Rules and Responsibilities of BRPHL League Members

BRPHL Players Handbook 

 

STYLE OF PLAY 

Our games are not intended to be overly competitive. We recognize that players in this league will possess a variety of skill levels from beginner to very experienced. Wytheville, and the greater Blue Ridge area, is not a traditional hockey market. Hockey is still in its infancy here. As the hockey community here grows, we hope to split the league into separate divisions. The current atmosphere is that we are a hockey league for players of varying skills and experience. It must be understood by all players that this is development league meant foster and cultivate the skills and fundamentals of players that are newer to the sport.  

 

We greatly encourage the more experienced players to include players of lesser skill levels in the playmaking and to keep lines balanced. Remember that hockey is a TEAM sport. While individual talent matters, emphasis will be placed on setting up formations in the zone, playing to positions, and displaying good hockey fundamentals. We are out on the ice for the fun and benefits of a good hockey game. 

 

LEAGUE FORMAT 

• The league is comprised of 4 teams all playing every other Sunday night. There will be 13 total games (12 regular season games, 1 championship/playoff game) with 8 optional practice sessions on off-game Sundays. Teams will consist of 12-15 skaters and 1 goalie. 

• On game days, there will be 2 games with all 4 teams playing. One game will start at 5pm, and the next game will start at 6:15pm with warm-ups beginning as soon as ice resurfacing is completed. 

• On practice days, practices will be from 5:30pm-6:45pm. This will be an opportunity exclusively for league players to practice with their team while receiving coaching from professional hockey players on the Bobcats. There is no cost to league players to attend practice. Immediately after practice, there will be a pick-up game (at additional cost and open to the public) from 7pm-9pm. 

• Team captains will be responsible for communication with their players, selecting team name, organizing team jerseys (if preferred), and finding substitute players when necessary. 

• Player trades are allowed for the purpose of balancing teams. 

 

GAME FORMAT 

• Games will be 3 periods, 15 minutes per period, with a running clock 

• There will be two 2-minute intermissions each game following the 1st and 2nd periods. 

• The games will be automatic or “no-touch” icing rules  

• Minor penalties = 1 minutes 30 seconds, major penalties = 4 minutes (see “Penalties” under Rules of Play for more information) 

• There will be two referees active for each gamed, and during the last 2 minutes of any game they can stop the game clock by whistle. (as long as the score is within 2 goals)

• A scorekeeper will manage the scoreboard and record player statistics (goals, assists, penalty minutes) and team statistics (goals, shots on goal) 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PLAYERS 

Full Certified Protective Equipment is required, including a face mask or half shield. Certain items (ie. shoulder pads, neck guards, etc.) are at the discretion of the player. 

As a member of the Blue Ridge Pickup Hockey League you accept the responsibility to: 

• All players must sign a waiver prior to participating in their first game. 

• Always remember to check-in on your teams' sign-in sheet. This will be used to track games played and other player statistics for the scorekeeper during your game. 

• Keep in mind that we are playing for the enjoyment of the game. Stay calm and be adult in your behavior. Our focus should be to improve our skills while helping others enjoy their time on the ice. Keep it light and fun! 

• You must maintain communication with your team captain and be sure to give advance notice if you cannot make a game so they can find a substitute. No one wants to cancel a match, so please be respectful of your other players. 

• Shorts shifts are mandatory, everyone deserves ice time. If necessary, please refer to your bench coach for player line management and appropriate shift duration. No marathon shifts! 

• Remember that there is no play out there on the ice that is worth risking injury to yourself or others. 

• Keep your stick down, keep your head up, and share the puck. 

• Overly aggressive and unsportsmanlike play (both physical and verbal) is not tolerated! 

• Remember that the League Admins and the volunteers who help make this organization successful are not compensated. Treat them with respect and dignity. 

• Clean up the rink and locker room around you. Even if it isn’t your mess, we are all a team on and off the ice and should take pride in how we leave the rink and locker room areas. 

 

RULES OF PLAY 

No Body Checking Allowed: We recognize that some contact is inevitable, but everyone is encouraged to play responsibly and avoid any contact that may injure themselves or another player. Any contact deemed to be a body check at discretion of the referee will be penalized as a major penalty. A repeated offender or any hit that is deemed to be intentional will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.  

