NRI Hockey League Rules

Foundation: NHL rules apply as the foundation for all gameplay, with modifications specified below.

Rink Rules: All players must comply with facility ice contract rules, player conduct standards, and any public health protocols.

Game Misconducts: Players receiving game misconduct penalties will be suspended from the following game. Suspensions received during the playoffs carry over to remaining playoff games or the start of the following season, whichever comes first.

Dangerous Play: The following actions result in immediate ejection and potential league suspension subject to Commissioner review:

• Deliberate intent to injure any player. This includes boarding or body checking.
• Using the hockey stick to slash above the shoulders, especially if causing injury

Abusive or Discriminatory Language: Threatening, abusive, or discriminatory language directed at any player, official, spectator, or facility staff is prohibited and subject to immediate ejection and Commissioner review.

Officiating Disputes: Players may not confront or argue with officials directly. All officiating disputes must be raised by Team Captains or escalated to the Commissioner.

Penalty Box Compliance: Any player receiving a penalty must proceed directly to the penalty box without delay or protest.

Impaired Players: Players under the influence of illegal drugs or excessive alcohol prior to or during league activities will not be permitted to participate, as determined by the Commissioner, Team Captains, or Referee.

Penalty Accumulation: Any player receiving 3 minor penalties will be ejected for the remainder of the game.

Season Review: Players receiving 3 or more game misconducts in a single season may face league suspension pending a formal review meeting with the Commissioner.

Disciplinary Action: Violations of any conduct rule may result in disciplinary action up to and including permanent removal from the league, as determined by the Commissioner.

Slap Shot Prohibition: Slap shots (stick raised above knee level) are prohibited. Violation results in a whistle and faceoff in the offending team's defensive zone.

Icing Rule: The center red line remains active for icing calls (“red line icing”).

High Stick Standard: High sticking violations occur when the stick blade exceeds waist level. No penalty is assessed for standard high stick contact. Violation results in a whistle and faceoff in the offending team's defensive zone.

Ejected/Suspended Player Replacement: When a player is ejected from a game, they must leave the bench area immediately or a bench minor penalty will be assessed.

General Restrictions by Player Rank: A-line players of any rank are prohibited from scoring when more than 3 B-liners from the opposing team are on the ice. They may, however, create scoring opportunities.

Line Change Protocol: Each line must skate for a minimum of 45 seconds before changing. The team controlling the puck cannot advance play until at least 3 players from the new line are on ice.

Minimum Shift Exceptions: The 45-second minimum shift requirement is waived during injury situations.

Player Replacements: When a player is injured or unable to continue, captains may obtain a substitute of equal or lower rank to finish the game. If no equal-or-lower-rank substitute is available, A-line players ranked #4 or #5 may sub down to the B-line, and any B-line player may sub up to the A-line.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Replacement: Replacement players for unsportsmanlike conduct suspensions must be one rank lower. Replacement players are subject to all league rules regardless of entry timing.

Permanent Player Replacement: When players cannot continue long-term or finish the season, captains may request a replacement player subject to majority captain vote. Ties will be determined by Commissioner ruling. Original players remain financially responsible for their full league dues until a replacement is named.

Financial Eligibility: All outstanding league balances must be paid in full for a player to participate in playoff games.

Playoff Timeouts: Each team receives one (1) 30-second timeout per playoff game.

Playoff Substitution Protocol: Team captains must follow this process:

• First Priority: Use an eliminated player from same draft as replacement.
• Second Priority: If unavailable/wrong position, use an approved sub list player.
• Third Priority: If neither works, use league player from same draft round who played before your game.
• If Captain Disagrees: All captains vote on substitute approval. If no majority, Commissioner makes final decision.

Overtime Format: Two 5-minute sudden death overtime periods follow regulation play.

Shootout Procedures:

Following two tied overtime periods, teams will participate in a 5-player shootout. Before the shootout begins, each captain must lock in a roster of 5 players: 3 A-liners and 2 B-liners. Players may only be excluded from this roster due to injury, subject to referee or opposing captain confirmation. Once the roster is set, no changes are permitted. Players will shoot in sequential order: A/B/A/B/A. No player may shoot more than once during the initial 5-player round.

If the game remains tied after the initial 5-player round, play proceeds to sudden death in alternating A vs. A and B vs. B matchups. The first sudden death round begins with one A-liner from each team. If one scores and the other does not, that team wins. If the game remains tied, the play continues to a B vs. B round under the same win condition. If the B round does not produce a winner, play returns to A vs. A and continues alternating until a winner is determined.

Each player in the sudden death rotation may not shoot again until all eligible players at their rank have taken an attempt. A-line and B-line rotations are tracked separately. If a player is unable to shoot after the rotation has started, their turn is forfeited and the rotation continues with the next eligible player.

Substitute Players: Approved substitute players are eligible for shootouts.

Game Interruption Protocol: When incidents stop play for 5–10 minutes, the game clock resumes until regulation time expires. The Commissioner determines if games may be resumed later the same day or rescheduled.

Payment Obligation: All league fees must be paid by the posted due dates. The league reserves the right to restrict participation for any player with an outstanding balance, including playoff games.

Continued Responsibility: A player who withdraws mid-season remains responsible for all league fees until a replacement player registers and pays in full. Until that condition is met, no refund will be issued and any remaining dues continue to accrue.

Refunds: No refunds will be processed while a balance is outstanding under 10.2. Refund requests not fulfilled by the end of the current season expire.