OFFICIAL POLICY GUIDE

SECTION 1 DATES, DETAILS, DEADLINES

1-1 PAYMENT DEADLINE: 2006-2007 Winter Season and 2006 Summer Season

a. Winter Season: Each conference will have a designated night of play, including playoff games. Both the winter and summer seasons will consist of 17 games; one placement game and 16 regular season games. Each Conference will be made up of a maximum of 5 teams. Four of the five teams will reach the playoff round, which will be in a single elimination format. The Championship game will have a maximum of two, 15-minute overtime periods if needed, followed by a shootout if the game remains tied. Winter League games will begin in early October, with the playoffs commencing following the regular season. The fees for each season will be collected by team, with the total team cost being $7,200. The roster size is paid 15 players. Individual Player Registration Forms must be completed and signed by each player. For individuals not on a team, we will accept unassigned registrations; the cost for individual registration is $40 per season.

b. Individual Player Registration Form: This form acts as four forms in one. First, it is a release of liability for the league and other entities. Secondly, this form acts as a payment contract with individual players on each team. This form also includes database information and jersey information so that we can keep accurate stats for individual players for the season.
PLAYERS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY PHA EVENT WITHOUT COMPLETING THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER REGISTRATION FORM.

c. Payment Method: A team check paid in full is the ideal payment situation for us. A team check bundled with any credit card payments (Visa and MasterCard) is also a good payment method. Cash is also acceptable, but please do not mail. In order for a team to have a reserved place in the League, complete payment must be received by the League. It is the responsibility of the team representative to be sure all payments are made. Any team without a complete payment will not receive a guaranteed place in the League for the season. Please note that Individual Player Registration Forms, one for each player, must be submitted for by each team.

d. Payment Plan Option (PPO): Again this season, the PHA 10 month Payment Plan Option (PPO) will be in effect. The total amount paid over the 10 month period for the PPO will be the same as the individual league fees for the Winter and Summer seasons. Any player may sign up for this program. Basically, this allows a player to pay in 10 equal, monthly credit card installments for a combined Winter and Summer season. The total monthly charge will be $9.00, and will cover a player for one team in both the winter and summer seasons (assuming a full roster in both seasons). If a team wishes to play with more or less players on their team, the PPO payment will be adjusted accordingly. This program will only be available to those players playing both a Winter and Summer season, and all transactions will begin in October and end in July. If a player wishes to utilize the PPO but registers for the program after October 1, the first credit card charge will be cumulative to the nearest month, and all subsequent payments will be at the $9.00 rate, ending in July. There is a contract each individual must sign, and all the details are contained in the contract, available on our web site.

e. Individual Payments: Any individual player who is not on a roster of a PHA team may submit a completed Individual Player Registration Form and their payment of $40 for the season. Players will be assigned to teams following a tryout, and placement will be according to the date the Registration form was received.

f. Roster Openings/Incomplete Rosters: To guarantee a place in the League for the season, a complete team payment must be received by the PHA, totaling $7,200. Teams with less than a full roster should contact the PHA to request help in completing their roster from the unassigned players the PHA will assign to teams from tryouts and individual player registrations. However, COMPLETE PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED REGARDLESS OF ROSTER OPENINGS FOR A GUARANTEED PLACE IN THE LEAGUE FOR THE SEASON.

The PHA will conduct advertising and other methods of attracting individual players who may be assigned to teams to complete their rosters.

g. Summer Seasons: The Summer and Winter seasons are exactly the same, each consisting of 17 games plus playoffs.