 

No Slapshots Or “Golf Swings”                                  

 

Unsportsmanlike Conduct is Not Tolerated: Unsportsmanlike conduct includes any type of play that may cause injury to yourself or another player. Examples of unsportsmanlike conduct may include, but are not limited to; fighting, hitting, kicking at a player with your skates, or taking a swing at a player with your stick. No verbal or physical threats will be tolerated between players, doing so will result in a 90 second MINOR penalty, no exceptions (this will be monitored by Admins, Scorekeeper and Coaches.)

 

Additional examples include any act that could be classified as assault (i.e. spitting) or harassment (i.e. verbal threats/abuse). We understand that “chirping” is part of hockey, and friendly, light-hearted chirping is allowed. However, there is a line that must be drawn between good-natured chirping and chirping that is aggressive or offensive. All players are expected to maintain respect for their teammates, opponents, and staff. Players who engage in unwelcome chirping may receive verbal warning from the referee. Continued violations may be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct at the discretion of the referee. 

 

Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a major penalty being assessed to the offending team, and the player(s) at fault will be ejected for the remainder of the game, no exceptions. More serious incidents will be subject to a Disciplinary Committee Review (DCR). When a DCR occurs, the player in question may receive anywhere from an additional one game suspension to expulsion from the league for multiple infractions or in cases of extreme severity. 

 

Penalties: Penalties include but are not limited to; hooking, slashing, tripping, cross checking, high sticking, charging, spearing, etc. Penalties will be assessed by the referee and may be categorized as a minor or major infraction. Players will serve 1 minute and 30 seconds for minor penalties, and 4 minutes for a major penalty. When a penalty occurs, the referee will stop play only when the offending team has possession of the puck. The player will serve their time in the penalty box. Once the time on the penalty clock expires, the player may exit the penalty box and resume play.  

 

Abuse of Officials: Any physical or verbal abuse of an official can be penalized as such and is at the discretion of the Official. If a player continues to antagonize a referee after being penalized, they can be removed from play for the period, or the entire game. 

 

Offsides: A team is offsides when a player on the attacking team enters the offensive zone before the puck. The play will be blown dead by the referee, and a faceoff will take place at the faceoff dot outside of the zone. While a team is attacking the offensive zone, if the puck leaves the zone at any time all players must exit the offensive zone before the puck can re-enter. 

 

Icing: The league will use automatic icing rules. Icing occurs when a team “dumps” the puck and it crosses both red lines (center ice and a goal line) without being touched by a player on the team that cleared it. The puck will be blown dead as soon as it crosses the goal line.  

 

Faceoffs: Faceoffs will occur when and where indicated by the referee. It is up to each team to ensure they have their 5 skaters on ice (except when shorthanded) and in position for the face-off in a reasonable amount of time. Otherwise, a delay of game penalty may be assessed at discretion of the referee. The game clock does not stop for face-offs, this rule is to ensure proper flow of the game. 

 

Puck and goalie: When the goalie gloves, ties up or covers up the puck, the referee will blow the play dead.  

 

Goal Scoring: Scoring is limited to 3 goals per player per game for a single player. After scoring a hat trick you can work on your assist skills and set up your teammates. Once a goal is scored the referee will indicate to the scorekeeper the # of the player credited with the goal, as well as the players with assists on the goal if applicable. Play will resume after a face-off at center ice.  

 

Intermissions: There will be two intermissions each game, after the first and second periods. The intermission will be 2 minutes in length, and then a face-off will occur at center ice.

 

Overtime: Any games that go into OT, a 5 minute, 5 on 5 period will commence. If the score is still tied, a tie will be called. In the event and OT happens during playoffs, there will also be a 5 minute 5 on 5 period. If there is a tie at the end of that period, a shootout will determine the tie breaker.

 

Warming up the goalie: Start out at the blue line and be sure the goalie is looking at YOU before you shoot! Your obligation as a player is to allow your goalie to see and also feel some shots prior to the game starting.  

 

Substitutions: Substitutions from both unregistered players and registered players from other teams are permitted to cover instances where a team is missing a player. It is the responsibility of players to communicate to their team captain as soon as possible when they will not able to attend a game. It is the responsibility of the team captain to find a substitute player. Team captains may post to the FB group to find a substitute. Non-registered players are required to pay a per-game fee of $20. 

 

Disclaimer: All dates and times are scheduled in advance but are subject to change. Any games lost due to unforeseen circumstances will be rescheduled (i.e. loss of power to the facility, ice issues requiring downtime, general equipment failures, acts of nature, etc.). In case of extreme weather conditions causing closure, we will work with the facility to determine a suitable replacement date. If a solution cannot be reached, refunds for lost game days will be considered. 

 

 

2025 BRPHL Players Handbook 

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