ONTARIO WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE (OWHL) RULES and

ONTARIO WOMEN’S

HOCKEY LEAGUE

(OWHL)

RULES and REGULATIONS

POLICY

Ontario Women’s Hockey League

Rules & Regulations Policy

Section 1 – League Liaisons

Each Association/Independent team shall designate one person as the main contact for the League. This

designated person shall be called the League Liaison. The responsibilities of the League Liaison (LL) shall be

to maintain communication between the League and all teams of the Association/Independent team. The

duties include the following:

a. Communication between a team in the Association/Independent team and the League on all

matters other than immediate scheduling/ immediate game portal access.

b. All discipline matters regarding any team in the Association;

c. Notifying the League about teams the Association wishes to enter in the league for the next season

of play by the date set out in Section 5 a);

d. Registering the contact information for each team in the manner prescribed by the League by the

required date as set annually by the League.

e. Monitoring and ensuring that each team is duly registered with the League before its first league

game.

The League Liaison must have full e-mail service and must inform the League of any changes in contact

information immediately. The League Liaison must have the authority to speak for the Association at all

times. The League will only deal with individual teams through the League Liaison.

It is the policy of the OWHL to respond only to concerns and issues raised by each association's League

Liaison. Any comments other than operational questions sent directly to the OWHL will be forwarded back

to the association's League Liaison in adherence to the policy.

Section 2 – Player Eligibility

a. All players must be properly registered on their team’s OWHA team registration form as per OWHA

rules.

b. An eligible player must be registered within the League. House league players will be eligible when

picked up from within their own association.

Section 3 – Team Rosters

OWHA approved rosters will be recognized as the official roster. Players and team staff must be registered

with the OWHA before they are eligible to play/participate in the OWHL.

Section 3.1 – Quebec Teams

1) General eligibility of all Quebec teams will be reviewed on an annual basis.

2) All Quebec teams must provide Hockey Quebec approved team roster form to OWHA.

3) If approved, Quebec teams agree to submit player and staff registration via OWHA online

registration platform.

4) Quebec teams are required to follow all OWHL Rules & Regulations and the Code of Discipline in

the OWHA handbook. Failure to follow any of these documents will result in further disciplinary

action which could include expulsion from the OWHL

5) Ontario teams travelling to Quebec for LEAGUE games will not have to submit a sanction form with

the OWHA.

6) It is the responsibility of any Ontario team travelling to Quebec for non-league games (including

exhibition and tournament) to obtain appropriate sanction form from the OWHA. Forms are to be

submitted to the OWHA for approval

Section 4 – Association and Team Responsibility

a. Each Association and Independent team shall file its OWHL Registration Form in accordance with

OWHA requirements.

b. On or prior to a date set annually by the OWHA, each team shall supply a cheque or money order

payable to the OWHA to cover the entry fees for the forthcoming season. The entry fees are non-

refundable, unless the team provides written notice to the OWHA, on or prior to the Category

Deadline Date, of its decision to withdraw from the League.

c. U9 and U11 teams are required to a play two (2) mandatory OWHA sanctioned games against two

(2) different teams at their own OWHA registered level or higher in order to place their team in the

most appropriate category. All other divisions are highly recommended to also play two (2) OWHA

sanctioned games in order to best categorize their respective teams. At the completion of each

game, the game sheet must be submitted via RAMP for verification.

d. Each team must enter online game sheet data, and submit game sheets, in accordance with Section

15.

e. Game supervision at the request of a team/association – Any request for a member(s) of the OWHL

to attend a game or series of games must be submitted by the Association President or the

Association Liaison to leagues@owha.on.ca .

f. If an Association President/ Liaison requests that the OWHA be present at a league game (or series

of games), there will be a charge of $50 per game. Additional mileage charges will also apply.

Section 5 – Scheduling for 2022 Season

a. The League will notify League Liaisons of the date of the Scheduling meeting.

b. Scheduling will provide flexibility to accommodate OWHA provincial playdowns and championships.

Each team must undertake to have sufficient ice time to meet regular season requirements by the

set completion date annually.

c. All changes to game times, dates or locations of games must be reported to [email protected]

at least forty-eight (48) hours before actual game time so the online system may be properly

updated, and referees informed. Failure to do so will result in a $50.00 fine payable by the HOME

team.

