Information for Officials and Scorekeepers
CDHA Playing Rules Summary

1. Except as noted otherwise, USA Hockey Inc. rules are applicable.

2. BODY CHECKING is a Minor Penalty - No Body Checking is allowed.

3. SLASHING, CROSSCHECKING and HIGH STICKING shall be assessed a Minor Penalty and a Double Minor Penalty (player committing the infraction serves 6 Minutes) as a maximum. 

1.  The player receiving the additional double minor penalty will serve all 4 minutes regardless if the opposing team scores a goal.

2. A second player must serve the initial 2 minute minor penalty.

3. These infractions shall count as 3 penalties towards the automatic ejection rule set forth in Section 6 from USA Hockey Rule Book maximum of 5 penalties.

4. The above rule is the responsibility of the Official Scorers and the Team Captains.  

5. Referees are to determine if the infraction warrants the additional 4 minutes or if a 2-minute minor is acceptable.

4. Misconduct Penalties:  Effective 2024-2025 Season

   1. Any player receiving a 10 Min Misconduct  will result in an automatic ejection and a 1 game suspension.

   2. Abuse of an official: 

      1. Any player who receives a 10 Min Misconduct for Abuse of an Official will receive an automatic 3 Game Suspension.

5.  EJECTIONS Players receiving any MAJOR Penalty will result in an automatic ejection from the game. Similarly, players who receive a total of 5 minor/misconduct (any combination) penalties are ejected from the game and MUST leave the ice and bench area. Double minors count as two penalties.  The responsibility for enforcing this rule rests with the scorer and the team captains. The scorer is to notify both captains when any player receives a third and fourth penalty.  Team captains are to see that any player ejected leaves the playing area. Any ejections, other than those for 5 minor penalties, must be Promptly (within 48 hrs) reported to the CDHA President by the Team Representatives.

6. WARM-UPS Teams shall be allowed 3 minutes warm-up time prior to beginning a game.  Warm-up times begin when the Zamboni leaves the ice and the gates are closed. Delay of game penalties may be imposed for excessive delays by either team.

7. ICE RESURFACING (Playoffs ONLY) An ice cut will occur at 9 mins into the second period. Teams will pick up the remaining 9 mins of the second period after the resurfacing has completed.  There is NO warmup after this ice cut.  Players are to return to the ice and can skate around until the nets are put back on the goal crease.  

8. PLAY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE RULE  Games end when either 3 eighteen-minute periods of play are completed or the Rink Attendant signals the end of the skating session, whichever occurs first.  If the rink attendants allow skating beyond the normal end-of-session time, play is to continue until the third eighteen-minute period is complete or the Attendant signals the end-of-session.  Time permitting and 5 min. maximum, First-Goal-Wins overtimes may be played.

   1. If we are running short on time, the scorekeeping may need to run the clock in the 3rd period to ensure we are off the ice at the contracted time.

9. TIME OUTS One sixty-second time out is allowed per team each game.

10. ROSTERS All teams rosters are set at the BEGINNING of the season prior to the first game.  Subs are allowed to play in any regular season game.  Any roster substitutions MUST be approved by the governing board and team representatives prior to the "trade deadline" date that will be established at the beginning of the season.  A roster "Trade Deadline" will be determined by the team representatives and board members where after that date, any roster change needs to be approved by the governing board and team representatives.

    1. Player Registrations:

       1. All Players (including subs) MUST register on the site via the returning player link and submit a VALID USA Hockey id. Any player who is steps foot on the ice without meeting these two requirements will result in a team forfeit, and the player who is not registered with the league and USA Hockey will receive a 1 game suspension.

       2. Players who make a second attempt to play without meeting the registration requirements will be suspended for additional games and potentially, the remainder of the season. 

2. Rosters Sizes:  Effective 2024-2025 season.

   1. Expanded to 17 skaters and 1 goalie.  Teams can ONLY dress 15 skaters and 1 goalie for any game.  

   2. Any rostered player. (except for Subs) must meet a minimum number of 10 games played in order to be playoff eligible.

3. Subs:  

   1. All subs MUST report to the scorekeeper so they can record their name and number on the scoresheet for accurate record keeping.  

   2. Subs are NOT playoff eligible.

11. PLAYOFFS

    1. ROSTERS  Subs are NOT allowed to play in any playoff game regardless of how many times they may have subbed in the regular season.  Goalies are the only exception if a team’s regular goalie is not available to play. 

2. OVERTIME  Will consist of a 5 vs. 5 sudden death 5 min. period.  Teams will switch ends as they would at the completion of any period.

3.  SHOOTOUT 

   1. Home team decides which team will go first.  Shootouts will consist of 3 rounds with 3 different players from each team.  If the game is still tied after 3 rounds, 

   2. Additional rounds will be introduced (one round at a time) until a winner is declared.  

   3. Players who have already gone cannot have a second shot until the full roster has gone. 

4. The team with the least number of players is the minimum unique player for both teams.  EXAMPLE:  If one team has 10 players & the other 13, the 1st man in the team with 13 can go again after their 10th player has gone.