U22 Elite Rules and Regulations

OWHA Elite U22 - League Regular Season (2023-2024) Protocols and Procedures

The playing rules for U22 AA will be the Hockey Canada Rules unless exceptions are noted in the Protocols and Procedures noted below. 

 If Hockey Canada introduces changes in their regulations during the season, these may be introduced to U22 AA after review and consideration

SEASON LENGTH:

• League games may start any time after September 22^nd, 2023, and are to be completed at the end of March 2024. Playoff information will be released at a later date.
• Teams will be asked to submit available ice by July 5^th, 2023, as OWHA has an individual put the schedule together.

GAME-DAY PROCEDURES:

• Games times must be 2.5-hour time slot with line-ups announced during warm up.
• Must ensure enough ice is secured to complete the game in its entirety.
• All games will have a 5-minute warm-up.
• There will be three 20-minute stop time periods.
• There is to be a FLOOD between each period. There will be no countdown on the clock, teams shall return to the ice as soon as the floods are done. Teams that are not on their bench and ready to play by the end of the flood, will be assessed a delay of game penalty.
• If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be a 10-minute sudden victory overtime (4on4 including the goalie) in place for regular season games. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the tie will stand. For overtime periods, goaltenders remain in the same end.
• If the game is tied at regulation time, there will be a 2-minute break (no flood or scrape) followed by overtime.
• 3 points for regulation time win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime loss, and 1 point for each team if the game is tied in overtime.

GAME DAY PROTOCOLS:

• Hybrid and No Change icing will be in effect.  Hockey Canada Rules 6.7(d) and 6.7 ( e) applies. Click here for the rules.
• Teams should line-up on their respective blue lines for the national anthem at the end of the on-ice warm up.
• The Home Team is responsible for providing warm-up pucks for the Visiting Team.
• Home Teams should wear dark-colored jerseys while visiting team should wear light colored jerseys.
• All games will have a 4-person referee system (2 referees, 2 lines)
• The OWHA will assign the on-ice officials and invoice the teams.
• The teams starting line-up announcement should take place during the on-ice warm up.
• If the 3^rd period has NOT started, the game will need to be re-played and the score will not count.
• The home team is to make sure on-ice officials arrive at the arena. If they are not there ½ hour ahead of game time, a call must be made to the person designated.
• Dressing Room - Team managers or a delegate on each team, are to take responsibility for the condition of the player’s dressing room.  That person is responsible for the condition of that room during the time it is being used by the team. Once vacated, the manager or delegate is to check the condition of the room prior to returning the key to the arena staff, to make sure that it is clean, and all personal belongings have been removed. Any issues of concern or conduct are to be reported to OWHA.

ROSTER SIZE:

• Each team is permitted to dress 20 players ( up to 18 players and 2 goaltenders) for each game.
• Each team may appoint a Captain and a maximum of three (3) Alternate Captains. Goaltenders cannot be selected or named as Captain or Alternate Captain.
• Any team that does not have 20 players signed on its roster or that has injuries, illness, or a shortage of players for other reasons (except suspensions) may pick up to a maximum of 20 players per game.
• If a team has 1 or more suspended players, they must shorten the number of players dressed to meet the number of players under suspension. In other words, if a team has 2 suspended players, they may dress a maximum of 18 players (including skaters and goaltenders).
• It is the responsibility of each team to ensure that players signed on their roster are to play and healthy scratches are not permitted.

GAME SHEETS / TIMEKEEPING:

• Please ensure you have a timekeeper in place who is familiar with the RAMP system. Game codes will be required to automatically generate the game sheet. These codes can be accessed through team RAMP login and will be available once a game has been scheduled on the RAMP system.
• The timekeeper must check the game as “FINISHED” via the App for the game stats and details to populate on the website and the electronic game sheet.

PICK UP PLAYER PROCEDURE:

• All Pickup player requests must be completed via the RAMP Games Portal. To submit and approve a request please use the link that will take you to the OWHA website: PICKUP PLAYER REQUEST
• You may you use pick up players up to a maximum of 20 players per game.
• All pick ups must currently be registered with OWHA and have their team’s approval.
• If a pickup player receives a suspendable offence, immediate notification must be made to the player’s home team.
• Pick up players may NOT be used to replace any player under suspension.
• Ensure you follow current procedures if there are any misconducts/ suspensions incurred/ served in the game.

PENALTY REPORTING

• ALL penalties including those issued to pick-up players must be recorded on the electronic game sheet app as they happen.
• Teams must report the suspension to the OWHA via stats@owha.on.ca immediately following the game.
• All Games are to follow policies and regulations laid out in the OWHA Handbook
• ALL served suspensions must be reported to the OWHA via stats@owha.on.ca immediately after the game that was served.
• Members can only protest a game regarding an interpretation or violation of an OWHL U22 Elite rule - e.g., if there is an improperly registered, unregistered, ineligible, or suspended player participating. All issues regarding game officials must be forwarded to leagues@owha.on.ca. All protests must be properly filed.

BENCH STAFF:

• A team may have more than 5 staff registered on their OWHA roster, however in accordance with Hockey Canada playing rules, no more than 5 registered staff members are allowed on the bench during a game.
• A minimum of 2 registered staff members must be on the bench.
• All Bench staff should wear appropriate attire. (e.g., ball caps, jeans)