SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

 

SCAHA

 

2005-2006 SEASON


SCAHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Robert Doherty

Commissioner

Sandy Blumberg

Deputy Commissioner

Tim Fahringer

Director at Large

Larry Bruyere

Ace Coaching Coordinator

Bob Driffill

Treasurer

Rosemary Voulelikas

Secretary

Laurie Boaz

Scholarship Chair

Arthur Kitano

Referee in Chief

Louis Pacella

Legal Counsel/Parliamentarian

 

SCAHA STAFF

Annie Fisher

Statistician

Wendy Goldstein

Member Services

Chris Carcerano

Ice Convener


SCAHA MEMBER CLUBS

As of June 2005

Anaheim Jr. Ducks

Bakersfield Dragons

Bay Harbor Red Wings

Beach City Lightning

California Golden Bears

California Stars

California Wave

Channel Islands Riptides

Huntington Beach Sun Devils

Inland Valley Wild

Junior Ice Dogs

La Jolla Jaguars

Los Angeles Jr. Kings

LA Hockey Club

Ontario Eagles

Pasadena Maple Leafs

San Diego Gulls

South Coast Sabers

Valencia Express

Ventura Mariners

West Valley Wolves

Yorba Linda Blackhawks


TABLE OF CONTENTS

BYLAWS

1.

Name

2.

Office

3.

Purpose

4.

Membership

5.

Fees and Dues

6.

Government

7.

Board of Directors

8.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

9.

Executive Committee

10.

Meetings of the Executive Committee

11.

Quorum

12.

Committees

13.

Audit

14.

Dissolution

15.

Bylaws

16.

Resolution of Disputes

RULES AND REGULATIONS

17.

General

18.

Tryouts

19.

Registration Requirements for Players

20.

Registration Requirements for Teams

21.

Declarations

22.

Team Eligibility

23.

Playing Rules

24.

Coaches

25.

On Ice and Minor Officials

26.

SCAHA Games

27.

Protests

28.

Player Movement

29.

Permanent Player Releases

30.

Temporary Releases

31.

Tournament and Exhibition Games

32.

Post-Season Eligibility

33.

Regular Season Championship

34.

Playoffs

35.

Suspensions

APPENDIX

  Member Club Agreement

BYLAWS OF THE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

 

SCAHA

 

ADOPTED

NOVEMBER 1974

 

LAST REVISED

JULY 2005

Article 1 - NAME
1.01 The name of this corporation shall be the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA), herein referred to as the Association or League.
1.02 No member club within this Association shall carry "Southern California" in its name.
Article 2 - OFFICE
2.01 For the purpose of transacting business, the principal office of the Association shall be located within Southern California, at such place or places as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Normally, however, the principal office will be the home address of the current Commissioner of the Association.
2.02 The Association may also have offices at such other places within or without of the State of California where it is qualified to do business as its business may require and as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Article 3 - PURPOSE
3.01 The specific and primary purpose of this Association is to act as a regulatory and governing body for member amateur hockey clubs and teams in SCAHA.
3.02 The general purposes and powers shall be as stated in the articles of incorporation of this Association.
Article 4 - MEMBERSHIP
4.01 The Association shall consist of regular members and probationary members only. A regular or probationary member is a club, organization or team involved in competitive play.
4.02 Membership shall be open to hockey clubs within the Pacific District with the approval from the Board of Directors.
4.03 No member shall hold more than one membership in the Association. All teams of the member Club must be members of SCAHA with the exception of Tier I teams.
4.04 All property, rights, interests and privileges of each regular and probationary member shall be equal.
4.05 Members shall abide by the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of SCAHA, CAHA, and USA Hockey.
4.06 New clubs shall be approved for membership by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the existing member clubs present at a meeting for which this purpose is previously disclosed and in which a quorum is present.

a)

New clubs may apply at any time during the year.

b)

New club applications must be submitted in written form detailing the structure, program plan and a timetable adhering to SCAHA, CAHA and USA Hockey requirements.

c)

The SCAHA Commissioner, at any time prior to April 1st of each season, may accept the applications for membership with a vote of approval conducted no later than May 1st of each season.

d)

Only clubs or teams accepted prior to May 1st of the current season would be included in the SCAHA schedule for the upcoming season.

e)

Any clubs or teams that wish to be included in the fall schedule must submit their application for membership by April 1st.

f)

Requests for membership will not be considered without all the required documentation.

g)

All new clubs will be accepted on a "probationary" basis only regardless of previous affiliations or participation until December 31st of the affected season. The new club will be subject to a compliance review by the Executive Committee prior to December 31st. The compliance review may include but is not limited to registration procedures, accrued penalty minutes, submission of score sheets, adherence to game misconduct and suspension rules and any other additional information that the Executive Committee determines to be of a pertinent nature. The Executive Committee will make its recommendation to the SCAHA Board of Directors prior to December 31st deadline. At that time if a new Club is found to be in full compliance with the SCAHA, CAHA and USA Hockey rules and regulations, the SCAHA Board of Directors may lift the probationary status by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the existing member clubs present at a meeting for which this purpose is previously disclosed and in which a quorum is present.

 h)

Such approval vote may be conducted by, but not limited to: in person, by mail, by phone, by fax, or by e-mail. If such approval were given at that time, the new club would no longer be on probation and would be eligible for post-season play including SCAHA and CAHA playoff tournaments, where applicable.
4.07 A Member Club may be placed on probationary status for cause:

a)