1-2 ROSTER AND PLAYER ADDITIONS

a. Approval: the PHA has final approval of all player eligibility and the conference level of each team. (See Captain’s Responsibility Section 3-1) Once the rosters are set prior to the start of the season, any additions must be approved through the PHA. The PHA will get the opinions of our personnel and other captains, where appropriate. It is possible that the new player will have to go through a tryout prior to being declared eligible.

b. Final Additions: Rosters are set, and cannot be altered, after midnight of December 31, 2006. For the 2006 Summer Season, the date is July 1, 2006. The only exception will be for a goalkeeper who is injured or otherwise cannot play. The PHA will then find a substitute goalkeeper.

c. Substitute Players: Teams may add substitute players to the team roster only when the team is fully paid. Players that have not paid in full may not be added to rosters of teams that are less than fully paid. As noted in rule 1-1(f), teams are responsible for the full team payment amount of $7,200 regardless of the number of players on the team roster. Substitute players are also subject to all roster regulations as noted above in rules 1-2(a) and 1-2(b). An administrative fee of $25 must be paid before any substitute player is eligible to participate in any PHA activity.

1-3 PLAYOFFS

a. Team Eligibility: Four of the five teams in each conference are eligible for the playoffs.

b. Format: For both the Winter and Summer Seasons, a single elimination tournament will be held within each conference to determine a conference champion. Playoff games will be played on the same designated night as during the regular season.

c. Tie Breakers: In order to seed teams into the playoffs, the following tie breakers will be in effect:

             1. Head to Head
             2. Total Wins (season)
             3. Goal Differential (total season)
             4. Goal Differential (head to head)
             5. Least Penalty Minutes

d. Semi-Final Playoff Round: Seed 1 will play Seed 4 and Seed 2 will play Seed 3. If there is a tie in regulation, the game will go to a 5-minute running time period (last minute stop time) sudden death period. If the game remains tied after overtime, the winner will be determined by a shootout.

e. Shootout Format: Each team will designate 5 players on each roster to start the shoot out.
These five players on each team will alternate shots, with the lower seeded team going first. If no winner is established after the five-player round, each team will then pick one player at a time to participate (sudden death), but not a player that is from the original five-player list. This one-player round will continue until a team wins or each team has sent an additional five players. If the game remains tied, then the teams may begin selecting players one at a time, including those that have already participated, to shoot again. There must be a total of ten different shooters in this round before a player may participate in the shootout again.

f. Championship Game: The Championship game for each conference will have two, 15-minute overtime period if needed, followed by a shootout if the game remains tied. Please see shootout rules above.

g. Player Eligibility: Each player must participate in a minimum of seven (7) regular season games in order to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. Players that are listed as substitute players on team rosters are not eligible to participate in any playoff game, regardless of the number of regular season games in which they participated.

h. Trophies: Each Championship team will receive individual and team award while the runners-up will receive a team award.

1-4 STANDINGS AND STATISTICS

Standings: Updated standings will be accessible through the PHA Web site. Our address is:

www.playpha.com

b. Statistics. Current league standings are now available on our web site, and Top 25 Scorers and Top Goaltenders by conference are also available. As our program is jersey number driven, it is essential that each captain makes sure that his/her teammates are wearing the same designated number for each game, and that these names and numbers are listed accurately on each scoresheet. EACH PLAYER ON EACH TEAM MUST COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER REGISTRATION FORM IN ORDER FOR US TO KEEP ACCURATE INDIVIDUAL STATS.

c. Gamesheet/Stat Corrections: Captains or team representatives are encouraged to email corrections to the PHA. Please do not call in corrections, as often the scoresheet has not reached the office and the correction is not completed.

d. E-Mail: In addition to our previously mentioned Home Page, the PHA also has e-mail at:
pha@playpha.com

1-5 OFFICE HOURS

In general, the office is staffed from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday through Friday, and is sometmie open on Sundays as well. Additionally, you may e-mail us at the address above, and we answer our e-mail daily. Our fax number is 925-634-7429, and you can visit our Home Page at www.playpha.com
Each team must have a representative that is available by email, since most of the League information, updates and the like are distributed via email.

PACIFIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL POLICY GUIDE

SECTION 2 USA HOCKEY RULES AND AMENDMENTS

2-1 USA HOCKEY RULES

The Pacific Hockey Association follows the guidelines of USA Hockey. As such, we are bound by the USA Hockey Official Playing Rules. The PHA has made some very minor revisions, as noted below, which do not alter the safety of the game but rather address other issues.

2-1(a) RULE CHANGES

There are several USA Hockey rule changes that should be noted.

