WORTHINGTON HOCKEY ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT RULES
1. Only USA Hockey registered referees will be used.
2. A physician, certified athletic trainer, or emergency medical technician will be present at each game.
3. All games will be played under USA Hockey rules as modified by MN Hockey.
4. Canadian teams must wear protective equipment as designated by CAHA.
5. All teams from outside of Minnesota will be informed of the MAHA age cutoffs and given the opportunity to withdraw from the tournament if they do not consent to play given the possible age disparities.
6. A credentials committee composed of the Tournament Director, and the Association Registrar, or their designee, shall check each teams proof of USA Hockey registration and insurance, and USA Hockey roster signed by all participants and approved by a USA Hockey Registrar of his/her designee, prior to playing any of their games.
7. Game times shall be 3 (three) 12 (twelve) minute stop time periods, for Squirt level play, 12 (twelve) or 15 (minute) minute stop time periods for PeeWee level play depending on number of teams, time constraints, and Tournament directors decision, and 15 (minute) stop time periods for Bantam level play, with one minute rests between periods, and 5 minute warmups before the game.
8. Resurfacing of ice will be done between games for Squirt level play, every 2 periods for PeeWee level play, and between every period for Bantam level play.
9. During the third period, running time will commence whenever the goal separation is 6 goals or more, stop time being reinstated whenever the goal separation becomes 5 goals or less.
10. Each team will be allowed a single 1 (one) minute time-out per game.
11. Fighting penalty warrants expulsion from the tournament. Spearing, butt ending, or intent to injure, will be dealt with according to USA Hockey guidelines at the referees discretion.
12. All decisions of the referees will be final, no protests will be allowed.
13. All minor penalties for Squirts and below will be 1 1/2 minutes in length, and 2 minutes for Peewee and above. All major penalties will be 5 minutes, and misconduct penalties 10 minutes.
14. The top team in brackets is the home team and will wear light colored jerseys. Visiting teams will wear pullovers if necessary.
15. All players must wear approved helmets, facemasks and mouthguards. No persons other than rostered coaches or players are allowed on the player bench. Any player not suited for the game must wear an approved helmet while on the player bench.
16. There can be ties in pool play. In bracket play, or finals games, if a tie exists at the end of regulation play, there will be a one minute rest period, followed by a five minute sudden death period without changing ends or resurfacing. If the tie still exists at the end of the first overtime period, there will be a one minute rest period, teams will switch ends, and another five minute sudden death period will be played four players on four players with goalies. If a tie still exists at the end of the second overtime, each head coach will select five players to participate in a shootout, and teams will alternate shots with the visiting team shooting first, until a winner is determined.
17. In pool play games, 2 points will be awarded for a win, and 1 point for a tie. If at the end of pool play, there is tie in the point standings, the tie will be broken in the following order: 1) head to head play. 2) goals scored in all games in pool play. 3) goals scored against subtracted from goals scored, positions in order of greatest surplus. 4) coin flip.
18. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Any player, coach, or fan exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior may be ejected from the game or the tournament by the officials, the Tournament Director, or any member of the WHA Board of Directors. In all other matters not covered above, the Tournament Director decision will be final.