2005-06 Season
Introduction
and Overview
Each
year the House League program evolves and continues to improve. The club relies almost entirely on volunteer
parents to coach, operate the clock, organize team functions, etc. We are always trying to provide the players
with a fun and happy hockey experience, and hopefully instill a love of hockey
– a game they can they play the rest of their lives. It is also important that coaches and parents
have a fun and enjoyable season getting to know their neighbors and local
children they will watch grow up.
The
Winnetka Hockey Club and Park District strive each year to put forward a hockey
house league that supports and promotes:
·
good sportsmanship and fair
play
·
team play
·
improve individual skills
·
learn components of team play
·
make new friends
·
have FUN.
The
Winnetka House League program has a long and successful history of promoting parity
amongst teams and players. Parity and the importance of good sportsmanship and
fair play cannot be over-emphasized. It
is the foundation of our hockey program.
It
is our sincere goal and objective to give every player as good and positive a
hockey and team experience as possible.
We do not believe that excessive enthusiasm and pressure to win is
consistent with that goal. We expect
coaches, players, and teams to win with dignity and lose with grace.
Coaches are expected to
exhibit leadership and enthusiastic behavior while coaching. It is the intent of the Club to enjoy a
variety of coaching styles, however certain types of behavior will not be
tolerated:
·
an exclusive focus on one player (often the coach’s son or daughter),
·
yelling at players on either team (other than congratulatory remarks),
·
yelling at referees (they are usually your neighbors kids who are
trying really hard to do a perfect job)
·
encouragement of “stick-work,” dirty play or other aggressive tactics.
The
most effective communication with your players is between shifts with a
clipboard and dry-erase marker.
Remember, the players hear very little while playing. If you
find yourself or one of your co-coaches being overcome by the excitement of the
moment, take a break and leave the bench for a few minutes.
The
referee may penalize players and coaches exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct, in
which case the team will play shorthanded in accordance with the penalty
provisions. Any player or coach
exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct ("trash talking", swearing,
yelling at the referees or opposing team, etc.), unnecessary rough play, or the
intent to injure another player (slashing, checking from behind, high sticking,
etc.) may also be penalized by the Commissioner or League Director. Penalties called by league officials will not
cause a team to play short-handed but will result in the subject player going
to the penalty box and missing at a minimum his or her entire next shift and
potentially leaving for the balance of the game and beyond. Unsportsmanlike
conduct and any intent to injure will not be tolerated.
|
Parity
System |
The
objective of the parity system is to give players the opportunity to play
against others of similar ability. The
system has evolved over many years but always with the Club’s primary
objective in mind. |
|
Player
Rating Sessions |
Rating
sessions are held at the beginning of each house league season where all
players participate in skill and skating evaluations. Evaluations are summed and the players are
stack ranked. |
|
Team
Selection |
Player
rating sessions will be conducted to evaluate individual skills such as
skating, stopping, puck handling and shooting. From the ratings, teams will be established
by senior league officials, taking into account player skill levels and past
performance. |
|
Re-Balancing |
All
teams will be re-evaluated at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas break. Players may be re-assigned (i.e. traded) in
order to ensure balanced and competitive play for all teams. Commissioners will notify coaches and
parents of any changes. |
|
Timekeeper/
Scorekeeper |
Parents
from each team will be utilized as timekeepers. Tell all the parents at the beginning of
the season that their help will be needed.
The team located on the Home bench will have primary responsibility
for ensuring an available timekeeper. It is every coach’s responsibility to
ensure that there are several timekeepers available for their team. An operating manual will be available at
the rink office and at the timekeeper’s bench. Timekeepers, scorekeepers, and anyone else
at the timekeepers bench (i.e. anywhere between the two-team benches) is
considered a minor official
and is not permitted to actively cheer for either team. |
|
Rosters |
Rosters
need to be completed and distributed to all team members by the first
practice session of the season.
