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Native Thunder AAA
2026  -  Tournament Rules

Rules are Posted  in  Each  Timebox

Tournament Rules & Regulations

1. Bench & Ice Access

  • No photographers or parents are allowed on the bench or ice before, during, or after a game unless they are listed on the first game sheet as part of the coaching staff.

  • This rule is due to new insurance requirements set by the Tournament Insurance Company.

  • Exception: Two photographers are allowed on the bench after the Championship Game to take team pictures.

  • No access to the ice at any time.

2. Playing Rules

  • The tournament will follow Hockey Canada rules, except where modified by the tournament committee.

3. Mandatory Equipment

  • All players must wear:

    • A certified neck guard

    • A full-face shield

  • Players in contact divisions must also wear mouth guards.

4. Penalties

  • Minor: 2 minutes

  • Major: 5 minutes

  • Misconduct: 10 minutes

  • All penalties are stop time.

  • See Mercy Rule for exceptions.

5. Gameplay Rules

  • Center red line is not in play.

  • A player may only play for one team and one division.

  • Automatic icing applies in all games.

  • One 30-second timeout per game per team (no accumulation).

  • Overtime occurs only in Semi-Final and Final games (see OT procedure below).

  • All games: 15-20-20 stop time periods with a 3-minute warm-up.

  • Time slots: 1½ or 1¾ hours.

    • If delays occur (e.g., ambulance), the clock may be reduced to 2 minutes when 5 minutes remain in the slot.

  • Flooding:

    • 2012–2014 divisions: flood every 2nd period.

    • 2015–2017 divisions: flood after each game.

6. Team & Roster Requirements

  • Teams may register and dress 19 players maximum.

  • The roster on your first game sheet is official and frozen once your first game starts.

  • No stick measurements allowed.

  • All teams must have:

    • A first aid bag on the bench.

    • A qualified first aider.

    • A minimum of $2 million liability insurance (copy must be provided before the tournament).

  • Team managers must have player birth certificates available.

    • If requested, you have 1 hour to provide ID or the game is forfeited.

    • Forfeits: 5-point win or 3-point tie for the opposing team; illegal team gets 1 point.

    • Any use of illegal players or players not on the first game sheet = forfeited game.

7. Conduct

  • Coaches and managers are responsible for the conduct of players, coaches, and parents. This INCLUDES the hotel.

  • Abuse, racial remarks, or unbecoming conduct toward players, referees, officials, arena staff, or fans will result in:

    • Ejection for the remainder of the tournament.

    • A 5-minute major penalty assessed to the team.

8. Dressing Rooms

  • Must be left clean.

  • Failure = 5-minute penalty at next game.

9. Jerseys

  • Home teams must wear light-colored jerseys.

  • If unavailable, notify the committee 1 hour before game.

  • Delay in starting due to jersey issue = 2-minute penalty.

10. Goalies

  • Full-contact teams must carry 2 goalies.

  • Alternate goalie must be ready to play.

  • Injured goalie must be replaced within 2 minutes (unless seriously injured).

  • Replacement goalie gets 2 minutes to warm up.

  • Non-contact teams may carry 1 goalie, but same injury rule applies.

11. Mercy Rule

  • If a team is losing by 6 goals at the start or during the 3rd period:

    • Straight running time applies.

    • Penalties: Minor = 3 min, Major = 7 min, Misconduct = 15 min.

  • If losing team closes gap to 5 goals, stop time resumes.

12. Fighting

  • Instigating or fighting = ejection for remainder of game and tournament.

  • All skaters must go to their bench; goalies stay in crease.

  • Leaving bench during fight = suspension for tournament.

  • All fighting penalties reviewed by committee; decision is final.

13. Checking from Behind

  • Penalty: 2-min minor or 5-min major (severity-based).

  • Player sits out rest of game.

  • If in last 10 minutes, player also misses next game.

  • Second offense = suspension for tournament.

14. Stick Infractions

  • 3 stick infractions in one game = game ejection. (Slashing, High-Sticking, Cross- Checking, Spearing & Butt-Ending)

15. Overtime Procedure (Semi-Final & Final Only)

  • Sudden Death Format:

    • 5-on-5: 2 minutes

    • 4-on-4: 1 minute

    • 3-on-3: 1 minute

    • 2-on-2: 1 minute

    • 1-on-1 until a goal is scored

  • All mini-periods are stop time.

  • Face-off at nearest point to puck after horn.

  • Line changes allowed on the fly.

  • Goalie can be pulled anytime.

  • Penalties in last 2 minutes of regulation carry into OT.

  • Penalty during OT = penalty shot (taken by penalized player).

16. Other Rules

  • Electric ice sharpening equipment is not allowed in dressing rooms.

  • All major penalties reviewed by committee; decision is final.

  • No protests will be heard.

17. Points System

  • Win by 2+ goals: 5 points

  • Win by 1 goal: 4 points

  • Tie: 3 points

  • Loss by 1 goal: 2 points

  • Loss by 2+ goals: 1 point

18. Tie-Breaker System

  1. Record between tied teams.

    • If tied teams did not play each other, then Goals For minus Goals Against applies.

    • Maximum goal differential allowed in a blowout game: 7 goals (e.g., 9–1 counts as 8–1).

  2. Least penalty minutes.

  3. Flip of a coin.

19. Additional Rules

  • No air horns allowed in rink (risk of ear damage).

  • No liquor or beer allowed in rinks during tournament games.

Final Note

We are all here to enjoy good hockey and the kids having fun as a team. Please leave rude comments at home and enjoy the hockey, win or lose! Thank you!
Good luck to all teams!

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