Napanee 4v4 League Rules 
2024

Welcome to our annual Napanee 4v4 Spring League.  Our program is designed for players to enjoy playing hockey with friends & teammates in a safe, friendly, and exciting spring league. Our league has zero tolerance for harassment of players, coaches, referees, parents, and league administration.  

TEAM COMPOSITION:

• A team must have dressed a minimum of four (4) skaters from their roster and one goaltender or the game will be deemed an automatic forfeit.
• If a team has seven (7) or less skaters, the team may borrow players from another team or teams in the same division, or from one division below, bringing their total number of skaters to NO MORE THAN eight (8).
• The use of players from a higher division is NOT PERMITTED and will be deemed an automatic forfeit, as well as removal of the Coach from the league.
• In the event of an absent goaltender, a team may use any one of the following to avoid an automatic forfeit:
  • A player from the team
  • A goaltender or player from another team in the same division
  • A goaltender from one division below
  • Replacement goaltenders from higher divisions, while acceptable for the game to played, will result in an automatic forfeit.
• If a goaltender is injured during a game and a replacement cannot be found, the team will play with one additional skater on the ice.
  • In such instances, players are not permitted to stand in the goaltender’s crease to stop shots.
  • NOTE: goaltender equipment regulations must always be adhered to
  • NOTE: Replacement goaltenders from two or more division below is not permitted.
• Only a team’s assigned Coach, Trainer, and players are permitted on the bench. The following may also occupy the bench:
  • A Coach or Trainer from within the league who has been asked to fill in for absent Coaches or Trainers may occupy the bench.
  • Parents of players on the team who have been invited by the Coach to assist as door openers.
• Every adult on the bench must have a valid PRS number, received through participation in a Speak Out Clinic.

GAME FORMAT:

• 50-minute running time clock that starts at the scheduled game time.
• The 50 minutes INCLUDES:
  • 2-3 minute warm up (ended at the discretion of the referee by his/her whistle)
  • shaking of hands BEFORE the start of the game
  • one-minute break during a stoppage in play at around the 22-minute mark
  • Teams DO NOT switch ends at half time.
• The clock will stop only if:
  • There is an injury during the last two minutes of the game AND the score is within 2 goals; and,
  • in the last minute AND the score is within 1 goal
  • NOTE: If necessary, the Scorer/Timer may increase or decrease the 50-minute running time to keep the day on schedule.

   

PLAYING RULES

• All players and goaltenders must be in full equipment, including, but not limited to:
  • CSA approved hockey helmet and full facial protector;
  • Mouthguard;
  • BNQ approved neck guard;
  • Lexan throat protector (goaltenders only)
• Icing will not be called
• Body checking is not permitted in any division of RELM 4v4
• 3 Line Rule (u11 and up only)
  • If score differential is 5 or more in second half of any game, a player may not carry the puck over 3 lines;
  • Play will be stopped, and ensuing faceoff will take place in the offending teams end zone
• U7 & U8 divisions will utilize the 2-minute buzzer for changes and the play will start with a face-off at the nearest dot to the puck at the time of the buzzer. 

PENALTIES:

• When a team is assessed a time penalty, that team will play 4 on 3
• should the same team be assessed a subsequent time penalty during 4 on 3, the non-offending team shall add one player and play 5 on 3.
  • If during 5 on 3, there are no stoppages in play and both penalties expire, teams will continue to play 5 on 5 until the next stoppage, wherein play will return to 4 on 4.
• If coincidental penalties are assessed, teams shall remain at full strength. Players will return after the next stoppage in play following the expiration of the penalties.

Game Ejections

• Any player who receives 3 penalties of any kind will be removed from the game.

Match Penalties

• If a player is assessed a Match Penalty, it will result in their immediate suspension and the on-ice officials shall report the infraction to the League President within 24hrs of the completion of the game.

Gross Misconducts

• If a player is assessed a Gross Misconduct, it will result in their immediate suspension and the on-ice officials shall report the infraction to the League President within 24hrs of the completion of the game.

Supplementary Discipline

• Should a Match Penalty or Gross Misconduct be assessed to any player, a decision regarding disciplinary sanctions shall be made by the League President in consultation with the League Officiating Advisor and RELM Owner.

PROTESTS:

• Protests must be submitted in writing to the League President within 48 hours of the completion of the game.
• Protests regarding judgement calls of on-ice officials will not be entertained.

STANDINGS:

• Regular season standings will determine the draw for Championship Weekend.
• Tie Breaking procedure, in order:
  • Points
  • Head-to-Head record of tied teams
  • Most wins Goal differential ratio (GF/(GF+GA))
  • Least penalty minutes
  • Coin Flip

TEAM BALANCING:

• Will be considered after week 3 by direction of the League President

CONTACT INFORMATION

RELM Owner
Ryan Thompson
[email protected]

League President
Ryan Seymour
[email protected]

Officiating Advisor
Shane Wannamaker
[email protected]