ASHN Leagues
River Cree RCHL
Hockey Canada

RCHL FALL/WINTER 2025-26 RULE AMENDMENTS

The following rules have been amended/added as per the ASHL rule book:

  • Hockey jerseys must always cover all protective equipment on both players and goaltenders. 1st Offence= warning…2nd Offence= 2-minute minor for illegal equipment.
  • Anyone on the player’s bench must be registered (coaches included).
  • If you are suspended, you CANNOT be on the player bench at any time.
  • Players not playing are still accountable when/if you are talking to ALL RCHL STAFF and discipline can still be handed out.
  • All players during timed penalties must use the ice-door when leaving the penalty box or a 2-minute timed penalty will be assessed for an illegal substitution. You cannot leave through the back of the penalty box and have a player jump on from the player’s bench.
  • If a goaltender shoots the puck over the glass without any deflection (not into the player bench) this is a 2-minute delay of game penalty.
  • Visors must be securely fastened with the proper side clips or screwed on with two screws on each side of the helmet- visor cannot be flipped up. If this happens you will be asked to leave and go fix the issue and your whole team will get a warning. Any time after that your team will incur a 2- minute minor penalty for improper equipment.
  • 2.13 (C) SKILL LEVELS (PLAYERS)– Players with experience of “elite” levels of hockey (Jr A, Jr B, Major Jr, College, University, Senior, Professional) are not eligible to play in the “D3 or all of E” divisions. (Management can make exceptions pending circumstances).
  • 2.14- TIES IN STANDINGS- standings will be determined in the regular season via winning % within the current division games only.
  • 3.7 GOALTENDER EQUIPMENT– goalies must wear socks, sweat-pants, or long underwear to cover their bare skin on the backs of their legs. 1st Offence= 2 Minute Minor + go change…2nd Offence= 2 Minute Minor + Ejection…3rd Offence= Banishment. While changing play will continue as per normal with your team short-handed while player serves goaltender’s penalty.
  • Rule 4.8 OVERTIME – REGULAR SEASON- The format for OT will be a “One Player Sudden Victory Shoot-out”. At the conclusion of regulation time, the goalies will stay in their nets and one player from each team will be ready and available to “shoot” for his team immediately. Players serving a MINOR PENALTY (from regulation) are eligible to shoot. Players cannot shoot again until all skaters on their team have gone through. Team with least number of “shooters” will dictate when both teams re-start their shooters if applicable. Change 8(C) sub para c) to: any player serving a minor penalty will be permitted to shoot.
  • Rule 4.8 (A) OVERTIME – PLAYOFFS– The format for all OT games will be “Sudden death 3 vs 3”. Line changes are not permitted on stoppages/whistles and can only be done “on the fly”.
  • Rule 4.9 RUN CLOCK– Should add that at any point in time if the officials cannot regain immediate control of game/players the clock shall continue to run until control has been regained (fight/altercation type of situation).
  • 5.16(B)- FIGHTING OFF-ICE PENALTIES– 1st Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (this includes anywhere in the River Cree Resort and Twin Rinks as well the parking lot).
  • 5.16(C)- FIGHTING (non-instigator)– 1st Offence= $100.00 Fine…2nd Offence= Banishment from RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue)
  • 5.16(D)- FIGHTING BRAWL PENALTIES– 1st Offence= First team to leave the bench= $500.00 Fine…2nd Offence= Banishment from RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue)
  • 5.16(E) – FIGHTING (One-player fight) – 1st Offence= $600.00 Fine…2nd Offence: Banishment from RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue).
  • 5.19- GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTIES– 1st Offence= $25.00 Fine…2nd Offence= $50.00 Fine…3rd Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue). Any player that verbally calls or accuses an official of “RACISM” will be assessed a Game Misconduct (5.19)- 1 game + $25.00 fine.
  • 5.20(A)- GROSS MISCONDUCT PENALTIES– 1st Offence= $75.00 Fine…2nd Offence= $150.00 Fine…3rd Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue).
  • THROWING/SPRAYING WATER BOTTLE- Throwing a water bottle or spraying any liquid at an opposing player whether it hits the opposing player is a Gross Misconduct Penalty 5.20(A). 1st Offence= $75.00 Fine…2nd Offence= $150.00 Fine…3rd Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue)
  • 20(B)- RACISM/HOMO-PHOBIC/RETARD SLURS & SEXUAL HARRASSMENT– 1st Offence: Gross Misconduct= 1 game + $100.00 fine…2nd Offence= Banishment from RCHL
  • 5.21(A)- MATCH PENALTIES ON A PLAYER– 1st Offence= $100.00 Fine…2nd Offence= $200.00 Fine…3rd Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue)
  • 5.21(B)- MATCH PENALTIES ON AN OFFICIAL– 1st Offence= $200.00 Fine…2nd Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue)
  • 5.26- MAJOR PENALTIES– 1st Offence= $25.00 Fine…2nd Offence= $50.00 Fine…3rd Offence= Banishment from the RCHL (current game ejections and suspensions will continue)
  • 5.27- 10 MINUTE MISCONDUCT PENALTIES– will not count against team’s game total/accumulation but will continue to count against player’s and team’s season penalty total/accumulation.