In the event a Member Club shall commit repeated and uncorrected violations of the Association's Bylaws or Rules, or the policies, procedures, practices and guidelines from time to time established by the Executive Committee or Board of Directors, the Executive Committee may place that Member Club on administrative probation pending correction of the deficiency or its cause within a time period to be established by the Executive Committee. The decision to place a Member Club on administrative probation shall not be subject to appeal and shall not affect the Member Club's right to participate in league games or playoffs. Notice of being placed on administrative probationary status shall be provided to the offending Member Club only.

b)

In the event that a Member Club which has been placed on administrative probation fails to correct the deficiencies or the cause therefore cited by the Executive Committee within the time period established in the notice of being placed on administrative probation (which period may be extended by the Executive Committee), the Executive Committee may recommend to the SCAHA Board of Directors that the Member Club be placed on probationary status, thereby making the Member Club ineligible for playoff participation while the probationary status remains in effect.

c)

A Member Club which has been placed on probationary status may apply to the Executive Committee for lifting of the probationary status and the Executive Committee shall, at or before the next meeting of the SCAHA Board of Directors, make a recommendation to the SCAHA Board of Directors as to whether the Member Club should have its probationary status lifted.
4.08 A member club may be suspended for cause by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the existing member clubs present at a meeting for which this purpose is previously disclosed and in which a quorum is present.
4.09 Any member club may resign from the Association, but such resignation shall not relieve the member club of the obligation to pay any dues or charges accrued and unpaid.
4.10 Upon written request of any such resigned member, the Board of Directors may reinstate it to membership on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine; provided however, the terms and conditions shall be no more restrictive than the requirements for new membership.
4.11 All member Clubs must provide electronic contact (e-mail) for the League to communicate in Word and Excel to the club officers including but not limited to the President, Statistician, Ice Convener and Registrar.
Article 5 - FEES AND DUES
5.01 All member clubs and exhibition teams are subject to the full payment of dues without pro-ration unless otherwise established by the Board of Directors.
5.02 The Board of Directors is authorized to establish the amount of said dues, which will be in the form of a player's registration fee for each player belonging to the member club or exhibition team.
5.03 The said dues shall be payable to the Association by the member clubs at such times as directed by the Executive Committee.
5.04 As required, the Executive Committee may request special assessments from member clubs with the approval of the Board of Directors.
5.05 Member clubs are required to insure all players under the Association Medical Liability Policy as approved by the Board of Directors, by the payment of the aforementioned registration fee. In addition, all coaches, managers, and bench personnel or any other individual who participates "on ice" or on the player bench must have a current USA Hockey Individual Member Registration (IMR). It is highly recommended that all member clubs obtain insurance for Directors Errors and Omissions.
Article 6 - GOVERNMENT
6.01 The Government of the Association shall be by two (2) bodies; one body shall be the Board of Directors and the other body shall be the Executive Committee.
6.02 The Board of Directors shall consist of the presidents of each member club and shall be the main decision-making body of the Association. The Board of Directors shall:

a)

Direct and manage all phases of the Association program except where it so delegates to the Executive Committee.

b)

Work in conjunction with the Executive Committee in the direction and development of organizational policies to further the purpose of the Association.
6.03 The Executive Committee will consist of voting members and non-voting members. There shall be no less than five (5) and no more than nine (9) voting members on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of three parts; the elected officers (Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner), appointed members, and staff. Paid staff as well as those persons appointed by the Commissioner will require ratification by the Board of Directors. The Commissioner will vote in tie-breaking issues only. The Executive Committee shall:

a)

Carry out the day-to-day business of the Association. Perform all the duties of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors.

b)

Carry out the directives of the Board of Directors as expressed at the annual meetings.

c)

Have jurisdiction over suspensions of teams, parents, spectators, officers, players, coaches and managers; adjudication of protests and lifting of suspensions; may delegate the power to suspend to the Penalty Review Committee.

d)

Have determination of all questions, taking of any action and meeting any situation involving the Association, not otherwise specifically provided for in the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, or by the vote of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

e)

Have the responsibility and authority to enforce all the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and policies of the Association.

f)

Have the power to impose monetary or other sanctions for violations of the Association's Bylaws or Rules, or the policies, procedures, practices and guidelines from time to time established by the Executive Committee or the SCAHA Board of Directors.
Article 7 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7.01 The Board of Directors shall be the main decision-making body of the Association except where it so delegates to the Executive Committee.
7.02 Each Director shall have voting rights in the Association except if said Director's member club is on suspension.
7.03 Each Director is entitled to one vote.
7.04 Voting at duly held meetings shall be by show of hands, or by ballot, as is stated in the Bylaws.
Article 8 - MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
8.01 There shall be one meeting which shall be called the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors each year held at a time and place fixed by the Executive Committee.
8.02 In the absence of a member club's President, the member club's Vice-President(s) or designee who shall be an elected or appointed member of that Club's Board of Directors may be designated to represent the member club with the same rights as the President. The Club President shall notify the SCAHA Commissioner prior to the meeting who will be attending in his or her absence.
8.03 The April meeting shall be designated as the Annual meeting.

a)

The Executive Committee will set the date and place of this meeting.

b)

The purpose of the annual meeting shall be to vote on any proposals made for revisions to the SCAHA Guidelines, Rules and Regulations and/or Bylaws.

c)

