PLEASE ENSURE EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR TEAMS, LEAGUE OR ASSOCIATION IS MADE AWARE OF THIS BULLETIN.
Please note that the Suspension Guidelines are accessible via the BC Hockey Mobile App under the Safety page. The Mobile App can be downloaded from the Apple and Android stores for free.
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REPORTING PROCEDURES
Penalties incurred during BC Hockey Games shall be reported as follows:
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GAME MISCONDUCTS AND MISCONDUCTS IN THE LAST TEN MINUTES:
Rule 4.6 (c), Rule 4.5 (b) and all Game Misconducts listed in Section II of this bulletin
In games played under the jurisdiction of a League, District or Local Associations; Misconduct Penalties in the last ten (10) minutes of a game and all Game Misconducts shall be reported by using the online Hockey Canada game incident reporting system. This submission must be inputted no later than 8:00 am on the day following the incident. Officials have the option of taking a third or fourth generation carbon copy of the game sheet or capture a clear and legible image of the game sheet using their smart phone or tablet for their reference. There is no longer a need to take an original copy of the game sheet and physically mail in their report.
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MATCH PENALTIES AND GROSS MISCONDUCTS:
In all instances in which a Match or Gross Misconduct Penalty is assessed; the Referee shall report the incident by using the online Hockey Canada game incident reporting system. This submission must be inputted no later than 8:00 am on the day following the incident.
Those failing to abide by this ruling will be subject to suspension. For certain offences and/or where appropriate, BC Hockey will notify the local Association, League or Team responsible for ensuring the suspension is served. Should you have any questions please contact the BC Hockey office info@bchockey.net.
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MAJOR AND Game Misconduct Minimum Suspensions
For reporting procedures, please refer to Section I (a)
All minimum suspensions shall commence upon the conclusion of the game in which the infraction(s) occurred. Should a Game Misconduct associated to one of the following infractions occur within the last ten (10) minutes of regular playing time or any time in overtime, Rule 4.6 (c) will also apply resulting in an additional one (1) game suspension.
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MAJOR PENALTY & GAME mISCONDUCTS
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RULE
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PENALTY DESCRIPTION: NON-FIGHTING MAJOR PENALTIES
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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6.2
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Boarding
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.2
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Body Checking
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.3
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Charging
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.4
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Checking from Behind
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.5
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Head Contact
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.6
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Elbowing / Kneeing
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1 Game or 7 Days
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8.2
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Cross-Checking
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1 Game or 7 Days
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8.4
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Slashing
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1 Game or 7 Days
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ACCUMULATION SANCTIONS
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Player
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Receiving two (2) Majors in the same season for any of the above infractions
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2 Games or 10 Days
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Receiving three (3) Majors in the same season for any of the above infractions
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Receiving four (4) Majors in the same season for any of the above infractions
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Indefinite Suspension
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Coach
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Team receives three (3) Majors in the same game for any of the above infractions
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1 game or 7 Days
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For a 2nd violation of the above
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3 Games or 10 Days
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For a 3rd violation of the above
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Indefinite Suspension
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Fighting and other altercations
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RULE
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FIGHTING PRE-GAME / POST-GAME ALTERCATIONS
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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Any player involved in pre-game or post-game altercations where Majors and Game Misconducts are assessed
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2 Games or 10 Days
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Coach of team whose players are so penalized
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Indefinite Suspension
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Any team involved in a pre-game or post-game brawl
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Indefinite Suspension
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RULE
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FIGHTING
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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6.7 (a)
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Any player who engages in his 1st fight in a season
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.7 (h)
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Third (3rd) player in a fight
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2 Games or 10 Days
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6.7 (h)
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Any player receiving a fighting major penalty, which is a result of a second or subsequent fight during the same stoppage of play.
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2 Games or 10 Days
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RULE
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INSTIGATOR & AGGRESSOR
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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6.7
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Instigator or Aggressor 1st Offence
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1 Game or 7 Days
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6.7
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Instigator or Aggressor 2nd Offence
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2 Games or 10 Days
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6.7
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Instigator or Aggressor 3rd Offence
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3 Games or 10 Days
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6.7
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The Coach of a team whose player is penalized for a third offence of Instigator or Aggressor
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3 Games or 10 Days
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RULE
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LEAVING THE PLAYERS BENCH
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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9.5 (b)
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Any player identified as the first to leave the players’ bench during a fight
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3 Games or 10 Days
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9.5 (d)
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Any player identified as the first to leave the penalty bench (penalty box) during a fight
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4 Games or 15 Days
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9.5
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The Coach of the team whose player is penalized under the above two points.
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3 Games or 10 Days
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9.5 (c)
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The Coach whose player left the player bench but is not identified as the first to leave the players or penalty bench during an on ice altercation
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1 Game or 7 Days
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ACCUMULATION SANCTIONS
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Player
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Player receiving 2nd Fighting Major Penalty Offence in the season
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2 Games or 10 Days
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Player receiving 3rd Fighting Major Penalty Offence in the season
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Player receiving 4th Fighting Major Penalty Offence in the season
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Indefinite Suspension
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Coach
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Coach whose team engages in three (3) or more fights in a game
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1 Game or 7 Days
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For a 2nd violation of the above
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3 Games or 10 Days
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For a 3rd violation of the above
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Indefinite Suspension
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Gross Misconducts MINIMUM SUSPENSIONS
For reporting procedures, please refer to Section I (b)
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All Gross Misconduct penalties will receive a minimum suspension of three (3) league games or fifteen (15) days during league play, or fifteen (15) days prior to league play or after the conclusion of league and / or playoff games.
