By-Law 1 – Duties of Executive & Board of Directors
1.01 Duties of the President
a) The President shall have the duty of presiding over all meetings of the League.
b) The President may represent any or all of the Executive and Board of Directors on any occasion and will be responsible to his Executive and Board of Directors for the same. In absence of the President, or at his request, the Vice President shall have the powers of the President in every respect.
c) To call special meetings as deemed necessary or at the request of any of four (4) League Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations received in writing.
d) To deal with and rule on all protests and/or suspensions and provide reports to the SHA General Manager and SHA Chairperson Female regarding the details of those protests and/or suspensions.
e) In consultation with the Executive Committee, appoint a Commissioner for each of the Divisions within the League.
1.02 Duties of the Past President
a) It shall be the duty of the Past President to advise the new President, Executive Committee and Board of Directors on League matters.
1.03 Duties of the Vice President
a) The Vice President will assume duties in various areas of the League Structure which may include any of the following:
i) Statistics
ii) Website
iii) Registration
iv) Budget
v) Constitution and Bylaws
vi) Schedule Preparation
1.04 Duties of the Secretary
a) It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
i) Record all minutes of League meetings and attend to all correspondence of the League.
ii) Distribute notices to member clubs and Executive Committee members of all meetings when directed by the President.
iii) Update and maintain the League’s Constitution and Bylaws.
1.05 Duties of the Treasurer
a) It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
i) Receive all monies of the NSFHL and deposit same to the credit of the NSFHL.
ii) Pay all accounts as authorized by the Board of Directors.
iii) Maintain an accounting system detailing all receipts and expenditures.
iv) Collect all membership fees and monies due to the NSFHL.
v) Co-sign all cheques with the President.
vi) Have all financial records subject to inspection of the President at all times and shall produce them at the request of the Executive Committee.
vii) Have all financial records prepared for review by an auditor.
1.06 Duties of the Referee-in-Chief (RIC)
a) It shall be the duty of the RIC to:
i) Be responsible to the President; however the RIC is governed by the Rules and Regulations of Hockey Canada and the SHA.
ii) Coordinate or delegate assignors for all league games and such games as exhibition/tournaments. To cooperate with the SHA in the assigning of officials for League playoff games.
iii) Coordinate or delegate supervisors for league games as deemed necessary.
iv) Assist the President in a consultative process of determining the facts to a particular incident(s) that might require a League ruling, ie: coach, manager or player suspension.
v) Formulate and communicate official’s reports to and from respective individuals and the League.
vi) Report to all meetings the concerns of officials and to relay concerns of the league back to officials.
1.07 Duties of Division Commissionaires
a) To deal with the business of a minor nature that does not require the decision of the Executive Committee between meetings of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee.
b) To serve as a liaison between teams and the Board of Directors.
By-Law 2 – Banking
2.01 The NSFHL shall maintain it accounts in a Chartered Bank, Credit Union and/or Trust Company.
2.02 All withdrawals or cheques shall require the signature of the President and Treasurer.
2.03 The Treasurer shall submit an audited financial statement at the Leagues Annual Meeting. The Auditor shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.
By-Law 3 – Cost of Membership
3.01 Performance Bond
a) A performance bond of $________ shall be posted by all participating teams by the Annual Meeting of the current season.
b) A performance bond shall be forfeit if a team fails to appear for a league game without the Presidents consent. The bond shall be forwarded to the non-offending team as compensation for the loss of game and expenses, less $100.00 for league administration costs. The offending team shall not be reinstated until the bond has been resubmitted to the NSFHL.
c) In addition to the loss of the bond, the team that fails to attend a league game as set for in paragraph b) herein, the offending team shall be fined an amount equal to the travel costs it saved by not appearing for the game. The offending team will not be reinstated until the fine has been submitted to the NSFHL.
d) That any team that fails to complete a game after it has started is subject to the loss of its performance bond, after a review of the circumstances by the league.
e) That the league retains the team’s performance bond. The teams will pay the league and outstanding amounts required to bring the performance bond up to the correct amount established by the league, by the Annual Meeting of the current season.
