Updated January 18, 2012

The ARL is a no-contact, co-ed, social hockey league for players that want a less-competitive atmosphere. We accept rookies that are just learning the game of hockey and skating as well as players that have been playing a while but enjoy the non-competitive, non-aggressive game we play.. Open to Adults 21 years and over, the ARL league rules are designed to ensure the safety of our players and enjoyment of the game.

NON-CONTACT - All participants, offense and defense, must actively avoid potential collisions whenever possible, in addition to the rules of the game. We are a hockey league for beginners - we call ROOKIES. This is what the ARL is all about.

A detailed rules and regulations document for the ARL is available here

Without getting too technical, here is an overview of the ARL's rules and procedures (if you need clarification, please email play@rookiehockey.ca)

• Our games are played in a friendly manner (with ARL Spirit), which means we value sportsmanship, safety and fairness to all members of the team.
• In the interest of fairness and sportsmanship, no team may score more than 5 goals more than their opponent at any time. Any goals scored after that maximum will not be counted. We ask that stronger teams try to help make the game even out as best they can or at least stop scoring.
• We have no powerplays in the beginner division which means that everyone on your team is entitled to equal ice-time - no one sits as a result of someone else's penalty.
• All participants, attackers and defenders, must actively avoid potential collisions whenever possible, even if this means loss of advantage, puck possession, or scoring chance.  Failure to do so will result in a minor penalty and/or a Game Misconduct at the discretion of the Referee.  This means that all players must make every effort to avoid collisions with the opposing team, regardless of the situation on the ice or the calibre of player.  You must be aware of players around you at all times.  You are not allowed to 'play the man' and must at all times try to play the puck.  If you see a collision about to occur, you must make every reasonable attempt to avoid it.
• This is a co-ed league and we expect a certain level of sportsmanship (NO tolerence for abusive language, swearing etc.) Don't slam the gates or smash your stick in frustration - we will eject you from the game)
• Slashing (hacking - no attempt at the puck) is not allowed, well except for one obvious exception.
• Fighting and attempt to injure including bodychecking will result in an immediate game misconduct AND suspension
• Two majors in a season constitutes banishment from the league without refund. ARL will pride itself for a "clean" reputation. Players pay to have fun and not to get injured.
• Players are not allowed on the ice until the Zamboni doors have closed. If you do go out early - DON'T shoot any pucks until the gate is closed. Don't shoot pucks in warm up at the net if someone is posting the net.
• We welcome player input and suggestions at any time.

GOALIES

• if your team is without a goalie at the start of a game we will run the clock for 5 min then begin playing without a goalie. The shorthanded team will play with a sixth player that will act as a third defenseman. Every effort will be made to get a goalie from the ARL – i.e. next available or if a no show situation, the goalie from previous game etc. There will be no shots allowed from outside the blue line and all shots will need to be low and not hard. The game and all stats will count as normal.
• Goalies are allowed to play the puck up to their blue line as long as their actions are considered non-aggressive and safe. Crossing the blue line will result in a penalty.

MINOR INFRACTIONS
Minor penalties will result in the offending player being charged with a 2:00 minute penalty (once you have 3 minor penalties - you LEAVE the game immediately - you serve that 3rd penalty in the dressing room).

• Tripping, hooking are considered 2 min minor penalties
• Unsportsmanlike conduct: trash talking, arguing with refs, swearing, abusive language, slamming bench doors, swinging stick against boards, throwing of any objects and any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a minor and at the discretion of the ref - you will be immediately asked to leave the game. You may be further assessed a suspension at the discretion of the convenors.
• 3 penalties in a game = you leave the game
• No slap shots. A slap shot is considered a shot taken above the knee. A slap shot and even a fake slap shot will result in a 2 minute penalty so please don't even try or test us, we will call it if even remotely close.
• Intentionally screening the goalie is not allowed - this is NOT the NHL. A player is allowed to have a skate in the crease as long as they are not acting aggressively.

IN ADDITION to the 2:00 minute penalty, a penalty shot will be awarded to the opposing team.
PENALTY SHOT PROCEDURE:

• The player taking the penalty shot will line up at the Blue line closest to the opposing goalie.
• A team Captain may designate who takes the shot (anyone on the team other than a goalie) The Captain can choose ANY player skill level they feel they need or want - the ARL asks that Captains select players that have not recently scored goals or who have not been in the play as much as others on the team.
• All other players, from both teams, will line up away from the action and at least behind the blue line
• Referee will blow the whistle to start the penalty shot
• After the penalty shot, the faceoff will either be at the side of net or centre ice depending on whether the goal is scored
• The offending player goes to penalty box and scorekeeper puts the 2 min penalty on the board (2:00 min) After which they simply return to their bench and get back in line to play.
• During a penalty shot - the time clock is stopped unless we are running late in our games.
  
  
• Regarding penalties at the Appleby Ice Centre where we have a penalty box opposite side of the players benches, we found that many of the penalties would end up being served for much longer than the 2 minutes posted in an effort to keep the traffic free and players safe. Going forward any penalty shall be posted on the scoreboard and the player will need to sit or stand at the end of their team bench out of the way for the duration of their penalty. We ask that team captains and players respect this time out.