Nominations for the elected Executive Committee members shall be made at the February meeting. Elections will be held at the March Board of Directors meeting.
8.04 The Commissioner alone shall have the power to call special meetings of the Board of Directors at any time giving the Directors not less than three (3) working days written notice of the time, place and agenda of said meeting. These meeting may address any emergency policy or bylaw changes that may be necessary to conduct the orderly business of the League.
8.05 The business of any special meeting shall be limited to that particular agenda for which the meeting was called.
8.06 Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Commissioner, or in her or his absence, the Deputy Commissioner, or in the absence of both, a chairman chosen by a majority of the Directors present.
8.07 Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by a chairman chosen by a majority of the Directors present.
8.08 Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall take place on a schedule established by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
8.09 Notice of meetings of the Directors shall specify the place, the date and the hour of the meeting.
8.10 The order of business for any meeting shall be: Meeting Called to Order; Reading and Approval of Minutes; Financial Report; Nomination/Election of Officers; Reports of Officers and Committees; Unfinished Business; New Business; Adjournment. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of business except where otherwise provided herein.
Article 9- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
9.01 The voting Executive Committee shall consist of no less than five (5) and no more than nine (9) members but shall include the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. The Board must ratify persons appointed by the Commissioner.
9.02 The Executive Committee may consist of other positions as deemed necessary by the Commissioner. Staff members may also hold an Executive Committee voting position.
9.03 The elected officers shall be the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner.
9.04 The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of SCAHA shall not hold elected voting positions within individual clubs while serving their terms as Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.
9.05 Nominations for elected officers shall be made at the February meeting of the Board of Directors.
9.06 Elected officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Directors present at the March meeting providing the number present constitutes a quorum

a)

Voting for elected officers shall be by ballot.

b)

The Secretary, when appropriate, shall prepare, distribute and collect ballots.
9.07 The Treasurer, ACE Coaching Coordinator, Financial Secretary, Directors at Large, Secretary, Member Services, Ice Convener, and Statistician shall be appointed by the Commissioner and approved by the Board of Directors.
9.08 The Commissioner shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall have all the powers and duties usual to that position, including, but not limited, to the following:

a)

To cast the deciding vote in case of a tie at meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings.

b)

To represent the Association in matters involving other leagues and associations under USA Hockey itself and other relationships outside the Association. SCAHA will reimburse the Commissioner for travel, room and board to represent SCAHA at State playoffs, USA Hockey annual meetings and Pacific District meetings subject to Executive Committee approval.

c)

To make commitments in the name of the Association in cases of emergency subject to review and ratification by the Executive Committee at the following meeting.

d)

To preside over all regular meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

e)

To sign with the Treasurer and/or the Deputy Commissioner on the Association's bank account and all checks written on behalf of the Association.

f)

To sign and execute all written contracts, conveyances and obligations of the Association.

g)

To appoint the voting and non-voting members of the Executive Committee.

h)

To appoint committees and representatives from within the Association membership with approval of the Executive Committee, and to be an ex-officio member of all committees created by or connected with the Association

i)

To perform such other duties as pertain to this office, as the Board of Directors may from time to time deem necessary.

j)

To serve as the SCAHA Representative to the CAHA Youth Council.
9.09 The Deputy Commissioner shall be second in order of seniority in the Association and shall have the following duties and powers:

a)

To perform other such duties as delegated by the Commissioner.

b)

To sign with the Treasurer and/or the Commissioner on the Association's bank account and all checks written on behalf of the Association.

c)

To chair the Penalty Review Committee.

d)

To chair the Rules and Regulations and Bylaw Committees.

e)

To be the alternate for any SCAHA, CAHA representative unable to attend any meeting.
9.10 In the absence of the Deputy Commissioner or in the event of his or her inability to act, the Commissioner shall appoint a representative from the Executive Committee who will have and exercise all power and duties of the Deputy Commissioner.
9.11 The Treasurer of the Association shall be responsible for all financial matters of the Association including, but not limited to:

a)

Maintain the financial accounts of the Association, receiving all monies paid to the Association and making disbursement of funds for the Association

b)

Open and maintain the only SCAHA authorized accounts in such banks as directed by the Board of Directors and under such conditions as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

c)

Prepare all checks against the accounts of the Association for disbursement of amount owed. All checks will require a second authorized signature. For all expenditures in excess of five hundred dollars ($500), the second signature to be added upon approval of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer, Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner only are authorized to sign on any account of the Association.

d)

Prepare annually a budget of income and expenses for the ensuing year and to recommend to the Board of Directors a player registration fee for anticipated needs of the Association.

e)

Provide a quarterly financial statement to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors and to make available the books of the Association upon request of the Executive Committee or as directed by the Commissioner.

f)

Make the books of the Association available for independent audit each year prior to the annual meetings.

g)

Arrange for and administer the medical and liability insurance program for the Association.

h)

Work with the Financial Committee on all matters regarding special financial projects.

i)

File all necessary and timely tax returns.
9.12 The duties of the Secretary shall be:

a)

To issue notices of all meetings of the Association if so instructed by the Commissioner.

b)

To maintain a record of all proceedings at such meetings.

c)

To prepare and distribute and collect ballots as required.

d)

To be responsible for the distribution of the minutes to every member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors within two (2) weeks of such meetings.

e)

To help the Commissioner develop and maintain a public relations program.
9.13 The duties of the ACE Coaching Coordinator shall be:

a)

Contact the CAHA ACE Coaching Coordinator on a regular basis.

b)

Call quarterly meetings of club Directors of Coaches.

c)

Coordinate SCAHA coaches' clinics with the CAHA ACE Coaching Coordinator.

d)

