Rules

RSF Hockey League & Tournament Rulebook

Game Locations

All games will be played at:

  • Enns Brothers Arena
  • Flynn Arena
  • ACU Place

Game Format

Each game is scheduled within a 50-minute ice slot, which includes:

  • 2-minute warm-up
  • Three (3) 12-minute stop-time periods
  • 1-minute rest between periods

If the schedule is running ahead, teams may use the full 50 minutes if desired. Teams are expected to respect their allotted time and avoid delays.

Ice Resurfacing (Flood) Scheduling

  • Ice floods may be intentionally staggered or offset throughout the schedule to help manage time.
  • This allows the league to recover time if games fall behind schedule.
  • As a result, some games may:
    • Start slightly earlier or later than posted times

Teams are expected to be ready to play as scheduled and remain flexible, as ice times may be adjusted to keep the overall schedule running smoothly.

Gameplay Rules

  • All divisions play 5-on-5, full ice
  • Regular-sized nets are used in all divisions
  • Each team will play 8 regular season games, followed by playoffs

Team Formation & League Philosophy

Teams are formed by league organizers and coaches with the goal of creating a balanced and competitive environment.

While every effort is made to ensure fairness, teams may not always be perfectly equal in skill level.

The primary purpose of the RSF Spring League is to:

  • Provide players with the opportunity to continue playing hockey
  • Offer an additional 5 weeks of development and game experience
  • Allow participation prior to the start of spring and summer sports

By registering, players and parents/guardians acknowledge and accept that:

  • Team balance is not guaranteed
  • The focus of the league is on development, participation, and enjoyment of the game

The league reserves the right to assign, adjust, or redistribute players at its discretion if deemed necessary.

Standings & Points System

Points

  • Win: 2 points
  • Tie: 1 point
  • Loss: 0 points

Tiebreakers

If two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, standings will be determined by the following, in order:

  1. Goals For
  2. Goals Against
  3. Goal Differential (Goals For minus Goals Against)

If teams remain tied after these criteria, the league will determine final standings at its discretion.

Division-Specific Rules

Division 3 Rules

  • A 2-minute horn will signal line changes
  • When the horn sounds:
    • The referee will stop play
    • Players will line up for a faceoff at center ice
  • The clock will be stopped during line changes

Zone Reset Rule

  • After a goal or when the goalie covers the puck for a whistle, the attacking team must:
    • Tag up at the offensive blue line before re-entering the zone

Modified Offside Rule

  • The offside line extends from the offensive blue line to the top of the faceoff circles
  • If the puck crosses the offensive blue line, and an attacking player is:
    • Positioned below the top of the faceoff circles ahead of the play,
      → the play will be ruled offside

U16 Division

  • This division is non-contact
  • Physical play may occur, however:
    • Shoulder-to-shoulder checking is not permitted

Standard Hockey Rules (Division 1, Division 2 & U16)

Division 1, Division 2, and U16 will follow standard hockey rules, unless otherwise specified in this rulebook.

Icing

  • Icing is in effect
  • Play will be stopped if a team shoots the puck from their side of center ice across the opposing goal line without being touched
  • The resulting faceoff will take place in the offending team’s defensive zone

Offside

  • Offside rules are in effect
  • Players must not enter the offensive zone before the puck crosses the blue line
  • Offside infractions will result in a stoppage of play and faceoff outside the zone

Penalties

  • Minor penalties will be 2 minutes in length
  • Common infractions include (but are not limited to):
    • Tripping
    • Hooking
    • Slashing
    • Interference
    • High-sticking
    • Roughing
  • A player receiving a penalty will serve their time in the penalty box
  • The opposing team will receive a power play

Body Contact (U16 Reminder)

  • This division is non-contact
  • Physical play is expected at this level, including normal battles for the puck
  • However:
    • Body checking is not permitted
    • Excessive or dangerous contact may result in penalties at the referee’s discretion

Line Changes

  • Line changes are permitted on the fly
  • Teams must ensure changes are made safely and without too many players on the ice

Faceoffs

  • Faceoffs will be conducted:
    • At the start of each period
    • After goals
    • After stoppages in play
  • Players must line up properly (exceptions in Division 3)

Goaltender Rules

  • Goalies are protected within the crease
  • Players may not make unnecessary contact with the goalie
  • Interference penalties may be called at the referee’s discretion

General Play

  • All games are played under the supervision of certified referees
  • Referees have full authority to:
    • Enforce rules
    • Assess penalties
    • Maintain control of the game

League Emphasis

While standard rules apply, the league places emphasis on:

  • Safety
  • Respect
  • Sportsmanship

Affiliate Player (AP) Rules

If a team has fewer than 9 players, they may use affiliate players (APs) from other RSF-registered teams, provided those players are comparable in skill level.

