This Tournament is sanctioned by the GTHL and Hockey Canada and game play will be under GTHL/Hockey Canada rules. On ice officials are provided by the GTHL and their decisions are final and cannot be overruled by Tournament organizers.
Tournament Sanction #6171.
All teams must be affiliated with Hockey Canada or USA Hockey and provide a travel permit and official team roster prior to the start of play.
Player Eligibility: All Players, Bench Staff and affiliates must be on the team’s official playing roster. No player may play for 2 different teams in this tournament. Illegal player will be suspended remainder of the tournament, Head Coach will be suspended according to OHF Minimum suspension list and all games where illegal player or staff member is used will result in a 1-0 loss.
Game Sheets: We will be using the Gamesheetz Tablet. Please ensure you have filled out the roster prior to the first tournament game.
Body Checking: Bodychecking is not allowed in any divisions.
Suspension List: Link: https://gthlcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-26-Minor-Hockey-Minimum-Suspension-List-FINAL.pdf
Suspensions: The OHF Minimum Suspension List will be used for this tournament. It is the responsibility of the team officials to ensure suspended players do not play while under suspension and teams must note suspensions being served during the tournament on the game sheets. A player or Team Official ejected from a game for a Balance of Game, Game Misconduct, Gross Misconduct or Match Penalty must immediately leave the playing area and proceed quickly and quietly to the dressing room, then out of the arena. The ejected person is not permitted to return to the playing or spectators’ area for the duration of the game. Ejected persons should be escorted to the dressing room by a Team Official. Continued misconduct, or refusal to leave, must be reported by the Referee for further disciplinary action. A suspended person must not enter the players’ area (dressing rooms, corridors, or players’ bench) during the period of suspension. Suspended players and officials must not communicate with the Team or other officials while in the arena. Coaching from the stands or sidelines is specifically prohibited.
Sanctions: Gross misconduct or match penalties can result in immediate removal of the offending player, coach, manager, or trainer.
Protests: For a hearing, There will be a $250 fee incurred by the team. All decisions are final, and all teams must comply with the tournament rules.
Equipment: Approved helmets, face guards and neck guards must be worn. Mouthguards, while not mandatory are encouraged and must be used correctly when playing. If mouthguards are mandatory in your association area, they are mandatory here.
Jersey: Home Teams wear Dark Jerseys Visiting teams wear Light Jerseys. If your team has a tournament specific jersey, please advise immediately.
Game Format: Teams should be ready to play 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of any game. All teams will play a minimum of 4 games. All games will be 12-12-12 stop time periods. The ice surface will be flooded following each game. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to shorten games to 10 minute periods and or forgo a flood when necessary to keep the
tournament running on time. Game start times and period lengths will be noted on the game sheet for each game. All game that are tied in regulation for round robin will end in a tie. No sudden death.
Start of Game Procedure: A 2-minute warmup will be allowed at the start of each game. A buzzer will sound with 30 seconds remaining in the warm-up. At this time, players will line up and shake hands with opposing players and bench staff. No Handshakes at the end of games except in semi-finals and finals at the referee’s discretion. Shotgun starts will occur IF the tournament is running behind. Shotgun start defines as the game clock begins to run for the 1st period immediately after the 2 minute warmup has concluded.
Late arrival: Teams not ready to play at the scheduled time may receive a delay of game penalty or forfeit the game.
Division Formats:
4 team Divisions - 3 game round robin followed by semi-finals - 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. Winners of Semi Final games advance to the Championship Final.
5 Team Divisions - 4 game round robin. The 1st and 2nd place teams will advance to the Championship Final.
8 Team Divisions - Teams will be divided into two 4 team groups. Each Group will play a 3/4 team round robin followed by quarter finals - 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. Winners of quarter finals will advance to the semi finals. Semi Final winners will advance to the Championship Final.
Round Robin Tie Breakers: - NO OVERTIME WILL BE PLAYED IN THE ROUND ROBIN.
Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss.
1. Most points
2. Most Wins
3. Head-to-Head
4. GFA (Goals For divided by Goals For + Goals Against)
5. Fewest Goals allowed (total of all round robin games)
6. Least Penalty Minutes
7. Coin Toss
Overtime: In the case of a tied game in a Semi Final or Final game, a 5 minute stop time 3 on 3 sudden victory overtime period will take place. Teams will not switch ends for overtime. Time remaining on penalties received in regulation time will carry over into overtime. If the game still remains in a tie, it will proceed to a shootout.
Shootouts: If teams are still tied following overtime, a 3-player penalty shootout will take place. If teams are still tied, single players will take penalty shootouts until a winner is determined. No player may shoot twice until the entire team has had a turn. Players with time remaining on a penalty at the end of overtime are not eligible for the shootout.
Timeouts: No Timeouts will be allowed in the round robin portion of tournament. One 30 second timeout will be permitted for semi finals and final games.
Defaulted Games: Defaulted games will be scored as a 1-0 loss. Teams who default games may be deemed ineligible to advance further in the tournament.
Dressing Rooms: Teams are responsible for their dressing rooms and should report any damage immediately.
Tournament Officials: Tournament officials reserve the right to waive rules, alter the schedule, or make final decisions as needed.