Provide the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors with a complete roster of all SCAHA coaches.
9.14 Each term of office shall commence as of the date they are duly elected/appointed.
9.15 The term of office for each elected officer shall be for two (2) years. The term of office for each appointed officer shall be for one (1) year.
9.16 The term of office as herein above set forth shall not be construed as to limit an officer to only one (1) term of office. If duly elected/appointed, an officer may serve consecutive terms of office.
9.17 Each officer shall hold office for the term herein set forth until she or he resigns or is removed or is otherwise disqualified to serve, or his successor shall be duly elected/appointed; whatever occurs first.
9.18 Any officer appointed by the Commissioner may be removed either with or without cause at the discretion of the Commissioner and the approval of the Board of Directors.
9.19 Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Commissioner. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice, or at any later time specified therein and unless otherwise therein. The acceptance of the resignation by the Commissioner shall not be necessary to make it effective.
9.20 Any elected officer may be removed from office by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the Board of Directors at any special meeting held for such purpose.
9.21 Any vacancy caused by death, resignation, or otherwise of the Commissioner shall be filled by the Deputy Commissioner for the un-expired term.
9.22 Any vacancy caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, of the Deputy Commissioner, may be filled temporarily by appointment of the Commission until such time as the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy by a regular or special meeting to be called within thirty (30) days.
9.23 Any vacancy caused by death, resignation, or otherwise of an officer appointed by the Commissioner shall be filled by reappointment by the Commissioner and approved by the Board of Directors.
9.24 The qualifications to be a candidate for Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner requires having served as a President or Vice President of a member club, unless the candidate is approved by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the Board of Directors.
9.25 Regular attendance at meetings is required of all officers. Failure to attend meetings regularly can be considered just cause for removal.
Article 10 - MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
10.01 Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be as called by the Commissioner.
10.02 Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be presided over by the Commissioner, or in her or his absence, the Deputy Commissioner.
10.03 Notice of time, place and agenda of the Executive Committee meetings shall be given by the Commissioner to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors by written notice no less than ten (10) days prior to such meeting. Written, printed or verbal notice of time and place of such meeting may be sent via mail, fax, phone or e-mail.
10.04 Meetings will be conducted under Robert's Rules of Order unless in conflict with this Association's Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, or Law. Minutes to be distributed to the Executive Board and the Board of Directors.
Article 11 - QUORUM
11.01 A quorum of all meetings of this Association shall consist of a majority of the voting members. If there is an even number of members, one-half (1/2) shall constitute a quorum.
11.02 In the absence of a quorum, any meetings of the association may be adjourned by a majority vote of the members present, but no other business shall be transacted.
11.03 The members present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding, the withdrawal of enough members to leave less than a quorum.
Article 12 - COMMITTEES
12.01 The Commissioner may from time to time appoint committees and representatives within the Association membership with the approval of the Executive Committee in order to transact and expedite the business and/or activities of the Association.
Article 13 - AUDIT
13.01 An audit shall be made of the books of the Association at the end of each fiscal year and at any change of the office of Treasurer.
13.02 A committee of three (3), which will be appointed by the Commissioner, will conduct the audit.
13.03 A professional audit may be ordered as an alternative and at the option of the Commissioner, Executive Committee, or Board of Directors.
13.04 The Board of Directors shall approve the audit report.
Article 14 - DISSOLUTION
14.01 This Association is a non-profit organization and all donations shall be considered charitable contributions.
14.02 If at any time this Association shall cease to carry out the purpose herein stated as outlined in the Articles of Incorporation, none of the property of said Association shall inure only to the benefit of a fund, foundation, or association organized and operated for charitable purposes.
Article 15 - BY-LAWS
15.01 These Bylaws shall become effective immediately on their adoption.
15.02 Amendments of these Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption unless the Board of Directors in adopting them, as hereinafter provided, provides that they are to become effective at a later date.
15.03 Proposed Bylaw changes may be made at any time during the year. Such proposals must be made to the Executive Committee for review.
15.04 Proposed Bylaw changes, after review by the Executive committee, must be given in writing to the full Board of Directors a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to any vote to adopt said proposal.
15.05 Any new Bylaws or Amendments to the current By-laws require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members of the full Board of Directors.
15.06 Additional provisions to accomplish the objectives of the Bylaws are contained in the Association's Rules and Regulations
Article 16 - RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
16.01 It is the express purpose of this Article to establish a fair and orderly process for the resolution of disputes within SCAHA and to require all members of SCAHA to utilize that process. In the event a controversy or dispute arises regarding the construction, interpretation, or application of the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, or decisions of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee of SCAHA, CAHA, or USA Hockey, the dispute shall first be submitted to the SCAHA Executive Committee of this corporation, or its designee for resolution.
16.02 Appeals
Any party disputing the decision of a person or committee established by the Executive Committee under the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of SCAHA may appeal the decision to the Board of Directors of SCAHA. The Board of Directors shall consider the appeal at a special meeting or the next regularly scheduled meeting (except the Annual meeting or Rules and Elections meeting), whichever is sooner. The Board of Directors or the SCAHA Commissioner may require a seven-day (7) period to review the material prior to any meeting to review the dispute.

