Game Play Special Hockey Rules

Special Hockey Guidelines

Each coach should attempt to match lines with similarly skilled players from the other team.

The more skilled players from a team should be matched with players of the same skill level from another team.

At the lower levels, if a team has an odd number of players and requests to skate 6 players on a line instead of 5, they must ask permission from the opposing coach and inform the referee before the start of the game.

A special effort should be made to control any “A” level player playing in a “B” game not to ruin it for the rest of the players. No player should be double shifted if it can be helped.

During any game on the lower skill level or where the outcome is lopsided and the coaches agree, extra penalty shots can be awarded by the referee to help improve the game and give some players a chance to shoot on net. The coaches can designate which players get the shot. Coaches should rate players/teams appropriately

Important that game/event organizers match teams by ability whenever possible.

A Level (A+ to A-)

able to skate unassisted
able to play at a faster pace
able to play structured game with minimal to no assistance
has more advanced hockey skills (skating, stick handling, passing, and shooting)
has better understanding of game rules and concepts
able to follow rules / instruction / drills
always engaged in the play
has the ability to change on the fly
needs no prompting

A Level Games

Each team may have 5 skaters plus 1 goaltender on the ice during play, unless the goalie has been pulled for an extra attacker
No coaches on the ice (exceptions may be granted for safety purposes)
No player should be double shifted if it can be helped
Players to change on the fly (no buzzer)
Score will be kept (maximum 4 goal difference on scoreboard)
Penalties will result in a penalty shot. The penalty shot must be taken by the player who was interfered with, if possible. In addition to the penalty shot, a 2 minute penalty will be served in the penalty box by the offending player if the referee or player’s coach thinks they should. At no time will any team serving a penalty have less than 5 skaters on the ice
Coaches are expected to make an effort not to run up the score in the event of a lopsided game

B Level (B+ to B-)

able to skate unassisted
able to play at a mid-level pace
able to play structured game with minimal assistance
has mid-level hockey skills (skating, stick handling, passing, and shooting)
has basic understanding of game rules and concepts
able to follow rules / instruction / drills (occasional prompting may be needed)
always (or mostly) engaged in the play
may need assistance in positioning
may need occasional prompting

B Level Games

Each team may have 5 skaters plus 1 goaltender on the ice during play (1 or 2 “roamers” may be on the ice during play with coaches consent)
Two (2) mentors are allowed on the ice but are not to interfere with the play
No player should be double shifted if it can be helped
Players change shifts on the buzzer (on the fly can be done with coaches' agreement)
Score will be kept (maximum 4 goal difference on scoreboard)
A special effort should be made to control any “A” player playing in a “B” game to avoid any domination of the game at the expense of the other players
Penalties will result in a penalty shot. The penalty shot must be taken by the player who was interfered with, if possible. In addition to the penalty shot, a 2 minute penalty will be served in the penalty box by the offending player if the referee or player’s coach thinks they should. At no time will any team serving a penalty have less than 5 skaters on the ice
Extra penalty shots can be awarded by the referee to help improve the game and give some players a chance to shoot on net (with coaches' consent)
Coaches are expected to make an effort not to run up the score in the event of a lopsided game

C Level (C+ to C-)

may need assistance in skating (use of walker or volunteer)
able to play at a slower pace
needs assistance to play structured game
has lower level hockey skills (skating, stick handling, passing, and shooting)
has limited understanding of game rules and concepts
has difficulty following rules / instruction / drills
may need some (or constant) prompting to engage in the play
needs assistance in positioning

C Level Games

Each team may have 5 skaters plus 1 goaltender on the ice during play (2 or more “roamers” may be on the ice during play with coaches consent)
Three (3) mentors are allowed on the ice (they may assist in the play with coaches' consent)
Players change shifts on the buzzer
Scoreboard will be utilized but each team awarded a goal when one team scores (actual score may be kept with coaches' agreement)
A special effort should be made to control any “B” player playing in a “C” game to avoid any domination of the game at the expense of the other players
Penalties will result in a penalty shot. The penalty shot may be taken by any player
Extra penalty shots can be awarded by the referee to help improve the game and give some players a chance to shoot on net (with coaches' consent)