Ontario Female Hockey Conference

Rules and Regulations

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BYLAWS RULES AND REGULATIONS

BYLAWS

Objective 1

The name of the League shall be known as the Ontario Female Hockey Conference.

Objective 2

The League shall abide by all Regulations, Bylaws and Rules.

 

Objective 3

 

The objectives of the League shall be:

 

  1. To foster and promote an elite AAA level of female hockey for Ontario players.

  2. To control and administer the playing of the game of hockey in accordance with the rules, regulations and etiquette of the game.

  3. To ensure that all persons who wish to play AAA Female Midget Hockey and those who reside in Ontario have an opportunity to compete for a position on a team operating within their locally identified zone.

  4. To ensure the keen competition within the League and to promote the growth of the female game in Ontario.

 

 

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

101 – Operation and Control

 

  1. All Bantam and Midget teams will be controlled and operated by the OFHC and their respective boards and shall not enter into any player contracts or agreements of any kind and with anyone.

  2. Only the member teams of the Ontario Female Hockey Conference (OFHC) shall be eligible for play within the league.

  3. The decision on member teams/associations rests solely with the Board of Directors and League Executive of the OFHC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

102 – Existing Members

 

The Ontario Female Hockey Conference (OFHC) is comprised of the following members:

 

The Western Division

 

  • The Elgin-Middlesex Girl’s Hockey Association (EMGHA) known as the Elgin-Middlesex Buzzards

  • The Tri-Cities Girl’s Hockey Association (TCGHA) known as the Tri-Cities Express

  • The Brant County Girl’s Hockey Association (BCGHA) known as the Brant County Renegades

  • The Niagara Region Girl’s Hockey Association (NRGHA) known as the Niagara Crunch

  • The Golden Horseshoe Girl’s Hockey Association (GHGHA) known as the Golden Horseshoe Broncos

  • The Halton Region Girl’s Hockey Association (HRGHA) known as the Halton Bearcats

  • The Peel Region Girl’s Hockey Association (PRGHA) known as the Peel Solar Bears

 

The Eastern Division

 

  • The Greater Toronto Area Girl’s Hockey Association (GTAGHA) will have 3 teams

    The GTA West Stealth

    The GTA North Rampage

    The GTA East Falcons

  • The York-Simcoe Girl’s Hockey Association (YSGHA) known as the York-Simcoe Sting

  • The Central Ontario Girl’s Hockey Association (COGHA) known as the Central Ontario Canucks

  • The Durham Region Girl’s Hockey Association (DRGHA) known as the Durham Blazers

  • The Seaway Girl’s Hockey Association (SGHA) known as the Seaway Gulls

 

  1. Prospective Members

 

  1. Local Minor Hockey associations wishing to affiliate with an Association in the Ontario Female Hockey Conference must make application in writing to the League President not later than December 15th of the year prior to season of entry.A deposit of $250 shall accompany all applications.If the application is denied, a $100 processing fee will be assessed with the remainder refunded.If affiliation is granted the deposit will be dealt with as specified in Article 5 below.The League will allow only two (2) affiliates per zoned teams.

  2. The League will review all applications taking into consideration:

  3. Existing Affiliation Committee recommendations

  4. Detrimental effects on existing teams

  5. Number of same age category teams

  6. Such other factors, as the League considers appropriate including, without limitation, the matters set out in subparagraph (3) below.

 

  1. Prospective Affiliate members must:

  2. Have an established Female feeder system consisting of at least one (1) Midget “AA” team, at least one (1) Bantam “AA” team and one (1) or more Pee Wee teams.

  3. Dedicate themselves to the development of programs that enhance and promote female hockey within their system.

  4. The League will determine acceptance or rejection of the application or may table the application for such period of time as it deems appropriate and any and all decisions of the League are final.

  5. Upon acceptance, the applicant will post an affiliation fee in the amount of $500.Upon completion of the League season, $250 of the affiliation fee will be refunded.

 

c.)  Team Composition

 

  1. Teams may register players who are residents in their pre-determined zone team as defined by the League.Teams will also be permitted to register four (4) players from outside their pre-determined zones.

  2. Teams must provide a reasonable opportunity for resident (non-import) players within their draw zone to try out and play for that team.

  3. For the purpose of this Bylaw, “residence” of a player shall mean that place where the player has lived with her parents or legal guardian and attended school for at least a one year period prior to the time when the player is to be registered; any player who is living with her parents and has changed her residence within one year prior to the time that she is to be registered may be registered if she satisfies the President that the change in residence occurred because of a bona fide change in the place of work or occupation of one of the parents.

