G.B.H.L. Rules and Regulations

The B.B.H.L. rules are based on the C.B.H.A. Rules and Regulations . Please refer to it for a complete list of all rules. This document summarizes the C.B.H.A. Rules and Regulations and lists B.B.H.L. specific rules.

Our league rules are always being updated to provide our membership
the best and safest environment as possible. Please contact the
league to get the most recent version of these rules.

League Rules

The league entry fee must be paid in full by the deadline outlined in the G.B.H.L. Team Payment Schedule. Any team failing to do so can and will be ejected from the G.B.H.L. without refund and may be subject to legal action. There will be NO Player or Team refunds after the April 1st deadline due to commitments and Jersey costs.

Note: Any N.S.F. cheques will be subject to a $25.00 surcharge penalty.

The town of Grimsby does not permit any alcohol in the arena or on the premises. They have informed the G.B.H.L. they will eject any individuals or teams from the premises if they are caught with alcohol. This is a permanent ban from the premises. The G.B.H.L. will not give refunds to any individuals or teams who have been banned from the premises for any reason.

Any new teams applying to join the G.B.H.L. must notify league officials if they have been ejected from any other league. Failing to do so could result in ejection from the G.B.H.L. without refund.

Any player or team representative who threatens, pushes, strikes or verbally abuses the League Conveners or Game Officials including Timekeepers during their course of administrating the functions of the league, will be automatically expelled from the G.B.H.L.

Any person, (e.g., player, coach, trainer) making an insurance accident claim is responsible for paying all deductibles.

All players MUST have signed a Release Of Liability Form and submitted it to the league prior to the individual's first game played. Any team failing to do so will result in the automatic forfeit of the game regardless of the outcome and a TWO game suspension will be assessed to the player(s) involved.

A team shall ONLY register 20 players with the G.B.H.L. Once a players is on a roster and has played at least 1 game, that player CAN'T be removed from the roster.

Player Registration deadline is June 15th.

A player must play a minimum of 5 games to be eligible for the Play-offs.

Note: Suspended games DO NOT count as games played. The league should be notified of any injuries, as an injured player MAY be exempt from this rule.

A team can use a goalie from another team if required for Regular Season play. During Play-offs the opposing team must approve.

A player must be released from his previous year's team in order to play for a different team in the upcoming season. If a team uses such a player without prior release it will result in the automatic forfeit of the game.

A player CAN'T play for more than ONE team. The result will be a ONE game suspension for the individual involved and the automatic forfeit of the game for the team using the player.

All players MUST be 18 YEARS OF AGE or older to participate. If a player's 18th birthday falls during the season and before the June 15th deadline, he CAN'T play until he turns 18 years of age for league insurance reasons. The G.B.H.L. is NOT responsible for individuals who misinform the league about their age.

Game Rules

Starting the game:

If games are running on time the timekeeper shall put 5 minutes on the clock to allow teams to warm up. With 1 minute remaining on the clock the timekeeper shall sound the horn notifying teams to go to their appropriate benches except the starting lineups. After the 5 minutes have expired the timekeeper shall put 15 minutes on the clock and start it.

If the games are running behind the scheduled time, the timekeeper shall use the same method as above but start the warm up at 2 minutes.

Note: A team must have a total of 6 players to officially start a game. If a team does not have the necessary players by the time there is 8 minutes remaining in the first period the game shall be considered a forfeit. The score will be record as a 1-0 loss.
If coincidental penalties occur the game shall continue and the team will play shorthanded. The team shall be assessed a 2 minute delay of game penalty if the required number of players are not present to start the game.

If a team does not have a goalie they may use 6 players but must designate 1 player as the goalie.

There are times the Arena floor conditions are not suitable for play due to outdoor weather or other circumstances. Teams and players have the right to refuse to play under this circumstance. Players still willing to play due at their own risk.

The HOME team will supply 2 C.B.H.A. official game balls per game.

It is the responsibility of the HOME team to change sweaters if the colours of the opposing team conflict.

The G.B.H.L. recommends the use of face masks or eye protectors. Any players not wearing facial protection do at their own risk and do not hold the G.B.H.L. liable for any injuries.

All players must wear a helmet and G.B.H.L. approved gloves. Gloves must be ball hockey, ice hockey or lacrosse gloves.

All team members must wear identical sweaters. No mismatched sweaters will be allowed during League play.

Each team may have a maximum of 20 players in uniform, two of which must be goalkeepers.

All games consist of two 15 minute stop time periods. The last 3 minutes of the second period will be running time when there is a 5 goal difference or more. All minor penalties will be 3 minutes in length during running time.

During Regular Season play overtime will be one 5 minute RUNNING time sudden death period. In the Play-offs overtime will be one 5 minute STOP time sudden death period. If still tied each team will take 3 penalty shots. If the score remains tied the game will go into sudden death penalty shots. In the Quarter Finals and the Semi-Finals the final game of the series (ie-game 3 in a 2 of 3 series) there will be no penalty shots. There shall be 10 minute sudden death overtime periods until one team scores. In the Championship Finals there will be no penalty shots. There shall be 10 minute sudden death overtime periods until one team scores

During Regular Season play each team shall receive 1 point for an overtime tie or overtime loss. A team shall receive 2 points for an overtime win.

Each team shall be permitted one 30 second time out per game.

Closing hand on the ball or gloving the ball ahead will result in the stoppage of play if it is an advantage to own team.

Icing rule in effect is NOT Touch Icing.

The CENTRE RED LINE RULE is in effect for icing but not for passing. Two line passes are allowed.

The FLOATING BLUE LINE rule is in effect.

Penalties

Contacting the ball above the height of the shoulders will result in a 2 minute penalty.

Coincidental penalties are in effect.

A golf shot is a 2 minute penalty.

If a player losses their helmet during play he must pick it up and put it back on before rejoining the play otherwise it will result in a 2 minute penalty.

Any player receiving 2 stick penalties of any kind in one game will be ejected from the game. Stick penalties are Slashing, High Sticking, Cross Checking

Any player receiving 3 penalties of any kind in one game will be ejected from the game.

Note: When 2 penalties are assessed at the same time it shall only count as 1 penalty.

Any player receiving a total of 25 penalty minutes during the course of the season will be assessed a 1 game suspension. Any player receiving a total of 35 penalty minutes during the course of the season will be subject to a league review and can be ejected from the league.

A High Sticking penalty causing blood which the official deems as accidental does NOT automatically incur 5 minute Major penalty but does incur two 2 minute minor penalties.

All Major penalties will be reviewed by league officials and can incur ejection from the league.

Fighting Major Penalties

1st fight - Out of game plus minimum 4 game suspension.
2nd fight -Out of game plus ejection from the league.

Note: The instigator penalty can be assessed which incurs an additional suspension to the above.

10 minute Misconduct - If the offense occurs in the last 3 minutes of the game the player will receive an additional minimum 1 game suspension.

Game Misconduct - Out of game. If the offense occurs in the last 3 minutes of the game the player will receive an additional minimum 1 game suspension.

Gross Misconduct - Out of game plus minimum 2 game suspension.

Match Misconduct - Out of game plus minimum 5 game suspension.

If a player is ejected from the game and is given a major penalty, several players can serve the penalty. All major penalties incur additional suspensions.

Note: A player's previous history will be used when assigning suspensions.

Standings

If there is a tie in the standings at the end of the regular season, the tie will be broken as follows;

• Best head to head record
• Most wins
• Goals for minus goals against in head to head play
• Goals for only in head to head play
• Goals for minus goals against in overall play
• Goals for only in overall play
• Coin toss or alternative method agreed to by G.B.H.L. officials and all teams involved