Suspensions
The Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline has the ability to issue discipline for any action on and off the ice by any Hockey Saskatchewan registered participant that is not covered by Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan playing rules.
Disciplinary offenses on Game sheets for any sanctioned Hockey Saskatchewan game may only be altered with the approval of the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline.
The Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline shall only address offenses occurring in Exhibition games, Tournaments, and Hockey Saskatchewan playoff games. League Executives address offenses occurring in Preseason, League, and League playoff games, with the exception of 11.4 and 11.5 offenses.
NOTE: “Preseason” games are defined as those that involve two teams from the same league who play a game prior to Scheduled League play beginning. Preseason games must be scheduled through the League Executive.
“Exhibition” games are defined as those that involve two teams from different leagues prior to, or following the start, of League play.
6.09.01
a) The Minimum Suspension guidelines in Regulation 6.09.04 is the Minimum guideline for the application of a suspension of team members.
b) Leagues may extend the basic suspension(s), however they shall not reduce the Hockey Saskatchewan Minimum guideline.
c) These Minimum Suspension guidelines are to be applied to all hockey played in the Minor and Female Divisions of Hockey Saskatchewan.
d) The game in which any of the penalties assessed fall under Hockey Saskatchewan Minimum Suspension guidelines, shall not be counted in the length of the suspension.
e) It is the responsibility of each team manager and/or coach to ensure the team member(s) sit out their appropriate suspensions. If in doubt as to the relevant suspension, contact the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline. The Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline may impose a time limit on a suspension, as opposed to a number of games, under special circ*mstances.
f) Any suspension involving a “length of time” will be applied with the Actual Playing Season which is October 1st to March 31st.
6.09.02 Application Guidelines of Suspensions
a) Suspensions by Hockey Saskatchewan of any registered referee, player, coach or team official may include a suspension that will not allow such suspended person to participate in the game of hockey in any capacity. The following guidelines apply:
i) The suspensions from all aspects of hockey games would apply to all suspensions issued for breach of the Hockey Saskatchewan Bylaws or Regulations, as well as all suspensions issued under Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan Playing Rule 2.2; 2.2 c); 11.2; 11.3; 11.4; 11.5 i), ii), iii), and iv).
ii) Unless specified otherwise, suspensions resulting from violation of Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan playing rules, would only suspend the referee, player, or team official from participating in the game of hockey in the capacity at which he/she received their suspension.
b) While a player or team official is serving their suspension, they may not participate with the Team in any capacity during games.
c) A suspended player cannot be present on the player’s bench however they are allowed in the team’s dressing room.
d) A suspended team official cannot be present in his/her team’s dressing room prior to, during, or following the game(s) they are suspended from or be on the player’s bench. Team officials who violate this will be dealt with by the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline.
e) i) A player/team official is suspended until the suspension is served with the team where the infraction occurred (certified, carded or affiliate team).
ii) If the team where the infraction occurred has played its last game, then the suspension may be completed with the other team.
iii) The player suspension must be listed on game sheets.
iv) The player/team official shall not be included as one of the maximum number of players.
f) Suspensions cannot be served in Preseason, Exhibition, Cancelled or Forfeited Games and suspended players cannot play in Preseason or Exhibition games.
NOTE: Suspended players can participate in Preseason games at the U18 AAA; U13/U15/AA 15/U18 AA categories prior to the Team’s roster being finalized and submitted to Hockey Saskatchewan within the timelines outlined in Regulation 6.04.11 d) and 6.04.12 b).
g) Suspensions may only be served in regular scheduled league games, Hockey Saskatchewan playoff games or league playoff games and sanctioned tournaments where entry or scheduling is made prior to the suspension.
h) Suspensions for violations of the Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan rules and regulations must be served in the next game or games the player/team official participates in.
i) Suspension for violation of league rules (i.e.: accumulation of penalty minutes; misconducts; game misconducts; fighting majors; CFB’s; HC’s; etc.) may be implemented at the League’s discretion.
j) Any suspension imposed upon any player, coach, or team official by the officials of any League or Association registered with Hockey Saskatchewan shall be given full recognition by Hockey Saskatchewan.
6.09.03 Record Keeping of Suspensions
All registered Leagues under Hockey Saskatchewan must submit a copy of all correspondence involving suspensions by that League within the Hockey Saskatchewan online Suspension tracking website. All leagues must abide by the Minimum Suspension guidelines as set out in 6.09.04.