  • 5.28 FINE PAYMENTS– All player fines must be paid in full before the next scheduled game of the team the player received the fine with or else the TEAM is suspended from league play until completed. Regardless of if the player is part-time or no longer playing for the team after the infraction. This applies to team fines as well. **The RCHL will look at each situation individually and have the right to not suspend the team pending circumstances.
  • FOUR (4) MINUTE PENALTIES– No longer exist except for high sticking (Hockey Canada rule see rule 8.3).
  • THREE (3) PENALTY RULE IN EFFECT. All timed penalties and coincidental penalties count towards the three (3) penalty rule. (Not 10 Minute Misconducts). Note: If a player is serving a penalty for throwing a puck on the ice that 1 specific penalty does not count towards the 3-penalty rule unless a referee can identify who threw the puck on the ice.
  • 26 HIGH-STICK GOALIE PROCEDURES- Not withstanding Rule 5.25, when a player contacts the puck above the height of the crossbar and the puck goes directly into the opposing team’s goal before an opposing player can gain possession and control of the puck, the goal shall not count. In this case, the game officials are to conduct the face-off at the nearest face off spot in the neutral-neutral zone. Application – This rule was added to clarify the allowable stick height a player can contact a puck prior to a goal.
  • 7.0 GOAL LIMIT “E” DIVISIONS– players are limited to 3 goals per game. Anything after that (4th goal) is not counted and face off is in offender’s team’s defensive zone.
  • 7.1 GOAL LIMIT “E” DIVISION– If an “E” division player reaches the three (3) goal maximum within the game regulation they will not be eligible to participate in the over-time shoot-out.
  • 7.2 GOAL LIMIT “E” DIVISION– If an “E” division player reaches the three (3) goal maximum within the game regulation they will not be allowed to score a (4th goal) in the over-time period for playoffs.
  • 7.3 GOAL LIMIT “E” DIVISION– If an “E” division player reaches the three (3) goal maximum and is assessed a penalty shot- that player will not be eligible to take the penalty shot. The team awarded the penalty shot will be allowed to choose any player in the line up to take the penalty shot.
  • 8.0 “JERSEY CHANGE” DELAY OF GAME– the AWAY/VISITOR team will be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game if the game is not started on time due to them not wearing a team jersey compliant to the set protocol for game jerseys.
  • 9.0 “Hybrid-Icing”– will be implemented for divisions- “A, B, & C”.Is when the puck is shot from behind the center red line and two players/opponents race down the ice, with the two farthest faceoff dots (opposing team that iced the puck) being the “finish line”, instead of the goal line. If a player of the team that iced the puck touches it first, the play continues.
  • A 2- minute minor for “Delay of Game” will be assessed when teams step on the ice or places a puck on the ice prior to the “large Zamboni” door being closed completely.
  • GOAL DIFFERENTIAL RULE– change to five (5) goals (at third period of a game score that has a goal differential of 5 or more the score clock runs straight time).
  • MULTIPLE-TEAM PLAYERS– players cannot play for “A, B or C” Divisions as well “E” Division teams (skill levels are too different). If players play on teams that are no more than one (1) division apart then they are eligible for play-offs for both teams. If players play on teams that are more than one (1) division apart than they are only eligible for the highest division team’s play-offs only.
  • Team late for start of game– protocol and rule still apply and added is that team must use their 30 second timeout at 14:00 mark of the 1st period, thus they will not have one for the remainder of that game.
  • Game forfeits during game– if both teams agree they can continue the game- refs and timekeeper must stay and run game as normal. The game goes down as a forfeit and the stats are only kept up until the game was forfeited. Negative play will still be assessed with suspensions and fines following.
  • Forfeit Discipline– GAME FORFEITS- Regular Season= will result in forfeit team losing 1-0 and Playoffs= will result in forfeit team losing 5-0. Also, for regular season forfeits- a team fine of $150.00 will be added and given to the opponent. Any team that forfeits three (3) games in a regular season will have a review with the RCHL management and possible disbarment from the RCHL for the future may occur. If ample notice is given (minimum 10 days) to the RCHL and a game can be re-scheduled by the RCHL then no fine will be assessed. (No guarantees)
  • Intentionally Breaking Opponent’s Stick– Player is automatically ejected from the game + pays a fine of $100.00 to the opponent. Monies go to the RCHL management and then will be directed to the player.
  • Knocking Net Off Pegs or Set Placement and a Goal is Scored- The RCHL will follow the NHL rule. If puck goes in the net when the net was intentionally dislodged of its set placing and the officials deem the puck would have gone in the net regardless of the net = “Good Goal”.
  • Any player that is bleeding must leave the ice immediately, as well they must go to their dressing room to be tended to by RCHL convenor (not on the bench or timekeeper areas).
  • Player bench gates must be closed all the way. If this occurs throughout a game a team could be penalized a minor penalty.
  • SPEARING AND SLEW-FOOT PENALTIES WILL ONLY BE ASSESSED AS A MAJOR