Rule 205(b) now requires the goalkeeper to be at the bench and out of the play before a player may replace him or her.
Rule 404(c) and 613 (d) has been changed regarding the third-man-in rule. However, PHA will keep the previous rule in place, which means a player receiving a third-man-in penalty will be ejected from the current game only, with no suspension.
Rule 404(e) eliminates the Gross Misconduct penalty, and changes such infractions to Match Penalties.
Rule 605(a) now applies the broken stick penalty to the goaltender.
Rule 609(e) and 612(b) now requires the goaltender to play the puck when not immediately pressured.
Rule 615 is a new rule regarding Head Checking, which is defined as deliberate contact to the head of an opponent.
Rule 625(k) does not now require a touch up for a player leaving the penalty bench and playing the puck.
Rule 637(e) requires a time out be called prior to the conclusion of the line change.
Rule 640(a) calls for a minor or major penalty be assessed for a body check in a non-checking league. A major penalty plus a game misconduct will be called if an injury results.

2-2 ROSTERS AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Please refer to section 1-2 for further information.

a. Rosters: To amend Rule 201(a), rosters may have up to a maximum of twenty two players and must have a minimum of fifteen, including goalkeepers.

b. Eligibility: Each player becomes eligible upon completion of the Individual Player Registration Form. Each player must be 18 years old by December 31, 2006.

c. Multiple Teams: Players, upon approval by the PHA and subject to all other rules, may be on the roster of more than one team in the PHA, but may not usually be on the roster of more than one team in any one conference. Some exceptions to this rule apply, and are determined on a case by case basis. Under no circumstances may players play on any team without being approved for that teams specific roster, and all players must first complete, sign and return the Individual Player Registration Form.

d. Suspensions: No player may participate in any PHA games while under suspension. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAPTAIN AND PLAYER TO SEE TO IT THAT ANY PLAYER WHO IS UNDER SUSPENSION DOES NOT PLAY. It is not the responsibility of the PHA to notify the captain or player of a suspension; all suspendable infractions are clearly set forth in the USA Hockey Official Playing Rules (linked to the PHA web page, see above. Often, the PHA will provide the captain with a courtesy email as a reminder of the suspension, but this is not a prerequisite of a suspension. The PHA will get involved with a captain regarding a suspension if there is more then one game involved. Please refer to Section 2-9 for further details.

e. Violations: Violation of the eligibility or suspension rule is deemed to be a VERY SERIOUS INFRACTION by the PHA. We must rely on the integrity of the players and captains in order to operate this league. Eligibility infractions have been on the rise recently, and while it is far from an epidemic, it is something that we will closely monitor in the coming seasons. Don’t put yourself and your team into a position where the League must punish your actions. If the PHA determines that these rules were knowingly violated, the captain or acting captain involved will be suspended for one game. There will be no appeals accepted for these types of suspensions. Additionally, the ineligible player will be suspended from their next PHA game if that player plays on another PHA team. Of course, all games that involve an ineligible player will be automatic forfeits, again without an appeal process.

2-3 EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS

a. Equipment: As set forth in the USA Hockey Official Playing Rules, each and every player must wear a full complement of equipment, including but not limited to skates, shin guards, hockey pants or girdle, protective cup or pelvic protector, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, helmet with chin strap, and at least a H.E.C.C. approved half face shield. Players are encouraged to wear a full H.E.C.C. approved face shield. All Conference C and above players may play without a face shield, but this practice is not recommended. The helmet must be a hockey helmet, and should be H.E.C.C. approved as well. The Jofa “Gretzky” model helmet is not a hockey helmet and is not allowed. Painted helmets are also not allowed, as the paint weakens the plastic in the helmet itself.

b. Uniforms: Color coordination required for jerseys and socks only. Jerseys should have a team emblem or PHA logo, which may be silk screened, and must also have a number unique to that team. Names are not required on the jerseys, but are recommended. The reason we insist on numbers is to aid in scorekeeping and in compiling the stats. Each player on a team must be assigned one number and one number only; we simply cannot accurately compile the stats for 500 players if each player wears a different number each game. For both the Winter and Summer Seasons, each team must have a set of home and away jerseys and socks. The predominant color of the socks should match the predominant color of the jersey. Solid color sweat pants are acceptable, as long as the color matches the jersey.

c. Equipment Violations: No player will be allowed to play without a full complement of equipment. There is a serious liability issue in allowing players with less than full equipment to participate in a game. Please do not put the referees and the PHA into the position of having to remove a player from the game for an equipment violation that could have been rectified earlier. Teams are encouraged to bring some extra equipment to each game so that players forgetting
some piece of equipment may still participate.