6.09.04
| a) Physical Abuse of Officials | ||
| Any player, coach, manager, trainer or stick person assessed a penalty under Rule 11.5 of the Hockey Canada Rule Book is to be indefinitely suspended until the matter is dealt with by the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline. | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 11.5 i) Match & ii) | Threaten or Attempt to strike | Thirty (30) days |
| 11.5 iii) Match | Deliberately touches, holds or pushes | Three (3) months |
| 11.5 iv) Match | Deliberately strikes, trips or body checks | Six (6) months |
| b) Abuse of Officials, Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Misconduct | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 11.1 e) | Game Misconduct is assessed | One (1) game |
| 11.2 e) | Game Misconduct is assessed | Two (2) games |
| 11.2 f) | Gross Misconduct is assessed | Four (4) games |
| 11.3 c) | Gross Misconduct is assessed | Five (5) games |
| 11.4 | Game Misconduct for Discrimination is assessed | Indefinite Suspension (Minimum of Five (5) games) |
| Accumulation Sanctions: (in addition to the above) | ||
| Any player who receives 2 Game Misconducts under rule 11.1 in a season. | Two (2) games | |
| Any player who receives 3 or more Game Misconducts under rule 11.1 in a season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any player or coach who receives 2 Game Misconducts under rule 11.2 in a season. | Four (4) games | |
| Any player or coach who receives 3 or more Game Misconducts under rule 11.2 in a season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any player or head coach who receives 2 Gross Misconducts under rule 11.2 in a season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any player or coach who receives 2 Gross Misconducts under rule 11.4 in a season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any Head Coach whose team receives 2 Game and/or Gross Misconducts under rule 11.1/11.2 in a season | One (1) game | |
| For a 2nd violation of a head coach whose team receives 2 Game and/or Gross Misconducts under rule 11.1/11.2 in a season. | Two (2) games | |
| For subsequent violations of a head coach whose team receives 2 Game and/or Gross Misconducts under rule 11.1/11.2 in a season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| c) Major/Match Penalties | ||
| Rule # | ||
| Any Major Penalty | One (1) Game | |
| 7.5 c) Match – Checking from Behind | Four (4) Games | |
| 7.6 c) Match – Head Contact | Four (4) Games | |
| All other Match Penalties (not including 11.3 and 11.5) | Three (3) Games | |
| Accumulation Sanctions: (In addition to the above) | ||
| Players: | ||
| Any player receiving 2 majors in the same season. | Two (2) games | |
| Any player receiving 1 major and 1 match penalty in the same season. | Three (3) games | |
| Any player receiving 2 match penalties in the same season. | Five (5) games | |
| Any player receiving 2 majors and 1 match penalty in the same season. | Four (4) games | |
| Any player receiving 3 majors in the same season. | Four (4) games | |
| Any player receiving 3 majors and 1 match penalty in the same season. | Five (5) games | |
| Any player receiving 4 majors in the same season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any player receiving 3 match penalties in the same season. | Indefinite Suspension | |
Examples: i) Player receives a 5 minute major for Checking from Behind. He has already received 1 match and 1 major previously in the season. Player receives: | ||
| 5 minute major | One (1) game | |
| 2 majors and 1 match | Four (4) games | |
| Total suspension | Five (5) games | |
| ii) Player receives a 5 minute major for Head Contact with 6:35 remaining in the 3rd period. She has already received 2 majors previously in the season. Player receives: | ||
| 5 minute major | One (1) game | |
| GM in the last 10 minutes | One (1) game | |
| 3 majors | Four (4) games | |
| Total suspension | Six (6) games | |
| Coaches: | ||
| Any head coach whose team receives a combination equaling 3 penalties in the same game from a Major penalty or fighting infraction. | One (1) game | |
| Any head coach whose team receives a 2nd violation of a combination equaling 3 penalties in the same game from a Major penalty, Match penalty fighting infraction. | Three (3) games | |
| Any head coach whose team receives subsequent violations of a combination equaling 3 penalties in the same game from a Major penalty, Match penalty or fighting infraction. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| d) Fighting | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 7.10, 7.11 & 10.4 | Third player in a fight | Two (2) games |
| Any player receiving a Fighting Major penalty, which is a result of a second or subsequent fight during the same stoppage of play. | Two (2) games | |
| Any player receiving a second fighting major penalty during the same stoppage of play. | Two (2) games | |
| Player identified as first to leave the players' bench during a fight or for the purpose of fighting. | Three (3) games | |
| Leaving the penalty box as above. | Four (4) games | |
| Head coach of a team whose player is penalized under the above two points. | Three (3) games | |
| Head coach whose player is not identified as the first to leave the players’ or penalty bench during an on–ice altercation. | One (1) game | |
