In order to ensure that all the NGHL events are of the highest quality and have the same great features, it is important that each team participating adhere to the procedure listed below.

Approval and Registering:

• In order to compete in a tournament, teams must receive consent from NGHL Hockey.

NGHL Hockey is governed by the rules of USA Hockey, and it is the responsibility of each player, coach, and team manager to be familiar with these rules and ensure all participating players and coaches are registered with USA hockey for insurance purposes.

All rules outlined in this document pertain to every division of NGHL Hockey and shall be represented as NGHL Hockey within this document.
During this time of Covid 19, the rules of the State and the restrictions placed by the State and the Country will be followed. Such restrictions as the use of facemasks, social distancing, and rink capacity/spectator viewing guidelines will be enforced if in place at the current time, pursuant to the restrictions outlined by the State Governor at the time of the event. Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms will not be permitted entry. Teams or individuals who feel unwell or report signs of illness or fever will be asked to stay home. ** EACH PLAYER MUST SUPPLY HIS/HER OWN WATER / WATER BOTTLE.

Tournament Director
The tournament director shall be responsible for resolving all inquiries or disputes regarding off-ice rule application or interpretation, player eligibility, disciplinary action, and any other procedural disputes. He/she will not overturn any dispute concerning rules and/or the judgment applied by on-ice officials. All decisions of the tournament director are final.
**Note: The tournament director reserves the right to add to, amend, or remove any tournament procedure, policy or rule prior to the start of the tournament. **

1. 1. Verification that all participating teams are properly registered with USA Hockey or their country’s federation is required prior to the start of the tournament. A USA Hockey Official Team Roster Form (1-T) approved by the District or Associate Registrar or Hockey Canada Certified Player Roster approved by the governing Canadian federation is required for all participating teams and shall be proof that all participating teams are properly registered and all participants are playing in the appropriate age classification and level. Please note the following:
      1. All USA Hockey players must have a valid USA Hockey registration confirmation number for the current season that is verified on the approved USA Hockey Official Team Roster (1-T).
      2. All USA Hockey coaching staff and team personnel must have a valid USA Hockey registration confirmation number for the current season, a current/approved background screening, a current/approved USAH SafeSport certification, and current/valid Coaching certification at the level of play for the team they are coaching that is verified on the approved USA Hockey Official Team Roster (1-T).
      3. All non-USA Hockey players, coaching staff, and team personnel must meet similar requirements as listed above and be certified according to the country’s federation or governing body that is verified on the approved USA Hockey Official Team Roster (1-T) or Hockey Canada Certified Player Roster.
      4. Rosters submitted for NGHL Hockey waivers must match the team’s verified/approved USA Hockey Official Team Roster (1-T) or Hockey Canada Certified Player Roster.
   2. All team representatives (manager and/or coach) must check-in at the tournament facility at least one (1) hour before his/her team’s first scheduled game time.
   3. All teams must use the locker room assigned to them for each game.
      a. It is the team managers’/representatives' responsibility to ensure that the locker room is maintained and kept clean (no trash/tape /food or drink on the floor) prior to vacating the locker room after each game. The team manager/representative is responsible for all damage done to the locker room, equipment in the locker, or the facility.
      b. Each team/team manager is responsible for the safeguarding of all team items in the locker rooms. The facility and/or host organization assume no liability or responsibility for any theft or damage due to team negligence.
   4. All team representatives are responsible for checking for any schedule changes, suspensions, and other important information. 
   5. All teams must be ready to begin play up to fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of each game. The scorekeeper will begin a warm-up period when the Zamboni doors are closed. The warmup is allotted for a time of three (3) minutes.
   6. All teams may occupy the players' bench prior to the completion of the ice resurfacing. All players shall remain off the ice surface until the Zamboni doors have been completely closed and on-ice officials are present.
   7. Anyone on the players' bench must be listed on the team's tournament roster. All parents, visitors, and spectators are to remain away from the players' bench and penalty box areas.
   8. It is the responsibility of Team Manager to complete GameSheet prior to the start of the game.
      The scorekeeper will return the completed GameSheet after each game to the Rink Manager and report all discrepancies to the Tournament Director prior to leaving the facility.

1. Alcoholic products are prohibited outside of the common viewing area upstairs. Anyone abusing alcoholic products will be asked to leave.
2. Damages - Any person causing damage to the tournament facility will be fined commensurate with the damage and will be removed from the premises and/or suspended from all facility activities until the fine is paid in full. All persons are subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
3. NGHL Hockey supports the USA Hockey zero tolerance initiatives for verbal abuse of any player, official, parent, or spectator. The tournament director or rink staff reserves the right to remove any violator from the premises.
4. All on-ice officials are currently and completely registered and in good standing with USA Hockey and their respective State Association or the International lce Hockey Federation, (IIHF)or Hockey Canada.
5. Ambulance Service - To ensure the quickest response time, anyone may contact the EMT Services (911) in the event of an emergency. Any trips to the hospital using the transportation of an ambulance service or any other means that require payment of service fee is the responsibility of the transported.
6. Monitoring: It is the policy of USA Hockey that all teams have at least one responsible adult (head/assistant coach or other approved team personnel) directly monitoring the locker room during all tournament events to ensure that only participants (coaches and players), and other approved team personnel are permitted in the locker room to supervise the conduct in and around the locker rooms at all times while participants are present and also make sure the locker room is appropriately secured during times when minor participants are on the ice. All responsible adults serving as locker room monitors should be gender correct and the co-ed locker room policy must be followed. Monitors must be screened per USA Hockey screening standards and USA Hockey SafeSport certified. Unapproved, non-team personnel, including parents and family members, are discouraged from entering locker rooms unless it is necessary.
7. Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices: Per USA Hockey policy, cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras, and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room.