  4. Any player who has only one parent or whose parents are divorced or legally separated may establish her residence as defined in (3) above.This is providing written confirmation to the President certifying the circumstances set out above apply to her case.A player whose residence has changed in the manner described in (3) above within the year may be registered if she satisfies the President and the OFHC zone as outlined in (3) above.

  5. At a minimum, a player’s residence shall be determined by reference to the residence of her parents

  6. All players must be properly registered with their Local Minor Hockey Zone Association and the League.

  7. A player may play for a zone team outside her resident zone provided the team she is looking to participate has not reached the maximum number of import players as described in (c)1.

  8. A player who tries out for that players local zone team and is released, is free to tryout for another zone team permitting that the zone team she is trying out for has not reached the maximum number of import players as described in (c)1.

  9. A player who tries out for a team outside her local zone must first have an OFHC Release and Permission to Skate Form completed by the association General Manager within that player’s local zone.

  10. A player released by the team in her local zone must try out for the team in the next closest zone.If there is a dispute as to which zone is the next closest, that dispute shall be settled by the OFHC whose decision is final.

  11. The provisions of bylaw (3) do not apply to a player attending a post-secondary educational institution.

  12. First and foremost, all players MUST conform to the OFHC Rules and Regulations.

 

103 – Team Registration

 

All teams within the league shall be registered by the OFHC.

 

104 – Violations

 

Any violations of the Constitution, Bylaws or Regulations of the League by any member of this League shall render such member liable to disciplinary action.  Upon learning of an alleged violation or breach of the Constitution, Bylaws or Regulations of the League the President or Vice-President or their designate shall determine whether there was a violation or breach and impose such disciplinary measures and sanctions as the President, Vice-President or their designate may deem appropriate.

 

105 – Meetings – Representation and Voting

 

  1. The Annual General Meeting of the OFHC shall be held in a pre-determined.

  2. No Association shall be entitled to be either represented at or have voting privileges at the AGM or any meeting of this league unless they are deemed to be in good standing by the league.

  3. At any meeting, each association shall be entitled to one vote on all matters including election of officers.In the case of a tied vote (Excepting elections – see 110) the President (or presiding meeting Chairman in the absence of the President), shall cast a deciding ballot.

  4. Quorum will consist of 2/3 of the membership – to the next whole number.

  5. A simple majority of members present shall carry all questions except as specified elsewhere in these bylaws.

 

 

 

106 – Membership Fees

 

  1. The annual membership administration fees shall be payable to the League by each team on or before September 15th of each year.

  2. All team privileges are automatically lost upon default of any monies due to the League.

  3. The membership administration fees shall be reviewed at each Annual Meeting, and be set after consideration of the budget.

 

107 – Declaration of Existing teams

 

The OFHC shall declare which Associations/Teams, if any, will cease to operate in the League for the next season on or before May 1st.

 

108 – Officers of the League

 

  1. The officers shall consist of the following:

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    Vice-President, Hockey Operations

  3. Vice-President, On-Ice Development and Education

  4. Vice-President, Officials and Compliance

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    The League President will be elected for a four (4) year term to be renewed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.Vice-Presidents shall be elected for a two (2) year term to be renewed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

  6. In the event the President’s position is vacated, the Vice-President, Hockey Operations, shall immediately assume the role of President for the balance of the present term and will continue for the next full term.In the event a Vice-President’s position is vacated, a by-election shall be held at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

109 – Election of Officers

 

            The election of officers shall take place at each Annual General Meeting as follows:

                       

                          The President/Vice-President are to be elected as per 108 b

 

                          Secretary and Treasurer appointed annually

 

                          Executive Directors appointed annually

 

110 – General Duties and Powers of the President and Vice-Presidents

 

  1. To conduct the business of the League in its entirety between Annual General Meetings as directed by League members and to be accountable to League members.

 

  1. To discipline any coach, manager, player, team official, association representative or member for refusing to accept and obey the ruling of the League or it’s officers.Also for any proven misconduct, unfair or unsportsmanlike conduct, individually or collectively at any place where hockey is being played or at any meeting.

     

111 – Duties and Powers of the President

 

  1. May represent any and all members of the League on any occasion and will be responsible to the League.In the absence of the President, the President may designate a Vice-President and they shall have the powers of the President in this respect.

     

  2. Shall call such meetings that are deemed necessary or to call a special meeting at the request of any seven League teams received in writing from the appropriate Zone Associations.Such request shall state the business to be considered at the special meeting.

     

  3. Shall provide reports to all members of the Board of Directors and League Officers regarding any suspension of clubs, managers, coaches, players or officials.If a suspension overlaps into tournaments, Provincials, the President must notify both Regional Managers of Hockey Operations or their designate.

     

  4. Shall ensure that League expenditures do not exceed budget amounts without due consideration and approval of the League.