Regular Season: One (1) team representative and Ice schedulers will schedule all required games by the

scheduling date. Games will be scheduled to reflect a balanced schedule. Any changes throughout the

season will be handled by the League Liaison and the League. It will be each team’s responsibility to ensure

on an ongoing basis, that the dates, locations and times for all games are correct in the schedule posted on

the website. The League website will be considered to be the sole source of official schedules.

Section 6 – Pick-up Players

a. A team may use any eligible player to a maximum of three (3) but not to exceed the number of

players currently registered with their team. Pick-Ups are not permitted for suspended players.

Each player must be listed with “P-UP” for Pick-Up, beside her name on the game sheet.

b. For Regular Season League games, a team may pick up any eligible player, to a maximum of three

(3) pick up players, from a lower category to bring the total team strength to, but not exceed, the

number of officially registered players on the team. The OWHA may authorize the movement of a

goaltender for emergency situations only, identified as being situations in which the team would

have no roster goalie available to play.

c. Pick Up players are not eligible for Championship Weekend. (Exception for Goalies with League

approval).

d. Special permission may be granted, on approval from the OWHA, for a team to pick up players from

another Association or Independent team. It is the responsibility of the team to make specific

written application (OWHA Pick-Up Consent Form) to the League, stating their rationale for the

request. The form can be found on the OWHA website and must be e-mailed to

[email protected].

e. An OWHA Pick-Up Consent Form is not required where a player is transferred from a lower team

within the same association.

f. A Pick-Up Player is defined as EITHER from:

i) a lower age level and the same classification or lower;

ii) the same age level and lower classification:

(E.g.): 1 – U15 A team can call from U13 A team

(E.g.): 2 – U15 A team can call from U13 BB team

(E.g.): 3 - U15 A team can call from U15 BB team

(E.g.): 4 – U15 A team can NOT call from U13 AA team

g. Any team found to have violated the Pick-Up Players rule by virtue of not having complied with any

of the requirements or limits specified in Rule 7, subsections a) through e) will forfeit the game in

which the violation(s) was found to have occurred and by a score that is in accordance with

subsection 9) of the Forfeiture Policy listed in the OWHA Handbook. Teams violating Rule 7, as

above, will be considered by the League to have used an ineligible or illegal player and the violation

will be reported to the OWHA as a suspendable offence.

Section 7 – Suspensions

In the event of any suspendable offences, the OWHA Discipline Policy must be followed in its entirety.

a. The Discipline Board shall be struck by the Discipline Chair consisting of not less than three (3)

members for the purpose of hearing any particular matter concerning a Suspension. The Discipline

Chair can, at his/her discretion, offer the use of teleconferencing for teams that must travel long

distances or in the event of inclement weather. Teams attending a OWHA Suspension Hearing must

be represented by a rostered staff member.

b. A suspension(s) to any coach, manager, trainer, player, or support person (on the bench or

timekeeping at the time of the infraction) in any OWHA sanctioned game – league, tournament

and/or exhibition in or outside the Province of Ontario shall be served in the next OWHA sanctioned

game(s) including tournaments. Exhibition game cannot be used to serve suspensions.

c. The Discipline Board shall suspend any member where such conduct in and/or around an arena or

other place, or by such action violates the OWHA Code of Conduct, and as such bring discredit to

the League and/or the sport of Women’s hockey.

d. Where a matter regarding a suspension may directly or indirectly relate to a member, such member

shall declare a conflict of interest.

e. Where a coach, manager, trainer, player or support person receives a suspension in any OWHA

game outside the jurisdiction of the league, the onus is on the coach of the team to advise the

League of such suspension prior to the team’s next League game even if the suspension has already

been served. Failure to report any such suspension will result in an additional one game suspension

to the head coach of the team.

f. All members must follow the minimum suspension guidelines as circulated by the OWHA. These

suspensions must be served at the next OWHA sanctioned event(s). NOTE: Exhibition games are

excluded.

g. For any suspendable offence occurring in a League game, the OWHA must be notified by the

offending team within 24 hours via email at stats@owha.on.ca, or before their next game,

whichever comes first. Failure to do so will result in suspensions being issued to the head coach.