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Gross Misconducts for racial slurs and obscene gestures in Minor Hockey will receive a minimum suspension of six (6) games or thirty (30) days.
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All Gross Misconducts will be reviewed and further disciplinary action may be taken on gross misconducts for obscene gestures and abuse of officials.
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Gross Misconducts
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RULE
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PENALTY DESCRIPTION
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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1.13(c)
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When a Gross Misconduct is assessed to a team official entering the Official’s dressing room
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3 Games or 15 Days
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3.6 (g)
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When a player undoes their own or opponents chinstrap or removes their helmet prior to the start of a fight.
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3 Games or 15 Days
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4.7
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Gross Misconduct for making a travesty of the game
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3 Games or 15 Days
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9.2 (f)
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Harassment of Officials Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Obscene Gestures or racial slurs
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6 Games or 30 Days
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ACCUMULATION SANCTIONS
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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Player
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Any Player receiving two (2) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in a season
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Any Player receiving three (3) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in a season
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Indefinite Suspension
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Coach
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Any Coach whose team receives two (2) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2
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1 Game or 10 Days
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Any Coach who receives two (2) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in a season
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Any Coach who receives three (3) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in a season
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Indefinite Suspension
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There shall be no appeal of any suspension imposed that is automatic under the rules set forth in this section.
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refusing to start play
Team officials penalized under Hockey Canada Rule 10.14 (a, b & c), Refusing to Start Play, including withdrawing a team from play, shall be subject to an indefinite suspension pending an investigation.
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dressing rooms – Hockey Canada Rule 1.13 (c)
Team Officials penalized under Hockey Canada Rule 1.13 (c) shall be subject to indefinite suspension pending an investigation.
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match penalty minimum suspensions
For reporting procedures, please refer to Section 1(b)
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Match Penalties
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RULE
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PENALTY DESCRIPTION
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION IF NO INJURY RESULTS
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION IF INJURY RESULTS
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6.1 (a)
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Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury
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Indefinite Suspension
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Indefinite Suspension
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6.1 (b)
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Head Butting
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.1 (c)
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Kicking
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.1 (d)
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Hair pulling or grabbing facial protector, helmet, chinstrap or throat protector of opponent
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.1 (e)
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Use of facial protector as a weapon
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.1 (f)
8.1
8.5
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High Sticking, Slashing, Cross Check, Butt-end or Spearing
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.2
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Boarding
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.2
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Body Checking
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.3
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Charging
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.4
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Checking from Behind
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Indefinite Suspension
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6.5
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Head Contact
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Indefinite Suspension
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6.6
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Kneeing / Elbowing
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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6.7 (e)
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Wearing ring, tape or material on hands & using it to gain an advantage or inflict punishment
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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7.4 (b)
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Tripping (slew foot)
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3 Games or 12 Days
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6 Games or 21 Days
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9.6 (a)
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Abuse of Official(s)
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30 Days
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30 Days
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9.6 (b)
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Abuse of Official(s)
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45 Days
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45 Days
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9.6 (c)
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Abuse of Official(s)
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90 Days
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90 Days
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9.7
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Spitting
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Indefinite Suspension
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Indefinite Suspension
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ACCUMULATION SANCTIONS
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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Player
Coach
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In addition to the minimum suspension, a player accumulating two (2) Match penalties
under 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 in same season for any of the above infractions
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4 Games or 15 Days
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In addition to the minimum suspension, a player accumulating two (2) Match penalties under 6.4, 6.5 in same season for any of the above infractions
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5 Games or 18 Days
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Any player receiving three (3) Match penalties for any of the above infractions
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Indefinite Suspension
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Coach
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Any Coach’s team that receives two (2) Match penalties in the same game for any of the above infractions
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1 game or 7 Days
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For a 2nd violation of a team receiving two (2) Match penalties in the same game
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3 Games or 10 Games
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For a 3rd violation of a team receiving two (2) Match penalties in the same game
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Indefinite Suspension
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The above-noted suspension guidelines are minimum guidelines and accordingly may be subject to a lengthier suspension as it relates to the severity of the infraction. Any of the above noted penalties may be subject to Indefinite Suspension pending an investigation by BC Hockey. There shall be no appeal of any suspension imposed that is an automatic minimum suspension indicated under the rules set forth in this section.
NOTE 1: Tournament Games sanctioned by BC Hockey will be considered league games for the purpose of this bulletin.
NOTE 2: For suspensions in effect prior to the Christmas Break, the days between the last scheduled league or tournament game prior to the Christmas Break and the first scheduled league or tournament game shall not be included in determining the number of days served.
NOTE 3: Match and Gross Misconduct Penalties that result in a suspension to be served after the conclusion of league and / or playoff game(s) it will be served at the start of the next season.