Coaches are responsible for preparation of a roster in a form similar to
the attachment. Rosters should be alphabetical – never by player
ranking. |
|
Parity
Sheets |
Parity
sheets are the ratings of all players on a team and reflect player
rankings. They are confidential and
for coaching and administrative use only.
Parity sheets need to be prepared in advance of every game; as the
season progresses player ranking may change.
A sample is attached |
|
Screening |
It is mandatory that all House League coaches go through at least
a partial screening as determined by USA Hockey and the Amateur Hockey
Association of Illinois. There are no exceptions
to this rule. The Winnetka Hockey
Registrar will order screening applications and screening kits will be
distributed to those coaches who have not been finger printed in the
past. Instructions and directions to
screening centers will be given to all coaches prior to December 1st. |
|
Player/Parent
Meeting |
Coaches
are encouraged to have a pre-season meeting with players and parents to talk
about the pre-game arrival, post-game meeting, league and team philosophy,
etc. |
|
Team
Manager |
Every
team should have a team manager. The
manager’s role is to organize the available timekeeper for every game, help
the coach with communicating changes to the schedule, etc. The team manager is encouraged to organize
an early season team function such as a pizza dinner for the players and families
as well as a similar season ending function. |
|
Coaches |
Only
three (3) coaches per team are permitted to be on the bench and only (1) coach from
each team are allowed on the ice during game situations (or as dictated by
the appropriate age level). One person
must act as a head coach for every game and be responsible for setting the
lines and ensuring that the proper rotation of players is followed. |
|
Pre-game
Meeting |
Arrange
to have the players in the dressing room and ready to play at least 10
minutes before the game time. This
provides time to organize the roster, make sure the goalie is fully dressed,
and discuss certain aspects of the game you want the players to focus on. |
|
Clock
Operation |
The
team on the home bench must arrange for a timekeeper. |
|
Dressing
Room Management |
Always
have one of the coaches stay in the dressing room until all of the players
have left. Never leave the players alone
in the dressing room without a parent. |
|
Warm-ups
and Period times |
Always
start the players with a skate and a few stretches to warm-up. There are only a few minutes to warm-up
before the game so keep it simple and effective. Minor Mites & Mites: 5
minute warm-up; 3-15 minute periods; last shift stop time. Squirts & PeeWee's: 5
minute warm-up; 3-11 minute stop time periods. Bantams: 70 minutes ice
slots, 13 minute periods stop time periods. |
|
Post
Game |
Always
try to have a few minutes with the entire team and coaches (no parents or
siblings) to review the game just played and remind the team of the time of
the next practice or game. This is a
great time to reinforce positive skill development and to keep the players
motivated no matter whether they won or lost. |
|
Attendance |
Make sure that
everyone makes an effort to be at all the games. It is unfair to others teams when only one
full team shows up. Take a pro-active role
in ensuring all players have schedules and know when the next game is
scheduled. If there is a game or
practice at the |
Game Time
|
Our
objective is to use the full amount of ice time available in each time
slot. Game times are the following: Minor Mites & Mites: 5
minute warm-up; 3-15 minute periods; last shift stop time. Each shift will continue to be 2½ minutes,
however, when the horn sounds after 2½ minutes, play will stop, lines will
change but the clock will keep running. Minor
Mites for the 2004-2005 season will play 4 on 4 half ice. Mites will play 5 on 5 full ice. Squirts & PeeWee's: 5
minute warm-up; 3-11 minute stop time periods. Bantams: 70 minutes ice
slots, 13 minute periods stop time periods. The
clock will stop for injuries only and such stoppage may result in one or two
less shifts in the game as decided by the timekeeper. The games must end on
time. |
|
Coaches
on the Ice |
During the regular season
only, one coach per team is permitted to skate on the ice during games as
follows: MINOR MITE – for the whole regular season.