2-4 GOALKEEPER EQUIPMENT

a. Equipment: As set forth in the USA Hockey Official Playing Rules, all goalkeepers must wear a full complement of equipment.

b. Form Fitted Face Masks: All goalkeepers may wear a H.E.C.C. approved form fitted face mask. All form fitted face masks must have a back skull plate.

2-5 PRE-GAME LINEUP

To amend rule 203(a), a list of names and numbers of all participating players must be submitted to the scorekeeper before each game. Additions may be made at any time a player arrives, and is so noted on the scoresheet. Only those players participating in the game may be included on the lineup portion of the scoresheet. If a player was included in the lineup but is not participating, that player must be deleted from the lineup as indicated by the captain. Again, the PHA will be unable to process the scoresheet for stats if the names and numbers of the players are not present.

2-6 ICING AND OFFSIDE PASSES

a. Icing: To amend rule 620(a), icing will commence from the teams own defensive blue line rather than the center red line. All other items in Rule 620 shall apply.

b. Offside Passes: To amend Rule 627(a), there will be no stoppage of play for any type of offside (two line) pass.

2-7 OVERTIME/TIED GAMES

a. Tied Games: To amend Rule 638(a), should a regular season game be tied at the end of regulation play, there is the possibility of overtime if there is enough time remaining in the allotted game time rental (1 hour, 15 minutes).

b. Overtime: If time permits, one 5-minute overtime period will be played. There will be a running clock for this time, with the exception of the last minute of play. If the game remains tied after this overtime, the game will be declared a tied game. No timeouts will be allowed.

c. Points: Each team participating in an overtime game will be credited with at least a tie and receive at least one point in the standings. Should one team win in overtime, they will be credited with a win and receive two points in the standings.

d. Determination: It will be the final determination of the referees and scorekeeper as to whether or not sufficient time remains to play overtime. Their decision in this matter is final.

2-8 RUNNING TIME

a. During Regular Games: Occasionally, there are times when a game must go to running time in order to finish the game within the allotted ice rental.

b. Overtime: All overtime is a running time session, with the exception of the last minute of overtime, which will be stopped time.

c. Penalties: All penalties called during running time will be of three minutes duration, starting upon the dropping of the puck for the ensuing faceoff. If a penalty expires during a stoppage of play, the player must wait until the puck is dropped before exiting the penalty box.

d. Time outs: no time-outs may be called during any running time situation, including the last minute when stopped time resumes.

2-9 SUSPENSIONS

a. Major Penalties: Please note Rule 403. Most major penalties do not automatically result in a game misconduct (although many major penalties may result in a game misconduct, at the discretion of the referee). However, if a player receives two major penalties in one game, there is an automatic 2 game suspension.

b. Game Misconduct: A game misconduct penalty carries with it an automatic one game suspension. In addition, each additional game misconduct penalty received by the same player during the same season shall have the suspension increased by one game.

c. 3 Penalty Rule: Rule 404(5) is amended regarding the 5 penalty rule. Any player who incurs three (3) penalties in the same game shall be immediately ejected from the game with no further suspension. This includes all types of penalties, including misconducts, majors and minor penalties. Also, the Disqualification Penalty does not carry any suspension for the following game.