1. Verification that all participating teams are properly registered with USA Hockey or their country’s federation, is required prior to the start of the tournament. USA Hockey Official Team Roster Form (1-T) approved by the District or Associate Registrar, or Hockey Canada Certified Player Roster approved by the governing Canadian federation is required for all participating teams and shall be proof that all participating teams are properly registered, and all participants are playing in the appropriate age classification and level. Please note the following:
   • All USA Hockey players must have a valid USA Hockey registration confirmation number for the current season that is verified on the approved USA Hockey Official Team Roster (1-T). Teams may consist of a maximum of 20 players including 2 goalies. 
2. Rosters: Only players (including goaltenders) listed on the official tournament team roster may play in NGHL games. Players can only be rostered on one (1) team. Players cannot play for multiple teams in multiple divisions. Note that in the event of a player injury, or other urgent need (e.g. emergency goalie), substitute player eligibility will be determined and reviewed for approval on a case-by-case basis. Please note that NO players can be added to the roster at game time.  The NGHL uses GAMESHEET for rosters and scoring; jersey numbers must be included in advance of the event. 
3. Jerseys: Home teams shall wear light-colored jerseys and socks. Visitors will wear dark jerseys and socks. All jerseys must have a player number clearly displayed. 
4. Mouth Guards: All players in the tournament are required to wear colored, non-clear (Rule 304F) mouth guards (Squirt players excepted as per USA Hockey), or as per their Organization’s directive (per out-of-country teams).
5. Penalty/Box Attendant: Each team is responsible to provide its own penalty box monitor or attendant.
6. Game Lengths: Players should be ready to play 15 minutes before the posted start time of a game. Warm-up period: three (3) minutes. Red & Blue Division events for the 19U/16U/14U divisions will consist of three (3) 15-minute periods following stop time rules and be guaranteed 5 games per event. 19U Red Division games will have an ice cut after every 2 periods. Futures 12U & 10U divisions will play three (3) 12-minute periods, following stop time rules, and be guaranteed 4 games per event. 
7. NO TIMEOUTS will be allowed, except for SEMI-FINAL and FINALS games. Member vs Member games will get one (1) 30-second timeout.
8. Penalty Times will be as follows:
   1. Minor Penalty: 1.5 minutes (1 minute for 10U & 12U)
   2. Major Penalty: 4.0 minutes (3 minute for 10U & 12U)
   3. Misconduct: 10.0 minutes
   4. Game Misconduct: Ejection plus 1 game
   5. Second Game Misconduct: Ejection from event
   6. Fighting: Ejection from event

Referees will be allowed to forfeit the game of a team guilty of misconduct.  
No appeal shall be allowed from a referee's decision to eject a player from a game or from the event.
No appeal shall be allowed from any discretionary decision or call by a referee or linesman
A player is assessed a game misconduct after 4 penalties in the same game & a coach receives a game suspension when the team accumulates 12 penalties during the same game.

SCORING

• 3 points for a regulation win
• 2 points for a shootout win
• 1 point for a shootout loss, and 
• 0 points for a regulation loss.
• Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score.

1. Tie-Breakers - If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 3-person shootout will take place. The home team will decide who will shoot first. Designated shooters for both teams will alternate shots. If the score remains tied after 3 rounds, a sudden death shootout (one skater each team) shall continue until a winner is determined. Players may not shoot again until all other eligible players on their team have had a turn OR the opposing team has used all players. Players with time remaining on their penalty are not eligible for the shootout. Goalies are not eligible.
2. In a Championship Game, a 5-minute sudden death overtime will take place prior to the 3-person shootout. 10U, 12U & 14U teams will play 5v5 overtime, 16U & 19U teams will be 4v4. No ice make will occur during overtime or shootout.
3. The following tie-breaker formulas will be used to determine the order of finish (seeding) after bracket play in a tie-breaker situation:
   • Total Points
   • Head-To-Head (Only If 2 teams are tied)
   • Most Total Wins
   • Goal Differential – Goals For Minus Goals Against In All Games Note: In Each Game, The Goal Differential Will Be A Maximum Of (6) Regardless Of A Greater Goal Differential.
   • Fewest Goals Allowed For All Games
   • Most Goals Scored For All Games
   • Fewest Total Penalty Minutes In All Games Note: Game Misconducts Will Count As 10 Minutes.
   • Most Shutouts