Any party disputing the decision of the Executive Committee may, after a review by the Board of Directors, appeal the decision to CAHA following the procedures set out in the CAHA Bylaws and Rules and Regulations. CAHA decisions may be appealed to USA Hockey subject to the procedures in the USA Hockey Bylaws and other applicable USA Hockey Rules and Regulations.
16.03 Sanctions
Each individual member, member team, local association, its agents or representatives, shall confine the resolution of disputes with SCAHA to the process described herein. Therefore, any recourse directly to CAHA or USA Hockey, or the courts of any jurisdiction by any individual member, member team, local association, its agents or representatives before all of the procedures, rights, and remedies described in these By-Laws have been exhausted shall be deemed ungentlemanly conduct within the meaning of these Bylaws. Such a violation of these By-Laws and procedures shall subject the individual member, member team, or local association and its agents or representatives to immediate suspension and disqualification.
16.04 Sanctions imposed under this Bylaw shall be modified or removed only by a vote of the Executive Committee of this Association at a special meeting or a regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee, whichever occurs first.
16.05 In order to defray some of the costs associated with SCAHA resolving the dispute, the appealing party shall forward a bond in the form of a certified check in the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00), made to SCAHA, along with a written request for resolution. If the decision is in favor of the appealing party, the bond will be returned.
16.06 Any party that wishes to appeal any decision may do so by exhausting his/her home club appeal process. If satisfaction is not given he/she must then exhaust the Association (SCAHA) appeal process. If satisfaction is not given then he/she must exhaust the affiliate (CAHA) appeal process. If satisfaction is not given he/she then must appeal to USA Hockey (reference USA Hockey Guide Book section: Suspension and Resolutions of Disputes).



RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

 

SCAHA

 

ADOPTED

NOVEMBER 1974

 

LAST REVISED

JUNE 2005


SECTION 17 - GENERAL
17.01 The USA Hockey, Inc.'s (the National Governing Body for ice hockey in the United States) Rules and Regulations shall apply. For unique, local situations for which there are no specific USA Hockey rules, the CAHA and SCAHA Rules and Regulations will apply. SCAHA may expand on USA Hockey Rules.
17.02 Any rules, regulations, or directives that are approved by the club presidents at the annual Meeting cannot be changed or amended by the SCAHA Executive Committee unless approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all registered Clubs present at a meeting for which this purpose is previously disclosed and in which a quorum is present. The Commissioner retains the power to call special meetings to address policy, rule or bylaw changes as emergency situations dictate. (See Rule 8.04)
17.03 Soliciting (recruitment) of any player at any time is prohibited. "Recruiting" is defined as direct contact made by any parent, player, coach or club representative via telephone, mail or direct conversation with the intent, direct or implied, encouraging a player to join that club or team.
17.04 The recruiting of players shall result in immediate suspension of the offender, the team and/or club pending a review. The offender's club may be fined in increments of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) per incident. The SCAHA Executive Committee has within their discretion to place additional sanctions on any team or individual who has been documented for their recruitment of players.
17.05 All players and all custodial parents are required to sign the "Letter of Intent/Membership Registration" indicating their knowledge that the SCAHA rules are on-line and available on the SCAHA website and signifying their agreement to abide by those rules/regulations. Parents who do not have on-line access to the SCAHA Guidebook have the ability to request a printed copy of the rules from their club. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to request these rules from their club.
17.06 Any player who is delinquent with monies or equipment owed will be placed on the league delinquency list along with any siblings. Any exception to this rule will only be made with the consent of the league and the club to whom money/equipment is owed. Clubs must notify all players in writing 14 days prior to placement on the delinquency list. Said players will be automatically suspended upon placement on the delinquency list.
17.07 In the event that a game official or league official deems it necessary to eject a parent, the following shall occur:

a)

The parent will be ejected and shall leave the rink property and shall not be allowed re-entry to the property for a minimum of 3 hours.

b)

The scoresheet shall be documented that an ejection occurred. Whenever possible, the parent's name should be documented on the scoresheet. The referee will file a report within 24 hours with the league.

c)

The club of the offending parent shall be fined $250.00, payable to the league within 30 days.

d)

The parent will immediately be suspended for 30 days.

e)

The team manager is responsible for facilitating compliance with this rule including assisting with identification of the offending party for the scoresheet.
17.08 Any player who is given a penalty as a result of using a racial slur will be immediately suspended for 30 days. The racial slur must be documented on the scoresheet or in the referee's report.
SECTION 18 - TRYOUTS
18.01 Players will be eligible for tryouts if they have met their financial and/or equipment obligations. During the tryout period, all club tryouts for Tier I, Tier II, A, and B teams will be held. Tryouts for the 2005-2006 season shall begin as follows: o Tier I tryouts permitted to begin the 2nd Friday in July.

o

Tier II tryouts permitted to begin the 3rd Friday in July.