c(1): Multiple 3 Penalty Infractions: Should a player receive a second 3-penalty disqualification during the same season, that player will be suspended for 3 subsequent games. Should a player received a third 3-penalty disqualification during the same season, that player will be suspended for 8 games. Please note that a player that has a third 3-penalty disqualification cannot be eligible for any playoff games, since it would not be possible to satisfy the 7 regular season game minimum (please see 1-3(g))

d. Third Man In: Please amend Rule 613(4). If a player is given a game misconduct under rule 613(4), there is no additional suspension imposed beyond a game ejection.

e. Match Penalty: To amend Rule 405(3), a Match Penalty will carry a minimum suspension of 5 games, with a maximum of 10 games. Unless instructed otherwise by the PHA, the 5 game suspension should be considered the final suspension assessment.

f. Gross Misconduct: The Gross Misconduct penalty has been removed.

g. Cumulative Penalty Minutes (PIM) Suspension: In addition to the USA list of suspensions, the PHA will institute a cumulative PIM suspension. A one game suspension will occur in the game following a game where one player reaches 40 PIM in one season, a 3 game suspension will occur in the games following a game where one player reaches 50 PIM in one season, and an one year suspension will occur following a game where a player reaches 75 PIM in one season.

For purposes of this rule, all minor and major penalties will add the actual PIM to the cumulative total. A misconduct penalty, a game misconduct, and a match penalty will all result in 10 minutes of PIM being added to the cumulative penalty minutes total.

h. Appeals: All appeals must be submitted in writing to the PHA and will be considered by the proper authorities. Changes to the above stated rules or previous decisions of the proper authorities shall be made only if it can be proven that a mistake as to fact or reasonableness was made.

i. Referee Evaluations: The referee evaluations may be completed from the IHONC web site, which is linked to the PHA web site. From the PHA web site’s front page, the link to the referee evaluation page can be found toward the bottom of the left column. This information is collected by IHONC, the referee association, and the information is stored and tabulated in their computer. The software being used by IHONC will allow all the information to be presented in a format that will facilitate proper evaluation of individual referees and point to corrective measures that might be needed either individually or as a group.

2-10 PROTESTS

a. Player Eligibility: All protests regarding player eligibility must be made to the referee prior to the start of the game or while the game is in progress. The referee will note the protest on the scoresheet, ask the player in question his name and write that name on the scoresheet as well. The ultimate decision regarding player eligibility rests with the PHA. Please refer to section 2-2.

b. Rule Interpretation: Teams may protest the interpretation of any rule by the referee but not the judgment of the referee. A protest must be made to the referee prior to the commencement of play following the protested action. Protests must be submitted in writing to the PHA.

c. Rulings: The PHA will rule on the viability of all submitted protests in a timely fashion. If a protest is upheld, the results of the game will not change (due to the logistics involved in renting ice). However, all the information included in the protest will be submitted to IHONC, the referee association, for evaluation of the referee in question.

PACIFIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL POLICY GUIDE

SECTION 3 PHA POLICIES

3-1 TEAM CAPTAIN/GENERAL MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Communication: the Captain is the main source of League information for most of the players in the PHA, and as such we rely heavily on the Captains for dissemination of this information.

The PHA will relieve some of the burden of the Captain by dealing directly with the players in a number of ways, the most important being the PHA Web site. Our Web site at www.playpha.com gives all current and potential PHA participants access to important League information. Finally, we have e-mail at pha@playpha.com .

It is vital that each player is registered with the PHA using the Individual Player Registration Form. The PHA uses this rosters to establish team ability and, ultimately, Conference level. The League cannot make a schedule without the Conferences being complete. No player may participate in any PHA event without completing, signing and returning the Individual Player Registration Form.

b. Rule Knowledge: It is very important that the Captains have a complete understanding of the Rules to avoid gameday problems. As an example, this guide points out several ways teams may avoid problems with equipment (bring a “team bag” with extras) and with jerseys and socks (purchase a few extras). Additionally, the captains may be very helpful in allowing us to accurately tabulate league statistics by keeping all players in their own numbered jerseys throughout the season. A good working knowledge of this Policy Guide will be very helpful to both the team and the league. The complete USA Hockey Official Playing Rules are linked to the PHA Web site; in the left column, go down to the Hockey Links section and click on USA Hockey Rules.