| Instigator or Aggressor of a fight: | ||
| 1st Offense | One (1) game | |
| 2nd Offense | Three (3) games | |
| 3rd Offense | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Pre/Post Game Altercations: | ||
| Any player involved where Majors and Game Misconducts are assessed. | Two (2) games | |
| Head coach of team whose players are so penalized. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any team involved in a pre or post game brawl. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| e) Ineligible Players | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 2.2 c) | Team Official who is party to or had knowledge of playing a player not until dealt properly registered with that team, with by the properly affiliated to that team or Officer in under suspension. | Indefinite until dealt with by the Chair of Discipline |
| 2.2 h) | Player who participates in a game as an Improperly Registered or Suspended Player or Team Official. | Indefinite until dealt with by the Chair of Discipline |
| Team official(s)/player(s) who do not fulfil their commitment to the note contained within Regulation 6.04.16 c) | One (1) Month | |
| f) Removing Team From Game | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 10.8 | Head coach whose team is removed from the game prior to the game conclusion. | Indefinite until dealt with by the Chair of Discipline |
g) Game Misconduct
In all hockey (with the exception of Junior A),any player or team official who is assessed a Game Misconduct penalty in the last ten (10) minutes of regular time, at any time in overtime, or after the conclusion of the game and prior to the player or team official entering the dressing room, shall automatically be suspended for the next regular scheduled league, playoff, Hockey Saskatchewan Provincial Playoff or sanctioned tournament game. Players receiving a game misconduct under this rule during their last game of the season must serve the suspension in their first league or sanctioned tournament game in the next season.
Any Gross Misconduct or Match penalty in the last ten (10) minutes of a game receives an extra Game Suspension in addition to the suspension for the Gross Misconduct or Match penalty.
h) Multiple Game Misconducts
| Player or Team Official who receives multiple game misconducts at any time for each game during a game. | One (1) game for each game Misconduct over one (1) |
i) Unsanctioned Event Participation
| Association that allows unsanctioned teams to participate in their Hockey Saskatchewan sanctioned event. | Penalties to be imposed by the Chair of Discipline |
RETURN TO HANDBOOK LISTING
I have a comprehensive understanding of the disciplinary procedures in hockey, particularly those outlined by Hockey Saskatchewan. The Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the sport by addressing offenses on and off the ice committed by registered participants. The regulations cover various aspects, including the types of games (Exhibition, Tournaments, Playoffs) and different divisions (Minor and Female Divisions).
The Minimum Suspension guidelines outlined in Regulation 6.09.04 serve as a baseline for the application of suspensions, and leagues have the authority to extend but not reduce these guidelines. Notably, the responsibility lies with team managers and coaches to ensure that team members serve their appropriate suspensions. The Chair of Discipline can impose time-limited suspensions under special circ*mstances, indicating flexibility in the disciplinary process.
The application guidelines for suspensions, as per Regulation 6.09.02, cover referees, players, coaches, and team officials. Suspended individuals may not participate in any capacity during games, and specific rules govern their presence on the bench or in the dressing room. The timing and duration of suspensions are outlined, including restrictions on serving suspensions in preseason, exhibition, or canceled games.
The record-keeping of suspensions (6.09.03) is a crucial aspect, with all registered leagues required to submit correspondence involving suspensions through the Hockey Saskatchewan online Suspension tracking website. This ensures transparency and accountability in the disciplinary process.
Regulation 6.09.04 provides detailed guidelines for specific offenses, such as physical abuse of officials, abuse of officials, unsportsmanlike conduct/misconduct, major/match penalties, fighting, ineligible players, and participation in unsanctioned events. The document includes minimum suspension durations for each offense, and some offenses may result in indefinite suspensions pending review by the Chair of Discipline.
The examples provided in 6.09.04 illustrate how accumulated penalties can lead to more extended suspensions, adding a layer of complexity to the disciplinary system. Additionally, the rules address pre/post-game altercations, removal of a team from a game, and participation in unsanctioned events.
In summary, Hockey Saskatchewan's disciplinary framework is a comprehensive and meticulously detailed system designed to maintain fair play and sportsmanship within the sport of hockey. The regulations cover a wide range of offenses, specifying minimum suspension durations and outlining procedures for enforcement and record-keeping.