o

A & B tryouts permitted to begin the 1st Friday in August.
18.02 Clubs are required to post their tryout schedule at their home rink so that any player will have access to tryout dates and times. The league will provide a link to each club's website for the purpose of tryout advertising. It is the responsibility of each club to maintain and update their tryout schedules.
18.03 A list of all players with outstanding financial and/or equipment obligations will be made available to all SCAHA member clubs by May 1. Clubs are required to notify all players, in writing, no less than two (2) weeks prior to placing the player's name on the SCAHA Delinquency List. Players, as well as their siblings, whose names appear on this list will not be permitted to participate in tryouts with any club until their obligations have been satisfied. A player with an outstanding obligation, who is permitted to tryout, may not play for that club during the current season for which tryouts are being held.
18.04 Players have until August 31st to select a club. Parents must complete and sign the SCAHA Letter of Intent by this date.
18.05 The SCAHA Letter of Intent is valid for all travel teams. All member clubs fielding Tier I teams shall submit all rosters, including updates, to the league in order to track player movement.
18.06 The Letter of Intent is in force from the date of signing until the end of the USA Hockey regular season, which is April 30th of each year.
18.07 Once a player has signed a Letter of Intent, he or she may not try out for any other team or club. Players who sign more than one (1) Letter of Intent will immediately be suspended from any on-ice participation, which includes games/practices, until such time as his or her status has been determined by SCAHA. Parents/guardians signing 2 letters of intent will be fined $150.00.
18.08 Once a Letter of Intent is signed, clubs have seven (7) days to forward the original Letter of Intent to SCAHA. Clubs who are found to be non-compliant in regard to this rule shall be subject to fines/sanctions at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
18.09 The signing deadline for the SCAHA Letter of Intent is August 31st. No exceptions regarding this date will be made. If SCAHA Member Services does not receive a completed Letter of Intent by the league's designated deadline, players will automatically revert to their club from the prior SCAHA season. Clubs shall have all players sign a Letter of Intent even if they were members of that club in the prior season.
18.10 In addition to the Letter of Intent, clubs may request a deposit not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for A and B levels or seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750.00) for Tier teams. The deposit paid with the Letter of Intent is non-refundable.
18.11 Any head coach or assistant coach attending the tryout sessions of any SCAHA Club or League teams other than his or her own Club shall be considered recruitment and subject to all the sanctions described herein. (see 17.03 and 17.04)
18.12 In order to move to a different club, players will be required to complete the standard SCAHA Release form. (see section 29)
SECTION 19 - REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PLAYERS 
19.01 Anyone who is an amateur in accordance with the Association's decision, therefore, who is not under suspension by the Association or any of its branches, affiliates, USA Hockey, and is not a member of any other club or team under the jurisdiction of USA Hockey shall be eligible for membership in a club or team of the Association.
19.02 Any player who participates in SCAHA organized development programs, team practices and games, must be registered with SCAHA, CAHA and USA Hockey prior to taking part in any on-ice activity.
19.03 It is the club registrar's responsibility to check all birth certificates and releases before submitting them to CAHA or SCAHA Member Services.
19.04 Proof of age must be submitted with the registration form for all new registering players. A certified copy of a USA birth certificate or a foreign birth certificate with proof of U.S. residence or entry visa is the only acceptable proof of age. Proof of legal residency is also required to the satisfaction of CAHA and/or USA Hockey prior to the official registering of any player.
19.05 Any player whose name appears on the game score sheet must be properly registered with USA Hockey prior to taking part in his/her first game. Failure to register can mean forfeiture of all subject games. Forfeiture fees may apply.
19.06 Any player who is in the last year of his/her age classification may petition for permission to play up one age classification. Any such petition for Tier I and Tier II levels shall be submitted to SCAHA for evaluation and then submitted to the CAHA Youth Council Chairperson, or his or her designee. All requests to play up shall consist of the following information as a minimum:o Personal player profile describing previous team participation, coach referrals and physical measurementso Indemnification and release signed by the parents and playero Other documentation as may be required by the CAHA Youth Committee or the respective CAHA Member Associationo Evidence that a player can participate at a higher competitive levelProviding that the above information has been properly submitted, approval to participate at a higher age classification shall not be unreasonably withheld. No player shall be allowed to play up in age classification while in his or her first year of competition within his/her proper age classification (i.e., a first year Bantam cannot play Midget). Players requesting permission to play up in age classification may not begin participation with said team until all required paperwork, including a parent letter and league forms, are received by the league. Receipt of paperwork does not guarantee approval for participation.
19.07 All players participating in an age division higher than his or her assigned age division must complete the required SCAHA forms prior to game participation. Participation in a game in a higher age division without proper documentation will result in suspension for the offending player and coach.
19.08 A player may not register with more than two (2) SCAHA Clubs in a single season.
SECTION 20 - REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TEAMS
20.01 No team can participate in any SCAHA organized activities without proper registration with SCAHA, CAHA, and USA Hockey.
20.02 For all teams, registration runs from September 1st to August 31st provided those teams do not change by 25% or more. Teams changing by 25% or more become a new team and must complete the re-registration process.
20.03 Each team shall be entitled to register twenty (20) active players on or before the SCAHA registration date. All teams must have a minimum of ten (10) registered players, including goalies, to be eligible to compete in the SCAHA preseason. All teams, except Mites and Squirts, must have a minimum of thirteen (13) players, including goalies, by October 1st to be included in the SCAHA regular season schedule.
20.04 Teams will be registered at the USA Hockey recognized age division level according the oldest player listed on the roster.
20.05 Teams having an over age player, player without proper release, or fictitious proof of age documentation, shall forfeit all games in which the ineligible player has participated. No consideration shall be given with regard to intent or accident. Forfeiture fees will apply.
20.06 Regardless of the number of teams an individual club fields in a classification, a committee chaired and appointed by the Commissioner will decide the level of play for these teams. Regardless of classification by error or misjudgment of competition, the decision as to the level of play shall be final and not subject to appeal. Preseason score sheets and/or game summary sheets must be submitted to SCAHA no later than the time and date prescribed by the Executive Committee. Failure to submit summaries within the designated time frame may result in the withholding of the regular season schedule.
20.07 Clubs colors must be registered at the time of a new club's registration. Clubs changing jersey colors for any reason must also seek approval of new club colors with the Executive Committee. Home clubs must provide and wear cover-ups in the case of similarity of colors. 
20.08 Team representatives, who include coaches, assistant coaches, and managers, must be registered with SCAHA, CAHA and USA Hockey prior to taking part in any SCAHA activities. In addition, anyone involved in on-ice activities must also be registered with USA Hockey.
SECTION 21 - DECLARATIONS
21.01 In order to be included in the SCAHA schedule, team declarations and game slots must be submitted electronically, as of the date specified by the SCAHA Executive Committee.
21.02 Once declared a Tier II team, the team cannot drop into the A or lower divisions after September 15th the current playing season for the purposes of the SCAHA and CAHA playoff tournaments.
SECTION 22 - TEAM ELIGIBILITY
22.01 Block Recruitment is defined as when twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the players of any final team roster of the previous season is rostered on a different Club team in the new season. The team will be included in the SCAHA schedule but will be ineligible for post-season playoffs. The percentage to determine block recruitment violation will be based on rounding up to the next whole number. Individual requests for exception must be made in writing to the SCAHA Executive Committee (via the Commissioner) whose decision will be final. The SCAHA Executive Committee shall have seven (7) days to acknowledge requests and 14 days to respond to requests with an official determination.
22.02 All Clubs planning to field more than one team in any age and skill division should be advised that the league will endeavor to ensure that the teams will face each other in the first half of the regular season.
22.03 CAHA RULE - In order to be post-season eligible for SCAHA/CAHA post-season participation, Peewee, Bantam, and Midget Tier II or "A" teams only must meet the following minimum player development requirements (PDR).

