General AIHA Qualifier Rules

The AIHA will follow the AAU/USARS rules of play unless otherwise noted by the AIHA on this sheet or other AIHA postings as executed by the AIHA officials or referees

A. AGE ELIGIBILITY & BIRTH CERTIFICATES.  Coaches are responsible for retaining the certified copies of Birth Certificates and bringing them to all AIHA qualifiers.  Failure to do so may result in immediate team forfeiture and/or player suspension without a refund of qualifier fees.  Check the AGE REQUIREMENTS menu item for detailed information about age eligibility.

B. TEAM TOURNAMENT ENTRY FORMS & FEES.  All required team entry forms must be completed, and all fees (including any late fees) must be paid in full prior to qualifier warm-up or play.  Fees include the non-refundable qualifier deposit to the AIHA by the entry deadline, and the balance of entry fee due upon arrival to the host facility.

C. ROSTER SIZE & CHANGES.  Teams will consist of a maximum of 14 roster spots.  For vital, detailed information about team rosters check the QUALIFY A ROSTER menu item.  Every roster addition MUST be accompanied by a $15.00 fee per player to the AIHA, an AAU individual Membership ID Number and a completed AIHA PLAYER RELEASE form to the AIHA by the qualifier registration due date in order for a player to be eligible to play.

D. GAME TIME.  Each game will consist of two periods with a break while teams change ends between periods.  Each team may call one optional 1 minute time-out during the game.  All game time is running time except for injury or in the event of a 2 goal or less differential in the last 2 minutes of the game.  Then, the clock will go to stop time.  All penalty time is running time when play is stopped.  Mercy Rule: An 8 goal differential calls a game AFTER the first period.  Games will not start more than 30 minutes earlier than scheduled without advance notice.

E. PENALTIES & OFFSIDES.  No checking.  If a player accumulates 4 penalties in the same game then that player will be ejected for the remainder of the game but WILL BE ALLOWED to play in any remaining games.  There is a zero tolerance for fighting which would result in an automatic current game ejection, plus next game.  No off-sides.  On coincidental penalties, both teams will play at full strength 4 on 4 for the duration of the penalties.  An attacking player may have his or her skate or stick in the defending goalie crease even if the puck ins not in the goalie crease, as long as the attacking player is not interfering with the goalie.

F. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT.  HECC approved helmet (with cage or shield for 18 & under), hockey elbow pads, hockey shin guards, hockey gloves, hockey stick, in-line skates (no brakes allowed), must be worn for all qualifier warm up and play, or results in immediate eviction from the rink until properly equipped.  Recommended equipment includes a mouthpiece, protective cup, shoulder pads, hockey pants.  Skate chassis MAY NOT have wheels missing from them if they have been so designed to accommodate them.  This includes goalies.  Each rostered player MUST have matching team jerseys.  “Cat-eyes are NOT allowed except in the adult division.

Special equipment notice: although the wearing of mouthpieces in the youth division players is not mandatory in order to participate in an AIHA qualifier, those hockey participants that choose not to wear them, run the risk of voiding their AAU insurance coverage in the event that they are injured and wish to file a medical claim.

G. QUALIFIER FORMAT.  Every team will be scheduled for at least 3 games.  During qualifier round-robin play, each team will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss to determine their position or advancement in the qualifier.  If team points are tied, a winner will be determined first by: head-to-head result.  If the head-to-head result does not produce a winner, then the winner will be determined by the following: 1) goal differential, 2) fewest goals against, 3) most goals for, 4) best win/loss/tie record, 5) fewest penalty minutes.  In the event of a tie at the end of a semi-final or championship game, there will be a 5 minute (no stop time) sudden-death overtime period, if still tied, an additional 5 minute sudden death overtime period will be played.  This will continue until, in the determination of the tournament director, additional game time is not available.  If this is the case, a shoot-out will be conducted.

H. SEMI-FINAL, FINAL GAME TIE-BREAKER.  Will provide a 5 minute (no stop time) sudden-death overtime period.  If no winner is determined, then teams will change ends and commence with another 5 minute sudden death overtime.  This shall continue until a winner is determined.  If, in the determination by the tournament director, additional game time is not available to break ties, a shoot-out can be used to break the tie: Shoot-outs will take place using four shooters from each team, with each team alternately participating.  Team captains will use a coin toss prior to the start of the shoot-out to determine which team will initiate the alternating sequence of shots.  Each goalie obtained from the four attempts will determine the victor in the shoot-out.  If after the first round, a tie still exists, additional shots will be attempted by each team under a sudden death format, allowing each team the same total number of attempts.  No player from a participating team may shoot again until all players on the active roster, excluding goalies, have participated.  STATE NOTE: The winning team receives 1 goal toward the final score, with the last successful shooter receiving credit for the goal.

I. AWARDS.  The AIHA will provide division winning and 2^nd place team players with awards, and individual awards for Outstanding offensive player, Outstanding defensive player, Best Goalie (save percentage), and MVP.

J. SPORTSMANSHIP.  All teams, players, coaches and officials should promote the highest sportsmanship standards.