Added & Amended Rules 2025-26

  • PUCK DIRECTS OFF GLOVE– if a puck directs off a glove to a teammate in the neutral and attacking zone and its deemed incidental by the referees- the play will continue.
  • POST-GAME HANDSHAKE– after each game teams are encouraged and expected to complete a handshake (bump gloves). If a player chooses not to patriciate, then they must immediately leave the ice- no loitering and/or watching. Skating through the line and not participating is not to be done either and all can earn a Game Misconduct. Note– handshakes are to the discretion of the referees.
  • 5.28 FINE PAYMENTS- Amend– fine payment can only be paid via cash, debit, or e-transfer.
  • SEXUAL COMMENTS– anytime a sexual comment is witnessed by an RCHL official a 10-minute misconduct penalty will be assessed to the player. If it occurs a second time within the same game = game ejection. Note– pending the comment(s), a Gross Misconduct can be assessed.
  • VERBAL THREATS– anytime a threat to an opponent is witnessed by an RCHL official a 10-minute misconduct penalty will be assessed to the player. If it occurs a second time within the same game = game ejection. Note– pending the comment(s), a Game Misconduct can be assessed.
  • PLAYOFF ELIGIBILTY– skaters/player’s that are looking to qualify for the playoffs due to being short the league minimum 10 games and goalies 5 games. Must meet following criteria to be eligible- no exceptions.
  • Registered with their team with 10+ regular season games remaining.
  • Must be able to prove via the RCHL office that they paid their league fees.
  • Must provide a letter from medical or employer before the playoffs begin.
  • GOALIE CONTACT RULE– TBD