a)

Said teams must roster a minimum of 25% of its players from within its member association and must maintain this requirement through the season to be eligible for playoffs.

b)

A team which loses its PDR minimum because of player movement to the Tier I or Junior level within the same age division shall not render that team ineligible for playoffs due to the player development requirement (PDR).

c)

Any team, which loses its PDR for any other reason than upward movement within the same age division, will have until December 31st to replace their PDR to maintain their post-season eligibility.

d)

The minimum PDR per team is as follows:

12 player roster

=

3 player minimum

13 player roster

=

3 player minimum

14 player roster

=

4 player minimum

15 player roster

=

4 player minimum

16 player roster

=

4 player minimum

17 player roster

=

4 player minimum

18 player roster

=

4 player minimum

19 player roster

=

5 player minimum

20 player roster

=

5 player minimum

22.04 Players eligible to meet the 25% PLAYER DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENT are defined as:

a)

Players who are actively participating on the Member Association's Tier II team as of October 31st of the current playing season unless injury or illness prevents such participation. All players are required to have been members of the same association and in good standing during the prior playing season OR

b)

Players who were actively participating within that association the previous season and who participated in the minimum number of games required to be eligible for CAHA State playoffs except where injury or illness prevented such participation.

c)

Players on A teams may be counted as satisfying the PDR if said player participated in the home rink's in-house league as evidenced by registration documents from the previous season.
22.05 A new CAHA Member Association is defined as a program that did not previously exist and does not take the place of a previously existing organization. In lieu of the requirements of CAHA rule 9.13, a new CAHA Member Association may not roster twenty-five percent (25%) or more of their players from any single existing CAHA Association to maintain eligibility for CAHA State A playoffs. Tier II teams formed by new member Associations shall not be eligible to compete in CAHA State Playoffs.
22.06 CAHA dictates that when two or more member associations merge, players from either of the organizations may count toward meeting the Player Development Requirement for both Tier II (AA) and A teams.
SECTION 23 - PLAYING RULES
23.01 Current USA Hockey rules apply in all divisions.
23.02 Referee and linesmen's fees must be paid in accordance with the procedure established by the official's association. It is the responsibility of the coach or manager to fill out the SCAHA score sheet and to give it to the scorer or referee before the start of the game. Referees may not start the game if the scorer does not have the game sheet; however, the clock may be started.
23.03 It is mandatory for all players in all classifications to wear an approved hockey mask or protector that provides full facial protection.
23.04 Failure to meet minimum player requirements will result in forfeiture of game. Forfeiture fees do not apply if at least six (6) players show up for a game. The game must be stopped if there are less than four (4) eligible players left on the team.
23.05 No SCAHA game shall be played with less than two (2) certified officials present. If there are less than two (2) certified officials present, the game will be rescheduled for a future date. In such an event, the Executive Committee will investigate the cause of the incident and the responsible parties will be required to pay the full cost of ice and officials.
SECTION 24 - COACHES
24.01 All Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches must have a current USA Hockey Registration (IMR) and coaching certification as required by CAHA, Pacific District and USA Hockey.