3.02 Application for Membership
a) Application for Membership must be in writing and received by the NSFHL Secretary thirty (30) days prior to the NSFHL Annual Meeting (to be held by June 15th annually). The application must include payment for the membership fee and the performance bond.
b) The NSFHL membership will consider the application at the Annual Meeting and membership shall take effect upon the election of the applicant by a majority vote of the League Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations.
3.03 Membership Fee
a) The yearly membership fee shall be determined annually by the Annual Meeting.
By-Law 4 – Probation/Withdrawal from the League
4.01 Probation
a) All Member Minor/Female Hockey Association teams in the NSFHL shall be on a probationary period for one year following which an evaluation will be completed and a vote taken to determine full member status in the league.
4.02 Withdrawal from the League
a) That any Member Minor/Female Hockey Association that withdraws a team(s) from the League after the final league schedule has been completed and causes extra expenses to the Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations in the league will be charged with such expenses. Those extra expenses might include, but are not limited to, expenses paid to teams affected by such withdrawal, rescheduling costs, special meeting costs or any additional costs related to the withdrawal, may exceed the $1,000.00 teams performance bond. Should the Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations that withdrew wish to reenter the league in some future season, than in addition to double the performance bond, the Minor Association would be required to pay those expenses before being accepted back into the league.
b) Any member of the League may withdraw from membership with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the League. The member must file a notice of withdrawal by April 1st and if accepted by the League members, will become effective as of the Annual Meeting.
c) Any member of the League may apply for a maximum of a one (1) year leave of absence with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the League. The member must file a notice of withdrawal by April 1st and if accepted by the League members, will become effective as of the Annual Meeting.
d) Any Minor/Female Hockey Association on a leave of absence shall not have voting privileges at League meetings.
By-Law 5 – League Meetings
5.01 League Meetings
a) The NSFHL shall hold two meetings per year to be held in a central location or a location of the President’s choice.
5.02 Missing League Meetings
a) Fines of $100.00 shall be levied against teams that do not attend league meetings.
By-Law 6 – Registration
6.01 Membership
a) The NSFHL shall consist of four “divisions”
i) Midget A
ii) Midget B/C
iii) Bantam
iv) Pee Wee
b) If a Minor/Female Hockey Association “Tiers” their teams within the Midget age division, the top tiered team(s) must play in the “A” division and the second tiered team(s) must register in the “B/C” division.
c) The NSFHL Executive has the authority to move a team from the Midget “A” to the Midget “B” or from the Midget “B” to the Midget “A” division at the midpoint of the League Schedule if a team is deemed to be too strong or too weak for the respective division.
6.02 Team Sweaters
a) Teams must have two sets of sweaters (Light and Dark) to be worn as follows:
i) Home team will wear light sweaters.
ii) Visitors will wear dark sweaters.
iii) Sweater numbers shall be the same for the home and away sweaters.
iv) Teams requesting name or sweater color changes must have all such changes approved by the League prior to said changes being permitted.
6.03 Registration/Eligibility of Players
a) Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations must fax/email in SHA approved team rosters to the League Secretary PRIOR to the first League game being played. Failure to abide by this bylaw will result in a fine of $25.00 being assessed to the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association. (If the SHA has not returned an approved roster prior to the first game a copy of the roster must be faxed/emailed and an approved SHA team roster forwarded when it is received from the SHA). All additions and deletions to rosters approved by the SHA deadlines of January 10th and February 10th must be faxed/emailed to the League Secretary.
a) No player shall be permitted to participate in a League game unless she is properly registered through the SHA as a registered player or affiliated player. If a member team allows an ineligible player to play in a game, such game, upon ruling by the President, shall be counted as a win for the opposing member team and the coach of the member team who played the ineligible player, shall be suspended for a length determined by the President.