c. Dates & Deadlines: One of the most important items on a Captains/General Managers agenda should be League deadlines for such things as the team payment and the like. We do not make arbitrary dates; deadlines are established in order that we may conduct our business in an orderly and efficient manner. Team Payment due dates are noted on the Season Details and Season Highlights section of the PHA website prior to each season.

d. Rosters and Payments: Yet another crucial task faced by the team officials is collecting payment and the Individual Player Registration Form from each player. While it is the ultimate responsibility of the teams and team officials to get qualified players and remit payments on time in order to guarantee a place in the League for the season, the PHA will help fill an incomplete roster on a case-by-case basis when requested to do so. Note, however, that the PHA will only endeavor to help teams that tell us they are in need of a player or two to complete their roster. In this way, we can work on your situation as we are getting inquiries from individual players wishing to play in the League.

e. Sponsors: The PHA encourages each team to attempt to secure a team sponsor, even if the sponsorship is for only a partial team cost or team jerseys. The PHA will work with sponsors to incorporate the name in the standings and on the web site.

f. Input and Enjoyment: The PHA understands the responsibility each team official shoulders and we will try to help make the job of a captain or general manager as enjoyable as possible. We encourage input from the captains regarding all facets of the League operation and we want the captains to have a voice in the alignment of the conferences. We have completely upgraded the operation of the League based on the suggestions and wishes of the team captains. We believe these changes will help make the job of being a team captain more enjoyable.

3-2 Rink Policies

a. Deportment: Needless to say, the PHA expects each player to conduct themselves in an adult-like manner at every rink and at every PHA sponsored event. The rinks with which we do business demand proper behavior at all times, and anyone unable to control their deportment will not be allowed further access to the PHA or the rinks. This includes all behavior, both on and off the ice, from the minute you enter the rink to the time you leave. This also includes the parking lot in and around the rink. It should be noted that all rules governing the game of hockey also apply to any off-ice actions. Any players being found to have violated these rules off the ice, such as, but not limited to, fighting in the parking lot, will be issued a match penalty under the USA rule 601.7(c): Behaving in any manner which is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game of hockey. All Match Penalties given out under this rule will carry a minimum 1 year suspension. In addition, all Match Penalties are reported to all Leagues using the IHONC referee association, with the agreement that all Leagues will honor such suspensions.

b. Dressing: All rinks require players to change in designated dressing rooms. We cannot condone having players dress (or more to the point, undress) in the lobby of any rink. Please abide by this rule and use the dressing rooms provided.

c. Cleanliness: Simply put, please pick up after yourselves on the bench (water bottles, broken sticks, etc.) and in the dressing rooms. Throw used tape and other garbage in the trash bins provided. You might not think so, but the rinks are very conscience of the housekeeping problems generated by certain teams, and they will contact the League if there are continued problems. The ice contracts we have with the rinks provide certain housekeeping standards, and these must be met if we are to continue our relationship with the rinks. Both rinks, San Mateo and Vallco, have undergone recent extensive, and expensive, renovations, including improved ice surface lighting, locker room upgrades, general repairs, etc. Please respect the facilities in which we play.

3-3 REFUNDS

a. General Statement: As previously noted in Section 3-1(c), we establish payment deadlines so that we may contract for the best ice available and ensure that we have enough ice times to cover all the teams properly. Individuals who make deposits or full payments expect ice on which to play their games, and we contract for such ice based upon the number of teams and players participating. While the PHA understands circumstances arise that puts the player in a position to ask for a refund, the player must understand the PHA has taken actions with that player in mind that cannot suddenly be reversed. Of course, this is magnified when referring to a team.

b. Obligation: The PHA is under no obligation to refund either the deposit or full payment of an individual or team. The PHA will endeavor, in good faith, to fill the vacated position resulting from the individual or team dropping out. We cannot, however, promise that we will be able to fill the vacancy.

c. Filling Vacancies: If the PHA is able to fill the vacancy, the refund due will be pro-rated based upon the number of games the NEW player will play, not on the number of games the player leaving has missed. If the PHA is unable to find a replacement, no refund will be due.