or defenseless position or the action was deemed to be a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent.

Check from behind will require two players to serve the penalty.  The offender will serve a 2 minute minor.  This penalty will be served by another player. 

Upon completion of the penalty either via time or opponents scoring a goal, the server exits the box.  At that time the ten minute misconduct penalty begins.  At the first whistle after the ten minute mark the offending player is released.  So the offender serves ten minutes plus whatever time the two minute penalty takes (two minutes or something less). 

Congratualtions to the following District 16 players for who are competing in the 14's Fall Tier 1 Program:
Brett Holmer, Josef Lalli,  Caleb Rupp, Justin Funk, Tyric Kennett, Tysen Loeffler, Wyatt Mattfield, Kellen Murphy,  Zach Stocker 

Alternate:  Cooper Malkowski

Minnesota Hockey Announces Rule Changes For Upcoming Season
Changes Include Concussion Safety Measures and New Mite/8U Rest Rules

St. Paul, MN – September 19, 2017 – The Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors instituted multiple rule changes and officially implemented the Girls 15U age level for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. The Board enacted rules designed to enhance player safety through concussion training and reporting mechanisms, better align its participation rule with those at the high school level and provide more age-appropriate rest rules for Mite/8U participants.

Concussion Safety: Starting in 2017-18 season, each coach shall complete concussion training on an annual basis and provide an acknowledgement form with proof of training to the association prior to participating in any team activities. The acknowledgement form and a list of concussion training options can be found here.  A head coach or coach in charge of any team activity who has knowledge of a player sustaining a concussion or exhibiting concussion type symptoms shall complete a Minnesota Hockey Concussion Reporting and Return to Play form relating to the injury.  The form must be delivered to the team manager within 48 hours of receipt of information that a player sustained a concussion or exhibited concussion type symptoms. The team manager shall provide a copy of the report to the player’s parent or legal guardian. Until the completed Return to Play portion of the form is received by the team manager or coach, the coach and team manager shall ensure that the player does not participate in any team physical activities. The Minnesota Hockey Concussion Reporting and Return to Play form can be accessed here.

Participation Rule Exception: Minnesota Hockey has adopted an exception to its participation rule to better align its rules with the transfer rules of the Minnesota State High School League. Players enrolling in 9th Grade for the first time are now immediately eligible to compete at any division in their Association of School Attendance. For the complete participation rule, visit IV. Participation section of Youth Rules and Regulations in the Minnesota Hockey Handbook.

Mite/8U Rest Rules: For Mites/8U, the minimum amount of rest between team events has been reduced to 1.25 hours for on-ice activities of 60 minutes or less.  For half/cross-ice activities of 45 minutes or less, the minimum rest-time between activities can be reduced to 45 minutes and up to four on-ice team activities can occur in a day. These new rules are designed to facilitate and encourage Mite cross/half ice jamborees.

Girls 15U Age Level: Minnesota Hockey has hosted a Girls 15U Pilot Program the past two seasons, and based on the data and feedback collected, the Board of Directors officially adopted the Girls 15 & Under (15U) age level in place of Girls 14 & Under (14U). Girls 14U playing rules will apply.

The Minnesota Hockey Handbook, including all youth rules and regulations, can be found here. For USA Hockey playing rules changes being implemented this season, click here.

HOME TEAMS ARE TO REPORT SCORES BY MONDAY NIGHT FOR THE PREVIOUS WEEK.  SCORES WILL BE UPDATED TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY FOR THE PREVIOUS WEEK.

ONLY REPORT GAME PLAYED VS DISTRICT TEAMS WITHIN SAME PLAYING LEVEL.

We will now be using a form that will need to be submitted for all scores.

Any scores sent in via email will NOT be entered.  The form is a better way of making sure scores are stored.

Use email for any questions or corrections on scoring. 