Coaches not allowed on the ice during playoffs. MITES - until the Christmas holiday break. SQUIRT - until the Thanksgiving holiday break. PEEWEE’s - not allowed on the ice. Coaches are allowed to
maneuver anywhere on the ice but should keep in mind that the purpose of “on
ice” coaching is to assist with player placement for face offs and encourage
proper positioning during games. |
|
Parity
and Setting the Lines |
The objective of the parity system is to give
players the opportunity to play against others of similar ability. The parity system is described in detail
further on in this manual. The parity
system applies to the MINOR MITE and MITE levels throughout the regular
season and playoffs. The manner in which the A
and B lines are to be assembled is attached. The B line starts every
game. The Squirts will not use
the A & B format but equal playing time is required for all players. The PeeWee and Bantam
level does not use the A & B format. |
|
Shift
Change |
In Minor Mite and Mite teams
alternate between the A line and the B line.
Each shift will last 2½ minutes.
The timekeeper will sound the horn every 2½ minutes but the clock will
not stop. The players must quickly
leave the ice and the next shift should line up as quickly as possible at the
designated face-off. Face-offs will
occur at the nearest face-off circle to the puck location at the sounding of
the 2½-minute horn. |
|
Un-balanced
Games |
If your team is winning
easily and taking an insurmountable lead (such as a 5-goal lead in the first
period), coaches should pull back their offensive power. High scoring forwards can be moved to
defense and the team should attempt to practice other skills. An example is two strides and the player
must pass, or some similar technique. Please
ask parents to refrain from exuberant cheering when the spread between teams
is more than 4 or 5 goals. |
|
Six
skaters on the Last Shift |
During MINOR MITE, MITE,
and SQUIRT and PEEWEE regular season games, goalies can be pulled during the last
2½ minutes of the game and be replaced by any skater until a tie score is
achieved. At that time the goalie must
return to his position. Bantams can continue to play with the
goalie pulled. During
the playoffs, goalies can be replaces by a skater at anytime, regardless of
score. |
|
Penalties |
During the regular season
and the playoffs, penalties at the MINOR MITE, MITE and SQUIRT levels are
served for 1½ minutes and teams will play short handed as follows: ·
if one (1) minute or more remains on the current shift, the penalty
is served immediately and expires at the end of the shift, ·
if less than one (1) minute remains on the shift, the penalty is
served the next time that particular line is on the ice, and ·
if there are four (4) minutes or less remaining in the game, the
penalty is served in its entirety immediately. This means that after a shift change, the
penalized team continues to be shorthanded.
The same format applies during playoffs. In
PEEWEE and Bantam games, penalties are served in their entirety
immediately. In all cases, penalties
expire if the opposing team scores. |
|
Misconduct
Penalties |
The League Directors and
Commissioners have been empowered to call certain penalties in addition to
those called by the referees. These penalties
will be for unsportsmanlike conduct and rough play (such as slashing, high
sticking, etc.)and will result in the player being penalized for at least 1 ½
minutes. For a misconduct penalty, the
team will not play shorthanded and will be permitted to substitute. Unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches will
result in them leaving the game. |
|
SQUIRTS
AND PEEWEE - Change on the Fly |
SQUIRTS AND PEEWEE’s now
change on the fly; i.e. there is no A and B line; players of all abilities
are co-mingled. The purpose is to give
the players a faster paced hockey experience.
Its success rests heavily on the ability of the coaches to ensure
equal playing time for all players. To
that end, special teams (power play and penalty killing) are NOT permitted. During penalties, a player of somewhat
equal skill to the player in the penalty box must be the player not on the
ice. The only exception to the above
is during the last one (1) minute of play in a game and is discussed in Last
Shift. Shifts for the SQUIRTS and PEEWEE’s
should not be longer than 60 seconds.