By-Law 7 – Scheduling
7.01 League Format
a) The NSFHL Board of Directors shall determine the schedule at a Scheduling Meeting held annually in September.
b) Each Member Minor/Female Hockey Association must submit a minimum of twenty (20) and up to twenty-four (24) weekend and weekday dates with appropriate ice times to the scheduling meeting for each of their teams. Failure to provide ice time will result in forfeiture of the League Bond and membership in the NSFHL.
c) League play will commence October 20 and be completed by February 16. All games missed prior to December 15 must be rescheduled and completed by December 30 and all games missed in the period of December 15 to February 16 must be rescheduled and completed by February 22.
d) All Divisions of the NSFHL will play a minimum of twelve (12) games and the maximum amount will be determined annually at the League Scheduling meeting.
7.02 Exhibition and Tournament Play
a) There shall be no alterations to the league schedule permitted for the purpose of attending exhibition games or tournaments after the schedule is finalized. A fee of $200.00 will be charged for any approved changes.
7.03 SHA Sask First Under 18 Provincial Team/Sask First Program
a) The NSFHL schedule will be set in conjunction with the SHA Sask First Under 18 Provincial team and Sask First Female Program in order to avoid conflicts.
7.04 Scheduling
a) Weekend play
i) If possible, NSFHL shall schedule games primarily on weekends to avoid excessive travel mid week, unless two teams agree to a midweek scheduled game.
ii) That no Sunday games begin after 3:00 pm. The exception would be the acceptance of the visiting team to accept a later start time and the Board of Directors have accepted it within the league schedule.
b) NSFHL teams will not be required to play NSFHL League or Playoff games within twenty four (24) hours of provincial games.
7.05 Cancellation of Games
a) Except in the event of adverse weather or misadventure, the defaulting team will forfeit the points for the game on notice of less than 48 hours and will be fined $500.00 to be paid to the league in trust and forwarded to the other team involved. This rule applies to both scheduled league and playoff games. The fine is to be paid within 48 hours of the date of the forfeited game and no further play is to be commenced until such payment has been received by an officer.
b) In the event of adverse weather or misadventure, the game will be cancelled and the following procedure is to take place:
i) Traveling team to phone home team immediately to inform them of the situation.
ii) Home team immediately informs the Referee-in-Chief, President and Vice President in charge of statistics.
iii) The game will be rescheduled at a mutually agreed upon time and date and approved by the President.
7.06 Tie Breaking Procedure
a) The NSFHL will apply the SHA Tie-Breaking Regulation 3.09.01 for the determination of the playoff spots following the regular season’s league play.
By-Law 8 – Playoffs
8.01 Playoff Format
a) All teams in the NSFHL shall participate in the league playoffs. The Playoff Format will be reviewed annually at the Leagues Annual Meeting.
b) The Playoff Dates will be determined at the League scheduling meeting.
c) Each playoff series shall consist of two (2) games, total goals to count. Both dates must be set before the start of the series. No overtime shall be played in the first game. If at the end of the second game the teams are tied in total goals for the round, the overtime procedure (as per Rule 10.16 of the Hockey Canada Official Hockey Rules) will prevail. It is recommended that in the scheduling of a two game total goal series, that a period of forty eight (48) hours be allowed between the two (2) games.
d) The team finishing League play in the higher position shall have the choice of playing the first playoff game at home. The League final will be a best of three (3) series with the team finishing League play in the higher position receiving the extra home game.
e) Teams must complete their Playoff series in the time frame allotted and they must advised to Commissioner of their Division with the agreed upon times, dates and locations forty eight (48) hours prior to the start time of the first game.
f) Teams who wish to extend the time frame allotted to complete their series must first receive permission from the Division Commissioner. Failure to gain permission and playing games will result in a $100.00 fine to the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association responsible.
g) NSFHL players must play in 1/3 of their Teams League games to be able to play in the NSFHL playoffs. Injured players with a doctor’s certificate would not have the team games played while injured count in their total number of League games. Games would not count when the doctor’s certificate is registered with the League.
By-Law 9 – Conduct of Game
9.01 Game Warm-ups
a) Each team will be allowed a five (5) minute warm-up.
b) Each home team is responsible to supply pucks for the warm-up.
c) Each team shall confine itself to its respective side of the centre ice red line during the warm-up, and any player, coach or team official who instigates any incident by crossing the centre ice red line, or creates an incident by verbal abuse, shall be subject to league discipline, which can include fines and suspensions.