     

  5. To be responsible for the overall operation of the league.

     

  6. To draw up the League schedule.

     

  7. To ensure the establishment of a disciplinary committee.

     

  8. To attend and chair League meetings, or any other meetings relating to the League.

     

  9. Shall appoint, as required, an Expansion Committee to review on behalf of the OFHC reports submitted by the Expansion Committee.

     

  10. Establish, when necessary, joint committees to review all facets of the requirements for OFHC expansion.

 

112 – Duties of the Vice-Presidents

 

            Shall be responsible for all duties assigned by the President.  In the absence of the President, the

            Vice-Presidents shall assume responsibility of the President.

 

113 – Duties of the Treasurer

 

  1. To manage a bank account, record all revenues and expenditures, deposit all monies received, and pay all accounts of the League and prepare appropriate financial statements for all League meetings. (Fiscal year ends June 30th of each year)

     

  2. Handle such correspondence and financial matters as required by the League.

     

  3. Bank signing authority, any two of the President/Vice-Presidents or Treasurer, are required to sign cheques, any one of the above to verify the account.

     

  4. Audit Clause – Annual internal audit is to be conducted on a yearly basis of all accounts by two representatives of League members or an independent auditor, prior to each pre-season meeting.

     

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  6. To prepare a draft budget, for the ensuing year, in conjunction with the President elect circulation to League members at least 30 days prior to the pre-season meeting.

     

  7. To accurately steward to the budget amounts approved by the Pre-season meeting.

     

  8. To monitor expenditures, relative to the budget, and advise the President when budget limits are being reached.

     

114 – Duties of the Secretary

 

  1. Record and distribute the deliberations of the leagues various meetings.

     

  2. Maintain and store communications pertaining to league affairs and directives as required.

     

  3. Send out information bulletins and work with Manager, Media and Web Content, to ensure updated information is in place.

     

  4. Participate in the activities of the board to assist in the delivery of quality programs.

     

 

115 – Duties of the Executive Director(s)

 

            Responsible for administering the League awards, All-Star Game, Midget and Bantam Divisions

            and general promotion of the League or other duties as assigned by the President.

 

116 – Protests

 

  1. Protests including protests arising out of playoff games shall be entertained only on decisions or rulings arising out of the Rules and Regulations of the OFHC.

     

  2. Protests and all supporting documentation thereof must be in writing, signed by the authorized person of the zone association and submitted in duplicate to a League Officer within seventy-two (72) of the scheduled commencement time or the completion time of the game being protested.A $100 fee will be deducted from the account of the zone association filing the protest.The protesting zone association must notify an officer within forty-eight (48) hours of the advertised commencement time or completion time of the game being protested of their intentions to protest.A copy of the protest must also be forwarded to the manager of the team protested against by registered mail within the seventy-two (72) hour period stated above.

     

  3. The Protest Hearing Committee shall be chaired by an officer of the League and will consist of three independent and knowledgeable hockey personnel and must be convened within ten (10) days of the date the protest was received.The Protest Hearing Committee shall render its decision within five (5) days of the hearing date and confirm the decision in writing to both parties to the protest.(These are maximum time limits and therefore, whenever necessary, the League will endeavor to expedite the hearing process and decision for the benefit of the teams involved).

     

  4. Should the officers whose decision shall be final dismiss the protest, the sum deposited with the protest shall be forfeited

     

  5. Decisions of protests may be appealed as per By-Law 130/

     

  6. Decisions of the President under By-Law 104 shall be heard by the appeals committee under By-Law 130 and not under By-Law 116

 

 

 

 

117 – Amendments

 

  1. The Constitution shall be amended only at an Annual General Meeting

     

  2. A notice of the intended amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted in writing to an Officer of the League at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.

     

  3. The By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the League providing notice has been given as provided in (d).

     

  4. A notice of an intended amendment to the Constitution of the By-Laws shall be provided to each team and their local associations at least thirty (30) days prior to either the Annual General Meeting or the meeting where the By-aw change is to be considered.

     

  5. Amendments require a simple majority as specified in (105 e)

     

118 – Officiating

 

            Assignment of on-ice officials for all League games will be done by the Vice-President, Officiating

            And Compliance.

 

119 – Scheduled Games

 

  1. Scheduled games have priority over exhibition and tournament games as provided by OFHC Regulations.

     

  2. In the event a Regular Scheduled League Game ends in a tie after three regulation periods two five (5) minute periods will be played.The first five (5) minute period will consist of 4-on-4 play and the second five (5) minute period will consist of 3-on-3 play.In the even that the game is tied after the conclusion of the two periods, the game will remain a tie.