Section 8 – Protests & Appeals

a. Members can only protest a game regarding an interpretation or violation of a OWHL rule – e.g.,

not adhering to the agreed curfew, or if there is an improperly registered, unregistered, ineligible,

or suspended player participating. All issues regarding game officials must be forwarded to

[email protected].

b. Notification that a game is being protested MUST be communicated to leagu[email protected]

within twenty-four (24) hours of the infraction(s).

c. To Protest, a team must:

i. With respect to protest relating to the interpretation of a playing rule, notify the referee

verbally of the protest before, during, or at the end of the game, before they leave the ice,

ii. With respect to an improperly registered, unregistered, ineligible, or suspended player or

team official, notify the OWHA Office within forty-eight (48) hours of the starting of the

game. These are the only situations which are eligible to be protested to the League.

d. Prepare the protest in writing;

e. File the protest with league[email protected] within forty-eight (48) hours of the start time of the

game

f. Accompany the protest with a cheque or money order in the amount of $200.00 payable to the

OWHA.

g. E-mail, deliver or send by registered mail a copy of the protest to the protested team within forty-

eight (48) hours of the start time of the game.

h. Within seven (7) days of the protest being filed, the OWHA shall set a date for the hearing of the

protest. The hearing may be virtual or in person, at the discretion of the OWHA, and the date will

be no more than fifteen (15) days after the filing date. Teams attending a Protest Hearing must be

represented by a rostered staff member.

i. Decisions are final and binding and not subject t o Appeal.

j. Refunded fees for protests will be at the discretion of the committee.

Section 9 – Officials

a. It is recognized that there is currently a critical shortage of certified officials in Ontario and in

Canada. As such, games may proceed will fewer than the ideal number of on-ice officials. Some

games normally officiated by 3 officials will be officiated by 2 officials. At certain levels, a 1 official

system may be utilized with prior OWHA approval. At all times, associations and coaches are to be

in control of themselves and their teams and support fair play for all involved,

b. It is the responsibility of every association, team, and participant to treat officials with respect at all

times. If there are concerns, there is a process to address these concerns after the completion of

the game.

c. Officials must be currently certified and fully vaccinated and provide their OWHA (or Hockey

Quebec) ref number or certification number along with their name to the timekeeper so that it can

be entered into the Gamesheet App.

d. In U15 AA, U15 A, U18 AA, U18 A, U18 BB, U22 A, a three-official system is desirable. In all other

divisions, a two-referee system is desirable. Failure to comply (schedule the appropriate number of

officials) may result in a fine of $100 against the offending team.

e. A game may proceed with one official less than the number required provided that the official(s)

and both teams agree before the game commences. Once started the game may not be stopped or

protested unless an injury occurs to the referee that prevents the official from completing the

game. If the game does not proceed it is considered un-played and must be rescheduled within

seven (7) days. A single on-ice official may not officiate a scheduled three-official game without

prior approval from the OWHA. Any game officiated in a manner that is not compliant with this

section will be considered not played and must be rescheduled within seven (7) days and will result

in a fine of $200 against each team; in addition, the coach of each team will be assessed a

suspension.

f. All games will use the fast face-off protocol. The puck shall be put into play at the indicated start

time of the game regardless of whether both teams are lined up in face off position.

g. Officials are to be at ice level at game time and are to order the clock started for a three (3) minutes

warm up period as soon as both nets are pegged and available for the teams to begin their warmup.

Once the game clock has started, the officials shall not initiate the Fair Play procedures at this time,

due to Covid-19 protocols. When two minutes have elapsed, a game official will blow the whistle to

let the teams know they have one minute to get to their benches and get their starting line up to

centre ice. If teams fail to be ready a delay of game penalty is to be assessed.

Section 10 – Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules

a. After scheduling day(s), teams will be allowed a period of three (3) calendar days to change times

and/or locations of games on the originally submitted schedule, after which time the team’s

schedule will be marked Final and entered into the League’s on-line game system. Any changes

made during the 3-day grace period must be made known to the team’s opponent. After a team’s

regular season schedule is marked final, each team will be allowed to rearrange a maximum of

three (3) games during the season. Any more than three (3) changes will subject a team to a $100

disciplinary fine per game change payable to the OWHA.

b. Cancellation of a regular season, playoff (if conducted) or championship game by a team may be

done without cancellation penalty up to two weeks (14 days) prior to the day a game is scheduled.