HOTDOGGING! 

• Hotdogging is a penalty that we call on a very skilled player that goes end-to-end and scores a goal (in our beginner division). A hotdog call could also apply to an aggressive defender. This is a discretionary call. This penalty may be called if a skilled player takes advantage of a weaker player on the opposing team in such a manner that the ref deems it unbecoming of an ARL player!

• In our Rookie division, we don't want players that score their two goals every game - we expect those better players to support the rest of their team and not try to control the game results. We know this isn't black and white. The hotdog rule is something the refs can use to game manage. It is called more often in beginner but CAN be called in rookie as well. If a team is winning 4 0 and someone from that team runs blue line to blue with the puck and scores, they'll call that hotdogging. That's just one example. The thing about the ARL is that not all rules can be written in stone.  The refs have to use their discretion keeping in mind that games are supposed to be fun. We will back them on whatever they feel is necessary. So people - PASS the puck and be helpful!

MAJOR INFRACTIONS
Any of the following action(s) will constitute instant lifetime banishment from the league (at the discretion of the convenors) without refund:

1. 2 majors in a season
2. Physical abuse or verbal threat of a ref(s) or player(s) on or off the ice;
3. Third man in or jumping off the bench during an altercation;
4. Property damage of the rink facilities or other players' belongings;
5. Suspended player playing or player that is not on the team's roster.
6. No playing under the influence of alcohol. Playing while under the influence could result in a suspension or your removal from the league
   * These rules are for the safety of the players.

TEAM ROSTERS
Players must be on the team's roster or else that player is considered a Ringer. SUBS are allowed, including goalies through contacting the POOL coordinator (Pat Baranowski). Players may sign up to join the pool as forwards, defense or goalies and the Pool Coordinator will be responsible for managing the player call-ups. Pool players and goalies will pay a fee per game due at the game. Having a player play that is NOT on the roster or part of the Pool will result in a forfeit of the game. Only the convenors or pool coordinator can add players to any game. Team captains are not allowed to select or ask other players to join their game at any time. Players are not allowed to canvass for extra games at the rink.

GAME FORMAT

• 2 mins warmups
• At end of 2 minute warm-up, game will begin immediately after 45 seconds - please get all pucks off of the ice and your line ready to go as soon as possible
• 3 periods of play (15-15-15 running time) - the final minute of the game is stop time
• Penalty shots are stop time, unless games are running late.
• Shake hands after the game
• As a courtesy to the other teams, please wait until both teams playing have completely left the ice before going on the ice yourselves.

GAME NOTES

• Offsides in effect.
• Blue-line icing. (which means when you gain your blue line you can ice it)
• Quick faceoffs (make your line shifts between whistles quick), refs will drop the puck regardless if the centreman is ready.
• Timeouts not allowed.
• Crease rule. Do not act aggressively in front of the net. The refs will whistle the play dead if there is heavy traffic in front of the net - they will not wait to see the puck completely covered up.
• Stoppage of Play will be called if a goalie is hit in the helmet by a puck or if there is too much traffic in front of the net or if the ref loses sight of the puck.
• Screening the goalie (goalie interference) is not allowed
• Maximum 2 goals per player per game. If a player scores a 3rd goal in a game it will not count. That may affect the actual resulting score of the game.
• High hard shots from the point are not allowed - keep them low please, people can get hurt

ARL Refs

Regarding our ARL, we want the safest, smartest arrangement possible for our players and goalies.

For our Rookie (upper) division:
We use 2 experienced refs... (may or may not be carded/certified refs) but must be experienced – if scheduling or no show – we will add an available experienced player ref to join the experienced ref or even go with two experienced player refs if we have to – but we will not use any rookie refs in this division unless we are forced to. If scheduling is a problem for any reason we will use any player refs available to us and explain to both teams that we are in that situation.
                                 
For our Beginner division:
We use player refs with one experienced and one not (i.e. one experienced player ref with one learner ref). If scheduling is a problem for any reason we will use any player refs available to us and explain to both teams that we are in that situation.

We will always demand that players and any coaches or bystanders do not abuse our refs at any time. Swearing at them or yelling etc will result in an eviction or suspension at the discretion of the convenors.

EQUIPMENT
Helmets with chin straps are MANDATORY - no exceptions. What equipment will I need?

ARL requires a minimum half shield with mouth piece or cage w/o mouthpiece. Again, safety is our #1 concern. Teeth can be replaced but eyes can't! Players WILL NOT be allowed to play if he/she does not comply.

MISCELLANEOUS RULES
This is a Co-ed league - please respect the privacy of our players in their change rooms -- men are not allowed in women’s change rooms and vice versa – for any reason whatsoever. Failure to comply with this rule will result in an automatic 2-game suspension from our league.

If you bump into someone male or female and they fall down, stop and ask them if they are OK before rushing off to score your goal. We expect co-ed courtesy in the ARL.

Pat Doherty-Baranowski is exempt of all rules...

DISCLAIMER
Not all ARL officials are certified. The majority of the games will have 2 refs each game. Our officials are competent and have good judgement, so please refrain from questioning their calls.