     

120 – Playing Rules

 

            All games will consist of three periods of stop time.  Period One (1) will be twelve (12) minutes of

            stop time.  Periods two (2) and three (3) will consist of fifteen (15) minute stop time periods.  Ice

            resurfacing shall take place between the second (2nd) and third (3rd) periods.  Each team shall be allowed one thirty (30) second time-out during a game.

 

121 – Tournament and Exhibition Games

 

            The Officers of the League are responsible for granting permission for scheduled exhibition games

            and league games, and for the administration of any discipline should that be necessary.  The

            Zone Association will grant permission for any other tournaments or exhibition play.

 

122 – Game Sheets

 

            The home team is responsible for emailing the game sheet and game report to the league office

            within two (2) hours of the games conclusion and the mailing of the original game sheet to the

            league office within twenty-four (24) hours.  The home team is responsible for the delivery of the

            game sheet and game report sections, be it electronically or in person, to their Division Manager. 

            The documents if being sent electronically, must be sent within twelve (12) hours of the games

            conclusion and if required, a follow-up of the game report.  The game sheet and game report must

            be delivered or mailed 24 hours after the games conclusion to the assigned league statistician.

 

123 – Match, Misconduct and Major Penalties

 

            Such penalties shall be reported by telephone the day after the game to the appropriate Division

            Manager.

 

124 – Team Failing to Present Itself

 

            If a team fails to present itself at the time and place appointed to play in any game, the game or

            series shall be awarded to the opposing team unless the failure was caused by an unavoidable

            accident or an unforeseen contingency (as determined by the President or their designate in

            his/her sole discretion.

 

125 – Reportable Offences

 

            A team from the home team is charged with the responsibility of reporting all reportable offences

            to the appropriate officer immediately following the game:

 

  1. Major Penalties

  2. Game Misconducts

  3. Gross Misconducts

  4. Match Penalties

 

 

 

 

126 – Suspensions

 

  1. All automatic suspensions shall apply to all league games, including playoffs.

     

  2. League suspensions and discipline policy guidelines are contained in Appendix “A”.

     

     

127 – Playoff Structure

 

  1. The playoff structure shall be:

    1st and 2nd place teams in each Division will have a B-of-3 to determine 1 and 2 seeding

    Round 1 B-of-3 format – 3rd vs 6th and 4th vs 5th

    Round 2 B-of-5 format  - higher ranking team has choice of opponent

    Round 3 B-of-7 Division Championship series

    Round 4 B-of-7 League Championship series

 

  1. Procedure for determining FINAL Regular Season standings in the event teams are tied following the regular season schedule:

     

  2. If three teams are tied, final standings will be determined by the number of wins in total league play.

  3. If two teams are tied, the team with the best record in games played between the two tied teams will receive the higher standing.

  4. If still tied, the best goal differential in total league play will determine the standing.

  5. If still tied, the best goal differential in games played between the two tied teams will determine the standing.

 

  1. In the event a playoff game ends in a tie after three regulation periods, sudden victory overtime shall prevail.

 

128 – Appeals

 

  1. Each Division Officer (President/Vice-Presidents) shall name, as required, a Discipline Appeals Committee.This committee shall consist of three independent and knowledgeable hockey personnel, who shall select a member as Chairman.

 

  1. The officer shall refer to the committee any appeal of an officer’s ruling.

     

  2. The committee shall consider the appeal, with dispatch and render a decision within 10 days of the receipt of the appeal.

     

  3. Any appeal of the officer’s ruling by a team must be delivered in writing (including fax) at the officer’s address on record, and be signed by the coach and representative of the Zone Association, operating the team within forty eight (48) hours of the officer’s decision.

     

  4. The President shall ensure consistency of decisions between the two Discipline Appeals Committees, for general League purposes, interlock games, and playoff games.

     

129 – Expansion Committee

 

  1. The Expansion Committee shall consist of not less than four (2) League Officers as well as the representative Division Manager from both the East and West divisions.

     

  2. The Committee will be responsible to ensure any new member will not impact the competitive integrity of the League.After reviewing the required information, making appropriate recommendations to the League on the acceptability and feasibility of the location in question.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ontario Female Hockey Conference

 

Appendix “A”

 

Discipline Policy

 

  1. The President/Vice-Presidents, if they are not present in person at a game, shall expect the home team’s representative to rep[ort all Reportable Offences per By-Law # 127.The home team Manager shall perform this duty in the absence of the home team’s representative.

 

 

 

  1. The “Reporting Immediately” Offenses are:

     

  2. Match Penalties

  3. Major Penalties

  4. Game Misconducts

  5. Gross Misconducts

 

 

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    The League Officers expect each team’s Head Coach to be responsible for the discipline of their team.  They will hold the Coach directly responsible for his team’s actions and where problems do arise, appropriate action will be taken against the Coach in question if deemed necessary

 

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