LEAGUE STRUCTURE & GAMEPLAY RULES

The following outlines the official structure and gameplay rules for all youth and scholastic leagues hosted by Hockey Without Boundaries and the OPEN RINK Pro Tour. These guidelines ensure consistency, safety, fair competition, and a rewarding experience for all participants.

1. AGE DIVISIONS & ELIGIBILITY

Participants are placed into divisions based on their age as of December 31 of the current calendar year.

Age Divisions:

Middle School Division (13U): Ages 11–13
High School Division (18U): Ages 14–17

Eligibility Notes:

Players may “play up” one age group with parental consent and league approval.
No player may “play down” to a younger division regardless of size or experience level.
Players must be enrolled in school or equivalent home education programs to be eligible.

2. GAME DURATION & SCHEDULE

Regular Season Format:

Minimum of 8 regular season games per team
Game length: Two 12-minute periods with a 4-minute intermission
Clock: Running time unless otherwise specified (stop-time in final 2 minutes if score is within 2 goals)
Timeouts: One 60-second timeout per team, per game

Scheduling:

Games are typically played twice per week (weeknights or weekends)
Playoff schedules may require back-to-back game days or extended hours
Start times vary between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (mornings) and 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (evenings)

3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All players are expected to arrive ready and properly equipped. The following is required:

Required:

Stick: Wood, ABS, or composite (no metal blades)
Footwear: Inline skates or athletic shoes with appropriate grip
Ball: League-approved hockey ball (provided on game day)
Team Jersey: League-issued or approved reversible jersey

Recommended (especially for youth players):

Helmet (with cage for younger players)
Padded gloves
Shin guards
Elbow pads
Mouth guard

Goalies must wear appropriate protection, including helmet with full face shield or cage, chest protector, leg pads, blocker, and glove.

4. ROSTER SIZE & SUBSTITUTIONS

Team Roster Limits:

Minimum: 6 players (4 skaters + goalie)
Maximum: 12 players per team

Gameplay Format:

4-on-4 play (3 skaters + 1 goalie)
Substitutions are on the fly or at stoppage, as per house rules
If a team has fewer than 4 players available, the game may result in a forfeit

Goaltenders:

Teams may use an alternate or league-designated goalie if their rostered goalie is unavailable, pending approval

5. SCORING SYSTEM & STANDINGS

Scoring System:

Win: 2 points
Tie: 1 point
Loss: 0 points

Standings:

Updated weekly and posted online
Include total points, wins, losses, ties, goals for, goals against, and goal differential

6. TIEBREAKERS & PLAYOFFS

Tiebreakers (in order):

Head-to-head record
Goal differential in head-to-head games
Total goal differential
Goals against
Goals scored
Coin toss (if all else is equal)

Playoff Format:

Single-elimination or double-elimination bracket (varies by division and number of teams)
All teams are guaranteed at least one playoff game
Championship games follow the same time and substitution rules as regular season

7. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & PARTICIPATION RULES

Eligibility Requirements:

Players must be properly registered and have signed all required waivers
Must hold current USA Ball Hockey (USABH) membership if required
Players must participate in at least 50% of regular season games to be eligible for playoffs

Participation Notes:

Players may not play for more than one team in the same division
Unsportsmanlike conduct, cheating, or repeated ejection may result in suspension or removal from the league
All player eligibility concerns must be submitted in writing to league officials for review

FINAL REMINDER

All players, coaches, and spectators must also follow the League Code of Conduct at all times. Failure to adhere to gameplay rules or league expectations may result in disciplinary action, including game suspension or disqualification from postseason play.

LEAGUE STRUCTURE & GAMEPLAY RULES

The following outlines the official structure and gameplay rules for all youth and scholastic leagues hosted by Hockey Without Boundaries and the OPEN RINK Pro Tour. These guidelines ensure consistency, safety, fair competition, and a rewarding experience for all participants.

1. AGE DIVISIONS & ELIGIBILITY

Participants are placed into divisions based on their age as of December 31 of the current calendar year.

Age Divisions:

Middle School Division (13U): Ages 11–13

High School Division (18U): Ages 14–17

Eligibility Notes:

Players may “play up” one age group with parental consent and league approval.

No player may “play down” to a younger division regardless of size or experience level.

Players must be enrolled in school or equivalent home education programs to be eligible.

2. GAME DURATION & SCHEDULE

Regular Season Format:

Minimum of 8 regular season games per team

Game length: Two 12-minute periods with a 4-minute intermission

Clock: Running time unless otherwise specified (stop-time in final 2 minutes if score is within 2 goals)

Timeouts: One 60-second timeout per team, per game

Scheduling:

Games are typically played twice per week (weeknights or weekends)

Playoff schedules may require back-to-back game days or extended hours

Start times vary between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (mornings) and 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM (evenings)

3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All players are expected to arrive ready and properly equipped. The following is required:

Required:

Stick: Wood, ABS, or composite (no metal blades)

Footwear: Inline skates or athletic shoes with appropriate grip

Ball: League-approved hockey ball (provided on game day)

Team Jersey: League-issued or approved reversible jersey

Recommended (especially for youth players):

Helmet (with cage for younger players)

Padded gloves

Shin guards

Elbow pads

Mouth guard

Goalies must wear appropriate protection, including helmet with full face shield or cage, chest protector, leg pads, blocker, and glove.

4. ROSTER SIZE & SUBSTITUTIONS

Team Roster Limits:

Minimum: 6 players (4 skaters + goalie)

Maximum: 12 players per team

Gameplay Format:

4-on-4 play (3 skaters + 1 goalie)

Substitutions are on the fly or at stoppage, as per house rules

If a team has fewer than 4 players available, the game may result in a forfeit

Goaltenders:

Teams may use an alternate or league-designated goalie if their rostered goalie is unavailable, pending approval

5. SCORING SYSTEM & STANDINGS

Scoring System:

Win: 2 points

Tie: 1 point

Loss: 0 points

Standings:

Updated weekly and posted online

Include total points, wins, losses, ties, goals for, goals against, and goal differential

6. TIEBREAKERS & PLAYOFFS

Tiebreakers (in order):

Head-to-head record

Goal differential in head-to-head games

Total goal differential

Goals against

Goals scored

Coin toss (if all else is equal)

Playoff Format:

Single-elimination or double-elimination bracket (varies by division and number of teams)

All teams are guaranteed at least one playoff game

Championship games follow the same time and substitution rules as regular season

7. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & PARTICIPATION RULES

Eligibility Requirements:

Players must be properly registered and have signed all required waivers

Must hold current USA Ball Hockey (USABH) membership if required

Players must participate in at least 50% of regular season games to be eligible for playoffs

Participation Notes:

Players may not play for more than one team in the same division

Unsportsmanlike conduct, cheating, or repeated ejection may result in suspension or removal from the league

All player eligibility concerns must be submitted in writing to league officials for review

FINAL REMINDER

All players, coaches, and spectators must also follow the League Code of Conduct at all times. Failure to adhere to gameplay rules or league expectations may result in disciplinary action, including game suspension or disqualification from postseason play.

For questions or clarifications, please contact your division coordinator or league administrator.

Top Cheez Hockey Apparel LLC | Top Cheez Sports Initiative - A Colorado Nonprofit) Email: info@topcheezswag.com Phone: (720) 257-3813

Top Cheez Hockey Apparel LLC | Top Cheez Sports Initiative - A Colorado Nonprofit)
Email: info@topcheezswag.com
Phone: (720) 257-3813