MAINE NOVICE HOCKEY LEAGUE (MNHL) 2026 OFFICIAL RULEBOOK v26.2

Prepared by: Daniel Fuss Home Venue: Family Ice Center, Falmouth, Maine

The MNHL is for adult beginner, novice, and lower-intermediate players (D-level or below). Players from A, B, or higher C leagues, or with recent college experience (unless 50+) are ineligible. Basic skating skills and full equipment are required. The league provides a safe, structured, and respectful environment for developing players to build confidence, improve, and enjoy hockey, fostering teamwork, fairness, and community.

1. League Overview

The Maine Novice Hockey League (MNHL) is a community-based recreational league for adult players at the beginner to lower-intermediate levels (D/E classification). The league focuses on player development, inclusion, and fair play. All games follow USA Hockey adult rules with specific MNHL modifications to maintain safety and enjoyment.

2. League Objectives & Code of Ethics

MNHL promotes sportsmanship, skill development, and fun in a structured and respectful setting. The league is guided by fairness, safety, and inclusion. All participants must display respect toward referees, teammates, opponents, and spectators. Discrimination, harassment, and abuse are strictly prohibited.

3. Game Operations

• Game Duration: Three (3) 13-minute periods.
• Period Format: Periods 1 & 2 are running time except the last 2 minutes (stop-time). Period 3 is full stop-time.
• Warm-Up: 4 minutes before puck drop.
• Intermission: 1 minute between periods.
• Timeouts: Each team is allowed one (1) 60-second timeout per game.
• Overtime: Best-of-three shootout determines the winner.

4. Player Eligibility

• All players must be 18 years or older.
• All players must have basic skating skills (forward and stopping).
• All players must sign league waivers before their first game; this is completed within your registration.
• Substitute emergency players must be approved by the league Commissioner.
• No skill level above D unless approved by the league. Teams may have 1 higher level C/B player with set expectations appointed by the MNHL.

5. Higher Level Players

Each team is permitted one (1) player from a higher division on its roster. These players are intended to act as mentors, helping to guide teammates, organize play, and elevate the team's overall understanding of the game.

The use of a higher-division player as a "ringer" is strictly prohibited. Any higher-tier player found to be playing beyond the role and expectations set by the league will be removed from the team.

All higher-division players have been briefed on the expected level of play and conduct required of them and are expected to strictly adhere to those standards. These players were carefully selected for their skill level, sportsmanship, and respect for the MNHL community.

6. Rosters

Teams may have a maximum of 15 players plus 1 goalie rostered for any given game. If a team has fewer than 15 players, they are permitted to use one of their two approved sub players. Should a team's roster fall below 10 players, the team captain can request an emergency sub, pending the Commissioner's approval.

7. Goalie Subs

If a team anticipates not having a goalie for an upcoming game, the captain should contact the Commissioner to request assistance.

8. Equipment Standards

• All players must wear approved helmets with full cage or visor.
• Gloves, shin guards, elbow pads, and pants are mandatory.
• Neck, mouth guards, and shoulder pads are recommended.
• Team issued jerseys/socks from the league are to be worn only and must not be altered in any way unless directed by the MNHL.
• Referees have authority to remove equipment that is deemed unsafe.

9. Gameplay Rules

• Body checking is prohibited. Incidental contact can happen but must not be intentional or forceful. All players must skate with full control at all times.
• Offsides (tag-up offsides) and No-Touch (Automatic) Icing follow USA Hockey standards.
• Slapshots are prohibited.
• Diving to block a puck for a pass/shot is prohibited.
• Maximum of 3 goals per game (scoring a 4th goal will result in a delay of game penalty and the goal will not count).
• Line changes must be made efficiently to avoid delay of game.
• Referees may stop play at their discretion for player safety.

10. Fighting

The MNHL enforces a strict no-fighting policy. Fighting is defined as a mutual, two-way physical altercation in which both players willingly engage.

Any player ejected from a game for participating in a two-way fight will receive an automatic three-week suspension for a first offense. A second fighting offense will result in expulsion from the league.

11. Penalties & Enforcement

The MNHL adheres to USA Hockey penalty standards with the following definitions:

• Minor (2 min): Tripping, hooking, slashing, interference.
• Major (5 min): Not keeping yourself in control resulting in boarding or head contact.
• Misconduct (10 min): Verbal abuse or unsportsmanlike behavior.
• Match Penalty (game suspension): Intent to injure, fighting, verbal abuse to official or repeated misconduct.
• Expelled: Intent to injure, fighting — automatic suspension pending review.

