Jersey Birds Hockey League Rules

  • USA Hockey Adult Playing Rules apply unless otherwise stated below.

  • This is a recreational adult women's league focused on competition, player development, and sportsmanship.

  • The league is a non-checking league.

  • League officials reserve the right to interpret and enforce all rules.

Governing Rules

  • This league consists of players of varying experience and skill levels.

  • Players are expected to compete hard while maintaining respect for opponents and the spirit of recreational hockey.

  • Actions that create unnecessary risk of injury may result in disciplinary action regardless of whether a penalty is assessed during the game.

League Philosophy

  • Games consist of three (3) 15-minute stop-time periods.

  • Three-minute warmup before puck drop.

  • Teams must have a minimum of six (6) players, including a goaltender, to start a game.

  • Running time may be used at the discretion of league officials if games fall significantly behind schedule.

  • A team unable to field a legal lineup must notify league administration as soon as possible.

  • Teams that cannot field a legal lineup may request substitute players from the League Commissioners.

  • Substitute players assigned by the League Commissioners are intended solely to ensure games are played and may not be used to gain a competitive advantage.

  • The League Commissioners reserve the right to approve or deny all substitute player requests.

Game Format

  • Faceoffs will follow USA Hockey procedures.

  • Centers must be set before the puck is dropped.

  • Players who repeatedly violate faceoff procedures may be removed from the draw.

Faceoffs

  • Delayed offsides are in effect.

  • Attacking players must clear the offensive zone and tag up before re-entering the play.

  • Blue-line icing is in effect.

  • An icing violation occurs when a team shoots the puck from behind the defensive blue line and it crosses the opposing goal line untouched.

  • Play will be stopped once the puck crosses the goal line.

  • Icing is waived off if:

    • The defending team could have reasonably played the puck.

    • The puck enters the goal.

    • The offending team is shorthanded.

Offsides & Icing

  • Body checking is prohibited.

  • Incidental body contact while competing for the puck is permitted.

  • Players may establish legal body position while pursuing the puck.

  • Checking from behind, boarding, charging, or intentional body contact will be strictly enforced.

  • Any deliberate check may result in a minor, major, or misconduct penalty.

Body Contact & Checking

  • Minor penalties are two (2) minutes.

  • Double-minor penalties are four (4) minutes.

  • Major penalties are five (5) minutes.

  • Misconduct penalties are ten (10) minutes.

  • No team may play with fewer than three skaters on the ice due to penalties.

  • A player receiving three penalties in one game will be ejected for the remainder of that game.

  • Penalty time begins when play resumes.

Penalties

  • Fighting is not permitted.

  • Any player assessed a fighting major will:

    • Be ejected from the game.

    • Receive an automatic one (1) game suspension.

    • Additional suspensions and removal from the league is at the sole discretion of the league administrators.

  • Additional suspensions may be imposed by league administration for repeat offenses.

Fighting

  • Abuse of officials will not be tolerated.

  • Excessive arguing, taunting, obscene language, threats, or harassment may result in penalties or ejection.

  • Players are responsible for the conduct of their spectators.

  • Any player receiving a game misconduct is subject to league review and possible suspension.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

  • All equipment must comply with USA Hockey standards.

  • Helmets with secured chin straps are required.

  • Full facial protection is strongly recommended.

  • Mouthguards are strongly recommended.

  • Players may not participate with unsafe or altered equipment.

Equipment

  • Goaltenders may freeze the puck when legally covered.

  • Goalies are protected from unnecessary contact.

  • Deliberate contact with a goaltender in the crease may result in a penalty.

  • Goals may be disallowed if significant contact prevents the goaltender from playing the position.

Goaltender Rules

  • Individual players are limited to three (3) goals per game.

  • Any goal scored by a player after reaching the three-goal limit will not count.

  • Play will resume with a faceoff at the nearest neutral-zone faceoff spot.

Scoring Limit

  • Regular season overtime consists of one (1) 3-minute sudden-death period.

  • Teams will play 4-on-4 plus goaltenders.

  • The first team to score during overtime wins the game.

  • If no goal is scored during overtime, the game will proceed to a shootout.

Overtime & Shootout

Shootout Format

  • Each team will select three (3) shooters.

  • Teams alternate attempts.

  • The team with the most goals after three rounds wins.

  • If still tied after three rounds, the shootout will continue in sudden-death format.

  • No player may take a second shootout attempt until every eligible rostered skater has taken a shot.

  • Goaltenders may not be used as shooters unless all eligible skaters have participated.

  • The home team will choose whether to shoot first or second.

  • Regulation Win: 3 points

  • Overtime Win: 2 points

  • Shootout Win: 2 points

  • Overtime Loss: 1 point

  • Shootout Loss: 1 point

  • Regulation Loss: 0 points

Standings

  • If a team leads by five (5) or more goals in the third period, running time may be used at the referee's discretion.

  • Stop time may resume if the goal differential falls below five goals.

Mercy Rule

  • All players must be registered with the league before participating.

  • Players may only play for the team on whose roster they are registered.

  • Substitute players must be approved by League Commissioners.

  • Teams may not independently recruit substitute players without league approval.

  • Substitute players may not participate in playoff games unless specifically approved by League Commissioners.

Player Eligibility

  1. Total Wins

  2. Total Regulation Wins

  3. Head-to-Head Record

  4. Goal Differential

  5. Coin Flip

Playoff Tiebreakers

  • Match penalties, major penalties, and game misconducts are subject to league review.

  • Repeat offenders may receive additional suspensions.

  • League administration reserves the right to impose discipline for actions deemed dangerous or detrimental to the league at any time.

  • Removal from the league due to safety and/or disciplinary actions subjects players to forfeit their season fees.

  • Any future participation by offenders with Jersey Bird Hockey is at the sole discretion of the administrators.

Safety & Discipline

  • Respect teammates, opponents, officials, rink staff, and spectators.

  • The purpose of this league is to provide a safe, competitive, and enjoyable hockey experience for all participants.

  • Good sportsmanship is expected at all times.

Sportsmanship