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HARASSMENT OF OFFICIALS – Hockey Canada Rule 9.2
For reporting procedures, please refer to Section I (a) & (b)
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Game & Gross Misconduct
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RULE
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PENALTY DESCRIPTION: HARASSMENT OF OFFICIAL
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MINIMUM SUSPENSION
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9.2
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Harassment of Officials - When Game Misconduct is assessed
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2 Games or 10 Days
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9.2
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Harassment of Officials - When Gross Misconduct is assessed
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2 Games or 10 Days
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ACCUMULATION SANCTIONS
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Player
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Receiving two (2) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in the same season
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Receiving three (3) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in the same season
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Indefinite Suspension
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Coach
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Receiving two (2) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in the same season
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4 Games or 15 Days
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Receiving three (3) Game or Gross Misconducts under Rule 9.2 in the same season
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Indefinite Suspension
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ZERO TOLERANCE - DRUG/ALCOHOL
BC Hockey adopted a zero tolerance Drug /Alcohol awareness policy. That policy prohibits the use of drugs/alcohol during activities sanctioned by a minor hockey association or with BC Hockey. All incidents must be investigated and dealt with on an individual basis. The recommended minimum suspension for violations is thirty (30) days from all participation within the association. (This includes practices). Associations and teams have the responsibility to investigate all situations, if there are questions or concerns, please contact the President or BC Hockey.
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SERVING OF SUSPENSIONS
A. General
Tournament games sanctioned by BC Hockey will be conserved league games for the purposes of this bulletin. Please note, team officials, players, or officials may not practice with their team during the term of the suspensions listed below if the suspension is in excess of thirty (30) days. If a suspension would have been less than thirty (30) days, but is extended due to the rules regarding carry-over suspension, then BC Hockey may consider whether to grant permission for a player, team official or official to participate in practices or tryouts.
B. Carry-over Suspensions
For a suspension made pursuant to this Bulletin that is in effect immediately prior to the Christmas break, the days between the last scheduled league or tournament game prior to the Christmas break and the first scheduled league or tournament game shall not be included in determining the number of days served.
For a suspension made pursuant to this Bulletin that is in effect immediately prior to and does not conclude by the conclusion of the league and / or playoff games, the suspension will be served at the start of the next season. The start of the next seasons shall be deemed to be:
a) In any district that has adopted a regulation or policy setting a start date for carry-over suspension for that district, the date so specified.
b) In all other districts, the first scheduled exhibition or league game of the season in which the player would otherwise have been rostered to play (or, in the case of an official, in which the official would have been eligible for assignment at his / her level of qualification; and
c) In any event, no later than September 1.
C. Players
A Player receiving a suspension as a result of a Match, Gross Misconduct or any other penalty outlined in this bulletin shall be prohibited from playing in games as well as from acting as an Official or in any other official capacity with a Team, League or Association within BC Hockey.
Players who have a suspension that carries over past the final game of a season shall be eligible to participate in tryouts. Tryouts would include any BC Hockey High Performance camps during the summer. However, the suspended player will be prohibited from playing in exhibition or regular season games until the suspension has been served in full.
D. Team Officials
A Team Official receiving a suspension as a result of a Match, Gross Misconduct or any other penalty outlined in this bulletin shall be prohibited from participating with the Team from one hour prior to any games until one hour after the conclusion of any games and from acting as an Official and in any other official capacity with a Team, League or Association within BC Hockey.
Team Officials who have a suspension that carries over past the final game of a season shall adhere to the same suspension stipulations that applied upon the conclusion of the previous season as noted above, with the suspension continuing with start of the next season.
E. Officials
An Official receiving a suspension under any regulation or policy governing the officiating program shall be prohibited from officiating until the expiration of the suspension plus playing in any games and acting in any other official capacity with a Team, League or Association within BC Hockey.
An Official who has a suspension that carries over past the final game of a season shall be permitted to attend an HCOP clinic for certification purposes while under suspension but will be prohibited from upgrading to a higher level of certification while under suspension.
F. Hockey Canada Rule 4.6 (b) (c) (Misconducts)
A Player receiving a suspension as a result of Hockey Canada Rule 4.6 or a Local / District Association suspension for accumulated penalties shall be prohibited from playing in game situations until the expiration of the suspension.
G. Other Suspensions
A Player suspended by BC Hockey or under a suspension imposed by a Team, League or Association that has been honored by BC Hockey shall be prohibited from playing in any games, acting as an official and from acting in any other capacity with a Team, League or Association within BC Hockey.
BC Hockey personnel or an Official of a Team, League or Association, when suspended by BC Hockey or under a suspension imposed by a Team, League or Association that has been honored by BC Hockey, shall be prohibited from playing in any games, acting as an Official and acting in any other capacity with a Team, League or Association within BC Hockey.
H. Spring/Summer Hockey
BC Hockey sanctions spring hockey tournaments and teams between April 1 and July 31. Spring/Summer sanctioned tournament games shall not be included in determining the number of days or games served as they relate to regular season exhibition, league or playoff games suspensions carried forward to the following season.