Revised October 2022 - revisions made to regulation 2

MMHL Mission Statement

The Metro Minor Hockey League is committed to providing a positive hockey experience for players, officials, coaches and parents, based on the principles of sportsmanship, skill development, equal ice time, and fair play.

It is essential that coaches and managers abide by the Hockey Nova Scotia Minor Council Regulations & Code of Ethics, and display the highest standards of personal integrity, competence, sound judgment and direction.

Also, it is of the utmost importance that all players, coaches and parents show respect for the officials.
Please remember, without the officials, games cannot be played.

REGULATION 1: MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Each Association shall provide to the President & League Administrator of the MMHL annually, the following information:

By July 30 of each year, confirmation of it’s intent to enter teams and in what division to play in the MMHL for the year.

Before September 30th of each year:

1. The name of the President, MMHL Representative and VP Recreation, of which only one may vote at any meeting of the MMHL. Any alteration of these positions shall require the consent of the MMHL for voting privileges.
2. The name and contact information for the Referee-in-Chief.
3. The actual number of teams per level being entered to play in the MMHL for the year.
4. The day, time, and rink location, at which teams in each division will play its home games and any exceptions with make-up times identified.

Before October 15th of each year (or based on the expected start date)

1. The names and contacts for team officials.
2. Home and away team jersey colors to be worn.
3. Goalie contact information for all goalies wishing to participate in the goalie pool

Failure to provide the above information by the required date could result in a team(s) not being accepted into the league for that year.

REGULATION 2:  RULES OF COMPETITION
2.1 Team

(a) The players listed on the game sheet must be either registered members of the team involved, or approved ‘alternate’ players from other teams within their association (see Affiliation regulation 2.7)

(b) A minimum of 8 players in uniform and 1 goaltender in proper goaltender attire on each team shall be necessary to start a game or the game will be forfeited to the non-offending team by a score of 5-0.

2.2 Timing Procedure

(a) The MMHL recognizes that a one-hour time allotment for a hockey game actually allows only 50 minutes of playing time. It is further recognized that most of the member associations are required by the rinks to be off the ice at the end of their booked time, i.e. those associations cannot run overtime. If the timing procedures below are to be successful, it is necessary to have the cooperation of all concerned coaches, referees, players and parents.

(b) The Home Team is responsible for providing a timekeeper to run the game clock.

(c) Timing of games as follows:
·       2-minute warm up as soon as the ice is ready
·       Games are 3 x 10-minute stop time periods, with the realization that the game will end at the end of the 50-minute clock. (If the time clock will not work, then run 3x15 minute straight time, with a 2-minute warm up).

(d) If at any time during the game the ice allotment for the game expires, the game referee may end the game. Provided two periods of play have been completed, the score at that point will be the final score of the game.

2.3 Schedules
The only official schedule is the one posted on the MMHL website www.metrominorhockey.ca

(a)  Weekday games cannot start before 6:00 pm and cannot be scheduled to start after 10:00 pm (except Minor Junior). Games can start before or after these times if teams are both in agreement. 

(b)  Weekend games can start at 8 am and cannot be scheduled to start after 10:00 pm (except Minor Junior). Note: If a scheduled 10:00 pm game is delayed for any reason, the latest it can start is 10:30 pm.

(c)  There are no forfeits unless approved by the applicable MMHL MHA Rep

(d)  Teams in the MMHL must give MMHL scheduled games their first priority. Scheduled games, once posted, must be played.

(e)   The MMHL does allow playing two games on the same day; however, every effort must be made to avoid this situation. Should it be necessary to schedule two games on the same day, a minimum of three hours from the end of the first game to the start of the second game must be provided. Associations should make every effort to distribute the ice times offered for games to include game times on different days of the week.

(f)  Member teams wanting to participate in events such as tournaments, etc., that conflict with the MMHL schedule must make a request in writing through their MMHL rep (i.e. email). All requests will be considered, so long as a plan to make up the scheduled game is received along with the request and this plan can fit into the existing schedule. The earlier these requests are received the better chance there is to receive approval; the absolute minimum time these requests should be received is 21 days before the scheduled game.

(g) Each year the MMHL schedules will have a Christmas Break and a March break.

(h) The Christmas Break will be from approximately December 24th to January 1st inclusive. Games will resume on January 2nd or as specified in each MHA’s ice contract.

(i)  The March Break shall be from Saturday to Sunday inclusive as determined by the Halifax Regional School Board.

(g) During these break periods no team will be ordered to play a game; however, if both teams agree, they are encouraged to make up previously postponed games if ice time is available.

(k) Exact dates for Christmas and March breaks will be posted on the website.

(l)  The U18 schedule will not have games scheduled during the days before final exams (dates as determined by the Halifax Regional School).

(m) Halloween games will not be schedule for teams in U11 and U13  

(n) It is recommended that every effort be made, by each MHA, to allocate at least 50% of their U18 ice time during the weeknights.

2.4 Postponed/Rescheduled Games     
MMHL recognizes the following reasons for requesting a game be postponed or rescheduled:

(a) Christmas concerts. For U13 and below a game may be postponed if three (3) or more players on the team cannot make it, however, it should be limited to one date per season and two weeks notice must be given.

(b) Weather - Games may be postponed and/or rescheduled based on storm warnings, heavy snowfall forecasts or requests by police to stay off the roads. In all cases, the safety of the players shall take precedence. If weather conditions create a safety concern, coaches must obtain verbal and written confirmation from both MMHL Association Representatives of the teams involved. An email sent without a response is not acceptable. A minimum of 2 hours notice is required so that the team and the officials can be notified. Clear and timely communication between associations and teams involved is a must in these circumstances.