EQUAL PLAYING TIME FOR ALL PLAYERS IS A MUST. |
|
Offside Rules |
The delayed offside rule is out! Off sides will be whistled
immediately. MINOR MITE -
Offsides will not be called. MITE – Offsides
will be called immediately. SQUIRT, PEEWEE
and BANTAM- Offsides will be whistled immediately. |
Miscellaneous
|
All-Star Goalies |
Goalies who are playing on a |
|
Picture Day |
Team pictures are typically
scheduled for December. Best efforts
are being made to coordinate with game times. |
|
Goalie Equipment |
Each team will have a full set of goalie equipment assigned for the season. Head coaches will be responsible for returning equipment at the end of the season. The Park District will hold a charge card number as security. |
|
Disputes and Problems |
Remember, the primary
objective is to ensure a fun hockey game for the players. Any
problems, real or perceived, must be dealt with away from the players and outside
of the game time. If you have a
problem, take notes and call your commissioner and |
|
Glencoe Ice Times |
All levels may have ice
scheduled at |
|
Skill Sessions: |
MINOR
MITES and MITES will have bi-weekly skill sessions at |
|
Pee Wee No Checking Rule |
In the 2000-2001 season the House League went to a no-check format. This means that checking is a penalty. Any continued problems must be reported to the Commissioner or the League Directors. |
|
Equipment |
At all levels, all players
must have properly attached chin straps.
Please check at the Minor Mite and Mite levels for all proper
equipment, mouth guards are encouraged.
PeeWee and Bantam players must have mouth guards that are visible (not
clear) and attached to their face masks.
Neck guards are highly recommended.
Any players missing any equipment (included chin straps) will not play. If
your team’s goalie equipment is missing anything or needs to be re-sized,
please see rink management – Tom Gullen. |
|
Team Sponsors |
The
Hockey Club would like to increase contact (and appreciation) with our team
sponsors. Please personally contact
the team sponsor, and send a copy of the schedule, an extra jersey, and the
team photo plaque. An extra jersey for
every team is available at the rink office.
If anyone needs sponsor contact information, please contact rink
management – Tom Gullen. |
|
Trophy / Medallions |
The Winnetka Hockey Club will provide medallions
for individual player participation at the house league level. In addition, there will be a trophy
presented to the playoff winner at each age level. The team trophies are to be returned. |
Playoffs
During playoffs,
emotions and intensity can run high. Please remember,
no foul language on the ice, behind the bench, or in the dressing room; referee
comments go to League Director, or the individual League Commissioners. The parity system remains in place – NO
EXCEPTIONS – and violators will forfeit their game and potentially their
coaching eligibility.
|
Playoff Eligibility |
All teams will play in the playoffs, usually commencing in early March. Championship games are prior to the public school Spring Break. In order to play in the playoffs, each player must have attended at least 50% of his team’s games throughout the regular season. Special permission for certain circumstances can be granted by the league commissioner. |
|
Format Changes |
The clock will stop when a
penalty is called and the clock will restart as play resumes. A/B Parity lineups still apply for Minor
Mite and Mite levels. The period times
will remain consistent with the regular season. |
|
In Game Tie Breaker |
For many playoff and all championship games, there
must be a winner. The tie breaker rules are as follows for Minor Mite, Mites
and Pee Wee. Shootouts will determine the winner in the event of a tie game. The shootout will consist of five shots per team, with the puck placed at center ice for each shooter to take in for a shot on the goalie. The "Guest" team will go first - the teams will alternate shooters. At least two of the shooters must be B liners, and at the MINOR MITE (if 2004-2005 has playoffs) level, a B line goalie needs to be in the net against them. The B line shooters will be the first two shooters for each team. Any goalie (A or B line) can play against the remaining three shooters. If the shootout ends in a tie, five different shooters must participate in a second shootout (i.e., two different B liners, three others). At the MITE, SQUIRT, OR PEEWEE level any goalie can play in the shootout. The winner of the shootout gets two points; the loser will get one point. This scoring may be important in the determination of a tiebreaker in the standings should one occur (see next paragraph). To record the score for a game determined by shootout, one goal will be added to the winning teams score in regulation. This additional goal will count against the losing team as an additional “goal allowed” for that game. For example, if a 1 – 1 tie game is settled by shootout, the winning team will be deemed to have won by a 2 – 1 score In