12. Disciplinary Procedures

• Three penalties in a game = automatic ejection.
• Two game ejections = three-game suspension.
• Fighting = minimum three-game suspension, pending league review.
• Abuse of officials = immediate 1 game suspension by the on-ice official.
• Match penalties require Commissioner and on-ice official review and may result in season expulsion.
• Suspensions carry over into the playoffs.
• There will be no appeal process for suspensions unless expelled from the league.

13. Referee & League Official Guidelines

Referees enforce MNHL rules and ensure safety. Officials are to submit an incident report within 24 hours for any major, misconduct, or match penalty. Verbal or physical abuse toward officials results in immediate ejection and suspension.

14. League Conduct & Behavior

The MNHL maintains a zero-tolerance policy against the abuse of officials and scorekeepers. This includes, but is not limited to, verbal or physical abuse. Any such violation will result in an immediate and possible indefinite suspension. The Commissioner will review the incident, and based on the outcome of this review, the MNHL retains the authority to impose a lifetime expulsion from future seasons.

15. League Administration

• The Commissioner oversees all rule enforcement, scheduling, and discipline.
• On-ice officials enforce set rules and make a safe play environment.
• Game cancellations occur only for rink closures or severe weather.
• Rules may be updated annually based on league review.

16. Playoff Format

Only the top 6 teams qualify for playoffs with a single elimination. All playoff games follow the regular MNHL game format + 5 min OT and a shootout. Suspensions and discipline carry over from the regular season.

17. Team Captains

Each team will have one captain designated by the MNHL Commissioner, who will select a player who possesses hockey knowledge, demonstrates respect, and maintains clear communication throughout the season.

The team captain's primary responsibilities include setting game rosters and communicating with the MNHL Commissioner if the team does not meet the minimum required number of players for a game. Captains are expected to uphold good sportsmanship. Failure to meet these behavioral standards may result in the MNHL Commissioner requesting the captain to step down.

18. Forfeits

Should a team be required to forfeit a game, their opponent will be awarded the win. However, both the home and away teams are permitted to use the scheduled ice time for a scrimmage. League referees and scorekeepers will not be provided for this scrimmage.

19. Game Cancelations

The venue reserves the right to cancel MNHL games in the event of a facility malfunction or other unforeseen circumstances, although every effort is made to avoid schedule alterations. Should a game be cancelled, the Commissioner will immediately inform the team captains and the captains will relay the information.

20. Injured Players

If a player becomes injured and will be out for a set amount of time, the team captain can request a fill-in sub player.

21. Appendices

Penalty — Contact

Situation: Two players are going for the puck towards the boards, both or one player takes a fall/makes contact — who is at fault?

The player who joins in the battle behind the first player would be at fault and receive a major (5 min) penalty for not giving space and not keeping themself in control. All players should give each other room in this particular league and situation.

Situation: A player has the puck (SA), another player (SB) skates close to attempt to get possession of the puck but trips on the other player's skate/stick (SA) — who is at fault?

A penalty will not be called as the player who is skating to take possession of the puck (SB) should be providing a safe amount of distance between the other player.

If the player who has the puck (SA) trips up due to the player skating by (SB), that player can receive a penalty for not giving sufficient room and causing the player to trip up.

Overtime & Shootout Procedures

If a game is tied after the 3rd period, a 3-on-3 overtime period of 5 minutes will be played. If no goals are scored during overtime, a shootout will determine the winner. The winning team will be awarded 2 points, and the losing team will receive 1 point for an "OT" loss.

Running Out the Clock

Situation: A team is down 6 goals in the 3rd period.

The clock will continue to run without stoppages throughout the third period. However, if the opposing team scores, creating a five-goal difference, the clock will revert to stoppages. If the game goes back to a 6 goal differential the clock will continue to run and not stop.

Over Ice Booking Duration

To ensure the efficient use of the Family Ice Center and adhere to booking schedules, the clock may be run continuously during the third period of a game if it is running behind schedule. This "running clock" rule will not apply if a power play is active or icing is called. The rink and MNHL reserve the right to implement this measure to keep all bookings on schedule.

League Contact Information

Any complaint is to be directed via email first so an investigation can start. Email info@mainenhl.com for any questions or concerns.