9.02 Game Timing
a) The format for the timing of periods will be as follows:
i) Games must be two (2) hours long.
ii) Periods should consist of three (3) twenty (20) minute stop time periods with a minimum of one (1) ice cleaning every two (2) periods.
iii) In cases where there is a specified block of time booked for the game (see 9.02 a) i) as the minimum), at the start of the third period the required time will be placed on the game clock. If during the third period there is less than five (5) minutes remaining in the allotted ice time and there is more than two (2) minutes remaining on the game clock, the timekeeper will notify the referee during the first stoppage in play and the game clock will be adjusted down to two (2) minutes of stop time. The arena clock shall be deemed the official clock for the purpose of determining the end of the allocated ice time.
9.03 Playing Regulations
a) All NSFHL games shall be played in accordance with Hockey Canada and SHA playing rules.
9.04 Shaking of Hands
a) Teams shall shake hands upon the completion of each NSFHL game.
9.05 Time-Outs
a) Each team shall be permitted one thirty (30) second time out during the course of each game.
9.06 Off-Ice Officials
a) The Home teams shall be responsible for the assignment of a timekeeper and scorekeeper and these positions must be filled by adults.
9.07 Game Sheets
a) Home teams must submit game sheets and reports to the League Statistician within twenty-four (24) hours of each game being completed.
b) Teams failing to comply within the stated time shall be subject to a $50.00 fine.
By-Law 10 – Referees
10.01 Assigning of Officials
a) All Member Hockey/Female Hockey Associations must provide the name of the Referee assignor in their Association to the Leagues Referee-in-Chief.
b) The home Member Minor/Female Hockey Association shall assign and pay the cost of the referee and two linesman.
c) All NSFL games must be scheduled with a three (3) person referee system.
d) The NSFHL Referee-in-Chief will ensure that there is the assignment of neutral officials for all League Semi-Final and Final playoff games.
e) At the request of a team, the SSMHL Referee-in-Chief shall assign neutral officials for a League or League Playoff game however the following will apply:
i) Request must be made seventy-two (72) hours prior to the start of the game or playoff series and in the event of a playoff series, if the request is made; neutral officials are used for all games.
ii) Team making the request for the neutral official(s) is responsible for all referee fees and travel mileage.
iii) Upon receiving a request for the assignment of a neutral official(s), the Referee-in-Chief will advise the “other” team.
iv) A “neutral” official shall be deemed an individual(s) who have no personal relationship with any individuals associated with the teams participating in the game or series.
f) All fees paid to officials will be determined by the Member Minor Hockey Association hosting a game.
10.02 Protection for Referees and League Officials
a) Each Member Hockey/Female Hockey Association shall provide at its rink a separate dressing room for the exclusive use of the referees and other League Officials and shall take all steps necessary to ensure that no other person without the permission of the referee, gains access to such dressing rooms.
b) No official or player of a member team shall enter such dressing room, except with the permission of the referee.
By-Law 11 – Suspensions
11.01 The SHA Minimum Suspension Guideline, Regulation 3.07.02, will be enforced. These are minimum suspensions and additional suspensions may be imposed wherever conditions and circumstances are warranted.
11.02 The Executive Member assigned to be in charge of issuing Suspensions will notify the Manager of the team involved and copy the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association of the team involved of any suspensions arising from infractions occurring during League Games. Managers and Coaches are reminded that any player or team official assessed a “match” penalty cannot participate in any further games until notified by the Executive Member in charge of suspensions.
By-Law 12 – Action Detrimental to the League
12.01 If, in the opinion of the President, based upon such information and reports as he may deem sufficient, any act or conduct of any official of a Member team or player, whether during or outside the playing season, has been dishonorable, including the use of racial epithets or racist acts, prejudice to or against the welfare of the NSFHL or the game of hockey, he may expel or suspend such person.
12.02 Prior to any expulsion or suspension, a player or member team has the right to submit a written report of the incident which may involve an expulsion or suspension as long as the report is received by the League President via electronic message no later than noon of the day following the incident in question.