Any cancelled game must be rescheduled as provided below.

c. Ice costs for a game cancelled less than two weeks before the game day becomes the responsibility

of the team which gives notice of cancellation unless the ice is used by the non-cancelling team, or

some other team. In addition, the cancelling team will be assessed a minimum $100.00 disciplinary

fine payable to the OWHA.

d. Games cancelled must be rescheduled for a future date within seven (7) days of game cancellation.

Any team that does not reschedule within the seven (7) day period will be assessed a $100.00

disciplinary fine payable to the OWHA. A rescheduled game is not considered to be locked into the

schedule until leagu[email protected] has been notified.

e. The OWHA reserves the right to issue an additional $500.00 fine, payable to the OWHA, to any

team who either fails to show for a scheduled league game without just cause; cancels a scheduled

league game within twenty-four (24) hours of its playing time without just cause; or refuses to

reschedule a cancelled game. In addition, the OWHA shall have the right to suspend all or any

member of the team staff of the offending team for up to one (1) year and to refuse the admission

of teams from the offending association for the next season.

f. For the purposes of this Section 11, a team that withdraws from the League shall be deemed to

have cancelled all of its remaining scheduled games.

g. If a game must be cancelled because one or both teams cannot travel due to inclement weather or

as a result of a public health notice (e.g., COVID Outbreak), the following policy is in effect:

1. The team cancelling the game must DIRECTLY contact by PHONE and speak to a designated

team representative before this game is officially considered cancelled. Note: E-mail and

voice messages will not be considered as proper notification

2. The League Designate (league@owha.on.ca) is to be notified by both teams that the game

has been cancelled.

3. The cancelled game is to be rescheduled for a future date within seven (7) days.

4. Costs of unused ice time and officials for the cancelled game to be shared evenly by both

teams.

5. To be eligible for any League awards, teams must play all their regular season games.

6. Games cancelled because of bad weather conditions or as a result of a public health notice

(e.g., COVID) are not included in the three (3) allowed cancellations.

Section 11 – Starting Games Times

The following guideline for Regular Season and Playoff game start times must be followed unless alternate

arrangements are mutually agreed upon by both teams:

• Monday to Friday game start times must be such that starting travel time from the visiting

centre is no earlier than 5:00 p.m.

• Sunday to Thursday game start times must be such that allowing for a reasonable post-game

change period, the visiting team arrives home no later than:

➢ U9 – 10:00 p.m.

➢ U11/U13/U15 – 10:30 p.m.

➢ U18/U22 – 11:30 p.m.

Section 12 – Game Lengths (for 2021/2022)

Teams in the OWHL-LLFHL Divisions and Categories to follow:

a. All League games including Championship games shall consist of three (3) stop time periods of ten,

ten, twelve (10-10-12) OR twelve, fifteen, fifteen (12-15-15) as designated for that division.

➢ The following divisions will play 10-10-12

All U9

All U11

U13 A, BB, B, C

U15 BB, B, C

U18 B, C

▪ The following divisions will play 12-15-15

All Senior

All U22

U18 AA, A, BB

U15 AA, A

U13 AA

Teams in the OWHL-ODWHA Divisions and Categories to follow:

1.5 hour games 15-15-20 for:

U18AA, A & BB

U15AA, A & BB

1.0 hour games 10-10-12 for:

All other teams.

b. All League games are STOP TIME. Running time is not allowed and, if used, the game will be

replayed at the cost of the home team.

c. No time outs are allowed in regular season games. If a team request a time out during a regular

season game, the team will be fined $100 and the coach will be suspended for one game.

d. The number of regular season games will be standardized at 26 or less for all ages and categories.

And 20 for U9 and U11 ages and categories.

Section 13 – Game Sheets

a. Electronic gamesheet data is collected for insurance purposes. Any falsification of data may make it

invalid for insurance claims. It is important that the game sheet data be entered accurately both

during and as soon as the game has been completed. The officials must review the data entered into

the electronic game sheet via the code they have been provided and sign off on the game as soon as

possible following the end of the game.

b. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide the game codes to other parties (visiting team,

officials, and timekeeper). Both the home and visiting team must access the electronic game sheet,

via their respective code, to select the players and staff for that particular game at least fifteen

minutes prior to the scheduled game time.

c. All teams must use the RAMP Game sheet App for all League games. Failure to do so is a $25 fine per

game payable to the OWHA.

d. If any players on your team have different sweater numbers for home and away, then please modify

the appropriate numbers via the game sheet app. You DO NOT have to name your starting line-up.

