ASIAN HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP RULES AND REGULATIONS

All rules apply to all divisions (additional Men’s and Children’s rules are listed at the bottom):

Format:
Teams will play 3 random games in the round robin – at the end of the round robin, teams will be re-ranked from top to bottom (based on number of teams in division). Every team is guaranteed 1 playoff game (Sunday morning). Exception is for 3-team divisions. Each team will play each team twice in the round robin, totalling 4 games. The top two ranked teams will play each other in the final.
Uniforms:
All teams should have 2 sets of jerseys available – one white and one dark, unless arrangements can be made by both teams prior to the game. Please ensure each player has their own number. In the event of a jersey conflict, the Home team will decide which colour they will wear.
Equipment:
All players must wear a CSA approved helmet at all times. Wearing at least a half visor is mandatory.
Conflict Resolution:
All conflicts, disputes or concerns are subject to the discretion of the Event Coordinator(s). If there is a question in terms of rules, the AHC will default to the rules of the ASHL.

Game Rules (applies to Round Robin and Playoffs):

Games shall consist of 3 periods. 1st period is 12 minutes, and the 2nd and 3rd periods are 10 minutes each.

There shall be a 3-minute warm-up.

All teams must have 6 players on the ice in order to start play.

Teams are allotted a 2-minute grace period at the beginning of the game. If the team is not ready, they will be assessed a 2-minute penalty for delay of game. A tied game at the end of regulation will be decided by overtime with the following rules:

  • 3 minute overtime period
  • 3-on-3
  • change on the fly
  • If the game is still tied, a sudden death shootout will follow.

Points:

Teams are awarded 2 points for a win and 0 points for a loss in regulation.

A tied game after regulation will result in each team being awarded 1 point. The winner of OT will receive a 2nd point, for a total of 2 points for the win.

Rankings:

At the conclusion of round robin play, teams will be ranked within their division. In the event of a tie, the following formula will be used. The team with higher goals for and against shall place higher - (the highest +/- given out per game will be +/- 5) - this will hopefully prevent running up the score.

  • If still tied, team with least total penalty minutes shall place higher.
  • If still tied - team with most wins shall place higher.
  • If still tied - team with fewest goals scored against shall place higher.
  • If still tied – flip of coin

Off-Sides and Icings:

The centre red line does not exist for the purpose of off-side passes. Automatic Icings will be called. Reminder – an icing will be negated if the goalie makes a move to play with puck.

Penalties:

Players assessed 3 minor penalties in the same game shall automatically be ejected from that game. Any player getting a major and a minor will be ejected from the game.

For the safety of all participants, there will be zero tolerance for any of the following: fighting and intent to injure (eg. spearing, swinging the stick as a weapon etc.).

It will be at the discretion of the referees to make all penalty calls. Anyone involved in the above will be suspended from the duration of the Tournament without refund.

If a suspension occurs in the final game for a team, the suspension will carry forward to the following year.

Playoff Eligibility:

  • Each player must be registered and have signed a waiver form before they step onto the ice.
  • Players can only be registered to one team, and cannot play for any other team.
  • Any player caught attempting to play for another team, will be suspended for their team's next game.
  • Any team caught attempting to use an ineligible player will default their game.
  • If a player or team is suspended, or default's their final game, this will carry forward to next year's event.
  • Each player must be on the team's roster sheet and play at least one round robin game to be eligible to play in the playoffs – while staying within the guidelines of the import rule.

Run Time:

During the 3rd period, if there is a 5-goal difference, for the last 5 minutes, the clock will run and will not stop if the whistle is blown. The clock will stop again if the score comes within a 4-goal differential.

Men’s Division:

In addition to the rules listed above, the following rules also apply to the Men’s divisions:

Import Rule: Each team is allowed 2 non- South East Asian players. We trust that captains will select players using the honour system, and inform us appropriately of their team’s imports.

Children’s Division:

In addition to the rules listed above, the following rules also apply to the children’s divisions:

  • AAA Players: Each team can only have TWO AAA players.
  • Rosters: Team rosters must be submitted prior to the team’s first scheduled game.

The team roster must include the following:

  • Player’s Full Name
  • Player’s Birth Year
  • Last season’s league, team name, and level of play

There cannot be any roster substitutions and all players much check-in prior to their first game.

Additional Rules:

Body-checking is prohibited.

2011 Division will have a 3-minute buzzer system.

AHC’s CONCUSSION code of conduct (Rowan’s Law)

AHC encourages all participants to this tournament, as well as during their regular hockey participation, to be familiar with the concussion protocols put in place by the new legislation also known as Rowan’s Law.

AHC abides by Hockey Canada’s Concussion Policy, which we ask all participants, coaches and parents / guardians to review same.

See Hockey Canada’s website for more information. This is Hockey Canada’s Concussion Card and their Concussion Recognition Tool 5 card.

AHC Policy: As we are a community tournament, any player removed from play due to concussion concerns cannot be allowed, by their coach/parents/family, to return to play (i.e. even in a subsequent game), without following Hockey Canada’s “6 Step Return to Play” protocol (modified to fit the circumstances i.e. absence of body contact) and having a note from a medical doctor clearing them to play. Adult players are expected to abide by this policy and not to return to play unless they have followed Hockey Canada’s “6 Step Return to Play” protocol (modified to fit the circumstances i.e. absence of body contact) and having a note from a medical doctor clearing them to play.

Since Hockey Canada requires players to not play for one week after a possible concussive event, that means, effectively, that any player removed from play due to concussion concerns will miss the rest of the AHC tourney that year.

We understand that, in a short tourney like AHC, the loss of a player can weaken a team. Your health, however, is far more important that a tournament result. Please understand that AHC is relying on the participants (i.e. players, coaches, parents / guardians) to self-monitor themselves and to abide by Rowan’s Law / Ontario’s concussion law / Hockey Canada’s Concussion Policy. Please do not expect the AHC to be the watchdog…if you or someone on your team has a suspected concussion, please see the doctor and keep yourself off the ice, from any hockey, for at least one week. Also get medical clearance to return to play.

Coaches in the AHC. Specifically, we ask coaches to ensure that they have reviewed Hockey Canada’s Concussion Policy and AHC’s Concussion Code of Conduct, as well as any other documents that they think may help them identify and handle any potential concussion problems.


As we are a community tournament, medical staff are not on-site during the tournament. If any medical emergency arises, people are encouraged to call 911 in the usual manner and/or seek medical attention as required.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a disturbance in brain function caused by a direct or indirect force to the head. It results in a variety of nonspecific symptoms (like those listed below) and often does not involve loss of consciousness. Concussion should be suspected in the presence of any one or more of the following:

  • Symptoms (such as headache), or
  • Physical signs (such as unsteadiness), or
  • Impaired brain function (e.g. confusion) or
  • Abnormal behaviour.

Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be REMOVED FROM PLAY, medically assessed, monitored for deterioration (i.e., should not be left alone) and should not drive a motor vehicle.

For ease of reference, materials that may assist participants to learn about this include the following: