REFEREES' CORNER

NEW RULES FOR 2010   There are serveral new IIHF playing rules and modifications to interpretations of existing ones for 2010 and all players, coaches and team officials should make themselves aware of them by reading the document attached to the following link.   2010 RULE CHANGES    ******************************************************************   Correct and Incorrect Way to Wear a Helmet, Visor & Chinstrap   Protective and Dangerous Equipment Rule   Rule 223 – Players Helmet   During the game and during the pre-game warm-up, all players shall wear a hockey helmet and chin strap properly fastened. A helmet shall be worn so that the lower edge of the helmet is not more than finger-width above the eyebrows, and there shall only be enough room between the strap and the chin to insert one finger. Should the helmet of a player come off while play is in progress, the player shall not be permitted to participate in the play except if he replaces the helmet on his head with the chin strap properly fastened. If the player continues to play without his helmet properly fastened he shall be penalized under Rule 555e. Minor Penalty.   224 – Player’s Face Mask and Visor   It is recommended that all players wear a full face mask or a visor. Players born after December 31, 1974 shall wear, as a minimum, a visor. The visor shall extend down to cover the eyes and the lower edge of the nose in frontal and lateral projections. Players and goalkeepers in the category under 18 years and younger shall wear a full face mask. Players shall not be permitted to wear a coloured or tinted visor or tinted full face mask. 226 – Neck and Throat Protector   It is recommended that all players wear a neck and throat protector. Players and goalkeepers in the category under 18 years and younger shall wear a neck and throat protector.   227 – Mouth Guard   It is recommended that all players shall wear a custom made mouth guard. All players in the age category under 20, and not wearing a full face mask, shall wear a custom made mouth guard.   555 – Illegal or Dangerous Equipment   a)      A Player or goalkeeper who: Wears his equipment or visor in a way that may cause an injury to an opponent. Wears any non approved equipment. Uses or wears illegal or dangerous skates, sticks or equipment. Does not wear his equipment, except gloves, head protection and goalkeeper’s leg guards, entirely under his uniform. A player who wears a glove in play from which all or part of the palm has been removed or cut to permit the use of bare hand.               Shall be ruled off the ice and a “WARNING” shall be issued to his team.   b)     The Referee can request that a player or goalkeeper remove any personal accessories shall, at the discretion of the Referee, the personal accessories worn during the game be regarded as dangerous for the player and other participants. If these accessories are difficulty to remove, then the player or goalkeeper shall tape the personal accessories or put the item(s) safely under the jersey in such a way that they are no longer dangerous. In this case, the player or goalkeeper shall be ruled off the ice and a warning shall be issued to his team. c)      For a second violation by any player or goalkeeper of the same team for any offence of this rule mentioned above, the Referee shall assess to the offending player(s) or goalkeeper a: MISCONDUCT PENALTY (10).          Players and goalkeepers in the category under 18 years and younger (or if over 18 years and playing in Midget Grade) shall wear a full face mask. Players and goalkeepers in the category under 18 years and younger (or if over 18 years and playing in Midget Grade) shall wear a neck and throat protector. All players in the age category under 20, and not wearing a full face mask, shall wear a custom made mouth guard. All other players must wear there equipment and helmets, visors and chinstrap according to the rules. It is the coaches and team managers responsibility to ensure that all equipment is worn correctly before a players steps the ice.     ****************************************************************** SUSPENSION SCHEDULE FOR PENALTIES The following Suspension Schedule for penalties awarded in IHA games is to be applied by all IHA governing bodies. Where a player receives a gross or match penalty by the game referee for one of the offences listed below, the corresponding automatic suspension applies without the need to refer the matter to a Tribunal. At the same time, the application of an automatic suspension does not remove the right of the player to request a matter be referred to a Tribunal if they disagree with the decision. Where "Tribunal" is listed against an offence, then the matter must go before a Tribunal for decision. Games are to be served in the division in which the penalty was awarded. The player is not to participate in any other IHA sanctioned games (including games in other divisions) until the penalty is served. Penalties awarded at a national championship carry over into the corresponding league/division in the player's home state until the number of games awarded is served. OFFENCE MIN No. of GAMES 1 Fighting - non-instigator 2 2 Team official - ejected from game 2 3 Head butting - attempt 3 4 Butt ending 4 5 Spearing 4 6 Head butting - contact 4 7 Hair pulling 4 8 Grabbing face mask 4 9 Checking from behind - injury 4 10 Fighting - instigator 4 11 Fighting - third person entering 4 12 Deliberate attempt to injure with no injury resulting 4 13 Abuse of an official - verbal - intentional 4 14 Abuse of a spectator - verbal 4 15 Stick swinging 5 16 Fighting - continuing after warning 6 17 Spitting 10 18 Facial protector - as a weapon 10 19 Kicking 10 20 Eye gouging 10 21 Fighting - during handshakes 10 22 Fighting - player (s) leaving players' box during an altercation 10 23 Fighting - player (s) leaving penalty box during an altercation 10 24 Fighting - player (s) leaving penalty box or coming onto the playing surface to enter into or start an altercation 10 25 Misconduct at a tribunal Tribunal 26 Abuse of an official - molesting Tribunal 27 Abuse of a spectator - molesting Tribunal 28 Team official - pulling the team from the ice and not returning Tribunal 29 Stick swinging during an altercation 15 + tribunal 30 Deliberate cross check to the head or neck 15 + tribunal 31 Racial or religious vilification Gross + tribunal 32 Deliberate attempt to injure resulting in injury to an opponent 15 + tribunal 33 Taking of performance enhancing drugs Per policy