summary: §
5 player shootout, at least 2 of which should be B line. “Guest” team to go first. §
If still a tie, a second 5 player shootout, using 5 different
players, again at least 2 B line players (no repeat players from the first
five). §
If still a tie, coin flip. NOTE for “B Line Shooters” – If a B player loses
the puck, he gets one restart (NHL rules say he is disqualified, we say he
gets one restart!) |
|
Playoff Bracket Tie Breaker |
Some playoffs (levels where there are 6 or more teams) will be structured in brackets. In the round robin phase, each team will play the other teams in its Division. Teams will be awarded two points for a win, one point for a loss in overtime (winner to be determined by shootout), and no points for a loss. Each of the Division winners will advance to the second phase of the playoffs. If there are three brackets (Green, White, Gold), also advancing will be one second place team, which will be the team with the most points among the second place teams (the Wildcard team). If two or more second place teams have the same point total, then the tie breakers described below shall determine the Wildcard team. In the second phase of the playoffs, the Green Division winner will play the Wildcard team and the White Division winner will play the Gold Division winner in Semifinal games. The Semifinal game winners will then meet in the Championship game. Tiebreakers, in the event of a tie in the Standings: The playoff standings will rank
teams based on their total points.
Teams will earn two points for a win (including a win by shootout),
one point for a loss by shootout, and no points for a loss. If a tie in the standings does occur, we
will use the following rules to determine team standings: 1. Head to head game outcome if the
tie involves two teams in the same division.
If there is a three-way tie, or for ties between teams in different
divisions (i.e., for the wildcard spot), then 2. Fewest cumulative goals allowed in
the Division playoff games. If still a
tie, then 3. Largest cumulative NET goal
differential in the two games (note that for 1 - 1 teams this could be a
positive or negative number). If still
a tie, then 4. Most cumulative goals, subject to a
maximum of six per game. If still a
tie, then 5. Coin flip The tie breakers are set up so as to eliminate as much as possible any incentive to run up the score on opponents. Instead, good defense will be rewarded. |
Based on the drafting order of the players, A and B lines are established. The following is the line set-up depending on the number of skaters (excluding the goalie).
When there are less than 10 skaters, you will substitute all
B line players into the A line. Teams
must have at least eight (8) skaters.
·
Players 1, 2, and 3 cannot skate on the
B line ever. However, they can play goalie.
· Players 4 and 5 may play restricted defense only.
· Player 6, may play defense only, unrestricted.
The preceding numeric rankings refer to the player’s rank when all team members are present.
Restricted defense means that player may not score.
If a team does not have at least three (3) B line players present, the team forfeits the game and both coaches cooperatively mix teams for a balanced game.
REMEMBER: In filling a short roster, name your five B line skaters first, then rotate those skaters into the vacant slots on the A line.
12 Skaters A- top six skaters
B - bottom six skaters
11 Skaters A - top five skaters
B - bottom six skaters
10 Skaters A - top five skaters
B - bottom five skaters
9 Skaters A - top four skaters
B - bottom five skaters
- Rotate all B players through the A
line
8 Skaters A - top three skaters
B - bottom five skaters
-
Rotate all
B players through the A line
7 Skaters or less Team must forfeit game; game to be played only after both coaches cooperatively mix teams for balancing.
GAME PARITY AND ATTENDANCE ROSTER
This form is for coaching purposes only and is not for distribution.
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Division: |
__________________ |
Team Name |
________________ |
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Game Date |
__________________ |
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Coaches |
___________________ |
___________________ |
____________________ |
Form to be completed and submitted to opposing coach prior to opening face-off.
1. Use Parity order and list player names and numbers below.
2. Cross off those not in attendance and indicate which players will be line 1 and 2 skaters for this game.
3. Circle Goalie.
4. Always set the B line first and fill in to the A line
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Player
Name |
Number |
Permanent
Line A / B |
This
Game Line A / B |
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