By-Law 13 – Harassment Policy
13.01 The purpose of a Harassment Policy is to ensure the NSFHL and its member teams take reasonable steps to ensure that the care of all individuals involved in the operation of the League are addressed. This includes players, coaches, trainers, management, volunteers, billets, and league and game officials.
13.02 The NSFHL will not tolerate abuse of any nature (sexual, emotional, verbal or physical) to any player, coach, trainer, management, volunteers, billets, and league and game officials. The NSFHL requests that all Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations, who have a team as a member of this league provide documentation that indicates they are satisfied that the staff and volunteers associated with their team have an acceptable background for their position of trust.
13.03 Reports of harassment provided to the Executive of the NSFHL will be directed to the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association governing the team in question and/or the appropriate government agency for investigation and action.
By-Law 14 – Protests
14.01 Protests and all evidence in support thereof, must be in duplicate and signed by the President of the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association of the protesting team along with the Manager of the team. Protests and evidence in support thereof, must be in the hands of the League President within twenty-four (24) hours of the advertised time of the game and must be accompanied by a deposit of $300.00 which sum shall be forfeited to the NSFHL should the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final, disallow the protest. If the protest is upheld, the team not upholding the regulation shall lose their defense fee of $300.00.
14.02 A copy of said protest and the evidence thereof must be served upon the protested club receipt of the protest. The team protested shall be allowed twenty four (24) hours to file a defense and evidence with the President, and must be accompanied with a defense fee of $300.00.
14.03 The President shall render a decision in writing as soon as possible and not later than three (3) days after receipt of the defense.
14.04 All transmission of the protest and evidence may be completed by fax/e-mail.
By-Law 15 – Appeals
15.01 Any player, coach, manager or team shall have the right to appeal in regards to any decision of the Executive Committee, providing the following conditions are met:
a) An appeal is sent to the President within twenty four (24) hours of the decision of the Executive Committee outlining all reasons for said appeal which is to be dealt with within four (4) days.
b) All appeals must be accompanied with a non-refundable cheque in the amount of $300.00 payable to the NSFHL.
c) The President shall appoint an Appeal Board of three (3) Executive and/or Directors which shall render a decision within four (4) days.
d) All appeals can be transmitted by fax and/or email.
By-Law 16 – Recourse to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association
16.01 Any recourse to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association of any jurisdiction of any member, before all rights of appeal and all the rights of remedies of the Constitution and By-Laws of the NSFHL shall have been exhausted, shall be deemed to be a violation and breach of these By-Laws, and a violation and breach of the League decisions, and shall result in the automatic indefinite suspension of such member from NSFHL activities and games.
16.02 Any member team, manager, player, coach who has sought Saskatchewan Hockey Association action before exhausting all proper procedures of appeal will be liable for any expenses and disbursements incurred by the NSFHL.
16.03 Until all expenses are paid, at the discretion of the President, the right of membership of the said party will be suspended.
16.04 Any team, manager, coach or player who having exhausted the appeals procedures within the NSFHL and proceeds with an appeal to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association will be liable for all NSFHL expenses which are incurred by the League as a result of said appeal to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, should the SHA rule in favor of the League prior to reinstatement of said party’s membership with the NSFHL.
By-Law 17 – Amendments to the By-Laws
17.01 The By-Laws may be amended by the submission of a notice of motion to the Secretary a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the NSFHL Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall circulate said notices of motion to the members a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
17.02 The giving of notice hearing may be waived by a two-thirds majority vote of those present and eligible to vote.
By-Law 18 – Overage Players
18.01 Application for the use of Overage players in the Pee Wee and Bantam divisions must be made in writing by the Member Minor/Female Hockey Association and presented to the NSFHL Secretary thirty (30) days prior to the September Scheduling meeting. The use of an overage player(s) must have been approved by the majority of the League Member Minor/Female Hockey Associations.
18.02 Female players who are currently in their Grade 12 year, who have not graduated in the current hockey year, will be allowed to play in the NSFHL as an overage player.
By-Law 19 – Winding Up
19.01 In the event of dissolution of the League, the assets, after payment of all liabilities, shall be divided in an equitable manner and donated to community or female sports activities as determined by the Board of Directors.