REQUIRED COACHING CERTIFICATION

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Mite A, BB, B

X

     
Squirt A, BB, B  

X

   
Pee Wee AA, A, BB, B    

X

 
Bantam AA, A, BB, B    

X

 
Midget A, BB, B    

X

 
Midget AA      

X

24.02 All Head Coaches or Assistant Coaches who are new to SCAHA may start the season without coaching certificates, but must have their appropriate coaching certification in place no later than December 31st of each season.
24.03 Those returning SCAHA Head Coaches and Assistant coaches who failed to attain the minimum coaching certification in the previous season may not be rostered on any team until the minimum appropriate coaching certification for that level has been achieved.
24.04 All bench personnel must be properly rostered as a coach on the official roster. Managers and trainers are not considered coaches for the purposes of a roster.
24.05 By 12/31, SCAHA shall notify clubs of any bench personnel who are no longer eligible to participate due to lack of proper certification. Any coach or assistant coach who participates after the club has been notified shall render the game(s) in which they participate as a forfeit.
24.06 CAHA requires that any coach, manager or individual who has been designated by the local association to be screened, fails to complete the Screening and Abuse Application including fingerprinting (when required), shall be removed from participation in any CAHA and SCAHA sanctioned activities and will result in the cancellation of the individuals' USA Hockey registration.
SECTION 25 - ON ICE AND MINOR OFFICIALS
25.01 SCAHA will arrange for the officiating program. Officials are not permitted to work games in which they have family members playing or at levels in which they are a coach, assistant coach, or player, unless written approval of both coaches is noted on the score sheet.
SECTION 26 - SCAHA GAMES
26.01 A club removing a team after any portion of the schedule is established, for the regular season, shall be fined two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) per game scheduled, subject to review by Executive Committee. Fines will be payable to the League within thirty (30) days. A club owing fines to the League will not be eligible for playoffs until the fine(s) have been paid. All statistics involving games played with teams removed from the schedule will be eliminated from the records of the remaining teams of the division.
26.02 Member clubs shall provide one (1) game slot for every two (2) teams. All Clubs with Tier II teams must dedicate one (1) Tier slot for every two (2) Tier teams. If there are an odd number of teams, an additional game slot must be provided.
26.03 Game slots must be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. (earliest start time) and 9:00 p.m. (latest start time), with the schedule reflecting consideration for time of day and distance traveled.
26.04 All Mite and Squirt teams shall be scheduled for three periods of 12 minute stop-time each. Game slots for all Mite and Squirt teams shall be a minimum of one hour and fifteen minutes (1:15) in length excluding ice cuts. All Peewee, Bantam, and Midget teams shall be scheduled for three periods of 15-minute stop-time periods each. Game slots for all Peewee, Bantam, and Midget teams shall be a minimum of one hour and thirty minutes (1:30) in length excluding ice cuts.
26.05 There will be 1 - 1 minute time out allowed per team in each SCAHA game. Time outs will be noted on the scoresheet.
26.06 Running time may be used to maintain the rink schedule. All games may go to running time when the remaining time on the scoreboard coincides with the time remaining in the allocated time slot. The use of running time must be noted on the score sheet.
26.07 No cancellations of games listed on the master schedule will be permitted. Any team refusing to play a game at any time in the preseason, regular or playoff seasons, will forfeit the game, and pay forfeiture fees (note: forfeiture fees are the cost of ice and officials) plus an additional $500 fine will apply. Clubs are responsible for paying all fees to SCAHA within 30 days.
26.08 SCAHA will reschedule games in the event of documented "loss of ice". Loss of ice is defined as.

a)

No available ice due to rink scheduling. The rink must document such loss of ice on Rink Letterhead and direct in writing to the League Commissioner and Ice Convener 30 days in advance of the date of affected game(s).

b)

"Act of God" which shall be defined as:· no ice due to mechanical failure· natural disaster preventing access to rink. Such disasters must be documented by State/Local authorities.
26.09 It is the club's responsibility to distribute game schedules and game changes to its teams. Failure by a club to notify teams of a scheduled game or a game change will be a forfeit, and applicable forfeiture fees and fines will apply.
26.10 SCAHA will ensure that all teams within the same division will have the same number of games count toward standings. However, SCAHA does not guarantee that all divisions will play the same number of preseason or season games. The league will assure that all divisions will play no less than sixteen (16) regular season games. If the overall regular season game schedule for a division provides that some teams will be playing more regular season games than other teams in the same division, the League Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, in the presence of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors, may select on a random basis (by lot or in some other manner which eliminates the possibility of a subjective selection) one or more games which will not count toward the standings for each team in the division which is scheduled to play more regular season games than the others so as to assure that all teams will have the same number of games counting toward standings. The game or games which will not count toward the standings shall not be disclosed until after all the games so selected have been played.
26.11 All teams will provide stickers for use on all copies of the official scoresheet. Players will be listed in numerical order to facilitate proper statistical tracking. Players not in attendance or not eligible to play must be crossed off all copies of the scoresheet.
26.12 Players not in attendance, or players not able to participate must not be included on (or should be crossed off) the game scoresheet. Coaches are responsible for the accuracy of their scoresheets. Inaccurate scoresheets may result in fines, suspensions, or forfeitures as determined by the SCAHA Executive Committee.
26.13 All coaches and assistant coaches are required to sign the score sheet and provide their USA Hockey Coaching Certification Number as well as level and date of certification.
26.14 The home club is responsible for the distribution of the scoresheets. The home club must turn in an original scoresheet of all home games to SCAHA within seven (7) days of the game date or the club will incur a fifty dollar ($50) fine per missing scoresheet. Scoresheets that are illegible will be returned to the Club and the late fine imposed.
26.15 All scoresheets must be submitted to the league statistician for ALL games played by SCAHA member teams (league scheduled, tournament, or exhibition).
26.16 It is the responsibility of each individual club to train their scorekeepers to ensure accurate reporting of statistics. Clubs failing to submit properly completed score sheets will be warned by the League Statistician. On second notification, the offending club may be fined $50.00 for each incomplete or inaccurate score sheet.
26.17 All teams are required to submit a Game Summary Sheet to SCAHA following each game no later than 10:00 pm on Monday or as prescribed by the SCAHA Statistician.
26.18 A notation will be made on the scoresheet for all injuries.
26.19 If any on-ice official deems a noisemaker to be disruptive, they can direct the spectator to desist or leave the arena. All spectators are expected to cooperate fully with the officials.
SECTION 27 - PROTESTS
27.01 Protests based on an official's decision will not be considered.
27.02 All protests must be filed in writing with the Deputy Commissioner within seventy-two (72) hours after the game and a protest fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) to be retained by the League must accompany the protest. The party or parties against whom the protest is made shall be notified by SCAHA. One (1) copy will be sent to the Review Committee and one (1) copy to the opposing club. The protest shall set out the regulation and rules by number under which the protest is made and shall be signed by the President or his/her designee. Accompanying this protest shall be a summary of the evidence submitted. Any protest not following this format will not be considered for review.
27.03 Upon receipt of the written official protest, the SCAHA Review Committee shall arrange a hearing of the protest within fourteen (14) days at which time all those concerned shall be given an opportunity to present their evidence.
SECTION 28 - PLAYER MOVEMENT
28.01 Only rostered players are eligible to participate in SCAHA games. Players may not try out in SCAHA Pre-Season or Regular Season games. Prior