(c) Exhibition games do not take precedence over regular scheduled games. However, if an exhibition game has been set, then an opposing team proposes a MMHL game for the same day, the previously scheduled exhibition game does not have to be cancelled. However, if the MMHL game is set first, it cannot be cancelled for an exhibition game.

(d) A new date for postponed games should be proposed within 7 days of the originally scheduled date and approved by the MMHL Association Representative. These games must be played prior to the end of the schedule involved (i.e. regular season or playoff schedule).

Obviously, there may be postponements due to power outages, Zamboni problems, rink closures, etc. beyond our control. These games will also need to be rescheduled.

Under no circumstances, is a coach to postpone a game for any other reason without the approval of the applicable MMHL MHA Rep.

2.5 Procedure for Rescheduling Games

(a) The home team’s MMHL Representative, is responsible for rescheduling postponed games as a result of conditions noted above.

(b) The Association's MMHL Representative will arrange a new time with their ice coordinator and contact the appropriate MMHL Association Representative (within 7 days) of the other team who will verify the new time is acceptable and then approve it for posting on the MMHL website. If the change is done in less than prior days, a phone call to the applicable coaches is warranted to ensure all parties are aware of the change.

(b) The MMHL Representative will contact the MMHL webmaster to update the website schedule.

(c)  Make up and rescheduled games must be played provided your team receives a minimum of 48 hours confirmed notice prior to the new scheduled date (provided it does not conflict with already scheduled exhibition or tournament games). Coaches cannot refuse to play these games. A confirmation of the schedule change must be received in order for it to proceed.

2.6 Team Colors

(a) Teams must declare jersey colors prior to the commencement of the playing season and that information will be posted on the mmhl.ca website. Teams must conform to these declared colors.

(b) In the event both teams have only one set of jerseys and where there is a conflict, the HOME team must change to a contrasting color.

(c) The “HOME” team will wear white when a team has two sets.

2.7 Affiliation (new as of 10.25.2024)

REGULATION 3:  TEAM STANDINGS

(a) MMHL uses electronic score sheets via the GrayJay web application. Should a game experience issues with the electronic score sheets, it is the respsonsibility of the home team association timekeeper to properly log the game details (hard copy) and then update the boxscore once connected to the internet. 

(b) Standings will be determined using 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. A forfeited or awarded game is considered to be a 5-0 score with 2 points awarded to the non-offending team.

(c) If two or more teams are tied in total points at the end of regular season play they shall have their standings determined as follows (in order) based on the logic that is inherent in the MMHL Goalline website.
 

Note: the differential of “goals for” in a game will be limited to 5. E.g. if the score of a game is 10 – 1, it will be recorded on the website as 6 – 1. If it was 9 – 2, it will be recorded as 7 – 2. If it was 6 - 0, it will be recorded as 5 – 0, etc., etc. - THIS CAN NOW BE IMPLEMENTED VIA GRAYJAY

The MMHL will ensure the scores and standings are kept up to date for the benefit of all.

REGULATION 4: PLAYOFFS

(a) All teams shall be included in playoffs.

(b) Playoff formats will be determined at a meeting of the MMHL Executive Committee and posted on the MMHL website prior to the start of playoffs. All Game reports must be submitted and posted before the MMHL Executive Committee approves finalized standings.

(c) Each division may or may not have the same format as it depends on the number of teams in each division, ice time available, etc.

(d) Scoring will be completed electronically via GrayJay electronic score sheets

(e) The top teams from the playoffs in the respective divisions will advance to the MMHL Day of Champions at the end of March. Costs associated with these Championships will be paid by MMHL.

(f) Teams tied in total points at the end of the playoff schedule will have their standing determined as follows (in order) based on the logic that is inherent in the MMHL website:

**Pleasenote that only the playoff games/standings are included in playoff standings.
 

Note: the differential of “goals for” in a game will be limited to 5. E.g. if the score of a game is 10 – 1, it will be recorded on the website as 6 – 1. If it was 9 – 2, it will be recorded as 7 – 2. If it was 6 - 0, it will be recorded as 5 – 0, etc., etc.

The MMHL will ensure the playoff scores and standings are kept up to date for the benefit of all.

REGULATION 5:  OFFICIALS

(a) If less than two officials are available five minutes after the scheduled start time of the game the game will be postponed and rescheduled. Under no circumstances can scheduled league games be played with less than two officials. If during a game being officiated by two officials, one of those officials is injured and unable to continue, the game will be immediately stopped and deemed complete if two full periods have been completed.  If two full periods have not been completed the game shall be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety.

REGULATION 6:  CODE OF DISCIPLINE

(a) Any code of conduct issues with players, coaches, officials, fans, etc. are to be addressed directly with the Minor Hockey Association of the person lodging the complaint.

REGULATION 17:  PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

(a) Players and/or coaches not listed on the official Hockey Nova Scotia team registration will not be permitted to participate in League games or MMHL Championship Weekend.

(b) As per Hockey Nova Scotia Regulation 2.13 - to be eligible for MMHL Championship Weekend players must play 10 League or scheduled Exhibition/Tournament games with that team. All of the games to be considered eligible towards MMHL Championship Weekend will be at the discretion of the appropriate Regional Director.

REGULATION 8:  Non- CHECKING – ALL DIVISIONS

The MMHL is a NON-body-checking league as per Hockey Canada Rules.

REGULATION 9:   AMENDMENTS

(a) The regulations of the MMHL may be amended at any meeting of the MMHL, provided that notice of the intended amendment is circulated to all members 7 days prior to the meeting. A majority vote is required to amend a Regulation. A tie vote is not a majority and in the case of a tie, the motion is defeated.