Regular Season (8 Games)

  • If a team’s goalie is absent:
    • They may borrow a goalie from within the league
    • Teams must prioritize RSF-registered goalies before seeking outside replacements

Playoff Format

Playoffs are conducted in a single-elimination format:

  • Once a team loses, they are eliminated from the playoffs

Game Format

  • Games consist of:
    • Three (3) 12-minute stop-time periods
  • All games are played:
    • 5-on-5
    • Full ice with regular-sized nets

Overtime (Tie Games)

All playoff games must produce a winner.

If a game is tied at the end of regulation:

  • Overtime will be played 3-on-3
  • Overtime will consist of 12-minute stop-time periods
  • Overtime will continue in sudden death format until a goal is scored

The first team to score will be declared the winner and advance.

Affiliate Player (AP) Restrictions

  • No AP players are permitted under any circumstances during playoffs
  • If a team’s goalie is unavailable:
    • The team must dress a player to play in net

League Discretion

  • The league reserves the right to adjust playoff format or overtime procedures if required due to scheduling or time constraints

Conduct & Discipline Policy

All players are expected to demonstrate respect, sportsmanship, and appropriate behavior at all times.

Reports of foul language, abusive comments, or inappropriate behavior will be taken seriously. However:

  • Discipline will only be issued if the incident is:
    • Observed by an official, or
    • Clearly verifiable (e.g., video evidence)

If an incident cannot be verified, the league may not be able to take formal action.

Confirmed misconduct, including but not limited to:

  • Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate language
  • Intentional attempts to injure another player
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct

may result in:

  • Immediate suspension
  • Further review to determine the length and severity of discipline
  • Indefinite suspension, if necessary

Injuries & Liability

Injuries, Liability & Waiver Requirement

Participation in hockey involves inherent risks, including the risk of injury.

By participating in the RSF League, players and their parents/guardians acknowledge and accept these risks. The league, its organizers, and affiliated facilities shall not be held liable for injuries sustained during league activities, except where required by law.

All players must have a signed/agreed waiver and parental/guardian consent form on file prior to participating in any league activity.

  • Players without a completed waiver will not be permitted to play
  • It is the responsibility of the team representative and/or parent/guardian to ensure all required forms are submitted

All participants are expected to be covered under appropriate insurance.

Equipment Requirements

All players must wear proper, CSA-approved hockey equipment at all times.

Helmets & Visors

  • All players are required to wear a certified hockey helmet with full face protection (full cage or full face clear visor)
  • Effective May 15th 2026, Tinted or colored visors are not permitted
  • Helmets must be worn properly with the chin strap secured

Neck Guards

  • Neck guards are mandatory for all players
  • Players without a neck guard will not be permitted to participate

Goaltender Equipment

  • Goalies must wear a certified goalie mask with full facial protection
  • All goalie equipment must meet recognized safety standards

Division 3 Exception:

  • Due to rotating goalies, players in Division 3 are permitted to wear a player helmet (with full cage) while playing goal
  • The league recommends proper goalie equipment whenever possible, but this exception is allowed for participation purposes

General Equipment

  • Mouthguards are recommended, but not mandatory
  • The league reserves the right to remove any player from the ice if equipment is deemed unsafe

Referee Authority

  • All referee decisions are final during gameplay
  • Abuse of officials will not be tolerated and may result in:
    • Penalties
    • Ejection
    • Suspension

Complaint & Dispute Policy

  • All formal complaints must be submitted in writing and emailed to shaun@rsfperformance.ca
  • The league will review complaints at its discretion
  • Complaints not supported by officials or verifiable evidence may not result in action

League Authority

  • The league reserves the right to:
    • Interpret and enforce all rules
    • Make decisions on disputes and discipline
  • All decisions made by league organizers are final

Scheduling & Operations

  • The league reserves the right to:
    • Adjust schedules, game times, and formats as needed
  • Teams are expected to be ready five (5) minutes prior to all games scheduled times.

Team Responsibility

  • Team representatives are responsible for:
    • Ensuring all players understand and follow league rules
    • Maintaining proper roster management

Minimum Players & Forfeits

  • Teams must have a sufficient number of players to compete
  • Teams unable to field a team may be subject to a forfeit

Refund Policy

  • All registration fees are non-refundable within one (1) week prior to the league start date, with no exceptions.
  • Any refund requests made prior to this deadline will be reviewed at the discretion of the league.

Harassment & Discrimination

  • Any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination will not be tolerated
  • Violations may result in:
    • Immediate suspension
    • Removal from the league

Media & Video

  • The league is not responsible for:
    • Providing or reviewing video footage
  • Only league-approved or clearly verifiable evidence will be considered in reviews

Final Note

This rulebook is in place to ensure a fair, safe, and enjoyable environment for all players. Respect for the game, officials, and each other is expected at all times.

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