Thanks

Mike

All games within District 16 that penalize a player for fighting will be removed from current game and the following next two games.  This applies to all teams.  District 16 will not tolerate this behavior.  The officials have been instructed and will enforce the call if needed.  Teams in district 16 for a tournament will be subject to the same penalty. Be sure to advise these teams that this rule applies to them regardless of where the team is coming from.  For District 16 teams playing outside of District 16 the rule still applies. 

The above penalty (current game and next two games) is first offense. If second offense occurs, player will be suspended for 30 days along with a player and head coach meeting with district and association president about the rules.  District will not tolerate fighting- there will be no appeal process.  All fighting calls are final.

We have received many questions about Mite team items.  The best answer is to follow the current Minnesota Hockey guidelines as District 16 does not have any other rules.  If special request exist, please email Mark Elliot at elliottm@paulbunyan.net to request deviations from the below Minnesota Hockey handbook.

F. MITE HOCKEY – MH strongly encourages skill development for all players. This is particularly critical at the Mite level so that players are provided with the foundation to enjoy and have success in the game.
1. To reduce expense and promote development rather than competition, Mite teams shall participate within their home association and district only. However, the District Director(s) may allow exceptions for convenience or to maintain continuity. The District Director's decision is final.
2. Mites are generally organized into levels based on age, skill and number of players. As a guideline, Mites should be divided into two levels: Mini-Mites (6 & Under) - the younger, beginner and less skilled players; and Mites (8 & Under) - the older, experienced, more skilled players.
3. The focus for Mites is to teach and develop the basic skills of skating, puck handling, shooting and passing. Cross-ice, half-ice and small area games are the standard of play to maximize ice utilization, increase puck touches and increase the competition and fun. The American Development Model (ADM) and Minnesota Development Model (MDM) provide blueprints for player development
4. At the Mini-Mite (6 and Under) level – all games shall be played cross or half ice.
5. At the Mite (8 and Under) level – the standard playing surface for all games is cross- or half-ice. Recognizing that associations may want to deviate from the standard, after December 31st up to six full-ice games are allowed with the District Director's approval. The Director's decision is final.
6. Local hockey associations are in the best position to design programs so their players can develop and have fun. This should be based on the principles of the MDM and ADM, the number of players in their program, the skill of their players, the availability of ice and their coaching staff.
7. In recognition of a need for flexibility and differences between associations, the standards outlined in #4 and #5 above will be monitored by the District Director. Abuses will result in sanctions against the respective association(s) at the sole discretion of the Director.
8. MH does not permit full ice Mite Tournaments; cross/half ice Mite Tournaments are permitted. A guideline for sanctioned Mite Cross/Half Ice Tournaments is found in the Tournament Supplement. MH Mite teams cannot participate in out-of-state tournaments, except cross/half ice tournaments as approved by their District Director.
9. Jamborees may be conducted at the Mite level. A jamboree is defined as a low-key full participation event where players have an enjoyable and learning experience in a non-competitive environment. Jamborees need not be registered as tournaments, but must follow the “Team Rest” provisions as provided for under “Playing Rules”. The format for a Jamboree shall be as follows:
a. Approval to conduct a Jamboree must be obtained from the cognizant District Director at least thirty (30) days in advance.
b. All teams must be from one MH District, unless approved in writing by the MH Directors involved.
c. Information referring to the event must state “Jamboree”, not tournament. . Team fees can cover only costs for ice time, officials, medical attendants and participant awards.
e. There can be no gate fee. A free-will donation box will be permitted.
f. USA Hockey certified officials are recommended.
g. No score may be kept, no winners, no losers, no standings. This will generally require a predetermined round-robin format to be followed.
h. No statistics may be kept, such as shots, saves, goals, assists, time of possession, etc.
i. Participation awards, if given, shall be the same for all participants. No team awards or trophies

All association presidents, registrars, or applicable individuals that this may apply to:

A waiver for any player playing under another association "area" outside of the players home address is required.  The responsibility falls on the association where the player is playing.  It may be automatic as allowed based on school district but a waiver is still required for proper forms.  This request/ waiver needs to be submitted annually. 

Please have the association president or registrar submit to Mark or Scott for filing.