With the exception of goalie, player positions are not necessary. The option to identify your C’s and

A’s is available through the game sheet app by selecting the player’s name and choosing their role.

Section 14 – Notification of Game Results

a. All league games must be created and entered into RAMP at least 5 days prior to the start of the

game. Failure to do so in the regular season will result in a fine of $100 per day to the offending

association until the game sheet data is entered. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to confirm

the stats of the game and work with them in correcting any discrepancies.

b. In the case off a suspendable offences, whether in the regular season or in the playoffs, the offending

team must notify the OWHA via email at stats@owha.on.ca with suspension information within 1 day

(24 hours) of the game or before the next game, whichever comes first.

Section 15 – Tie-Breakers – Regular Season

a. If teams are tied at the end of the Regular Season the following criteria will be followed: (same as

OWHA Playdowns)

i. Number of wins against all divisional opponents, including crossover games.

ii. Record against other tied teams

iii. Goals scored minus goals against all divisional opponents

iv. Fewest goals allowed against all divisional opponents

v. Most periods won against all divisional opponents

vi. First goal scored during regular season

vii. Most goals scored against all divisional opponents

viii. Flip of coin by a neutral party agreed to by the OWHA Designate.

Section 16 – Curfews

1. All League games must start at their designated starting times. Curfews will be allowed for all

regular season games.

2. All League games shall consist of three (3) stop time periods as designated for that division. (Refer

to Section 13 – Game Lengths)

3. A three (3) minute warm up will start each game.

4. All games are STOP time. Running time is not allowed and, if used, will result in the game being

replayed if the visiting team loses the game.

5. All Regular season games played under OWHL jurisdiction must have a curfew notice. When a team

creates a game through the RAMP Game Portal, after all the game details are entered, in the NOTES

box, please enter the Curfew information. This information will show on the RAMP Gamesheet APP

in the game details just above the game codes.

a. If the game is played in an arena with no curfew, the notification will read “NO

CURFEW”. The game must be played in its entirety.

b. In arenas where there is a curfew, the notification will state “CURFEW and a specified

time of day” (e.g., CURFEW 10:20 p.m.). The game must stop at the specified time.

c. The curfew notice must have either a NO CURFEW notation or a specified curfew time.

Whether the curfew notice reads NO CURFEW or has a specified time, a rostered

member of the Coaching Staff of both teams is required to be notified prior to the start

of the game.

d. All game officials (referee(s) & timekeepers) must be notified of the curfew as well. They

will be able to see this information via the RAMP Game sheet app on the game details

page.

e. Failure to follow any of Rule 5, subsections a) through d) could result in a forfeit of the

game by the home team should the game be protested. If, in the sole judgement of the

OWHA and its Protest Committee, the result of the game was not affected by the

breaking of Curfew rule, the protest can be dismissed. The league does retain the right

to fine the home team a maximum of $200 in the event the home team does not follow

the provisions of Section 17.

f. The actual start time of the game is to be recorded on the game sheet by the

timekeeper. For the purpose of the time of day, the arena clock will be the official time

piece. In the case of no time-of-day clock being present, the referee(s) will designate,

prior to the start of the game, what the official time piece will be and advise both

coaches of such a decision.

g. It will be the responsibility of the timekeeper to sound the end of game horn when the

official time piece reaches the designated curfew time, and the game will be considered

over at that point. Under no circumstances is the game to continue past the designated

curfew time.

6. Games that must be curfewed due to a serious injury that requires medical assistance to be called

or due to a serious mechanical equipment failure in the arena that makes playing dangerous or

impossible are permitted to be ended even if the game sheet says no curfew.

7. Any regular season game curfewed after the start of the third period will be considered a complete

game at the point of curfew. Any regular season game curfewed before the start of the third period

will be considered to have been cancelled within the rules and without penalty and will be required

to be rescheduled.

Section 17 – Awards

Awards will be presented to the regular season winner of each geographical grouping for all divisions and

categories. Teams which are recategorized up by the OWHA are ineligible to receive the lower-level awards.

APPENDIX

• GAME PROTEST FORM

OWHL

Game Protest Form

2021-2022 Season

Protesting Team/OWHA

Number